By now, you have probably heard that the TNNA Summer Trade Show has been canceled; we will miss seeing all of you at the show, and hope you will stay in touch with us over email and social media until we can meet again in 2021. 

It is heartening to see the creativity and support within the crafting community as we all navigate uncertain waters together. This month, we share a few more ideas and resources to help your business engage with customers virtually, and we welcome your feedback on more ways we can support you during this difficult time. Please click the link below to take our quick 2-question survey: 
 
Knitter's Pride COVID-19 Retailer Survey

We wish you, your loved ones, and your customers good health and wellness this spring. 

We're all in this together; stay safe!

Sincerely, 
The Knitter's Pride Team

Give Your Customers a Lifeline
As shelter in place orders are extended, your customers are craving community! Luckily, technology gives us plenty of ways to stay in touch -from sharing what we're doing on social media to utilizing video conferencing or live video broadcasts, we can still connect with our fellow crafters from the safety of our own homes.

Here are some ideas & resources to help you stay in touch with your fans during this time:

Go live on Facebook or Instagram.
Share what's new in your shop, show what you're working on, or share a quick tip with your customers during your live broadcast, or take questions ahead of time to answer in your video! 

TIP: Let fans know ahead of time when you'll be going live, and try to broadcast live a few times each week (ideally, at the same time) so that you remain top of mind with your customers. Click here for more tips on using live video for your business. 

Craft Apart, Together.
Create your own craft-along based on what your customers like to make (i.e. sweaters, socks, or shawls) and offer all the supplies they need for mail order or curbside pickup! Or, if you don't want to host your own event, there are several craft-alongs happening now which have open participation:  Virtual Classes.
Class can still be in session! Apps like Zoom or Houseparty offer free versions which allow you to chat with multiple people over video. Consider offering learn-to-knit or -crochet classes to bring new customers into the fold and sessions to help folks fix mistakes and other issues that are stumping them at home in addition to bringing your regular class schedule online. And, of course, you can offer all of the class supplies for curbside pickup or mail delivery!

Free Tutorial: 

How to Weave in Yarn Ends Like a Pro
Once we've finished crafting, all that's left is the "finishing work" which includes weaving in ends and blocking. Help your customers perfect these skills by sharing our latest blog tutorial, which includes tips and tricks for weaving in ends on both knitted and crocheted projects! 

Some Good News: 2020 Craft Business Awards
We're pleased to announce that our sister brand KnitPro has been commended in the Best Overall Product Category and won the Champion Brand category in this year's Craft Business Awards! 

These notable judges shared a few comments with us:

"KnitPro needles have a well deserved great reputation in the knitting world.The smooth laminated birchwood finish of the Symphonie range make the needles a pleasure to hold and the stitches flow off them to create an even, knitted fabric.The iconic marbled effect pattern makes them easily identifiable from other products." 
- Debbie Bliss, Best Overall Product Category

"[This decision was made] for the way they support women and the community where their factory is based in India." 
- Sarah Cressel, Champion Brand
 
STAY CONNECTED