I know a lot of people are on edge because of all the bad news in the world right now. We are hunkering down in our homes and turning to knitting for comfort.
Of course the knitting community will suffer long after the current effects of the virus have been removed. The cancellation of big shows, often after small spinners and dyers had produced inventory for them, leaves a huge financial hardship and no easy way to recoup those losses.
Knitty has a running list of fiber events that have been cancelled or postponed because of restrictions on large groups. The list includes links to the vendor lists. If you were planning to attend a fiber related event this spring, consider spending some of the money you would have spent with a producer you might have purchased from.
Perhaps most notably the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, slated for May 2 and 3, has been cancelled for the first time in its history. That is one of the biggest events of the year, so if you were planning to attend or have some budget to help a vendor who was planning to attend, now would be a great time to support them.
Many local yarn stores are also suffering from people not wanting to or unable to go out. Check to see if your favorite store is offering local delivery or will deliver to your car if you place an order online. Your favorite online stores may be running free shipping or other deals at this time, too, if they didn’t already. I know Jimmy Beans Wool is offering free shipping through the end of March,
Ravelry has some more great tips and links to other websites with more information about how we can help designers and yarn makers at this time.
On the other side, many designers and instructors are being generous with their time and talents at this time. This is not an exhaustive list but I would love to hear of more things you know about in the comments.
Arne & Carlos are doing a daily (during the week) podcast and knitalong, the first clue of which is a delightfully cheery flower.
Aroha Knits is offering five of her favorite master classes for free, which includes information on goal setting, submitting knitting patterns to magazines, grading knitting patterns and more. These are free through the end of April.
If you want to learn to knit or to teach someone how to knit, Lucy Neatby has her Brand New Knitter video download available for $1.
Patty Lyons is offering a new free pattern twice a week for the duration with the code shelterinplace. Follow her on Instagram for the details and the current pattern.
Jessica Anderson is doing a mystery knitalong on Instagram. The project uses mini skeins or scrap yarn in the sock/fingering weight. The first clue is here; follow her to see the others as they are published.
Judy Kennedy has made her afterthought heel method free for folks who need to learn something new.
Designer Andi Satterland is giving away a free pattern with the code STAYHOME (I grabbed Arachne, which I’ve had my eye on for a while.)
Use the code homefornow to grab any of Benjamin Matthews’ beanie patterns for free through April 4.
Folk City Knits has her Maryanna sweater pattern for free with the code GRATITUDE and all other patterns are 50 percent off with the code KNITRELIEF.
You can grab a free pattern from Anna Elliott with the code NotAlone.
Deborah Newton made her Love and Stars Hat a free pattern, which is a great intro to stranded colorwork if you need one.
Elizabeth Smith’s Happy Harvest Cowl is free in the hope you’ll visit a local yarn shop for a great indie yarn to knit it with.
If you need a smile on your needles, Deadly Knitshade has released their kooky little knits as free patterns.
Laine magazine is offering 40 percent off all patterns in their Ravelry store through the end of April, no code required.
These aren’t new, but Marly Bird reminded us she has a series of learn to knit videos on her YouTube channel for anyone looking to pick up the craft or refine their skills from home. Her annual Tournament of Stitches, a mystery knit and crochetalong, is March 17 through April 16.
It’s not exactly specific to covid-19, but it’s March Mayhem time at Mason-Dixon Knitting even without the basketball tournament that inspired its name. Check out the bracket and find some great patterns to knit. (Voting begins March 20.)
As I said I’m sure there are more great resources out there and I’d love to hear the ones you know about. Knitters are a hardy bunch and we’ve been trained to knit on through all crises, so this one should be no different. Hang in there, friends.
[Photo: Arne & Carlos.]
Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.
Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns
still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.
