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May 16, 2023 4 Comments

Major Change in Fiber World May Unlock Opportunities

Major change always causes apprehension, and in this case, the bankruptcy of XRX/Stitches is going to cause some financial distress too.

Responding to Major Change, 1

What can you do?

  • Buy yarn from vendors who are losing income from the loss of the shows;
  • Encourage others to buy directly from the vendors or from LYS;
  • Spend a little extra to support this industry;
  • Take classes from teachers on other platforms, or better yet, on their own platform;
  • Buy magazines, books, publications that interest you;
  • Seek out new things — and perhaps involve your LYS in helping you find them.
  • Support smaller local events, fiber festivals, fiber shows, locally created learning venues (added).
  • Send a note to vendors/teachers letting them know you support them (it is very low cost).

I rarely encourage anyone to go out and buy new yarn when they have a stash to work through, but I think this is the time to spend your money. If you are an attendee who lost their registration dollars, you still have the dollars you would have spent in the marketplace. So sorry they took your money knowing where they were headed.


Swatches of knit-purl combinations with a large piece of stockinette.
Swatches of a variety of knit-purl stitch patterns made for a Craftsy class. I was fortunate that when Craftsy was sold my class had been discontinued and I now own it myself.
Pile of swatches
Pile of swatches in my office. Most are Anzula (who was a Stitches Vendor).
Stella Luna Silk Sock for Chattanooga Cosy.

Responding to Major Change, 2


These are the things I want to focus on:

  1. How do we replace the interaction that students and teachers experience?
  2. How do we replace the interaction that knitters have with each other?
  3. How do we introduce new products to knitters?
  4. How do we generally change our mindset from one of “how cheaply can I get this?” to “how do I value what I do and those who make it possible?”
  5. Be loyal to brands you love.
  6. How do we support those who are already making this industry possible?
  7. Consider the value that each product that you purchase (classes, supplies, yarn, patterns, etc.) gives you as well as your time in creating things.

That is it for right now. Please value all the makers who make it possible for you to make.

Related Posts

  • Yarn Discoveries: It is always about the Yarn
    Yarn Discoveries: It is always about the Yarn
  • Yarn Fiber Processing: The Basics
    Yarn Fiber Processing: The Basics
  • Will This Yarn Work for This Project?
    Will This Yarn Work for This Project?

Filed Under: Blog, Yarn Tagged With: buy, change, changes, classes, dollars, industry, knitters, lys, makers, Money, patterns, replace, support, teachers, time, vendors, yarn, yarn industry

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peggy Rauhut says

    May 17, 2023 at 6:56 am

    Thank you for your suggestions! If any industry should have our support it’s our filber industry! I’d like to add- support your local small fiber events. We have “YarnCon” here in Chicago, othe cities must have similar shows! They are fun, they support local vendors,& give us a chance to interact with other fiber fanatics! This industry has had it’s ups & downs- don’t let this down last too long!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      May 17, 2023 at 9:01 am

      Thanks Peggy! I added it to the list because yes, we want to support local venues and events too!

      Reply
  2. Jacquelyn Frimpter says

    June 7, 2023 at 2:09 pm

    I just joined and purchased the Chattanooga Cozy. It’s now June but says I can’t download until May 23. It’s past May so how do I download?
    Jacquelyn Frimpter
    Jjfrimpter@aol.com
    813-293-1418

    Reply
    • Jill says

      June 7, 2023 at 3:57 pm

      It should say June 15. I had to move the release ahead. I’ll send you an email next week.

      Reply

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