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The first ever Sock Summit is coming to the Oregon Convention Center: four days, dozens of classes, an extensive marketplace, and an attempt to break a world record. It's all focused on knitting, especially socks. I asked summit co-organizer Tina Newton what she loves so much about socks. She laughed.
Everything. First of all, it’s small, so you can take it with you. You don't have to carry a blanket or a sweater. There’s the cuff, so you rib. There’s the leg of the sock. So you can do any kind of pattern on it you want. All kinds of stitch combinations. And then the heel is different, the toe is different, there’s a gusset. There’s a lot you can play with. There's a lot of design opportunities. You do not get bored.
Newton is way into socks. She runs a sock club and sock camp every year. Creating yarn specifically for socks carries the rest of her dyeing business. Her partner in sock summitry is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, author of a half a dozen books on knitting. Pearl-McPhee can turn out a pair of socks in less than a day and is sweeping in her praise of the craft.
Sock knitting is really an outstanding little microcosm that stands up for all that knitting is. No matter what technique you want to talk about in knitting, it exists in a pair of socks. So while it seems like it's a really niche topic, a really tiny area of knitting to talk about, it isn't. Every trend that there's ever been in fashion or in kitting or in humanity in general is reflected in socks.
Socks tell history, Pearl-McPhee says. Short socks reflect major wool shortages. Long knit stockings disappeared after central heating was invented. Napoleon's socks make Canada proud. The original Luddite was supposedly a knitter of socks.
Before stocking frames, of course, all socks were hand made. Now, even Pearl-McPhee says the cost and time make it a "ridiculous" way to obtain clothing, if the primary goal is just to stay dry and warm. But she says the sold-out sock summit is one indication that the knitting business is going strong.
Knitting seems to be an interesting little bubble that is almost protected from the current global recession. I mean times are tough all over and we're filling a convention center. It's not like they're learning how to do CPR or something. I'll probably be struck by lighting for saying it, but I mean it's really only sock knitting.
Four years ago, a Craft Yarn Council of America survey found one in three American women knows how to knit or crochet. Executive director Mary Colucci says it's hard to put a figure on the size of the industry because many companies are privately held, but she estimates retail sales of yarn, needles and the like approach a billion dollars a year.
On this show we'll get into history, geometry, color and curves as well as how your local yarn store and your internet yarn retailer are changing as passion for knitting grows. Do you knit? Do you knit socks? What's your favorite part? How much do you spend on it? Where do you buy patterns, needles and yarn?
GUESTS:
- Cat Bordhi: Knitting teacher, author and speaker. Tina Newton calls her "the one person who has added something different to sock knitting"
- Jo Hartman: Owner of Yarn Garden, a Portland yarn store
- Bob Petkun: President and CEO of Crafts American Group, which includes the internet retailer Knit Picks
Photo credit: Emily Harris
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The passion, joy and excitement surrounding the upcoming Sock Summit is amazing. There are literally thousands of knitters who will descend upon Portland to share in the creative outlet of knitting. The very fact that this artistic activity appeals to so many people in this day and age speaks to the joy it gives knitters. Thank you for recognizing the topic.
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Knitting has become a very large business in recent years. The Sock Summit is just the most recent evidence. Look at the growth in the number of yarn purveyors, pattern writers, and websites (Ravelry, to name one). Take a look at how many books Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (The Yarn Harlot) has sold. Or the number of hits the Sock Summit had in the first 5 minutes of registration (36,000). There are actually more people who knit than people who play golf, and we spend about the same amount of money each year. Knitters just don't get the attention because it's not done "publicly".
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Knitting is huge! Your average yarn shop has become not just a place to fondle yarn, peruse books, and test-drive other knitting necessities before purchase. It's also a social gathering site, where informal groups gather regularly to swap suggestions and share successes.
Like knittinmom, I look forward to teaching at Sock Summit. It's sure to be a highlight of my knitting career. But I remain indebted to this day to the local yarn shop owner who offered a sock knitting class, and gave me the "ah ha!" moment I hadn't been able to cull from books. In the 12+ years since, I've designed and knit countless socks, and passed "ah ha!" moments on to hundreds of other knitters.
This is what Sock Summit will be about: fondling yarn, sharing successes, and passing on "ah ha!" moments.
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Great topic! I'm sure y'all saw this already, but the post by one of the organizers about the demand for this is incredible: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2009/05/29/_update.html
I'd also mention that there's always a downtick in knitting during the summer months; we're coming into the heavy fall season, but it's definitely pretty quiet right now, despite big events like the Summit.
Also, a few other crafts are undergoing a revival partly as a result of knitting's popularity, and they're stealing some attention. Spinning has been grabbing a lot of knitters who want yarn that's perfectly suited to their needs or yarn that can't be bought, and weaving is drawing a lot of people who want to try a different kind of fabric or just want to use up their huge yarn stashes!
I'll be looking forward to the show!
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Knitting is huge. And knitters themselves have enormous hearts. Not only do they contribute financially to a multi-million dollar a year retail sales market by buying yarn, patterns, tools, etc., but they go beyond that to contribute to a variety of charities as well. Readers of the Yarn Harlot's Canadian blog have donated more than a half a million dollars to Doctors Without Borders. On the East Coast, the MS Ride has felt the impact of dollars donated by knitters. I help run an emergency medical clinic in the Himalayas that serves mostly Tibetan refugees and the starting funds and a goodly percentage of our ongoing operating funds come from... yup, knitters. There are small businesses and large, individual enterprises and grass-roots get-togethers with the love of stitching as the motivation. It's great that OPB is taking a look at the phenomenon as it is today, in 2009, not just as it was in years past. Today's yarn market encompasses not just yarns but beads and bangles, fabrics and fashion right up to today's runways. And the smartest of the marketers know that the best way to appeal to the average knitter is through his (yup) or her sense of belonging to a community of others with common interests and shared artistry. The world wide knitting community is huge; it is sophisticated and it is interested in all the things that go into making both craft AND art.
