Ever since Houston's craft-graffiti group, Knitta, made its way onto Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment a couple of years ago, it seems like everyone you meet now knows how to knit. Some of us picked up on the craze when Debbie Stoller's groundbreaking knitting guide, Stitch 'n' Bitch, hit bookstore shelves in 2004. And then there are old biddies who have been knitting since before Jesus, but let's pretend we invented this thing, shall we?

Photo by Kim Christensen: Yarns 2 Ewe owner Wendy Moses is a helpful guide to the thousands of varieties of yarn she houses in her store. Yarn stores -- True crafters know that you don't buy yarn at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. You have to get the real stuff -- wool, cotton, hemp, blends -- which you will only find through a network of spread-out yarn stores in Houston. Yarns 2 Ewe, 518 Shepherd Dr., is the largest inside the loop, and serves the community well with classes most days of the week. There's a corner with couches in the store where regulars come to knit and chat, though it doesn't attract the coolest crowd. There's also Nancy's Knits, 5300 N. Braeswood; Yarntopia, 2944 S. Mason Rd. in Katy; Twisted Yarns, 702 Spring Cypress Rd. in Spring; and Merribee Needlearts, 12682 Shiloh Church Rd. Each store offers classes and a unique group of crafters.

Sew Crafty -- Craft studios are nothing new in other metropolitan areas, but Sew Crafty in the Heights is Houston's first. Owner Sarah Gabbart has created a bright, comfortable place to either learn to knit or learn some new skills. Classes are small, making one-on-one help possible, and the instruction is top-notch. The studio also offers sewing instruction, craft workshops, open studio time and craft-based social events. And best of all, Sew Crafty opens its arms to everyone: hipsters, plain janes, kids, men. Sew Crafty has become a loving home to all of Houston's crafters seeking community.

Hip Knit Houston -- Stoller's book inspired knitters to get together all over the country to stitch and bitch in groups. Hip Knit Houston is an umbrella name for the groups that meet all over the Houston area. The central Houston group meets at the Cafe Express on W. Gray on Thursday evenings. You will also find meet-ups in Clear Lake, Sugar Land, Pearland, Katy, and beyond. These meet-ups serve a social need more than instruction, but everyone is willing to help out if you have a question.

Knit at Night Guild -- Formed in 1996, this 200-member guild meets at four locations to, you know, knit at night. This group takes itself seriously, with instructors on hand and membership dues should you choose to join. There's even a lace-knitting separatist group. If you're seeking instruction, this might be more helpful than Hip Knit Houston. The central Houston meeting spot is at Emerson Unitarian Church with other groups meeting at in Spring, Katy and west Houston.

Houston Craft Mafia -- When you get to the point where you've knitted more scarves than you have friends and family, you might want to turn this crafting thing into a business. Houston Craft Mafia can help you in many ways: business promotions, help for your Web site and craft-market booth sharing.