Mon 6 Jun 2011
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been noticing a slow quieting down of the knitting world lately. A shop closes. Someone stops posting to their blog. People stop showing up for knitting groups, or stop working on their projects altogether.
It may be that there just isn’t money to spend on hobbies. Or maybe there isn’t time to sit and knit. But it feels like more than that, to me. People seem restless, eager for something new, almost…ready to move on.
More and more people are talking about weaving, or spinning, but I don’t feel the same excitement surrounding knitting lately. Maybe I just don’t get out enough?
It seems impossible to say this in a city that has the biggest knitting guild in the country, a steadily growing 500+ members, but I see it here, too.
There will always be Knitters, of course. The ones that knit on regardless, just for the sake of making cloth through the magic of two sticks and some yarn. Those of us for whom knitting is a way of life.
But I’m wondering if knitting as a fad is passing on, and if so, what that means for all the people who rely on this robust community for their livelihood.
I have to say that I am the world’s worst supporter of yarn commerce. I don’t want a big stash (though the one I have is plenty large, let me tell you). I haven’t been knitting as much, partly because there simply hasn’t been time, and partly because I find it so hard to sit still in what little time there is. When I do knit, I knit with what I have, and I really haven’t been adding much for the last year or two. It’s not that I’m on a stash diet. It’s just that I have enough.
But I’m wondering how long this bounty of choice will continue. And I’m wondering if maybe, just maybe I should pick up that extra skein of yarn that calls my name; not only to support the businesses that I value, but also to ensure a steady dose of yarn in times of dwindling supply.*
How about you? Are things slowing down in your corner of the knitting world, or are they as bustling as ever?
*Yes, Branden, I know that this is prime enabler material, and that you are reading. I may regret these words the next time I am tempted to buy and self-discipline says that it knows better.
Maybe it’s the time of year, we all have so much to do in spring and so many interests that keep us from the sedentary, usually indoor activity that is knitting. My LYS has started sending weekly emails instead of monthly and the last one had a list of free classes available. I have to think they’re trying to bring in some business, and I feel badly for not supporting them but like you, I have enough. More than enough. I should probably buy some sock yarn though. I can always use another skein of sock yarn…
They’re definitely slowing down; two local yarn stores have closed, which is really scary. I know that’s part of why my friend is introducing spinning into her store – to keep things fresh and interesting. I, too, go back and forth between not buying and buying both because I want and because I like to support small businesses (thinking about it, I realize that I never order big yarn company yarn online; if I buy it, it’s from my LYS). I think some of it is the economy, and some of it, at least in blogland, may be summer – goodness knows I have a lot less time in front of a computer now than I usually do!
Erica…Joe Theriault’s mom here….Our very best LYS announced last month that it’s closing its doors due to a combination of the poor economy and the owner’s health issues. I have also noticed that fewer young people seem to be knitting as opposed to the rush of under 30’s to learn knitting & crocheting after the events of fall of 2011.
On a personal level, I’m trying to work through a pretty sizable stash that I quite literally inherited.
Glad Joe pointed me towards you blog…I really enjoy it 🙂
BTW..my ravely name is nhbeaglemom…
And yet I know of two new LYSs near me…
I think (hope!) it’s just June and 98 degree weather.
Perhaps I’m one of the symptoms, as I’ve been so busy I haven’t really been noticing what’s going on in the knitting world–or knitting that much either. I do know a LYS closed about a year ago (but there are two others in the area that take about the same amount of time to get to). I don’t know why, though, if it was economics or a time issue for the owner.
Sometimes these things just go through cycles and it could be that people who got into knitting a few years ago are becoming interested in other things as they’ve become exposed more and more to the fiber arts. I know if I had more time (and perhaps space…) there are plenty of fiber-related things I would like to try out, or get back to. Of course, maybe it is just the weather!
I agree. I am buying less crafting stuff and don’t seem to be knitting as much. Reasons . . . not sure completely, I suppose some about the economy, however, I think as it warms up, people knit less and are just more active.
I haven’t noticed a slow down in local LYS trade in the Twin Cities, but you do tap a feeling I’ve been having lately – a conflict between “boy, I sure do have enough yarn and fiber” and a strong desire to support indy farmers/dyers/designers and also my LYS. I am indeed noticing more spinning and lately more weaving – is it possible that we are aware of those in our circles and we are on a similar trajectory, yet there are others whose trajectories are in front of or behind ours? I did have the feeling that, like becoming a Unitarian minister, opening a yarn shop seemed to be the thing to do for many women of a certain age, and there really is just so many yarn stores that the country can handle.
The progression of projects has been from fun fur scarves to moebius cowls to shawls – will we make the leap to finer gauge sweaters with set in sleeves? As long as I keep seeing progress in the viral patterns, I will remain optimistic.