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Knitting Pretty
Listed under: One Voice
Published: Friday, January 08, 2010
A self-proclaimed knitting fanatic, designer Alison Friday sure knows her wool, but what does the quirky artist make of the craft industry right now?
How do you think the knitting industry has changed over the years?
I think it has definitely struggled, largely due to the fact that internet access to sites like eBay has made it that much harder for independent shops to compete with some of the other companies out there. Unfortunately, it appears to have become far more challenging for knitting shops to stay in business in today's marketplace and the continued popularity of throw away culture has had a really detrimental effect.
Having said that, the recession appears to have worked to the sector's advantage, seeing a growing number of people gravitate towards materials, pastimes and products that celebrate all things homemade. Thankfully, this seems to have boosted interest in local craft shops once again and, although I don't own my own store, a lot of the ones I have visited recently have been very busy indeed. While I do think a lot of this is due to the cold weather – as people traditionally tend to knit more during the winter – I do believe interest in the pastime has started picking up.
Have you noticed more people expressing an interest in knitting over the last year?
Absolutely and the recession, and subsequent rise of make do and mend culture, has definitely had a lot to do with this, as it has encouraged people to forgo the costly, store-bought items on the high-street in favour of handcrafted pieces. At the moment, everyone is looking for new and cost-effective ways of saving their cash and creating their own clothing – whether it be through updating some of their old garments or producing entirely new pieces from scratch – not only reduces the amount they spend on fashion, but provides them with a cheap, enjoyable and rewarding pastime too.
What are the biggest crazes in the knitting world at the moment?
From a personal point of view, I am very into recycled knitting right now and am always scouring local yarn shops for odd bits of wool I can use in my designs. I also love collecting both old and new knitting books and patterns, and am always looking for ways of combining traditional materials and techniques into my work.
Vintage knitting is very much in favour and we're seeing a lot of crafters create miniature accessories, such as knitted flowers, quirky corsages and intricate edging, to adorn some of the clothing, bags and everyday garments they already own.
Knitting cafes are also becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Sweden – where I now live – which has seen the number of these gatherings more than double in three years!
Knitted graffiti, or yarn bombing as it is more commonly known, has also become increasingly common and this is an area I expect will become even more popular in 2010.
Who do you think knitting tends to appeal to these days?
Definitely the younger generation, particularly teenagers and those in their early 20s and 30s. We're also seeing a lot more children taking an interest and hope to see knitting back in schools and on the National Curriculum in the very near future. The market has evolved enormously over the last few year and it's no longer just old ladies and the retired who enjoy crafting, but the younger generation too.
How can yarn store retailers keep up with what their customers are doing?
While it is of utmost importance to follow trends and keep up with what's going on in the market, it's also crucial to ensure you stock some of the traditional materials, patterns and tools favoured in the past, as consumers are always looking for things with a quirky edge. Classes, social gatherings and anything that brings your customers together in an informal environment are also essential and will not only boost your finances, but allow you to build closer relationships with your shoppers as well.
What advice would you give to retailers when it comes to putting together new or slightly unusual workshop classes?
Consider your pricing carefully and take the time to contact slightly offbeat and quirky designers like me, who can come to your store and encourage customers to experiment with something new.
How do you think the knitting world is likely to evolve over the next year?
Hugely! I think we are going to see a lot more innovation within the sector, with workshops in public places like libraries and cafes becoming even more popular. It's a very exciting time for the craft market right now and I think 2010 will see interest in knitting reach a new high.
I think it has definitely struggled, largely due to the fact that internet access to sites like eBay has made it that much harder for independent shops to compete with some of the other companies out there. Unfortunately, it appears to have become far more challenging for knitting shops to stay in business in today's marketplace and the continued popularity of throw away culture has had a really detrimental effect.
Having said that, the recession appears to have worked to the sector's advantage, seeing a growing number of people gravitate towards materials, pastimes and products that celebrate all things homemade. Thankfully, this seems to have boosted interest in local craft shops once again and, although I don't own my own store, a lot of the ones I have visited recently have been very busy indeed. While I do think a lot of this is due to the cold weather – as people traditionally tend to knit more during the winter – I do believe interest in the pastime has started picking up.
Have you noticed more people expressing an interest in knitting over the last year?
Absolutely and the recession, and subsequent rise of make do and mend culture, has definitely had a lot to do with this, as it has encouraged people to forgo the costly, store-bought items on the high-street in favour of handcrafted pieces. At the moment, everyone is looking for new and cost-effective ways of saving their cash and creating their own clothing – whether it be through updating some of their old garments or producing entirely new pieces from scratch – not only reduces the amount they spend on fashion, but provides them with a cheap, enjoyable and rewarding pastime too.
What are the biggest crazes in the knitting world at the moment?
From a personal point of view, I am very into recycled knitting right now and am always scouring local yarn shops for odd bits of wool I can use in my designs. I also love collecting both old and new knitting books and patterns, and am always looking for ways of combining traditional materials and techniques into my work.
Vintage knitting is very much in favour and we're seeing a lot of crafters create miniature accessories, such as knitted flowers, quirky corsages and intricate edging, to adorn some of the clothing, bags and everyday garments they already own.
Knitting cafes are also becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Sweden – where I now live – which has seen the number of these gatherings more than double in three years!
Knitted graffiti, or yarn bombing as it is more commonly known, has also become increasingly common and this is an area I expect will become even more popular in 2010.
Who do you think knitting tends to appeal to these days?
Definitely the younger generation, particularly teenagers and those in their early 20s and 30s. We're also seeing a lot more children taking an interest and hope to see knitting back in schools and on the National Curriculum in the very near future. The market has evolved enormously over the last few year and it's no longer just old ladies and the retired who enjoy crafting, but the younger generation too.
How can yarn store retailers keep up with what their customers are doing?
While it is of utmost importance to follow trends and keep up with what's going on in the market, it's also crucial to ensure you stock some of the traditional materials, patterns and tools favoured in the past, as consumers are always looking for things with a quirky edge. Classes, social gatherings and anything that brings your customers together in an informal environment are also essential and will not only boost your finances, but allow you to build closer relationships with your shoppers as well.
What advice would you give to retailers when it comes to putting together new or slightly unusual workshop classes?
Consider your pricing carefully and take the time to contact slightly offbeat and quirky designers like me, who can come to your store and encourage customers to experiment with something new.
How do you think the knitting world is likely to evolve over the next year?
Hugely! I think we are going to see a lot more innovation within the sector, with workshops in public places like libraries and cafes becoming even more popular. It's a very exciting time for the craft market right now and I think 2010 will see interest in knitting reach a new high.
