Knit to This
Kay and Ann on the Craft Industry Alliance Pod
I’ve been banging out swatches for 2026’s Bang Out a Sweater—starts Friday, y’all—and catching up on podcasts.
I have my color combo all picked out for my second Waffle Pullover: Aubergine and Frost, which was the pair requested by my younger offspring, because she will be the one wearing it (because her older sister got the first Waffle Pullover I made). I may even make a third one for my very own self at some point but it’s hard to say where my whims will take me.
But while I’m cooling my heels until the Official Cast-On—which, again, is Friday—I’m making some swatches for the Waffle Swatch Library we seem to have started at MDK. (The bottom swatch in the photo is Juniper (A) and Bluebell (B), with Bluebell (A) and Juniper (B) on top. It’s not a pairing that speaks to me. It might, however, speak to you.)
What will speak to you, if you, like me, like to listen to people talk when you’re knitting, is this podcast hosted by Abby Glassenberg from the Craft Industry Alliance. MDK’s Ann and Kay are the guests on episode 304.
In one short hour, Ann, Kay, and Abby cover 20 years of MDK. Sure, you’ll learn about Rowan chat boards and the early blogging days, as well as the pivot to a place that celebrates all that knitting (and other fiber crafts) is and could be. But, really, what’s so great about this pod is hearing Ann and Kay talk about how to grow a business (and a community) with clear intention to connect and celebrate, not only the craft but all of the people who practice it.
Come for the for the conversation; stay for the smart takes on feminism, the internet, and pie.
PS Going to Vogue Knitting Live? We are—come join us! We’ll be at Connolly’s. External Link. Opens in new window., just one block from the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, January 30. Let us know you’ll be there—reply here. External Link. Opens in new window..
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Thank you, Adrienne, for your contributions to the Waffle Stitch Library AND the nudge toward Abby Glassenberg and the Craft Industry Alliance! Perfect for the stories of days.
Do keep warm and cozy!
“stormiest” of days!!
I know what you mean about “speaking to me.” So many things to consider. Do the colors look good on me individually? Will they look good on me together? As a Winter, does the smallish DK size of the stitches blend together too much and come out murky (great on an Autumn, not good on a Winter). Or does the right combo of tiny colors read surprisingly light and bright? Or am I overthinking this thing too much? In my defence knitting is a slow process and you don’t want to find you’ve made a mistake once you’ve reached the armholes. On the other hand enough is enough. Why not just go with your gut? All in all I am dealing with Color here, not bridge engineering: A Delicious Process any which crazy way I want to look at it. Thanks for all the wonderful swatches.
Oh, thanks for this. It will be perfect to listen to this as the snow falls out side. We are expected to receive 18-24” later today!
That’s a lot! We only got 9 inches in Central Park. Which is plenty…
Thanks for two perfect gifts for a snowy day! Two more swatches to savor and a podcast to enjoy! Hope I don’t get as much snow as Indigo Squirrel! Yikes!….Hoping for less than a foot!
My first Bang Out A Sweater! Already I’ve learned so much about color and that swatching can be fun!! Looking forward to Friday’s class!! Hope everyone stays warm!
I LOVED listening to Kay & Ann! Wonderful interview!
Thank you
I’m a long-time member of the CIA (not that one) but rarely get around to the podcast. Thanks for the info!
Any chance someone could tell me the pattern name for the blue sweater being worn. It looks so cozy and it’s darn cold here in MN. Both temperature wise and politically.
Pat
Kay’s sweater is the Bolin Cardigan from Field Guide 28: Renewal.
Stay Strong! And Warm!
When I first started knitting, I had two small children and my knitting friends were a life line. The first knitting camp
I attended was $75 bucks, in the mountains of Colorado and I was the first one to sign up. I had a new baby and a 4 year old and it was so much fun to knit with others, have meals prepared and laugh. I could never have made a business out of it but many of us wanted to give it a try. I’m now 72 and still learning how to knit because the learning curve is endless
This was great to listen to, thank you for the link!
That was a fascinating interview. I’ve enjoyed MDK so much but never considered all the planning decisions that had to be made to make it happen. Thanks, Ann and Kay, for making those decisions!
I hope this isn’t the second one I’m sending. The first one dusappeared.
Is there any chance of buying the pattern without the classes? I love the jumper and that waffle stitch but online classes don’t work for me. I’m completely bamboozled by technology and stress levels become very elevated.
Is there any accommodation made for ladies of very generous proportions? I usually ‘add a strip’ down the centreof the front and the back, to make it wide enough – and sometimes, to the upper sleeves as well.