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Knitting has simmered quietly underground for quite a long time, and recently has risen again to the surface of crafting. I am glad to see so many people being drawn to knitting, and to the other fiber arts.

Others have spoken in their comments of the worldwide inclusiveness of the knitting community and the spread of online knitting resources like Ravelry. But the local yarn shop is certainly central to the feeling of friendship and belonging. Yarn shops are often small, locally owned enterprises. More than just a place to buy yarn and needles, yarn shops offer classes, patterns, books and magazines, and a place to gather and share with other like-minded knitters.

I am forever grateful to the owner of a local yarn shop, now sadly closed, who encouraged me to publish my ideas and who was willing to help me, with grace and kindness, through my first fumbling attempts to teach. Like jcbriar and knittinmom, I am thrilled to be teaching at Sock Summit and excited to be a part of what will be a historic knitting event.

Thank you for bringing knitting to a new audience! Some of your listeners may even been interested in visiting one of our wonderful local yarn shops, where they can learn how to knit themselves.

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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