Breaking: F+W Media to Acquire Interweave Parent Company

I just saw on Twitter news first reported by Publishers Weekly and confirmed via a press release from F+W Media that the company, which publishes craft titles under imprints such as North Light Books, Krause Books and Memory Makers Books, has acquired craft publisher Interweave Press’ parent company, Aspire Media LLC.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though F+W CEO Daivd Nussbaum said the deal will add 30 percent to the company’s revenue.

Interweave was founded in 1975 in Loveland, Colo., and was acquired by Aspire Media in 2005. That company is backed by private equity firms Frontenac Company and Catalyst Investors. Clay Hall has served as CEO since that time, and he and CFO Troy Wells will leave the company after the sale.

Interweave owns and operates 15 consumer art and craft magazines and has more than 30 special newsstand publications, has published 350 craft books, hosts 33 websites and 10 online communities, has 10 e-commerce stores, puts on 11 consumer events and also produces video workshops and three craft television programs that air on public television, according to the press release.

F+W Media itself has 20 ecommerce sites geared to different craft genres, and says its customer database will become the biggest in the industry with the acquisition. In addition to craft titles the company publishes a wide array of do-it-yourself titles, including imprints such as Adams Media and Writers’ Digest Books.

No one knows yet what this will mean for Interweave, any of the staff other than those at the top, or the publications or events put on by the company. The press release does indicate increased production of digital products in the near future: “Immediate plans for the Company include: an increased number of digital magazine/content launches through the popular Interweave digital newsstand; an expansion of the e-commerce, ebook, and digital pattern business; and an expansion of the live and online education and event business.”

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I have two cats, and I have always wanted to make them some kind of cat bed. But I also feel like they would completely ignore it, so I would be better off spending my knitting time on someone who I know will appreciate it (me). If you want to give it a try, though, here are some cute pet beds to knit for cats, small dogs, and maybe even some bigger dogs.

My favorite of the ones I came across in writing this post is the Capiti knit cave that looks like a cat. This one is from Ursule Knits, and from the pattern description it sounds like it is lightly felted by hand to make it stand up, so you need to use wool to make it. It calls for DK weight but I’m sure worsted would work, too.

The Maya Cat Cave is another cute cave-like project. Designed by Lavi V and using super bulky yarn, it’s like a purpose-made sack for your kitty to hang out in. It uses a metal ring (like you might use to make a dreamcatcher) to make the opening sturdy. You can find this one on Ravelry.

If you don’t want to be quite as literal as a cave, this pet bed nest from Monique Rae is another good choice. This one is flat on the bottom with short sides. It uses two strands of worsted weight yarn held together and comes in six sizes for a range of cats and dogs to be cozy in.

This circular cat bed knitting pattern from Ginger Purl is cute and easy to knit if you’re familiar with knitting flat circle. This one is striped, which is a great reminder that cats don’t care what color their bed is, so you might as well use leftover yarn on it.

I am a little skeptical that this pet bed that’s made with roving and arm knitting will look as good once an animal has seen it, but it is a cute and quick project (and you could just use it as a basket that kitty is allowed to get in rather than a dedicated space). The pattern is from Wools by Nicky and includes a video tutorial if you’re new to arm knitting.

If you’d rather knit a blanket for the dog or cat in your life, check out the Ziggy Zag Pet Blanket by Paws and Purls Knits. This pretty reversible blanket comes in five sizes for various pets, and if you make it in washable yarn it’s the perfect thing for your furry friend to cuddle with.

Or if you have a pet who will submit to a hood, I love this hooded pet blanket from Yarnspirations. Using Bernat Blanket yarn, it’s super cozy (and bright!) and pretty easy to knit as it’s all worked in one piece. The pattern only has one size but it’s just a rectangle with a hood so you could probably adjust it pretty easily for the size of your pet.

7 Knitting Patterns For Your Pet

Book Review: Knitting with Dog Hair

Knitting News: Knitting More than Your Bit, Knitting for Pets and More

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