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It's said that the knitting craze began after 9/11, but there's something about knitting that is providing more than comfort in a time of tragedy. There's something to be said about making something of comfort for oneself or for others.
One thing about knitting now compared to in times past is the impact of the Internet on spreading and enhancing the collective knowledge of the craft. Thanks to the Internet there are standards being created to help knitters find the right size yarn for the project they want to do and standards in pattern writing. The fiber community Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com) opened up a central location for information dissemination (at last count it has over 400,000 users registered). Videos are available to show techniques. The most isolated knitter with an Internet connection can find a project, get the pattern and materials, and discuss with other knitters how to work the pattern or see examples of the pattern knitted up.
The interesting thing about this resurgence in interest in knitting is that it has carried over to an interest in handspinning. As knitters look for different yarns to work, they are now looking into different fibers. For some knitters, including myself, this has led to looking at making custom yarns to achieve a specific effect in a knitted item.
Another benefit of this resurgence is the preservation of old techniques that could potentially be lost in the globalization of society. Traditional methods and patterns are being sought out by several researchers such as Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Donna Druchunas, and Anna Zilboorg to preserve those methods and share them with the knitting community. This too is carrying over to the spinning community as others seek out the different ways that people have been making textiles for clothing and home comforts.
I'm looking forward to hearing the discussion.
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Knitting has simmered quietly underground for quite a long time, and recently has risen again to the surface of crafting. I am glad to see so many people being drawn to knitting, and to the other fiber arts.
Others have spoken in their comments of the worldwide inclusiveness of the knitting community and the spread of online knitting resources like Ravelry. But the local yarn shop is certainly central to the feeling of friendship and belonging. Yarn shops are often small, locally owned enterprises. More than just a place to buy yarn and needles, yarn shops offer classes, patterns, books and magazines, and a place to gather and share with other like-minded knitters.
I am forever grateful to the owner of a local yarn shop, now sadly closed, who encouraged me to publish my ideas and who was willing to help me, with grace and kindness, through my first fumbling attempts to teach. Like jcbriar and knittinmom, I am thrilled to be teaching at Sock Summit and excited to be a part of what will be a historic knitting event.
Thank you for bringing knitting to a new audience! Some of your listeners may even been interested in visiting one of our wonderful local yarn shops, where they can learn how to knit themselves.
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Judy, your innovation along with your willingness to share did two things for me, fostered my love for knitting and especially socks and it aided me in taking a big step forward to teach knitting in a LYS!
I stand with you in encouraging readers to venture into a local yarn shop (LYS) and join us all in casting on!
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Knitting is not just a business, it is a community related movement that has brought joy and creativity to masses of people, and will continue to grow, thanks to the dedicated people at our local yarn shops.
I am a knitter and designer and am also fortunate enough to be teaching soon at Sock Summit. When I was learning how to knit, I soon discovered online knitting communities which are certainly a wonderful resource, but it wasn't until I started to work at Three Bags Full, a yarn store in Vancouver, BC, that I began to understand the living power of "real" community. So many people come into the shop wanting guidance, help, and the human element.. someone to supply advice and reassurance that in past generations might have been offered by a grandmother, aunt or mother. Yarn shops are a fertile ground for passing on the joy of the craft, which I believe is why the local yarn shop will never succumb to the pressure put on them by cheaper online sources of yarn.
The most successful yarn shop owners are like heads of great families.. the kind you wish you had when you were a child. The best shops have an ambience that allows for deeply satisfying interactions and creative delight. It is hard to describe but you know when you have found a good one!
This is no way excludes digital interactions. In Three Bags Full, for example, digital and personal communities blend as customers will frequently use the available computers to check ravelry and blogs. Truth be known, however, many customers are not yet aware of the vast internet resources that exist for knitting and we who work in the shop have to educate them about the possibilities. The yarn shop is where it all comes together.
The response to knitting events like Sock Summit is proof that people are willing to travel long distances and go to huge lengths in order to satisfy this need for real human community, thanks to our wonderfully esteemed organizers. Can't wait until Wednesday when the fun will begin!
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I think most people who aren't knitters have no idea just how popular knitting has become. You will find people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and classes knitting all over the world making it a uniting force for some. As has been said by other posters, knitters have been known (with in some circles) to, collectively, give large amounts of money to various charities with more frequency than people who don't knit. There is also a large and strong group of knitters who knit things like hats or mittens for people who otherwise would have had none.
We're are very lucky that the Pacific NW seems to be a bit of an epicenter for knitting and fiber arts. We have festivals like Black Sheep Gathering (in Eugene), Sock Summit (in Portland), Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (in Canby), Madrona (in Tacoma), and this year SOAR (Spin Off Autumn Retreat) will be in Sunriver. All of these festivals attract a number of brilliant instructors and some of them have attracted participants from around the world. -
The LYS (Local Yarn Shop) is a threatened species. The Portland shop where I bought my first needles is now out of business-- one of three in this area to go belly-up within the span of a year!
