The Crown Knitters

The Crown Knitters meet at The Crown on Tuesday 3 November, and if you've never been, it's a good place to start. They're a local knitting and crochet group that gathers every Tuesday morning in the Snug, tucked away in the Old Town. It's a free and friendly session with no need to book: you just turn up with your project or a bit of yarn, whatever your skill level. Whether you're a seasoned pro or you've only just figured out how to cast on, you'll fit right in.

What sets them apart is where the work goes. Everything the group makes is sold to raise money for local causes, with the RNLI and the Hastings Winkle Club among the beneficiaries. It's a proper community effort — you're not just making something for yourself; you're knitting for the town. And they're big on a theme: pirate pieces for Pirate Weekend, green ones for Jack in the Green, and if the town is celebrating something, someone is knitting it. It's a nice way to see the local calendar reflected in the things they produce.

If you're new to it, don't let the 'knitting' label put you off — crochet is just as welcome, and the whole point is that it's a social thing. You can bring your own half-finished project, start something fresh, or just come along and see how it works. It's a low-pressure way to spend a Tuesday morning, and the Snug is a cosy spot to settle into. The group meets at 10:00 at The Crown, 64-66 All Saints' Street, Hastings Old Town (TN34 3BY), and it's free to join.