The Knitter - UK (2020-04)

6

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT

BUSINESSES

For independent

yarn producers and

hand-dyers, the

Covid-19 outbreak

represents a serious

threat to their

livelihoods. So many

artisan businesses

ma ke mu c h of t h e i r i n c om e by s e l l i n g

at yarn festivals, but 2020’s shows have

now been cancelled. Buying online is,

of course, not the same as browsing a

stand of beautiful yarns at a show, but

we’d encourage everyone to buy a skein

or two to make a special shawl or pair

of s o c k s, or to t re at t h e ms e lve s to a n e w

knitting bag or yarn bowl - it could

really help a small business. Many

indie dyers are still posting out orders,

typically once a week. Many designers,

too, make a proportion of their income

from running knitting workshops,

but as these have been postponed,

they will be relying more on their

pattern sales - so why not head to

Ravelry and snap up a pattern or two

from your favourite designer!

1

SUPPORT YOUR

LOCAL YARN SHOP

High street yarn

shops have had to

close their doors

for the time being,

but many are still

selling yarn supplies

through their online

stores - and during

these difficult times, we believe it’s

more important than ever to support

our LYS if we can. Resourceful yarn

shop owners are coming up with

innovative ideas for their customers,

such as virtual personal shopping

sessions. Shop owners including Jayne

of Ida’s House (pictured) and Milli of

Tribe Yarn are offering bookable slots

via FaceTime, WhatsApp or similar

video calls, to allow knitters to

‘browse’ the shop shelves, get advice

and have a chat about yarns for their

next project. Many shops are also

offering free delivery for local knitters

• Wild and Woolly in east London, for
  example, has set up a wool-by-bike
  delivery service!

7

WATCH THE EXPERTS

IN ACTION

We don’t k now about

you, but we’ve been

spending a lot more

time in front of the

television these

days! Why not put

that screen time

to go o d u s e, a n d

get some knitting advice from

world-leading experts? Top of ou r

must-watch list is a DVD from Hazel

Tindall and Elizabeth Johnston, called

50 Tips from Shetland Knitters. It’s

filled with friendly, knowledgeable

advice on all aspects of knitting, from

two women who have decades of

knitting experience between them.

It’s available as a DVD or as a download

from http://www.hazeltindall.com. Another

of our recommended DVDs is Knitting

Ganseys by B e t h B row n-Re i n s e l.

Discover the construction methods

and techniques involved in gansey

knitting by working along with Beth to

make a doll-sized sampler sweater. A

downloadable version is also available

from http://www.knittingtraditions.com.

2

TAKE PART IN A

KNIT-ALONG

Knit-alongs (or KALs)

can be a fun way to

make something

special and connect

with other knitters.

Many KALs involve

the pattern being

released to

participants in regular instalments,

which can help to maintain your

interest and motivation. Yarn

companies often offer KAL patterns

for free, and recent launches include

the textured ‘Elder’ throw by Lisa

Richardson for Rowan, the ‘Emeline’

throw from West Yorkshire Spinners,

and Black Sheep Wools’ ‘Make-Along’

chevron blanket. Designers around the

world are also running KALs, and

participants will be sharing their

progress and questions with others via

Ravelry. There are also mystery

knit-alongs in progress, for an added

dash of excitement! Type ‘KAL’ into

the Ravelry search function to find

a knit-along project to suit you.

As more of us are forced

to stay at home during

the Covid-19 outbreak,

it’s good to find ways

to keep busy and stay

connected with others in

the knitting community.

Here are our top 10 ideas

for knitters

KEEP

CALM

AND

CARRY

ON

knit

ting

Knitting can support mental
well-being during difficult times
FAR

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FT:

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A-K

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The Knitter Issue 150 Subscribe now at http://www.gathered.how/theknitter