Each LYS is a town square, bringing together folks of wildly divergent ages, sexual orientations, family and financial situations (still mostly female, but even that is changing). We learn from each other, not just about knitting but about life.
In addition to good works others have mentioned, the LYS catalyses countless acts of local kindness. When one knitter (& teacher, belly dancer, Mom...) recently passed away, her family held a memorial service at the LYS she frequented. Standing Room Only. Now the LYS aunties of her spunky and sweet daughter are collaborating on a special surprise.
Without the LYS we would still make community elsewhere. Yarn aficionados meet in homes, cafes, libraries, shopping malls. But nothing can replace the expertise and encouragement of knowledgeable employees and opinionated fellow shoppers. And the only way to really explore textures and colors and even smells of yarn is first hand.
Some of us just visit shops just to cruise merchandise in person, but then make purchases at a discount online. But the same LYS that offers opportunities to buy precious skeins of luxury yarn also has treasures in sale and/or swap bins. Many even invite patrons to indulge in humble but beautiful balls of cotton for about a dollar!
Some of us are reluctant to ever pay for patterns (in leaflets, pdf downloads, books) since lots are available for free. But designers need the support of purchases to pay for everything that goes into producing high-quality patterns, so please consider compensating us for our work.
Please think twice about these decisions. We need more, not less of these very special places, so let's support them before they go from threatened to endangered.
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I think knitting is fine, it is what is, there isn't exactly much to say about it. It isn't going anywhere, people have been doing it forever and now for some reason they are doing it more (or at least more then in recent history).
Here is my half-baked take on why now?: At this point knitting is largely of entertainment value, rather then function. We don't need to knit, we do it because we enjoy it. I guess knitting came back into vogue along with the mustache sporters, the urban farmers and the game eaters. Let's revisit the old world, 'cause the new one sucks! We've broadened kitsch to include just about anything, because the old kitsch was no longer funny. We've also elevated kitsch to become part of our lives rather then just something to look at---now we want to live it.
Not to be a Grinch but I am awfully suspect of these endless cycles of things that people are suddenly doing. Maybe I just don't want to be part of any group, or I am just wary of groups in general. If you want to knit: great---but don't turn it into something more then it is. Don't tell us how knitters are better then everyone else and more empathetic. Just knit and enjoy your creations and perhaps your crowd, but don't judge me 'cause I don't (actually I don't think you would).
As my annoying aunt said, when I took her into the Vivienne Westwood store, "your granny could knit that" and the salesperson said "but she didn't---did she?"
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I learned to knit about 40 years ago and while we still knit with approx 2 points and fiber, the craft has changed a lot. People are learning from on line sources (Ravelry), video clips (you tube), buying yarn online (knitpicks, my favorite, but also WEBS, Elann, etc). People are dealing with stress by knitting when/wherever they can, in addition to the traditional extended family groups.
Why socks? Portable. Everyone needs them. Multiple opportunities for creativity (Especially Cat B's patterns), the ability to afford high quality yarn to complete a project without the $$/time committment to make a sweater.
I'm happy and proud to be a local supporter of OPB and the first sock summit. Our long dark winters probably have something to do with our supporting so many wonderful stores.
I've seen somewhere that the brainwave activity when knitting duplicates what is found in deep prayer or contemplation. How else can you do that while waiting for the bus or the doctor???
Karenhunz, Salem OR
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I was pleasantly surprised to see that there would be a Think Out Loud about the Sock Summit. I'm a sock knitter originally from Illinois and most of my Chicago knitting group is coming out to attend the Summit. We plan on having a fantastic time knitting, shopping, and playing!
I knit to create, to keep my hands busy, and for simple joy. I never thought I would knit socks thinking they were such a waste of time, but after I saw some adorable sock yarn (from Knit Picks) about 4 years ago, I decided to give it a whirl. Since then I've been hooked.
I have knit over 50 pairs in the past 4 years and have enough sock yarn in my house to knit over 100 more pairs. I love that I can use different techiniques, play with colors that I would never wear close to my face, and invest about $20 for 20 hours of fun. What a deal!
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I'm looking forward to hearing your show. I'm taking a class with Cat Bordhi on Saturday, six hours of brain-twisting new ideas.
My aunt taught me to knit when I was 16. I've been knitting ever since, off and on, but for the past few years, mostly on. I say that I'm not really a sock knitter, but I seem to have a lot of hand knit socks. And now I find myself designing them, too. I've revised my statement to, "I don't knit socks with fingering weight yarn." I'm a big fan of sport weight yarn, because thicker yarn = faster socks!
My favorite part of the sock? The leg. That's where all the fun design happens, and it's the part that gets seen when you wear them. I buy most of my yarn from local stores here in Portland. I like to see it and feel it before I buy it! But I've also tried online sources, and like some of those, too.
Knit on!
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Each stitch I knit links me to the past and hopefully to the future. I learned to knit when I was 8, 53 years ago. My mother and I would knit together in the evenings when she came home from work. Last week my 3 year old g-daughter picked up my knitting and pretended she was knitting on a sweater I am working on. She said she wants to learn how to do it for real and I will be so happy to teach her. Last Saturday she went with me to my favorite LYS to pick out yarn and a pattern for me to make her a winter hat. She also picked out the yarn she wanted for the Sydney socks in Chrissy Garnder's new book, pink of course.
Knitting connects us all, through the generations, into history. When I knit, I think of my Norwegian ancestors or my Irish ancestors knitting, out of neccesity. Today I knit to give a part of myself to others. The textures, the fibers, the colors, all individually wrapping someone I care about in warmth, softness and love. That is my legacy, my history for them.
