Craft Night

Have you ever wanted to try out a new craft but weren’t sure where to start? Or maybe wanted to craft with others instead of going solo? From classes to social groups, Rochester has you covered!

Fiber Night

Meet lifelong Rochesterian Megan Granger, owner and operator of Megs & Co, a hand-dyed yarn company specializing in local and luxury fibers for knitters, crocheters, and spinners.

What started as a small group of friends meeting at a local store’s craft night has grown into a “happy hour style” meet up every Wednesday night at various locations around Rochester. Described as “not your typical knitting group,” Fiber Night brings together crafters of every textile, including crochet, cross-stitch, spinning, felting, needlepoint, weaving, and more.

“By opening the doors to all fiber arts, we break down those barriers and focus on the shared joy of creating,” Meg says, harkening the importance of being open to all portable crafts. These nights allow participants to socialize, support local businesses, and take part in a craft, whether that’s knitting a scarf or mending clothes.

Walking into a Fiber Night, the vibe is a safe space to laugh, relax, and chat, whether you “know everyone or no one.” The group maintains a firm stance on the idea “we welcome all” as they do not tolerate bullying or hate, and don’t judge skill levels or yarn choices.

“Everything is intimidating until you try,” Meg says for anyone who has never picked up yarn before. Fiber Night serves as a social gathering and creative outlet for those seeking connections or just to get out of the house for a little while.

What started before and was halted by the pandemic has blossomed in an inclusive, creative community, where everyone who walks in has common ground and unexpected, genuine friendships form.

Some of Meg’s favorite memories of Fiber Night meetups have been watching people grow—from members starting out as complete beginners who just needed to get out to showing off their first hand-knit sweater. “It is amazing what you can accomplish with a community of champions behind you.”

Fiber Night meets on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8pm at various locations in the greater Rochester area, creating a cycle of community supporting business and business supporting community. Their full schedule is updated on Meg’s website, www.megsandco.com, and shared on IG @megsandco_yarn. Come sit with us!

Stitch & Sip

Embrace embroidery for all with Stitched by Hands with Jessica Hands, who hosts local Stitch & Sip classes geared toward creating keepsake pieces and a way to slow down and reconnect with creativity.

“There’s something really special about making something with your own two hands,” Jessica says, host of Stitch & Sip. “Embroidery forces you to slow down and be present, and in the end, you have something completely one of a kind.”

Her interest in the craft kicked off in January 2024 while on maternity leave with her daughter. Her son was turning four, and she wanted to embroider a sweater for his birthday, a project that involved a lot of trial and error, plenty of paused YouTube videos, some frustration, and pride in the results. “It quickly became a creative outlet for me at a time when I really needed something that felt like it was just mine.”

Full of warm and fun energy, Stitch & Sip nights bring people together, turning strangers into friends as they settle in and connect. Some classes are more guided while others allow crafters to go at their own pace, reaching out to Jessica for assistance if need be. People help one another out, turning the nights into a shared experience. Even if someone started out the night solo, by the end it never really feels like anyone came alone.

“I know how hard it can be to make friends as an adult. These classes are such an easy, low pressure way to be social, and I love when people come on their own and leave with new connections,” Jessica says.

For those new to embroidery, Jessica says people are often surprised by how capable they are. Some come in having having never picked up a needle and thread. All classes are beginner friendly, and while not all projects are finished in one go, participants can go home with the confidence to finish.

“People come back because they fall in love with embroidery and the experience of creating something in a fun, welcoming space.”

This summer, keep an eye out for espresso martini themed classes! Jessica also has plans for outdoor classes, weather pending, and hosts private classes, which are perfect for bachelorette parties, milestone birthdays, or a girls’ night in. Follow on IG

https://www.instagram.com/stitched.by.hands/ for a list of events.

Candle Making

Lauren Barley, owner and founder of Light My Candle Co., shares insights into creating scents that spark creativity, evoke fond memories, or simply make your home a happier place with hand-crafted, hand-poured, and clean, eco-friendly ingredients.

There’s nothing that beats the scent of a clean, fresh candle. Why not try your hand at making your own? At Light My Candle Co., join Lauren in blending scents and meaning in something tangible to take home.

“It’s not just about making a candle; it’s about how you feel while you’re doing it,” Lauren says, whose candle making started out as a creative outlet before she fell in love with the process. Each step is thoughtful, from the blending of scents, the calm of pouring, and the ability to create something that instantly changes the feel of a space.

Classes blend education and creativity, engaging in a social setting where people can come in as individuals and leave feeling like they shared something memorable. There’s no pressure in any class. Participants show up to enjoy the process and walk away with something they made themselves, which makes it a little more meaningful and unique than your typical outing.

“Scent is personal,” Lauren says. “It’s tied to memory and emotion, so when people create their own blend, it often becomes ‘their scent.’ I love watching people light up when they smell something and it instantly reminds them of a person, a place, or a moment.”

Coming up this summer, Lauren has plans for themed candle making classes and private parties, creating opportunities for individuals and groups. When asked what makes a candle making experience so special, Lauren says, “It’s where creativity, connection, and a little bit of magic come together. People don’t just make candles; they make memories.”

Find our upcoming classes for hands-on candle-making workshops on our events page at

www.lightmycandleco.com/pages/events

Fine Art Class

Capture the essence of the natural world with Laura Cott of LaCott Fine Art and fuel a passion for creativity and the desire to bring expression and beauty through paintings.

Laura Cott has always been drawn to watercolor. Citing its fluidity as a medium, her goal is not to achieve perfection, but to let the process work its magic to create something beautiful. A Buffalo State College graduate with a degree in Art Education, she spent some time working with another small business focused on teaching classes in the creative arts to the community. After teaching others’ lessons, Laura focused on “developing my own themes and trying to bring a fresh, exciting take to painting classes and it has grown and evolved since!”

In each class, Laura guides students from simple exercises to finished pieces. For her, it’s rewarding to watch them grow more comfortable and let go of perfection as they find that confidence, and Laura says she learns from her students just as much as they learn from her.

“Results don’t always have to be finished pieces,” she says, hoping students walk away from each class taking heart in the journey to the destination. Creative journeys also come with risks, even small ones, and she hopes everyone enjoys the process just as much as the outcome.

To anyone who believes they aren’t artistic but want to try anyway, Laura says that all art is subjective. “Mastery takes time and practice in any field. What you should be looking for is a sense of enjoyment.”

Summer brings bursts of color and Laura’s classes are all about seasonal flowers, the beach, or lush summer landscapes. Each season inspires the themes of her classes, and with summer, it’s “any excuse to be outside while painting, or to bring the outside in to enjoy!”

Join a LaCott Fine Art Class throughout the summer at the Rochester Brainery or see her full calendar at www.lacottfineart.com/all-classes-events