I just learned, via Bogga J, that there is a Joliet, “knit meetup group”. I signed up to receive information here.
Evidently, they meet the third Wednesday every month. Which means, I missed yesterday’s meeting. Drat!
The existence of this groups got me wondering: Are there other hand knitting groups in the West Suburbs of Chicago? There must be a few. After all, there are two machine knitting groups.
I explored a bit more. It turns out this “knit meetup” site keeps a list; there are 4 near my zip code. One is in Wheaton, that’s much closer than Joliet. One is in Shaumberg — a little far. One is in Aurora; quite close, but it’s further than Wheaton.
Now, I’ll need to sign up for email from all of them! Although, there is no way I can attend 4 groups. And I do like the guild meetings at Knitche!, in Downers Grove, which is closest of all. I’m not going to skip those.
Curious, I surfed to find comments on other meetup groups. Evidently, wabi sabi threads goes to the knit meetup group in Madrid, Spain. I’m pretty sure the family jet is out of commission, so I think I’ll miss those meetings. 
(A girl can dream, can’t she?)
Closer to home, Iowa Chicks mentions a meeting in West DesMoines. (Makes sense. A bit far to drive though.)
Wendy Knits lists a whole bunch of meetups in her sidebar.
I guess I’ll probably limit myself to Wheaton or Aurora! But, I’ll dream of Madrid.