In my classroom, I have shared the skill with many students. My goal for them is to learn a way to deal with stress, to express themselves and to have an outlet in times of emotional need. Some have struggled but others have become as passionate or more than I. Several have carried on the task of service, knitting baby blankets or hats for different shelters or preemie programs. My legacy is passed on to them and is now for them to carry on.
The Sox Summit is amazing. To think of all the people who will come to gather in celebration of the humble sock. But it is more. Knitting transcends generations, cultures and genders. It is a way to connect with others. And, you can't ever have enough handknit socks!
Congratulations to all those who have taken the time to organize this memorable event.
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Absolutely! When I need to show someone I care, especially those not physically close to me, I knit for them. I see it as a way of putting a giant bear hug in the mail. I hope that the items I create are tangible evidence of my legacy and love in this world when I am no longer here. I certainly feel connected to the past and the future in my knitting.
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Actually, you never appreciate knitting more than when you've moved to a new town. You probably don't have many friends. But how nice that fiber, knit shops and guilds are almost everywhere. It's easy to find them and when you do, the knit and fiber community opens up and pulls you right in as if you have always lived there. It's true.
Thanks for putting the Sock Summit on the radio.
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Wow -- knitting made it Think Out Loud! Thanks for bringing the conversation to the work of our hands.
Knitting has so many facets. There's the touch and feel of different fibers, the many colors that flow through your hands, the smell of good wool, the community of handcrafters, the pleasure of giving, and the satisfaction of having made something beautiful. But, more than anything, knitting is tremendously calming.
I'm a high school teacher. I have about 20 minutes net for lunch, after student issues and that infrequent chance to use the facilities are taken care of. I still make time to knit at least one row of something. It keeps me sane!
Thanks, Emily, for bringing us to Think Out Loud.
Cheers,
Trish
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As a Local Yarn Shop owner for over 25 years I have to agree with the statements about knitting building community. It is true that the internet plays an active roll in today's knitting world, but it will never be able to replace the feeling one gets when one enters a yarn shop.
Knitter's are now able to buy everything they need either on-line or through a catalog, but will always value the help, the knowledge and the experience they recieve at an LYS. Knitting has become the way today's techies reconnect with their creative side, feel the wonder and joy of creating something real and participate in face to face relationships with people who share their passion. Never discount the Local Yarn Shop as old fashioned or past its time- it will always be the center of the knitting community wherever it is located.
Lindadan
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I hoped to see some local publicity regarding Sock Summit. Was wondering about programs like AM NW or Channel 12 morning show. I have knitted most of my life, but I am "learning" knitting since I saw Cat Bordhi on a program called Knitty Gritty. It is an amazing journey. I agree with the comment that a sock covers all aspects of knitting. Sock Summit is so incredible to bring so many national teachers to Portland. It is a wonderful opportunity to absorb so much in a short time. I liken knitting to quilt circles of old. I knit with three groups. These are amazing groups that support each other in life's journey as well as in their craft experience. Thank you to the Sock Summit Teams for all the work to do this.
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I have been knitting socks for about three years. I'm addicted. I'm hoping to learn how to re-knit worn out toes. I'd also like to dye my own yarn. I hope to get these answers at the summit. I'm also egar to meet other knitters and compair projects. I have a journal of every sock I've ever knitted to share. pye
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I'm so glad Cat talked about knitting in the classroom. I used to run a knitting group in a middle school and it was an amazing experience for me and the kids.
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Oh, yes! I taught a group of fifth graders to knit several years ago. They were so excited! And took to it so well.
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I am not much of a sock knitter having completed only 1 pair and 1 single sock (I just haven't caught the sock knitting bug), but I am head over heels for knitting in general. I first learned to knit when I moved across the country to live in Portland. I connected with a group of women who shared my parenting philosophy who taught me to knit. I will forever be indebted to these women for introducing me to knitting. I have always enjoyed crafting generally and knitting was a way in which I could continue to be creative and productive all while parenting small children. You can pick up and put down your knitting in a way that you cannot with sewing, beading, or paper crafts. Additionally, knitting has connected me with many other people who share a passion for crafting and creativity--a very vibrant community in Portland. As such, as a transplant to PDX, learning to knit connected me with people and place in a way that I will always be eternally grateful for.
Even though I am not much of a sock knitter, I would NOT miss attending the Sock Summit. I cannot wait to feel the energy and enthusiasm present at the Convention Center this next few days.
And yes, many of my non-knitting friends and aquaintences (including my husband) think I've lost my mind in attending a "knitting conference." Bah, I say. Knitting is an art, not a lofty one, but art nonetheless.
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When I grew up in England (50's/60's) everyone knitted because it was less expensive than buying ready made itiems. As the ready made sweaters/socks etc., became so much cheaper the craft of knitting began to die out. I am very glad to see it a resurgance - here and in England. I wish it wasn't so costly though.
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i am knitting right now!!!! not socks but a chemo cap for a girlfriend who was recently diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. so i have already knit one cap and am in the process of knitting two more. then i am knitting her a boob pillow. yup looks just like a boob. pail pink with a darker pink nipple!!! so i plan on sending her a how-to-get-thru-breast cancer-with style and a smile. i've made one pair of socks for my grandson and it wasn't nearly as hard as i thought it would be. will make more.
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How, exactly, does Bob Petkun SEE the smiles on his customer's faces?
