photo: Lisanne & Bryce Thomas

Four years. It's hard to remember when there wasn't a Knitty in my life. But thankfully there is. Thankfully, so many people agree, and I thank them for their support, whether since issue one or since our last issue.

I want to thank the people who've been part of Knitty since the beginning, most especially Jillian Moreno [now the editor of our spinning mag, Knittyspin, and the other half of my brain most days], Kristi Porter [who's done everything for us at one point or another], Theresa Vinson Stenersen [who is the queen of crystal-clear photos and text and has likely taught more people key knitting techniques than she'll ever actually meet in her life], and Mandy Moore [who always produces kickass work that impresses the designers she edits every time]. To Stephannie Roy, who has worked tirelessly to fill our pages with advertising from companies and shops and craftspeople we all want to patronize, a very special thanks. For her uncountable, invaluable contribution to our online community, I thank Wendy Wonnacott, and send special thanks to Monkeemaven, now at uni, studying her brains out, yet still knitting at a furious rate, I expect.

To the advertisers who make Knitty possible every season, thank you. Without you, we wouldn't be here. You keep us inspired with your new products, give us places to shop when our local stores are closed, and allow Knitty to stay free to everyone. To our readers, please show our advertisers your support. Click on their ads, see what they've got and, if you need something, why not shop with one of them?

To the bloggers who knit our patterns, read our articles, write about them, give us feedback, we love you. You hear me? WE LOVE YOU. You guys are the reason Knitty has grown and grown and grown over the years. Your input is very valuable to us, especially the constructive stuff.

I've been working full-time on Knitty since July 1. It's been astounding, this being my own boss thing. I should buy me flowers! I've also finished my next book [my third!], called No Sheep For You, to be published by Interweave Press in spring 2007. We'll have some No-Sheep goodness in the spring Knitty issue, too. Because wool is not the only fiber you can knit happily with. Trust me.

The rabbits are well. I hope you are, too. Enjoy the fall.

The 2007 calendar contest is over, and winners will be announced in the fall surprise.

To always know the latest Knittynews, sign up for the free Knitty reader list! The list is never shared with anyone and we only send out a few messages a year.

By the way -- should you want to know if I'll be in your neighborhood, check out my online schedule. I love meeting Knitty people!

Amy R Singer
[editor, Knitty]

photo: Amy R Singer

And as soon as that first (or 500th) yarn is spun, the next question is "What can I do with it?" I love knitting with my handspun, but I rarely have the patience or time to spin for a whole garment (or even a scarf, sometimes). One of the things I'm really giddy about for Knittyspin is presenting patterns that use smaller bits of handspun yarn -- either smaller projects or projects that mix mill-spun yarn with handspun yarn. That's what we're all about: more spinning joy, less spinning pressure.

Charkhas for Africa
Knitters seem to be getting loads of press for their fibery contributions to charitable works. I want to make sure that fiber folk know about the Charkhas for Africa project.

This project started by Therese of Jumpsheep works to get charkas and hand carders into the hands of the women of Ethiopia and hopes to spread spinning support to other parts of Africa.

Traditionally the women spin cotton on hand spindles and weave the thread into cloth that they to sell to support or use to clothe their families. Getting charkhas into their hands will improve their life enormously.

Huge supporters of the program are the spinners of Material Whirled. For info on the program and to learn how to lend your support check out the Material Whirled site.

Spin to Knit Handspun Secret Pal Swap
Want to share spinnerly love with other hand spinners? Join the Spin to Knit Secret Pal Swap -- where you'll give and receive 2 skeins of handspun yarn.

We'll be reviewing stuff!
Starting with the winter issue of Knitty, Knittyspin will start publishing reviews of spin happy stuff, like we do here. If you have fiber, spindles, books, or other spinny products that you'd like us to review, write Jillian for submission information.

Jillian Moreno
[editor, Knittyspin]