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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.
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