I love reading the sweet words from your readers. Many thanks to them!
XXOO

The only thing I would add to the comments is that I think the article would have been better if they had considered the yarn market in addition to the knitting book market. The article says “knitting began to take hold about six years ago; no one knows why.” I would hazard a guess that more and better yarns began to be readily available about that time, inspiring a lot of people to either learn to knit or to reconnect with skills they had learned as a child. Both my knitting and my crocheting have really taken off during that time because the new yarns are just so delightful to work with. Also, during a recent visit to my LYS, one of the employees told me that she had gone to a fiber market and discovered that scarf yarns weren’t selling any more. That says to me that new knitters are beginning to move on from beginner projects to more complicated ones. My LYS had to adjust to that, and now they display sock yarns and lace yarns much more prominently than they once did.

I just signed up for Socktoberfest, and I would love to take part in Project Spectrum next year. I think the ideas already expressed for tying both into charity work are terrific. I’m looking forward to participating!

Interesting article, thanks for sharing it. I too think that many knitters become “lifers” even if we take a hiatus for many years! There is something so soothing and innately satisfying in the knitting motion that just can’t be had from other hobbies….even crochet! (for me)

As far as incorporating charity knitting with Socktoberfest, how about having a contest for all who knit charity socks (for CIC) as well as knitting adult socks in October? I’d be willing to donate some yarny prizes for that!

As far as the article goes, I can only speak for myself and say that ever since I learned how to knit in 4H it’s been something I know I’ll do til I die. It may be put aside for awhile while trying new things (there IS only so much time to devote to anything), but I’ve always come back to it for it’s link to history and the sheer pleasure of the tactile feel of yarn in my hands. With the interesting things people are doing with sticks and string it doesn’t seem to me that the interest will wane anytime soon.

I LOVE the idea of having certain charities with different months of color!! Please consider including The Preemie Project for a pink and or blue month; even white for Christening gowns or burial items.

Hugs, Kristin