Are you ready to knit intentionally? (and what does that even mean?)
Left to my own devices, I pick knitting projects in one of two ways:
- The "ooh, that looks fun" method - I see a shawl in a beautiful splashy email (curse you, Loopy Mango!) Immediately, everything else in my life stops. I cast on the project, ignoring home, hearth, and livelihood until progress has been made. Once the high of the new-project-smell has subsided, I can put it aside and return to daily living. Eventually I'll finish the project, and sometimes I won't. 😄
- The "just feel like knitting" method - I fumble about in my wool-basket, cast on a few stitches, and lo and behold, I have... a swatch. Said swatch may languish in the swatch-pile for YEARS. Sometimes, a swatch will call to me and I'll convert it to something of small questionable usefulness. This is a separate activity than the knitting process.
I think that I'm unusual in my knitting methods. (If you relate to either one of them, please tell me because there's joy in knowing I'm not so strange.)
One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more intentional with my knitting.
- Using natural fibers (and American-grown) whenever possible
- Supporting female-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses with my knitting budget
- Learning new skills that make me a more confident knitter and confident teacher
My fiber arts biz bestie Erin James, of Feral Scene.com, gives us the following reasons to shop small when choosing your subscription box:
Supporting Local Economies
Each skein of yarn you receive from our subscription is sourced from small, local producers and dyers across the United States. By doing so, we’re not just buying yarn; we’re investing in small town economies, in the families that run these businesses, and in the dream of a thriving American craft industry.
Celebrating Artisanal Excellence
Small businesses are often run by artists and craftspeople who pour their expertise, artistic flair, and love into every product. Our subscription boxes showcase this excellence, delivering you a palette of yarns that have a unique, often handcrafted quality that simply can't be replicated by mass-produced goods. Plus I love getting to order from all my fiber friend’s business!
Encouraging Sustainable Practices
Many of the small businesses we partner with prioritize sustainable methods, from ethically sourcing fibers to using natural dyes and environmentally kind practices. Opting for our monthly subscriptions means making a conscious choice to support a greener future—one skein at a time.
Building a Creative Community
When you subscribe, you become part of a larger group of crafters committed to keeping the tradition alive. Our boxes are curated to inspire, challenge, and excite you, connecting you to a vibrant community that shares tips, patterns, and experiences—all centered around the yarns were truly excited about. .
Offering Exclusivity and Options
Subscription boxes are known for their exclusive and diverse offerings, often including limited edition yarns or colorways designed specifically for our members. This exclusivity allows us to offer variety and surprise that you won't find on regular store shelves, pushing the boundaries of creativity and design in your work.
Sharing Stories with Every Stitch
Every yarn you receive has a story—a journey from fiber to fabric that is uniquely American. These stories weave through our crafting, adding depth and connection to our work that is personal and resonant. As we knit and purl, we're not just creating something beautiful; we're telling tales of American ingenuity and persistence.
To shop Feral Scene subscriptions, click here!
To shop The Spinning Hand subscriptions, click here!