Further, does anyone care to discuss cutting out American jobs by circumventing American distributorships?
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KnitPiks is American and local.
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KnitPicks also sources yarn from some of the same mills that other American mills source from circumventing a level of distributorship that injures a small U. S. industry.
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By attending conventions where they can meet with a huge number of knitters and customers.
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So killing the goose to get to the golden egg is a smart business model? How about supporting the industry that feeds everyone in it instead of simply finding cheap ways to undercut the other guy? Yes, the prices come down, but if it kills the small business owners who support the individual knitting community, then eventually the entire community suffers. I'm not talking about evil; I'm talking about short-range goals that damage the long-term survival of the industry.
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A friend of mine was just hired by Knit Picks after being unemployed for over 8 months.
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My wife was employed by a local yarn shop at around minumum wage. She now works for Crafts Americana and makes a reasonable salary; she has increased her job skills, made use of her art degree and supported me while I finished Chiropractic college. She has an American job from an American company and because of Bob and Knit Picks, I now have my own practice. Another American small business. Minimum wage would NOT have done that.
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Reviewing my comments, I'd like to make something clear. I don't object to the good things that KnitPicks does. I'm certainly not against online trade, and any employer can make a huge difference in the lives of the people dependent on its survival.
The issue that I have is that significant numbers of small businesses in a small industry are damaged by the business practices that Crafts Americana has employed. I respect anyone making a go of operating their own business in this economy, but damaging the industry of which one is a part is not being a good neighbor.
Bob made the comment during the interview that this venture into crafts is just the latest in a series of ventures for him. This industry is small and more than a little bit delicate. Dramatic change in the flow of revenue within this industry is very disruptive, and for the most part, those businesses that serve the end consumer most directly are the most dramatically affected by those fluctuations.
Yes, there are lots of places to buy yarn, but the number of independent yarn shop where a person can become a knitter with the support and encouragement of the community that is very much a part of these small businesses is retracting faster than it has to in large part because of the cavalier attitude of those that have chosen to cut out a layer of distribution that has been central to the economy of the industry for years. There are other ways of doing business that do less harm.
My only wish is that KnitPicks would treat its industry with more respect and concern rather than simply doing what it can to make money for itself and those that rely on it to stay in business... not just for myself but for those people. If the industry falls apart, do you really think that Crafts Americana stay and try to repair it? Or will they simply make their money elsewhere. History suggests that something else will keep a roof over Bob's head. I'd love to be proven wrong, but his current position seems pretty firm.
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You have made some very disparaging comments about a business that you don’t seem to know much about. Your assumption that Knit Picks does not care about the industry is not what I have found in my contact with the company and the folks who work there.
First of all Knit Picks co-owner and Bob’s wife Kelley is an avid and very enthusiastic knitter and spinner. As far as I can tell Bob and the IT guys may be the only folks at Knit Picks that don’t knit. For Bob Petkin his focus may indeed be the business and product development for Knit Picks. He may have been on the show rather than Kelley because the show seemed to be largely about the “business of knitting”. But, if you ever listened to one of the Knit Picks podcast and heard Kelley (owner) and Tina (V.P.) gush over new yarns or tools, you would have no doubt that knitting isn’t just a business for them. You can’t fake that kind of enthusiasm; you can practically hear them “petting” the yarn.
Knit Picks produces quality products. I really like their yarn, and their Harmony Options needles are the best needles hands down, in my opinion. Their customer service is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. They do seem to be focused on making knitting more enjoyable and accessible for all knitters.
That said, I would hate to lose either of my two local yarns stores. And I patronize both. Even though one of the stores has the worst customer service you’ll ever experience. It is so bad and the folks who work there are so snotty and rude that it is frequently a topic among the knitters in town. Even though it is unpleasant to shop there, I still appreciate having the store in town when I can’t find what I need at our other yarn store. I’m sure if this unpleasant store ever goes out business, they will blame it on online shopping rather than their own horrible customer service. -
I'm listening from Austin, TX. (Thanks for teaching me about the great public radio streams that I didn't even know I had in iTunes!)
Regarding the cost of knitting... it's really an economical hobby. Non-knitters might be horrified to spend $20 on a pair of socks, but that $20 represents 6 or more hours of entertainment for the average knitter who's not a speed demon, and at the end of it you've added to your wardrobe or created a gift for someone else. That's a better value than going to the movies. You can spend less by buying economical yarn from online stores like KnitPicks, or you can splurge on a $25 skein of hand-dyed or handspun yarn and do a lot less damage to your credit card than splurging on a purchase at your local mall.
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Sock Summit is a pure celebration: history, creativity, possibility; all the colors of knitting.
Though I won't make it to the Summit this year, I'll take the opportunity to celebrate creativity, craft, and community. After all, like many "process" knitters know, it's as much about the journey as it is the end result.
One definite action I've chosen to take during "Summit Week" will be to visit my LYS (local yarn shop), which is about an hour away, and catch up on what's new, browse, be inspired and spend some money locally.
I hope that listeners to this program might consider doing something similar, both in celebration of community and to honor the collective positive spirit that we as knitters champion.
Thank you, Emily, for this program, and thanks to your guests for a lively and enjoyable hour.
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As a knitter, author of 4 knitting books including Holiday Knits, former yarn store owner and current owner of Yarn of the Month Club, I see the industry from a lot of different angles.
