Useful Links
The following are websites that I have found to be helpful at various times for me either as a business owner, a knitter or just a web surfer. If you happen to discover a broken link, please let me know and I will see about getting it repaired or removed.
To help you find what you are looking for I have grouped the links into the following categories:
Instructional Resources for Knitters
The Association of Knitwear Designers is dedicated to the promotion and accreditation of its professional members. AKD seeks to be the leading source of qualified professionals in all fields of the knitwear design industry.
I am currently chair of the Education Committee for AKD and we are looking to begin offering a wide range of educational opportunities for knitters looking to develop or improve the skills required in the knitting industry.
The Knitting Universe is home of XRX, Inc and Stitches Conventions and Camps. Stitches events are the leading locations to receive quality instruction from the best instructors available. If you have not had the pleasure of attending an event, you are missing a truly unique experience!
Jackie, owner of HeartString FiberArts has compiled a wonderful list of articles on various topics that any knitter would find useful. Jackie E-S as she is known in the industry is an established designer, knowledgeable knitter and wonderfully giving person.
Knitting at Knoon Designs has an extensive list of full motion videos explaining over 20 different techniques. Chris, owner and lead designer has also produced a DVD that includes some of these techniques along with many more.
Judy Sumner is a self proclaimed sock fanatic. Her company Knoxsocks Designs focuses on patterns for hand knitted socks. To help knitters understand the basics of sock construction, she has written an article, Anatomy of a Sock which covers all the basics.
My Favorite Yarn Companies
Brown Sheep Company was one of the first yarn companies I discovered when I became addicted to knitting back in my college days. It is a family owned company manufacturing yarn here in the United States offering a quality product at a reasonable price.
Louet Gems merino was the first really soft wool yarn I ever knit with. The truly amazing part is that it wears extremely well. Even so, Louet is particularly known for its linen yarn, EuroFlax. It can be a little difficult to knit with, but you cannot find a yarn that makes an easier care, wonderful to wear summer garment.
Dale of Norway is particularly well known for fabulously detailed ski sweaters but they also manufacture wonderful yarn. Although most of their yarns produce finer gauge fabric, they have also recently developed some heavier weight yarns.
Small Business Resources
Probably the most useful business site I have found, at least for internet based businesses, is GNC Web Creations. GNC Web Creations specializes in custom website creations and original graphics that will meet all your special needs.
In addition Cricket, principle of GNC Web Creations, also offers FREE Seach Engine Optimization classes via the internet. Although I am still working through all the lessons, the information she provides is right on target, well organized and easy to understand.
For years I managed all of the aspects of my e-mail newsletter. And then I found Constant Contact. They have greatly simplified the process of keeping my customers aware of what is happening in the world of Knitability. Although I personally could do it for less, the time I have saved is WELL WORTH the investment.
Miscellaneous Sites I Visit Often
Sierra Summit is the local ski resort where I also teach skiing part time. Unfortunately ski season and knitting season overlap a fair bit, so I often have schedule conflicts. But I like to keep an eye on what is happening on the mountain -- especially when there is snow on the ground.
I like to cook and I am a reasonable cook and whenever I need a recipe for something, I almost always can find it on the Food Network site. My favorite Food Network personality is Alton Brown, I am sure it is because he appeals to the geek in me!
