Letters From The Editors

The scoop from the editors

Knitting in tough times

This is not what I expected to be writing about this issue. Much of the world is staying in their homes, hoping to quell the spread of COVID-19, the new Coronavirus. It's gone from concerning to alarming in just a few weeks, and now we're all becoming familiar with the concepts of social distancing in order to help prevent this bastard virus from spreading.

We, as knitters and crafters, are lucky. Because being stuck in our homes isn't such a horrible prospect. Hopefully we have yarn and needles or hooks, fiber and a wheel or spindle, fabric and thread, canvas and embroidery needles, looms and yarn. We can make things. We can focus within the home and help self-soothe with the act of creating something beautiful, practical, comfortable.

Our small business friends, yarn dyers, yarn and fabric shops, and crafty teachers, however, have significant financial concerns to deal with, in addition to trying to keep their kids occupied. With fiber shows being cancelled, so many people have lost the opportunity to earn a big chunk of their annual income.

Those of us with the money available to spend, then, need to support those people out. Without them, we would have nothing but craft acrylic to work with. Here's what you can do:

• Visit our SOS page, where we list cancelled events. Click on the Vendor Lists and browse. Buy something, or somethings. Bookmark this page, because things are still being cancelled daily, and we're adding them as we learn about them. Look at the Teacher lists too - perhaps your favorite teacher is offering an online class, or sells patterns or books that you can purchase to help support them.
• Don't forget your LYS! Call your favorite shop and see what they're doing to get you yarn. Some are offering curbside service so you don't have to go in; some will mail or deliver your purchases to you.
• Click on the ads in Knitty and make a purchase if you find something you love.

This issue of Knitty may contain a pattern that you love. We hope you cast on and the knitting helps keep your hands and brain occupied and comforted. There are more patterns coming in our Spring+Summer surprise, too. And if you don't find anything in this issue, remember our Library where you can search 17 years' worth of patterns, or browse the issues by cover.

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We want to send a special thank you to our Patrons who continue to support us and keep us alive and thriving! We absolutely would not be here without their support. Every dollar they contribute helps, and we'd love you to join them. We offer really neat rewards, too, starting at the $5/issue level!

We are also grateful for the Advertisers who choose to place their messages on our pages. If you can, please support them when you need to make a purchase. We all take care of each other, right? A reminder: ads now start as low as $60 per issue! To learn more about advertising with Knitty, pop over to our Rate Card.

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Keep in touch with us!

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Amy Singer
[editor, Knitty]

#blacklivesmatter

There is no ignoring what is happening in the United States right now. It's about time.

I urge you to educate yourselves about systematic racism and do the work to become anti-racist. These are some resources I've collected.

Three excellent books:
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad

An article that gives excellent tips on talking to racist relatives and friends.
H/T to Hunter Hammersen

If you would like to donate money a great place to start is with
Neighborhood Fiber Company’s Momentum Fund
Karida Collins’ goal for the fund:
"I am asking for your help to start the NFC Momentum Fund, a donor-advised charitable fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation . The NFC Momentum Fund will be able to receive tax-deductible donations that will be dispersed to a variety of organizations working for justice, empowerment, and equality. At its heart, the Fund will allow me to focus our giving on the areas that need it most." So far fiber people have donated $74,000 to the NFC Momentum Fund

When you spend money, consider shopping at Black-owned companies.

For spinning fiber these include:
Neighborhood Fiber Company
Abstract Fiber Company
Snerb Yarn and Fiber Studio
Alex Creates
Hopkins Fiber Studio
Heavenlyknitchet
Melanated Boho Bae

BIPOC in Fiber is an online directory that will help you find Black, Indigenous, People of Color to buy yarn and fiber from

American citizens: Please make sure you are registered to vote and that you do vote in November to make your voice heard. You can check if you are registered to vote in the United States at Vote.org.

Jillian Moreno
[editor, Knittyspin]