Knit, PURL
One of the things I noticed about myself and growing old (LOL) is that I do not listen to music on the radio anymore but instead listen to talk radio. I always thought it was so boring and only old people listened to it. Silly? Very. Anyway, I digress…
I was quite surprised when I was listening to NPR Marketplace and they had a story about the disappearance of yarn stores and the state of knitting right now. The state of knitting which they implied was also losing it’s customer base. I haven’t been knitting long but I understand all crafts or interests in our lives goes through several phases, and economically, I’m not surprised if there are ups and downs in the knitting/fiber world. Yarn stores, open and close but I don’t believe the situation is as dire as the story makes it sound. Perhaps “knitting” will be going through that phase where it isn’t “cool” anymore but I think many of us who are knitting now didn’t get into it because of the cool factor. Those who did, no longer knit anymore, right? Those of us knitting, knit because it allows us to be creative while making something we can wear, gift to others and play with gorgeous fibers. (Well, these are mainly my reasons.) It’s also sort of an obsession but an obsession I LOVE.
Honestly, I like that I have a hobby. It keeps me busy and makes me focus on other things besides “shopping.” (Yarn shopping doesn’t count. 
Perhaps knitting is going through a transition which is perfectly natural. Ok, there has been a definite shift from yarn stores to online shopping. With the computer savviness and massive online presence of knitters, are you surprised at that shift? I’ve also noticed a change in tides in knit bloggers too, it just doesn’t seem to be happening as much as before. Although I’m glad that most of my favorite bloggers are still pretty active. Again, phases. Things change and we all have our lives to live. There are times when life is to busy for knitting and there are other times when we (knitters) knit obsessively. Whatever happens, knitting will continue as it has for hundreds of years.
Anyway, the story had interesting points, t just made me wonder, while listening to this story, if the writers had heard about Ravelry. Another giggle, the article was titled “Knit 1 pearl 2, point, click.”
Listen here for more on the article.
Gonna leave you with some eye candy. I’m headed to Seattle tomorrow, and haven’t had time to take photos of any FOs but I do have this.
Quick specs:
Fiber source: Enchanted Knoll Farms Superwash merino
Spindle: Cascade Pilchuck
Type: Bulky (thin/thick)
Yardage: approx 112 yards
Verdict: YUM and super soft!
The LoopyEwe just updated a whole mass of Enchanted Knoll Farms fiber and I’m so tempted. Sadly I cannot as I have more fiber coming to me. Must not hoard! 
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I’ve certainly seen a a shift in knitting on all the years I have been doing it. At the moment, from what I can see, it is on the way back up after years in the doldrums. As you said, maybe online shopping means this hasn’t been reflected in the number of yarn shops
July 24th, 2008 at 7:39 am
wow. i missed that npr show. and i listen to npr almost daily. thanks for the link. i’ll be sure to listen. i think that yarn shops are like any other retail business these days: making a living is touch because it’s cheaper to have an online storefront. i always check with my LYS first to see if she has something in stock that i want before trolling for it online. but she can’t have everything. it’s sad that maybe LYS will go the way of independent bookstores.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
It was definitely an interesting story - but it seemed so wrong considering what WE know about knitting, you know? not even considering Ravelry - a major blunder!