COVID-19, the knitting industry, and how you can help
Hello everyone,
As with most of the rest of the world, the knitting industry has been hit hard with the fallout from the COVID-19 virus. A number of large and small knitting industry events and retreats have been cancelled, and many brick and mortar stores in the hardest hit areas are really feeling the effects.
A number of organizations and individuals have been working very hard behind the scenes to support these businesses and have arranged virtual events to try and provide even some small semblance of a show environment.
I know we are all scared and worried on some level as to what the next few weeks and months may hold for our lives and for our jobs and businesses (whatever industry you may be in).
If you are willing and able, there are a number of things you can do to help support these small businesses during this time:
1. Visit a local brick and mortar shop in person or buy online/over the phone from their shops. A number of them are offering curb-side delivery of your purchases, or can arrange shipping if you don't want to run the risk of coming into the store directly. If you have any concerns, call or email them and speak with them directly about how you can support them during this difficult time.
2. Attend a virtual knitting event. Currently, knitrino has arranged and is hosting an online Vogue Knitting Live Seattle event for all of the vendors and teachers who were affected by the VKL Seattle postponement. Indie Untangled is also allowing vendors of cancelled/postponed shows to post marketplace listings for free, so check out the vendors featured there and consider visiting their websites and/or shops.
3. Promote your favourite LYS and online shops on your social media. Post pictures of your WIPs and tag the vendors. Write a positive review on google or on their Facebook pages. Gift their products to your friends. You don't have to spend a cent to empower a local business through positive promotion.
We will all get through this together, as a community, as knitters, and as a global force for good.
Thank you for reading.
~Kim, Ron and Victoria