Sunday, September 6,2009

Yesterday, I tried on a sweater which I designed and knit over the summer.  It is a funky tunic that looked great in my mind’s eye, but I wasn’t sure that it would translate to a wearable garment.  Once on my body, the feeling was exquisite!  I don’t need to explain this to you.  You all know how it feels to spend hours and hours of total relaxation and pleasure which result in a product that feels great and looks great on.  I turned to Martha, a loyal customer, good friend, and regular knitting angel ( she teaches sick kids and their families to knit at Memorial Sloan Kettering, helps out with Gotta Knit’s FREE knitting lessons in Bryant Park, and occasionally opens and closes the store for us in an emergency)  and asked “how many other hobbies give a person this sense of satisfaction?”  In fact, other than giving birth to a child, earning your doctorate, and possibly baking the perfect cake, few things in life are so satisfying.  And anyway, the perfect cake will have disappeared in a matter of hours. Still wearing my luscious sweater out of Meunch Yarns silk and merino Mood, I yearned for cool autumn days and nights by the fire.

I was also reminded why I wanted to open Gotta Knit! in the first place.  I wanted to share this feeling of pure joy with others.  I felt that if everyone  learned to knit or crochet, the world would be a better place.  I often fantasized about taking out my knitting on the subway, and looking up to find that everyone else in the car was knitting as well.

Here is where you can help my fantasy become a reality.  With great pride, Gotta Knit! has been nominated as an inspirational small business in a contest promoted by American Express called Shine a Light.  We have the chance to win $50,000 worth of marketing by American Express.  By going to the link below,registering and logging on to endorse our store, you can help us win the chance to share our love of our craft with those not yet familiar with the joy it brings.  Over the years I have noticed how our customers have been eager to share their knowledge with others.  Now, here is a great opportunity.

Just follow these instructions:

1. Go to SHINE A LIGHT on “Life is Too Short for Crummy Yarn”
2. Register
3. Search for gottaknit in the nominee section
4. Click on ENDORSE THIS STORY NOW

We thank you in advance for your support of Gotta Knit! and the knitting and crocheting community.