Knitting quickly becoming more popular hobby

Step through the door of Knit Unto Others and you find yourself transported to another world. Warm colors and soft yarn greet you from every corner of the small shop, whether draped over a rod or fit snugly into cubbies. There is a book corner with intriguing project suggestions and also a corner that offers miscellaneous fair trade products, although every thread in the store is fair trade.

This is the world of Claire Gherki, owner of Knit Unto Others, and she invites you to come in and stay awhile. In fact, it is rather hard to resist staying in such a cozy atmosphere.

“The best part is the atmosphere feeling comfortable,” said student Holly Koder. “Claire has always been very open and willing to help with anything. She’s always very welcoming to anyone who comes in.”

Gherki’s vision for Knit Unto Others started when she found a similar knitting shop and decided Arkadelphia needed one, too.

“Doors opened and I did some research on fair trade yarn,” Gherki said. “I have just really felt like this is something I am supposed to do. It has been very rewarding.”

Between taking business courses at Henderson and doing online research, Gherki pointedly made Knit Unto Others exactly that, focused on knitting for others.

“Not many retail shops put a priority on charitable knitting or fair trade or just doing good,” Gherki said. “I also try to combine providing good quality products and free beginner’s knitting classes on a drop-in basis. That’s not something most shops do.”

Students like Koder have already taken advantage of Gherki’s willingness to help beginners.
“I had learned [to knit] in fourth grade but hadn’t really done it since then,” said student Kristen Pucik. “I went in the afternoons and she re-taught me. She’s really patient.”

While some may envision knitting for middle age to older women, the hobby has leapt in popularity among college students, both men and women.

“I think there’s interest in keeping family traditions,” Gherki said. “Also it’s just simply fun and a great stress reliever. There’s still tremendous value in handmaking a gift.”

Gherki is still working on uniting local college students in one group. She said the possibilities are endless for service projects as individuals or organizations and clubs.

“I think a college group would be a good place to have something outside of Ouachita to get together and fellowship,” Koder said.

Student Molly Throgmorton has already served alongside Gherki through Ouachita’s TranServe program.

“A group of girls [from 4-H] came to the store and … I helped teach them how to knit,” Throgmorton said.

Beyond that, knitting also provides new, unique ways to celebrate or pray for people.
“The idea behind prayer shawls is when making the gift to be in prayer for a specific person,” Gherki said. “Sometimes they are made for those who are ill and sometimes in celebration of a new baby or a wedding.”

Another creative way to celebrate uses knitting to make a memorable gift from a group of people.
“I recently did a wedding shower where everyone learned how to knit,” Gherki said. “Everyone then knit a square and I put them together in a blanket from all of us to the bride.

And with Christmas a month away, now is the perfect time to learn how to knit things like hats and scarves.

“I have twice the family and half the funds so knitting works great for me,” said Pucik, who has taught her boss’ daughter, friend, and sisters-in-law how to knit since re-learning herself.

Every corner of Knit Unto Others and every charitable opportunity Gherki highlights is unique. From the Peace Fleece of Uruguay to the Knitter Critters from Kenya, fair trade products are not only sold but used again to make hats for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or various gifts for the foster children of Clark County.

“I like having a knitting store in Arkadelphia,” Throgmorton said. “[It] has a lot to offer. She is trying really hard to get people to come together and have fun.”