‘I’ve never experienced close friendships like this before’: how a craft night became the glue that holds a group of women together

Jenny Gibbons, Hannah Ratnett, Becs Clark and Kate Smith, who meet regularly to get crafty. Photograph: Emli Bendixen/The Guardian

During evenings spent with her crafting group, Kate Smith has produced a host of lovely pieces: hand-embroidered bags, summer dresses, Christmas crackers and even jewellery. But the thing she’s most proud of creating is a close-knit group of friends that cherishes each other’s company.

“Some people might find close friendships like these early on in life, but I’ve never experienced it before,” says Smith, 47. “Now that I’m older, having these women around me feels even more precious. Sometimes I’ll think: ‘I really need to see them,’ so we’ll arrange a crafting evening via text. Then when I see them, I just feel better – it’s so lovely.”