Knit Wits supporting the threads of community
Knit Wits is a well-established community knitting and craft club with around 50 members, based in Blackridge, West Lothian. Founded in February 2018, the group meets weekly at the Craig Inn Community Centre, bringing together people of all ages, predominantly but not exclusively women, with a number of older members among the regular attendees.
Members gather to share creative skills, learn new techniques, and socialise. Knitting, crochet and sewing coaching is offered free of charge by fellow members. Items made by the group are donated to a range of local charities in and around Blackridge and West Lothian. Around 80% of members live within Blackridge village itself, making the club a genuinely local resource. New members continue to join through word of mouth and the group’s Facebook presence, and the group is open to everyone.
West Lothian Council, like many local authorities, is navigating significant funding pressures and reviewing its assets and community facilities. For Knit Wits, this meant an unexpected additional room hire costs at their base, the Craig Inn Centre in Blackridge. Members were unable to absorb this through increased weekly contributions, putting the group’s continued operation at risk.
The Blackridge Community Fund awarded Knit Wits £500 — the full amount requested — as a one-year grant to cover the increased venue hire costs. The grant enabled the group to continue weekly sessions without interruption, keep attendance fees to a minimum, preserving accessibility for all members and maintain the welcoming, low-barrier environment that members depend on.
The Blackridge Community Fund is supported by wind farm contributions from Gresham House (Torrance Wind Farm), Netro Energy (Harthill Wind Ltd / Torrance Extension), and EDF Power Solutions (Burnhead Moss Wind Farm). This grant aligns with all three of the Fund’s objectives: to enhances quality of life for local residents; to contribute to a vibrant, healthy and sustainable community; and to promote community spirit and participation.
One member described their experience:
| "I joined knit wits after moving to Blackridge. I didn't know anyone in the village and wanted to change that. The members were just so welcoming and there are folks from the surrounding area too, not just Blackridge. It's not just for knitters either. It's so nice to see all sorts of other crafting projects, which is good for inspiration and everyone helps if you want to improve your skills or try new ones. Most of all though, I've made some great friends, had some brilliant laughs and even went to other social events with them. Such a fantastic wee group" |
Beyond the craft skills on offer, Knit Wits provides something harder to quantify but equally important: a reliable, friendly space where people can connect.
Read more about the Blackridge Community Fund