s I write this letter, the world’s financial markets are in turmoil and the folks in Washington are fighting over a bailout package that is supposed to keep the country from falling into utter economic chaos. I hope that by the time you are reading this, things are a bit calmer. The only consolation I can take from it all is that historically our industry does well in troubled times. It’s the comfort factor that the yarn arts provide.

Coincidentally, we’ve had a chance to look back on the recent history of our industry for this issue. The first edition of the original Yarn Market News came out 30 years ago this month. Be sure to read “All the News That’s Fit to Knit” on page 38, in which YMN Contributing Editor Cheryl Krementz reminisces with past editors Kate Mathews and Jeane Hutchins, and with me as well. Cheryl and I had fun looking at the similarities and differences in the state of the yarn industry, in running an independent retail shop, and in publishing a trade magazine to fulfill shop owners’ needs, then and now. I was especially interested in learning how important a role the Yarn Market News business conferences played in the first incarnation of the magazine, as we begin planning our second YMN Smart Business Conference, to be held in Chicago March 15–17.

Also in this issue we take another look at the role of crochet in the LYS and the mixed perception that craft has in a knitting-dominated world. Is crochet’s Cinderella status finally changing? It might be time to ask yourself these questions: Have you noticed all the great crochet books coming out recently? Are your crochet classes filling up? Are your crochet-averse knitters picking up hooks? Whatever your answers, be sure to read Leslie Petrovski’s “Crochet Exposé” on page 42. And Dora Ohrenstein’s thoughtful essay on the subject adds an insider’s insight.

Another trend we’ve been eyeing is the growing number of yarns being made in North America. Is this a direct response to economic apprehension (save on shipping costs, support the local economy)? Or are environmental concerns driving this undercurrent (lessen the carbon footprint)? We’re not sure what it is, but we take a closer look at several companies that are sourcing close to home in “Coming From America” on page 46. I’m all for supporting the local economy—everything from the community-supported garden my family belongs to (csgatgenesisfarm.com) to the great Beth Brown-Reinsel workshop I recently took at my local yarn shop, Mountain Knits and Pearls in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where I saw firsthand the community-building aspect of the LYS at work. Wishing you a healthy (and profitable) holiday season.