I would like to disagree a bit with Stephanie Pearl McPhee. Granted, we are not saving lives, but knitting does attend to the emotional health of people. At my book signings, people used to tell me about knitting got them threw chemotherapy or the death of a loved one. To me, their tears made knitting almost as important as CPR.
Even with my company Yarn of the Month Club which builds on the idea of getting something wonderful and spirit -lifting in the mail -- it speaks to the philosophy of the little things in life counting so big.
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Could'nt the consumer go to Amazon or other internet suppliers to also buy knitting books at a 40% discount.
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I was going to post the same comment!
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Amazon also injures to both local yarn shops and local bookstores. Just because it's legal doesn't make it right.
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Yes, you could, but tell me this - who at Amazon is going to assist you with choosing the fiber you want to use to knit the project in the discounted book?
Who at Amazon will offer encouragement as you are knitting this project?
And, when you are finished, who at Amazon will offer kudos and share in the excitement and pride you feel in your completed object??
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I just want to add a comment on the internet vs. brick and mortor. I have an indy store on Etsy for hand dyed yarn. I try to give my customers an outlet for questions and ideas while giving them a personalized yarn experience. I wanted to make sure that people see out there that the internet is not just about big stores like Knit Picks. I am also very excited about the Sock Summit. I am able to have my yarn there with other indy Oregon yarn dyers and I am very excited to be a part of something like this.
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I learned to knit with my 9yo daughter about a year ago by looking online for videos and tutorials. We figured out the instructions together and over the course of a weekend, we were able to grasp the basics.
Looking for something more "mental", I went to the library and found books on lace, color, mosaics -- all sorts of wonderful techniques. But socks really caught my imagination. The complex topology, the "magic" as a heel suddenly appeared after following arcane short-row instructions, and the calculations needed for sizing and adapting pattern stitches were all pretty exciting.
Online, I have found inctructions for different kinds of cast-ons, toe-up techniques, diffrent kinds of heels, and so forth. For me, the Internet has been very essential for my learning process.
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Ravelry and KnitPicks are wonderful-but it's the face to face knitting community that builds support and community--and that's where the yarn shops could have a huge impact and role--I seldom buy pattern books - I get them from the library first to see if I will really use them- or I download patterns from Ravely or other online sites. I am part of a weekly group that now meets at Starbucks because the local yarn store was not available to us--Starbucks loves us and gives us free treats--but it's the real people that support and encourage my knitting-helped me to make my first pair of socks and let me feel hand-spun yarn and all other kinds of yarn and books that I would not see otherwise.
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Thank you so much for discussing this topic.
It is so important to be thoughtful about the domestic arts, knitting and sewing and other crafts that MAKE things. We no longer need to make our own socks or sew our own clothes, but we CAN!
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I'm glad to hear Cat's comment about nurturing vs. competing. I think that's the great thing about knitters in general and how we're capable of teaching each other. I'm a teacher of knitting and I get such joy from helping others enjoy my craft. BTW I do buy online (though not as much now as i have in the past) but I have a strong allegiance to my Local Yarnstore the Naked Sheep Knitshop. The owners Brad and Cheri Clark have done a wonderful job of fostering a sense of community among all the knitters in the neighborhood and beyond.
Natalie Laderas-Kilkenny
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Although I agree that the knit shop experience is wonderful, some of us are busy people (single, working moms) who don't have the time to be part of that experience. By being able to shop online, and watch videos online (in the middle of the night while baby sleeps), we are able to be part of a community of knitters that wouldn't be accessible to us otherwise. Likewise, being able to afford the books online may allow some locals to be able to knit more cheaply, thereby allowing them to buy yarn at a local shop. It's wonderful to have the option of an online retailer to compliment the local shops. I wouldn't be able to be part of it otherwise. Thanks Bob! And thanks to the local shop owners. You all have an important role to play.
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I really like how you explained the symbiotic connection between internet and brick and mortor. I think that people can appreciate and use both in different ways.
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As for economics, you can search online for instructions on how to search for suitable sweaters from thrift stores that you can unravel and use the yarn. In this way, you can get 1 1/2 pounds of (for example) good merino yarn for $3.50.
From a single merino sweater, I have made (so far) two pairs of socks, a scarf, and a few bookmark samples. I still have lots of yarn left.
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In 7th grade (back in the 70's) I taught the fellow students-boys and girls- how to knit using pencils... pretty soon the whole class was knitting during class. We were quiet, listening to the teacher and happy.
Even though we were all using dark red yarn, our "knitting" became pretty dirty due to the carbon on the pencils! But it was a lot if fun because as Cat said, we were doing something as a group and it was a great leveler.
Now I am inspired to teach my 11 year old son how to knit and take it back up myself!
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Thanks for doing this show--it was great. OPB airs the TV show Knitting Daily every week now on Saturdays at 12:30 pm PST. Details here.
Knitting Daily Host Eunny Jang couldn't make it to the Sock Summit this year but she hopes to be there next year! If you can't make it to the Summit, here are some upcoming Knitting Daily episodes about sock knitting:
Knitting Daily TV episode 212 is an entire episode devoted to socks, featuring a review of popular sock yarns, an interview with Sock Innovations author Cookie A on how to upsize a sock pattern, a Sock 101 lesson, and sock designer Nancy Bush demonstrating a stretchy sock cast-on that is popular in Estonia.
In addition, you can find lessons on sock knitting in episodes 111 (how to dye sock yarns, which is set to air on OPB Aug. 22), 208 (the dreaded kitchener stitch), episode 307 (knitting booties in the Portuguese style), and episode 312 (three different cast-on methods for sock knitting). Cheers, Jaime Guthals, segment producer, Knitting Daily TV
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Wow! A show for ME!
