It wasn't my intention to go cold sheep in 2020, but I'm nearly through March and still haven't purchased a single skein of yarn. This was true before the global pandemic took hold, and now here we are in the midst of event cancellations, school closures, shelter in home orders, and the ridiculousness of a toilet paper shortage that has all become the new normal. My favorite yarn event of the year, YarnCon, has been canceled, and I'm hunkered down for the foreseeable future while we try to flatten the curve here in Chicago.
Everything seems to be hanging on by a thread right now. We're all scared and nervous and unsure of what's to come - and all we can do it wait it out and hope that once we get through to the other side, we can all pick up the pieces and start putting our lives back together.
The good news is that most people are pulling together and finding ways to support one another in a way I don't think I've ever witnessed before, from checking in on neighbors to buying groceries for those who aren't able to risk leaving their house, to sharing skills and resources as we all navigate these unusual waters.
In the yarn world, people are making a point to support their local yarns stores and indie makers, especially those who have lost revenue due to the cancellations of shows and fiber festivals. I've seen lots of great posts talking about buying gift cards to support makers and yarn shops right now, and I've even seen a few indie dyers close up their shops and tell folks to support other makers who depend on selling yarn to make ends meet.
I've personally seen an uptick in sales in my Etsy shop, which is greatly appreciated at a time like this (or any time, let's face it!). And for those of you who aren't able to support the community financially right now, don't feel bad - there are still ways to help out! Just spreading the word about your favorite makers and yarn shops is a huge help, and as you work through your stash, you can participate in virtual events like meetups or craft-alongs. Just remember to support these folks when you need to replenish your stash later on! :-)
To that end, I want to do my part and share some of the creative ways fiber folks are supporting the community as we all try to flatten the curve by staying home:
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Everything seems to be hanging on by a thread right now. We're all scared and nervous and unsure of what's to come - and all we can do it wait it out and hope that once we get through to the other side, we can all pick up the pieces and start putting our lives back together.
The good news is that most people are pulling together and finding ways to support one another in a way I don't think I've ever witnessed before, from checking in on neighbors to buying groceries for those who aren't able to risk leaving their house, to sharing skills and resources as we all navigate these unusual waters.
In the yarn world, people are making a point to support their local yarns stores and indie makers, especially those who have lost revenue due to the cancellations of shows and fiber festivals. I've seen lots of great posts talking about buying gift cards to support makers and yarn shops right now, and I've even seen a few indie dyers close up their shops and tell folks to support other makers who depend on selling yarn to make ends meet.
I've personally seen an uptick in sales in my Etsy shop, which is greatly appreciated at a time like this (or any time, let's face it!). And for those of you who aren't able to support the community financially right now, don't feel bad - there are still ways to help out! Just spreading the word about your favorite makers and yarn shops is a huge help, and as you work through your stash, you can participate in virtual events like meetups or craft-alongs. Just remember to support these folks when you need to replenish your stash later on! :-)
To that end, I want to do my part and share some of the creative ways fiber folks are supporting the community as we all try to flatten the curve by staying home:
- Anzula Luxury Fibers is offering 1 free skein of It Could Be Worsted, Croquet, Silken, or Luster yarn to anyone who can't afford yarn right now (or you can order some yarn and add on 1 skein for free) - just enter stitchinplace at checkout (details here).
- Brooklyn Tweed's Apart Together - Pay What You Can
- DreaReneeKnits March to May Sweater-Along - any of her sweater patterns are eligible (even WIPs) & there are prizes!
- Jen Geigley has made her entire Weekend pattern book available for free & also has an excellent Learn to Knit playlist on YouTube.
- Knit 1 Comfort Sock-Along - includes virtual knit nights via Zoom
- Knitter's Pride Spring Charity Sock KCAL - includes a free sock pattern & prizes!
- Knit Stars - They will be releasing one free workshop from each season, starting with this one featuring the ladies from Mason-Dixon Knitting. It looks like the easiest way to be notified of new free episosdes is by following their Instagram account.
- Old Soul Fiber Co will donation a portion of all her proceeds to your LYS of choice - just write your preferred shop's name in the notes during checkout. (Submitted by @gnome_depot_fiber on Instagram)
- Teaching resources - what better way to spend this time with loved ones than sharing your craft with them! The folks at Knit Picks & We Crochet have some great blog posts to help:
- Support Indie Dyers (Instagram account)
- Vickie Howell is keeping a live listing of yarn shops to support.
- #WarmUpTogether Craft-Along - Knit Picks & We Crochet are offering free patterns to knit & crochet blocks for Warm Up America! blankets. Although WUA has suspended accepting donations for the time being, the Knit Picks/We Crochet staff will be collecting donations which to piece together into blankets and donate when donations are accepted once more.
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