Knit Picks Responds

So here is a letter from Knit Picks, who has self-identified as “The Company Who Must Not Be Named”.

I DEFINITELY made one mistake–I thought this was written on Kelly P’s account, bt it was not–the Rav account used belongs to the writer–“KPKate”. Otherwise, well, draw your own conclusions. Cheers–Gemma


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Hi Gemma,

NancyArtCrafts brought the CogKNITive podcast #60 to my attention. I would like to apologize that I did not respond to your donation request. I sincerely hope that your fiber retreat went well. Previously, I only sent emails to customers and organizations to confirm that they should expect a package from Knit Picks, because we receive several hundred donation requests every month. After hearing your podcast, I understand that it can be frustrating not to hear a response back when you are organizing an event, so I will write up a letter to send to each donation request. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Knit Picks actually has a very small staff of people who do many different jobs. I’m new to the marketing department, and this is my first job out of college. Honestly, my lack of a response wasn’t because we are a big corporation that doesn’t care about knitters, but because I hadn’t figured out a polite way to tell people that we couldn’t fulfill their request. We donate a lot of free merchandise, but in order to be fair, I try to make sure that some of it goes to charities, some goes to knitter’s guilds or retreats, some goes to big events like Rhinebeck, some goes to small community groups, and then I try to cover a range of areas across the US and Canada.

You had some incorrect information in your podcast that I’d like to correct. Our Harmony wood needles were inspired by Kelley’s measuring spoon that had a rainbow laminate over the wood. Here is a link to the product: http://www.cooksite.com/IBS/SimpleCat/product/ASP/product... They sell these measuring spoons in Portland, Oregon grocery stores.

Our Chinook lace shawl kits created because our designers wanted to make a sampler of each type of our lace yarns knit into one project. To make the yarns look cohesive, we arranged the yarns in a gradient.

The staff at Knit Picks shops at local yarn stores and with indie dyers as well as using our own yarn. We want to give knitters quality yarn at affordable prices, but we want to support a vibrant community of knitters where Knit Picks, LYS, and Etsy yarnies can exist together.

I came to Knit Picks after managing a local yarn store through college. It is one of my goals to give Knit Picks customers the same sort of help, support, and community that I was able to provide in my store. I do this by answering questions on Ravelry and our Knitting Community, by writing tutorials and making videos for knitting techniques, blogging, and working on the Knit Picks podcast.

If you would like to contact me directly about donations for your fiber event next year, my email address is perryk@craftsamericana.com.

All the best,
Kate Perry
Marketing Assistant
Knit Picks
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Episode 64 is Live!

Want to win a swag bag similar (but the book is NOT included!) to this one that our own Limejuicy won? (And photographed too!) Any donation to the podcast during the month of November will get you an entry! Use the DONATIONS button at the top right of this page!

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map!

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle: I am finished the Red Regia socks. And I am onto the lace on my Eliina Shawl.

Strategy: Remember to take care of the physical aspects of your life--eating, sleeping, exercise--while you cope with your anxiety.

Something I Really Like: Hot Tea! Chado and Teavana.

Blather: I learn the Infirmary's procedures the hard way--by figuring it all out without supervision one hairy little weekend.

And here's my own goody bag:

Sorry--No Podcast This Week ;-<

Yes, I did record one for you. But then I got really sick... well, actually, no.

I have a cold, but the weird thing is this: I am VERY dizzy. To the point that I am having some trouble staying upright. The doc checked for a stroke--nope. Whew. So another doc tells me that this is just a sign that my virus has gotten up into my brain, hence the giddiness.

So I took off Fri & Sat, then I worked Sunday in the Infirmary. Mistake, that. Total crash by 1 PM, then in bed Mon & Tues (my typical "weekend" days). Went to work today because I teach a class to custody every Wed morning. Another mistake (sigh.) Did fine in class, but passed out in car for an hour afterwards. When I reached my unit, the front door cop looked at me and said, "Go home now." Sock Queen had the same reaction.

The 90 minute drive home took 3 hours, due to rest breaks. Will I try to drive in again tomorrow? I doubt it. But Friday, I am the only one there for the Infirmary...

I'll try to edit while at home. Cross your fingers!

Hey, at least I finally finished my new socks!

Episode 63 is live!

A toast to a great day with lots of friends!

Rehash, via the usual segements, of the First CogKNITive Fiber Retreat.

The photo album is here.

StacyW's amazing slide show is here.

CogKNITive Fiber Retreat 2009--Vendors

Please patronize our incredible vendors, who have made the first CogKNITive Fiber Retreat so special:

our core list of vendors, some of whom are tucking things into the bags:

True Love Fiber


BeeMiceElf


Jamie's Metalworks from Lancaster

Tally's Bags and Markers + Diane's bags
Tally is RKSmom here on Ravelry, while Diane is ddltursocal there.

Freckle Face Fibers
Fiber to kill (metaphorically speaking) for!
Superwash, merino, and a bamboo sock blend!! SQUUEEEEEE!!!

Unwind]-- Burbank LYS
Excellent sock yarns, non-wool options, needles

Weaver's Outpost Acton, CA
Fiber, yarns, and tools

Epicurus
lace yarns, sock yarns handspun in breathtaking colors

Soaps by Knittinwolf
Sweet and savoury scents to soothe your tired hands after a hard day's work in fiber!

Lambkamp
Purveyors of fine cashmere and other luxury fibers from their own ranch!

Episode 11--reposting

A reposting of Episode 11 from the mypodcast.com series. Enjoy!

Episode 62 is live!

I finished a pair of warm winter socks! Just in time!

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map!

If you are attending the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat, please remember to bring your unloved object to drop in the raffle prize grab bags.

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle: I am finished the Why Shawl. I am also finished one pair of the 2 different pairs of Regia socks. And I have begun my own Bella's Mittens.

Strategy: Use mathematical thought to distract your mind from anxious thinking. And a bit about the differance between being told to manage your anxiety and being told your anxiety is not real.

Something I Really Like: Sudoku

Blather: working on the OHU heats up and farewell to one of the psychiatrists

Look! The new colorway Poppies in Lorna's Laces Shepherds Socks, created especially for our retreat. Preorder from my favorite LYS Unwind:

The new colorway, inspired by Tehachapi in Autumn, from frecklefacefibers for the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat 2009:

She's making it in all sorts of different fibers and in SOCK YARN! Preorder some today--whether or not you're attending.