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Check this out!
Pick up your needles! WorldWide Knit in Public Day actually lasts from June 12 to June 20. Learn more here.
And by the way, congratulations to Lily Chin and The National NeedleArts Association for organizing 427 crocheters last week in Citi Field during a New York Mets game. They set a World Record for "most people crocheting in the same place for 15 minutes." Pretty cool!
The Knitty Gritty
X Beads blooming in men's fashion: The Financial Times reports how some European men are getting in touch with their friendship bracelet-infused youth by slipping on a couple bracelets to complement their suits and ties.
Tip: Take a fresh look at your jewelry classes and kits. While not every European fashion statement echoes over in the States, consider how your inventory could work for boys and men — if you haven't already, of course. Boys get just as bored as girls during summer vacation, so now may be a great time to let your customer base know you have some patterns that are suitable for their nephews, sons and grandsons (husbands and boyfriends, too!) to make and wear. Poll your male customers and employees to see what they like about your inventory, and what they would like to have added to it.
X A quilt, two quilters, and a twist of fate: The Herald Palladium chronicles how St. Joseph, MI's Barb Stover tracked down the owner of a lost cross-stitch quilt-in-progress in 2002, then this year unwittingly responded to an ad to finish the same piece. It's a heartwarming story, to say the least.
Tip: Preserve the memory of special circumstances. During her 130 hours of hand-finishing the quilt, Stover added a pocket and tucked in photocopies of the newspaper coverage of the quilt's original journey in 2002. Encourage your customers to keep a journal during their projects — perhaps even partner with a local scrapbooking store to host the occasional class on how to make a small album about a specific project, for example. Or keep a camera on hand during classes and at the end of a long series, give the students copies of the photos. It's an easy way to remember the laughter and learning they shared during their journey.
X Teen uses fiber to make the world a better place: Montana's Daily Interlake reports that Brett Harrison learned how to crochet in eighth grade, because he thought "ski caps were cool." Now part of the graduating class of 2010, he raised hundreds of dollars selling his hats this year — to start a scholarship fund for his high school. He's done some other amazing things in his young life, too. Check out the full article here.
Tip: Help kids with a cause. Many teens are interested in community service, whether it's a genuine desire to help others or is nudged along by a service requirement from their church or school. Offer to be their catalyst by providing discounted supplies and a space to knit, stitch, etc., once a week or so until they reach their goal of hats for cancer patients, blankets for preemies, bookmarks for the local literacy program, or whatever other project captures their hearts. You'll reap the benefits of media attention, a few new loyal customers, and most of all, the satisfaction gained in helping others.
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