Tight Knit Group Solves Palisades Problems Over Scarves, Sweaters

From travel tips to handyman referrals, favorite movie roles of actor Anthony Quinn to the woes of finding parking in the Palisades, the conversation moves as quickly as their knitting needles when the Tight Knit Group gathers.

“We’re like our own Google; a network of information. We ask each other everything we need to know,” said Laurie Sale as she knitted a striped shawl at their last meeting. “I think we talk about knitting the least.”

As the name implies, the monthly Monday gatherings of fiber fanatics at rotating homes in Pacific Palisades is more than just a time to work on scarves and sweaters or swap patterns, but also a time to share stories and assess the state of the world.

“We both identify and solve all of the problems in the Palisades while we knit,” laughed fellow knitter Bobbie Watkins, adding that with a collective residency of almost 350 years in Pacific Palisades, there is no problem they can’t solve.

While coordinating the schedules of the 10 members can be a challenge, all were present and accounted for at their latest gathering where all were dressed in hand-knitted creations; scarves and sweaters, shawls and wraps and conversation seemed to center on survival tips for California quakes and fires.

Knitting circles like the Tight Knit Group can be found all around the greater Los Angeles area; some pop up in people’s living rooms while some have scheduled meeting dates and paid dues. Others meet at sewing shops where novice knitters can get their start.

The Tight Knit Group, which has been meeting monthly for the past 35 years, started with three members who connected over their shared interest.

A self-described “fiber freak,” Judi Freed is one of two remaining original members.

“You can take your knitting anywhere. Whenever you’re stuck or waiting, you can take it out – and it’s more fun than being on your phone,” Freed said while wearing a two-piece sweater that took 80 hours of knitting to complete.

Knitting and other fiber arts (crocheting, cross-stitching, weaving) are as popular as ever, she said, adding that most in the group have passed their knitting skills on to their grandchildren and others.

“We often joke, ‘when does a hobby become an obsession?’” said Patricia Lewin while working on a cable knit sweater for her teenage granddaughter. “I find it so relaxing to have a project to work on. Though I prefer to have two or three.”

The women in the group have varying levels of skills and said the monthly gatherings are a way to keep their skills sharp and seek support when working through problems or tackling difficult projects.

“Plus, we burn a few calories and always have so much fun,” Watkins said while serving up a chocolate cake made by the evening’s hostess, Judith Haun. “We swap all of the best insider tips and I love being a part of a group with really creative people. It makes me a better knitter.”

Similarly, the friendships formed in the group have led them through life’s challenges, too.

“We’ve all gotten to know each other so well and it’s just an amazing group. Every one of these women is so uber nice,” Sale said. “We all just really like each other. It’s been very wonderful.”

Before the ladies wind their yarn and wrap up their needles for the night, iPhones and day planners come out as dates and locations are tossed out for the next meeting. After a back-and-forth banter, the group settles on a date, a hostess and most importantly – the baked goods.

Judith Haun, Doris Littlestone, Bobbie Watkins, Lynne Ostrick, Judi Freed, Lisbeth Friedman, Patricia Lewin, Gisela Moriarty and Laurie Sale are all current members of the Tight Knit Group.