I have sewn, knitted, crocheted, tatted, embroidered, woven, and now spin, the comment about all of this being better than prozac is probably right on the mark... And the never-ending satisfaction of creating and enjoying the creations.
Thanks
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I've spent a ton of money on knitting supplies in the last 2 years, maybe 5% of that from online sources.
I hang out at my local yarn shop for community interaction, buy yarn & needles from them, take classes there and so forth. But I also love Knit Picks and what they sell. I buy their Harmony needles, which I can't buy at my local store, and some very beautiful, inexpensive sock yarn.
I've bought books for full price at my local shop and also get them for free at the library. I do not appreciate proponents of local stores knocking the on-line stores. I will shop where I want, and what is best for me.
And by-the-way, I am the owner of a travel agency, and I can tell you that my business is waaaay down; but even I use the internet occasionally if they have a better deal than I can get. I do not worry about them putting me out of business because my customers rely on my knowledge and personal attention to help them plan and organize their trips.
Like Bob Petkun just said: I am all for my customers...I will help them however I can.
The knitting industry has room for both local shops and online stores.
SandyPDX
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Where to begin... I have been an avid knitter for about the last 15 years, quickly moving from scarves and hats to sweaters and afghans, but now mostly SOCKS! I think I like them because they are somewhat complex, but quick and you can make them as intricate or interesting as you want. And the choices of colors and fibers are boundless.
I totally support local yarn shops, and buy there when I can, BUT there is one big caveat. They have to have what I want. The Yarn Garden in particular has a problem in this department, because while they have a huge inventory, they will not place an order for you. I have asked on more than one occasion and been refused. Your options are then to wait, find it at another shop or order online. I can understand not wanting to place an older for every random skein a person might want, but when you need 12-15 skeins of something for an afghan, your only option to get all the same dyelot is to order it, or happen to walk in on the day the shipment comes in. I do not shed a tear for the Yarn Garden losing sales to online retailers, when they refuse to help with this. I also think that the Yarn Garden is not the innocent victim that it pretends to be. They have intentionally done things to drive other local stores out (ie. coffee shop), which is good business sense maybe, but perhaps it takes a shark to know one?! Don't get me wrong though, they have the best selection, and the best way to pick yarn is to see and feel it. I have shopped there a great deal over the years (classes, needles, books, yarn), but just thought this was worth pointing out. While I have ordered online occasionally, it was usually when I knew just what I needed and it was a large quantity. The discount is usuallly canceled out by the shipping, and who knows what you will get if you order something you have never seen before. Color rendition on computers is too variable.
thanks for the topic, most interesting in a while!
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Even the people who don't knit and crochet are interested in seeing people do it. I am a participating artist in Portland Open Studios, a tour of artists' workplaces every Oct, at which I crochet with wire. The first time I did it I thought who would want to watch me crochet, especially when people could go to other studios and see glass blowers, welders or something else dramatic. But they did come and were fascinated and wanted to try it This year we have 3 artists (out of 100) who crochet or knit artworks. All three of us use unusual materials. Two of us use wire and the other uses recycled plastic bags.
I love the rhythm of crochet. My favorite days are when I can crochet all day and listen OPB.
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This was such a great discussion. As a knitting designer and teacher who writes for a website and has written a book on knitting, I completely agree that all the parts of the knitting industry can and must work together with the aim of helping and educating current knitters as well as reaching out to new people who might like to become knitters.
Local yarn shops are wonderful, but being able to get help on the Internet is great when the shops are closed and you want an answer right away. And local shops aren't able to stock every yarn, every color or every book, so sometimes it is easier to shop online.
There's nothing right or wrong about choosing one over the other, but it's great to go local when you can. For people who live in small towns without independent yarn stores, the Internet shops are a salvation, so I hate to knock them as much as I love visiting local shops on my travels.
But I think any shop or website that truly has the education and pleasure of its customers at heart is a winner, and we do all work together to make up the big, nurturing knitting organism (with so many appendages we'd all be knitting socks forever to keep it warm and cozy!)
Sarah
http://knitting.about.com
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I am not a knitter but the online vs brick and mortar issues and the non-competitive-nurture aspects apply to my business. I design and have art rubber stamps manufactured here in Portland and I sell almost exclusively online. I have found that in my industry many of the independent companies feel that what helps one and supports our craft helps us all. I belong to an online group of other small art stamp companies, a very supportive and sharing group of "competitors". Many of us sell primarily online yet we encourage our customers to support their local brick and mortar stores as well because we realize that these stores keep the enthusiasm high for our craft and products.
There is room for everyone in any of these businesses. There is definitely a synergy between online and brick and mortar suppliers in the various crafts. Brick and mortar is great because most crafts have so much to do with touch, feel, color and hands-on learning of techniques. Online sources provide a supplement in materials and information and specialty products, and are especially valuable to people in remote locations or where there are not local sources available. Online communities for any of these arts and crafts contribute to the health of both online and brick and mortar businesses.
My husband and I often make the choice to spend a bit more money in order to support a local business because we appreciate the convenience of having local options. I could have my stamps manufactured in China and be able to lower my prices but I prefer to continue supporting Oregon Engraving here in Portland, where I get great service and can rely on the quality.
