Building a community is like trying to write the first few words of a post—you’re full of ideas but unsure where to start. So, I guess the beginning is as good a place as any…

Like many of you, I learned a big lesson during COVID: I took the small things for granted. Local, in-person knit groups—those vibrant gatherings filled with laughter, inspiration, and connection—were suddenly on pause. Online groups popped up, but they often consisted of the little cliques that had already formed locally. Don’t get me wrong; those groups were great for keeping in touch, but… they just weren’t the same.

There’s something truly magical about being surrounded by people who are your tribe. You know what I’m talking about—someone finishes a long-term project and holds it up for the group to see, glowing with pride. Everyone cheers because they’ve been following every stitch of that project’s progress. They’ve shared the excitement, the struggles, the triumphs.

I.Y.K.Y.K. (If You Know, You Know.) It’s hard to put that feeling into words—belonging, shared joy, and connection. So instead of trying to describe it, I built it.

I met someone who told me about this immersive community platform, he and his team created. At first, I was skeptical—too good to be true, I thought. After all, I’d just built a Fiberarts Community server on Discord. If you’ve used Discord, you know it’s a powerful tool (and it’s free), but it’s not exactly user-friendly, especially for something as warm and visual as a knitgroup.

But then came GoBrunch. I didn’t fall in love right away—it probably took three tries—but when it clicked, I was hooked. (Honestly, I’m thinking we’ll need a 12-step program for this soon.) Picture attending a virtual knitgroup where you see the space, interact with people visually, and actually feel like you’re there. It’s not just text on a screen—it’s a full experience.

That’s when the Fiberarts Community was born, and let me tell you, it’s unlike anything else—online or off. I know because I’ve looked.

The community space is open 24/7 and completely free. No emails, no passwords—just pick a name, an avatar, and come on in. When you “walk through the front door,” you’ll find a main community space with a directory and a bulletin board to keep you updated on what’s happening. From there, it’s all yours to explore.

Gather with friends. Meet new ones. Each room offers something unique, with tools like circle cams, presentation screens, and (my favorite) Artybot—your fiber arts assistant. It’s a space designed for creativity, connection, and collaboration.

But here’s the thing about community: you have to start somewhere. I feel a bit like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams—“If you build it, they will come.” Except it’s not quite that easy.

So I’ve set a date. Starting January 8th, 2025, the Fiberarts Community will host “Knit Happens Wednesdays” every week from 1 PM to 3 PM EST.

I have a friend who started her own initiative—something she truly believed in. She picked a time and just… showed up. Week after week, she sat there alone until, one day, people started joining her. Slowly but surely, her passion built something that added real value to people’s lives.

That’s what I want for Knit Happens Wednesdays. I’ll be there every week—showing up, waiting, ready to welcome you. And don’t think I’ll let you forget about it! I’ll be reminding you in emails, the newsletter, the podcast, and on social media because I believe in this space and its bright future.

Community takes time to grow, but I know it’s worth the wait. I hope you’ll come, pull up a chair, and be part of it.

Let’s make Knit Happens Wednesdays something special—together.

Until next time friends…