Knitting

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Free Knitting Pattern – Bounce Socks

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Knitting your own socks has many benefits. One of the most obvious benefits is that you can make them to fit your feet perfectly. When you knit your own socks, you can adjust the pattern to fit your foot size and shape, ensuring a comfortable fit that is tailored to your needs. Additionally, handmade socks are often made with higher-quality materials, making them more durable and long-lasting than store-bought socks.

Another benefit of knitting your own socks is that you can customize them to your liking. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to create socks that match your personal style. You can also add different embellishments such as cables, lace or colorwork to make them unique. Homemade socks also make great gifts for family and friends, as they are unique and personalized.

When it comes to yarns, there are many options available, but some yarns are better suited for socks than others. Wool and wool-blend yarns are considered some of the warmest options for socks. Wool is naturally insulating, so it keeps your feet warm even in cold temperatures. Additionally, wool fibers have a natural elasticity, which helps to keep the socks from sagging and stretching out of shape. Other options include alpaca, cashmere, and synthetic yarns like nylon. These fibers are also known for their warm and durable properties.

This particular pattern uses “Bounce” yarn, a yarn that is made from a blend of wool and nylon. It’s a soft and durable yarn that is perfect for socks and it’s machine washable and dryable. The pattern is free to download on the Mary Maxim website and it’s a great way to create a warm and comfortable pair of socks that will last for years to come.

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Michaels Acquires Joann Intellectual Property; Joann Website Now Forwards to Michaels

 

 

Craft retailer Michaels has acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of now-defunct retailer Joann, according to a media release, and the Joann website now forwards to Michaels. 

The releases states that Michaels will be developing the “beloved Big Twist® brands as part of the Michaels portfolio.” It also notes plans to expand its offerings in the fabric, sewing and yarn categories, with more than 600 new products being added. 

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to welcome JOANN customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value, and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels,” David Boone, CEO of Michaels, said in the release. 

Specific to yarn, the company notes it has plans to expand its yarn selection by 25 percent this year, including releasing more than 60 new private-label Loops & Threads products beginning this month, expanding offerings of Lion Brand and the Yarnspirations family of brands, and welcoming Big Twist yarns. 

The release specifically mentions Big Twist Value Plus, Big Twist Twinkle, Big Twist Posh and Big Twist Baby Bear, and notes that the offerings are “now being developed as part of Michaels portfolio of brands and will be available in-stores and online later this year.”

No word on what this means for Herrschners, which previously announced it would carry Big Twist. Its page announcing the news still says “at this time we are not able to release details on specific Big Twist varieties or colors, or the exact date the yarn will be available to order” and encourages signing up for email updates.

This news comes just days after the final closing of the last Joann locations and the appearance of a message on their website talking about “stitching up something new.” The Joann website now forwards to a landing page for craft retailer Michaels. 

“Welcome Joann customers,” it says at the top. “We’ve got your go-to essentials and so much more.” The page also notes “everyone is welcome at our craft table” and says the website is a source for “fabrics, yarn, notions & more.”

Further down the page it says “With JOANN stores closing, Michaels is excited to welcome new makers, crafters, and sewing enthusiasts into our community” and has a string of links to product categories these shoppers might be looking for. It says Michaels carries “many of the favorites that Joann customers love” including patterned fabric, yarn, ribbons and notions. 

The release calls this a “dedicated landing page” with a “curated assortment of products” they think are relevant to the Joann shopper. 

If you go directly to Micheaels.com, you see their regular website but there is a link at the top of the page for Joann customers that leads to the same page linked above. 

The release doesn’t mention opening any new stores in towns left without a craft store thanks to the Joann closure. It does note they have 1,300 stores in 49 states and in Canada, and they have both US and Canada-facing websites. 

What do you think of this news? It’s not the exciting future I’d hoped for with Joanns cryptic announcement, but I know legions of knitters and crocheters will be happy to know Big Twist will live on, and other crafters will probably be happy about expanded selection at Michaels.