So many of the issues brought up in this program are common to many industries. One can go into Michael's, JoAnn's or the Dollar Store and find something that will do for a $1 made in China that can't even be made here for that price. Some people don't have the option (means) to make that choice to support local--I can understand and empathize with that--but those who have the means should make the choice when they can to support local businesses or they will eventually find themselves with less and less choices available to them. Think about the bland selection in most grocery stores....
Candice Jordan
http://www.artneko.com -
In regards to purchasing knitting books via a LYS or online, I stopped purchasing books a few years ago as I found that I could find most of what I wanted or needed online. If I do choose to purchase a book, I typically go to Barnes & Nobles or visit Ebay. To me when I go to a LYS, I'm there to purchase yarns and accessories, not books.
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OPB and Internet wizards, total gratitude for the absolute luxury of bringing me closer to this marvelous Sock Summit by ear. I've yet to hear the whole TOL program, but I'm tickled by the diverse comments so far.
I have to admit, I've bought and shall probably continue to buy online . . . but while I could very well live without my online purchases, I couldn't do without my LYS, Fantastic Fibers. Beside shop sales and classes, its owner freely offers countless hours of logistics support, troubleshooting, color consultation, translation services, and needlework and general counseling. Beside the right yarn, the exact needles, and the irresistible pattern, Vera has seen so many of us through dropped stitches, creeping tension, and Master Knitter courses, not to mention life's other major and minor potholes.
Sorry, I didn't mean this to be an Ode to My Local Yarn Shop, but it certainly deserves one. And so does Sock Summit and Think Out Loud, for singing to us in the choir and for sounding the joys of knitting to the those until now untempted.
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I am in high school and am looking for money for things like college, etc.. I know a lot of people who work at places like McDonalds, Walmart, you get the idea, but I'm quite good at knitting. I make all my own patterns ( I have no patience for following patterns... ) and I can knit very fast; I do it during class... I'm very effecient. Basically I've been thinking about selling my stuff for quite some time ( I've been thinking baby hats and socks... ). It's encouraging to know that so many people are interested in knitting/knitted things.
What I would like to know is whether any for-profit knitters have advice for a newbie?
Cheers. : )
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If you knit niche designs, maybe you'll be more likely to be able to sell your work. For instance, the lady who knitted the clothes for the Coraline character. Or the person who knitted this wonderfully creative baby clothes set: http://www.gearfuse.com/hand-knit-zelda-baby-clothes/
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My comment is about the discussion of inexpensive books online. Over the years, I have bought only the books that contained several projects I knew I would make. Now that books are more reasonable, I find myself buying lots of them, and my knitting activity has exploded. Rather than see books as a major source of revenue, I think the LYS should consider them as inspiration for the purchase of yarn and notions. Maybe they could have a library of books for people to look through, encourage them to purchase the book online, and help them buy the materials needed. Customers can do their gauge swatch while waiting for the book to arrive, and maybe work on the project in the store if it takes more than a couple of days. As Bob pointed out, the world is changing because of the internet and online businesses. Every LYS has to adapt, just as other businesses need to do. They have something unique to offer that can't be had through the internet, and they should focus on that. Enjoy the Sock Summit. I'm jealous! --Peggy Stuart, Park City, UT
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I work in a library, where I also run a small knitting group. I've only been knitting a few years, so I'm not the knitting expert, just the resource cheerleader. The knitters who come to the group help each other (they help me!) and they help newcomers, too. I request books on knitting through the library network for the knitters to peruse, & sometimes knitters find a book they like so much that they go out & buy it.
I also tell people about the various online resources, and encourage knitters to patronize ALL knitting service providers, whether it be the LYS, online outlet or corner/chain book store. If a resource provides useful information, quality goods, and consistent encouragement, I recommend it! Stand with the knitter, Cat Bordhi is absolutely right about that. And we can all be resources for one another.
There are other knitting groups that meet in libraries, so if you are looking for knitting community, support, and information, check out the resources of your local library. Look at your local library website events page; also look on ravelry.com for listings of knitting groups in your area.
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I am sorry to be coming to the conversations so late ... camping with the kids (and knitting socks around the campfire or at the lake beach while camping!)
I support my local shop when I am able to do so. My LYS is willing to order in for me when and if the company she orders from don't make ordering a nightmare for her - i.e. she needs to place a several hundred dollar order to get in my one $20 skein.
I LOVE to visit my LYS. Petting yarn is a must to understand feel, drape, color, etc. I am encouraged to do this. I am also the mother to young children who want to pet the yarn too ... and restock they shelves in their own order and chat up the other knitting patrons, etc. Not exactly what the LYS is looking for in a patron! The truth is I often shop online, in the middle of the night, in my pajamas because it is realistically the best time for me and my family.
The way for a business to thrive is to be the very best they can be NOT to run down other businesses. I am not made better/larger by standing on top of someone else.
-MoniqueWS, Corvallis, OR
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I am so delighted that you're doing this show. I started my knitting-related small business nearly four years ago, and it has been an amazing journey. Before I started, I had no idea there were huge needle-arts trade shows (people still look at me funny when I tell them I'm going to a yarn show). Ten years ago, I didn't even know that local yarn shops existed - all my yarn came from Joann's.
These days I'm intimately involved in many aspects of the business, and I'm delighted by the fact that so much of knitting is supported by small businesses, many of which have been in the family for generations. I'm hoping to get my kids involved in my business once they're old enough.
I will be teaching at sock summit, my company will have a booth there, and I'm so very excited to be spending five days immersed in everything sock-related. Portland's a relatively knitter-filled town, but next week, it's not going to know what hit it!