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October 29th, 2007

Lion Brand Survey Highlights Thriving Online Yarn Community

Prior to launching the YarnCraft podcast we took a survey of our newsletter subscribers to find out more about yarn enthusiasts online. We talked about the results on our first podcast, and now we would like to share the results in full.

We have just published a news release with the results of our survey - click here to read the results, download some images and hear some audio from our CEO David Blumenthal.

Best of all, we were able to get a few quotes from Lion Brand customer’s favorite blogger, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee of Yarn Harlot:

“I’m enormously flattered and pleasantly surprised to be selected as the favorite blogger of Lion Brand customers.”

“The internet has fueled the socialization of knitters - it’s great having an outlet where someone does want to talk about your new buttonhole technique or the beautiful hand-dyed merino you just got. It’s become a huge knitting community - and while you might walk away from projects, you don’t walk away from people, so the community continues to grow.”

In case you don’t want to click through to the release, here are the core facts:

  • Lion Brand Yarn conducted a survey of their newsletter subscribers to inform the launch of their new YarnCraft podcast with results highlighting the vibrancy of the online knitting community.
  • 52.7% of survey responders read blogs while 50.4% listen to podcasts. This exceeds the most recent Pew Internet and American Life Project figures that show that 39% of Americans read blogs and only 12% download podcasts.
  • The growth of the online yarn community is in line with another recent Pew Internet Report ‘Hobbyists Online’ that found that 83% of online Americans have used the internet to pursue their hobbies.
  • One in three survey responders turn to blogs for information about knitting and crocheting while one in four sourced information from knitting podcasts.
  • MySpace is the social network of choice with 35.6% of responders reporting to be members. Facebook and Flickr are next most popular.
  • One in four responders have already joined the knitting social network Ravelry. Launched in May, Ravelry has over 21,000 users and a waiting list stretching to close to 15,000 more.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the survey!

17 Responses to “Lion Brand Survey Highlights Thriving Online Yarn Community”

  1. Sharon Heredia Says:

    I am not sure where to get a product suggestion, but my craftsy extended family and I would LOVE to see FUN FUR in a peppermint candy cane variagated color . It would be great for lots of projects, and I could start on next Christmas right now !!!

  2. Breton Sylvie Says:

    Hello!
    I think it will be a good idea, making a link between your blog and mine.
    Just have a look at
    Jourssemisentre2.canalblog.Com
    Your sincerly.
    S.D. Breton

  3. Claudia Says:

    Thisis more a request for help than a comment…I hope someone can help me.

    I have been knitting and crocheting for over 50 years…last year I crocheted 8 full size Granny afgans, 3 adult sweaters & 4 children size sweaters but I have a problem.

    Could someone please tell me what I can do to keep edges from curling. I like to knit shawls but the edges give me fits.

    Will appreciate any suggestions.Claudia (claudiarose@inu.net)

  4. carolyn Says:

    I have the same problem as Claudia…Just finished a scarf and the edges curl….Look forward to being given a solution…..It is in stockennette stitch and starts k1 - purl to end, next row P1 - knit to end….That is it….

  5. joanj Says:

    To the curling edges ladies……..I have found that when making a scarf in stockinette…….it’s necessary to start with 4 knit stitches at the beginning and end of pattern before you start the actual pattern.

  6. joan Says:

    I felt a personal attachment to the blog ” Anne, self taught left-handed crocheter”and followed it almost daily. What happened to her blog?

  7. joan Says:

    Sorry, I should have been more clear on the curling edges. Knit at least 4 stitches at the beginning and end of a row, knit 4 stitches, knit your pattern and knit 4 stitches at the end of your pattern.

  8. YarnCraft Says:

    Hi Joan,

    Anne’s blog is still up. Bookmark the link so that you can follow it!

    ~Zontee~

  9. LoisP Says:

    I am an avid knitter when I can get time away from work. Today I fractured a bone in my left hand. I am going to see a hand therapist tomorrow. Any ideas on how I can keep knitting?
    She (therapist) says she can make me a couple of splints that will keep me able to use my first 2-3 fingers and thumb without compromising the broken area. She also told me not to let a doctor put me in a cast because I have arthritis in my hands, and the hand would never be as flexible or functional if they casted it. Sounds like something you all may want to know about. She said to always go to an orthopedist who specializes in hands to get the best results.

  10. YarnCraft Says:

    Hi Lois,

    Have you considered loom knitting as an option during your recovery? We discuss it briefly in the current episode and you can also find a short description of one of the looms we sell here on our site. For more information, you may also want to check out the Knitting Board website. Hope that helps and hope you have a speedy recovery!

    ~Zontee~

  11. Gina Says:

    Has anyone been captured by the sweater in the Progressive commercial? The strawberry blonde is looking for insurance and “Flo” will compare rates for her. The savings could buy a pair of shoes “or a big tricked out nametag.”
    The blonde is wearing a drapy sweater in the back but seems formed in the front. The commercial goes so fast I can’t see it well enough for my likeing.
    I am captured by its shape. I wonder if there is a patter out there some where. Anybody know?

  12. jody Says:

    I’m right there with you Gina! LOVE the sweater the blonde is wearing in that commercial! I’ve been searching everywhere for the sweater but just can’t find the exact one. It has 3/4 sleeve, and it appears the sweater is almost round-no end in front but rather, it swoops down to a longer back…very interesting design. Hope someone knows where to find it….

  13. Heather Says:

    Hello,
    Last year I crocheted several scarves, on demand, with Lion Brand FUN FETTI. People just loved them, so I bought a whole bunch of skeins during the January sales.
    This year I decided to use them up to make “Santa hats” for my children, 4 and 1 1/2. As I got to the end of the second hat I realized I was short of the white FUN FETTI. For 2 hours I called every Lion Brand carrying retail store in the DC metro area and couldn’t find it. I was heart broken.
    Fortunately, I found a place on line to purchase it.
    I just thought I would say that I am such a fan of this yarn. It is easy to work with and so, as stated in it’s name, FUN! Hopefully you will keep this line going and convince stores to get it back on the shelves!
    And in case anyone is wondering, the Santa hats are absolutely the most hysterically cute things ever in this yarn.

  14. Michele Says:

    Regarding the gray sweater in the Progressive TV commercial, I am also extremely interested in locating a pattern for it. I’ve been searching online without success, and finally decided to contact Progressive directly to see whether they will provide a lead or a contact. My guess is that the more people who use the “Contact US” link on their website to ask about the sweater, the better the chance that at least one of us will get a reply. If I do hear anything useful from them, I promise to post the info here. I hope that anyone else who learns something will do likewise!

  15. Jessica Says:

    I, too, am totally in love with that grey knitted sweater from the Progressive auto insurance commercial. If anyone finds a pattern or a website about it I am super interested. I tried to find it online but no luck. It is so frustrating because the design is really cute and every time it comes on I try to see it a little better but it goes so fast. Although, I have gone to youtube.com and seen it there. Again, anyone have any info please mail me, thanks.

  16. Sheila Mahone Says:

    Jessica? Did you find that greyknitted sweater on the Progressive insurance commercial? I love it too! If you do, please share the information!

  17. YarnCraft Says:

    Hi Ladies,

    There’s a great forum thread on Ravelry.com that has some pattern suggestions for similar looking items. Click here and log onto Ravelry if you have an account.

    And here are two similar Lion Brand patterns that you could modify as well: Flattering Sweater and Fisherman Shrug.

    Hope that helps!

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