Knitch Magazine

This month, KnitchMagazine had the pleasure of interviewing Linda McCleland, an independent yarn rep who works with several prestigious manufacturers. Linda travels her territory in the mid-west United States, visiting yarn stores to present them with the new fibers and colors for the season, plus the patterns created for them. Using the expertise she has gained from knitting, working in a yarn shop, and her previous career in business development, she helps yarn stores select the right combination for their clientele.

Knitch: When did you first pick up knitting needles, and who taught you?

Linda: My mother taught me to knit. I can remember being very little, sitting on the floor, clicking my mother’s metal needles together, pretending to knit. When I was old enough, she helped me put yarn on those needles. I’ve known how to do a knit stitch for as long as I can remember, but I put my needles down for most of my childhood and early adult life. I picked it up again about eight years ago.

Knitch: Was your heart set on entering the yarn industry?

Linda: I held various Business Development positions after college. When I left my last job three years ago, I knew I was ready for a change, but I wasn’t sure what direction to take. Vicki Sayre, owner of Loopy Yarns in Chicago, suggested I work for her a few days per week while I decided what I wanted to do. While working at Loopy Yarns, I discovered that I had the opportunity to marry my career experience (business development) with something I love (yarn and fiber), and build my own business as an Independent Rep.

Knitch: Tell us about that. Which companies do you represent?

Linda: I represent several different yarn companies.

Classic Elite Yarns is known for fine yarns and designs for every skill level. As Creative Director, Pam Allen delivers updated, modern classics and collaborates with talented designers including Jared Flood, Veronik Avery, and Jillian Moreno. Classic Elite also offers luxury fibers and distributes Twinkle, Jil Eaton, and St. Denis.

Misti Alpaca is founded on four generations of Alpaca Heritage. They offer exquisitely soft alpaca yarns in weights from lace to super chunky in a breath-taking color range, including yarns hand painted by fairly paid artisans in Peru.

Bergere de France produces their own yarns in their company-owned mill in France, where they have to comply with strict EU environmental standards. They’re best known for very fashionable, yet very wearable designs for adults, children and babies. Their yarns are primarily blends and therefore, almost all are machine washable, so they’re easy care.

Dale of Norway continues a tradition of Norwegian yarns and designs that began 130 years ago. They’re best known for Baby Ull and outstanding baby designs, high quality wools, traditional and Olympic Ski Sweater designs. They have a new pattern book for Fall/Winter 2009 called Retro, which is a collection of sweaters and accessories with a vintage feel that appeals to the modern knitter, while remaining true to the Dale tradition.

South West Trading Company is known for being the leader in alternative fibers, including Soy Silk, bamboo, corn, Chitin, and now Bowlder fiber, which is made from jade.

Knit One Crochet Too carries a variety of yarns, but is probably best known for their Ty-Dy series, including Ty-Dy Cotton, Ty-Dy Wool and Ty-Dy Sock.

I represent other yarn companies including Alchemy Yarns of Transformation and Mountain Colors, which both hand paint their yarns here in the US; as well as Frabjous Fibers, Jade Sapphire, Jojoland, Lanaknits Hemp for Knitting, and Mission Falls. I also represent Chiao Goo Needles, Chic Knits patterns, and JaJaJa Purses.

Knitch: That’s quite a stable of successful companies. You must be incredibly busy. How do you keep on top of the knitting market?

Linda: Anytime I walk into a yarn shop, I ask, “What are people knitting?” It’s the independent retailers who have their finger on the pulse of this industry; they’re the ones who see the day to day of what people are knitting, what’s popular, what’s not. I follow Ravelry and the major magazines, which are also great resources for current trends, as well as ready-to-wear knits and apparel. I attend the TNNA trade shows and stay in close contact with the companies I represent to keep up to date with what’s coming down the pipeline. I also still work at Loopy Yarns a few days per month. This helps me stay in touch with knitters and with issues that the LYS might be facing.

Knitch: Do you see any regional differences in what knitters want?

Linda: There are some regional differences in my territory. I travel primarily to states in the northern Great Lakes area, so the climate is fairly consistent across the region. The southern most part of my territory knits less bulky yarns, but I’d say that most of the differences I see are based more on demographics, skill level, and the character of each individual yarn shop. There are some projects that seem to be consistently popular, regardless of where I travel: baby things and socks!

Knitch:What’s really hot for the autumn 2009 season?

Linda: Jared Flood’s collection of patterns for Classic Elite Yarns called “Made In Brooklyn” is already proving to be the hottest thing for this season!

Knitch: Which of your yarns do you think will be the most sought after in autumn 2009?

Linda: This season, I expect knitters to seek out yarns with a little more texture or visual interest. I expect more interest in color work and stitch patterns. I’m also seeing huge interest in any yarn that makes a great one-skein or small project. I think knitters will be looking for affordable luxury.

In terms of specific yarns, I expect Misti Alpaca Chunky and Worsted yarns to be in high demand, particularly the Hand Paint and new Hand Paint Tone-on-Tone; the Ty-Dy series from K1C2; Bergere de France is already getting a lot of interest in their two new designs in Vogue Knitting; Jojoland Rhythm & Melody Superwash; St. Denis Nordique (distributed by Classic Elite) had a great response at TNNA; River Twist from Mountain Colors, which looks like handspun; and SWTC Saphira, which is a chunky superwash wool with great yardage at a great price.

Knitch: Who do you think is setting the trend, and how?

Linda: There are a lot of very talented up & coming designers that are influential in the industry, as well as more seasoned designers who continue to be favorites. I think in recent years, we’ve seen sites like Knitty.com & Ravelry driving some trends or at least specific projects. In addition, yarn shop owners have a lot of influence on setting the trend, particularly within their own shops.

Knitch: Where do you look for inspiration?

Linda: I’m inspired by the unique personality of each yarn shop I visit. I also look to knitter friends, magazines, and the Chicago streets, where I live. We see a lot of knitwear during Chicago winters! There are several art and design schools in downtown Chicago and it’s always interesting to see the students’ new and innovative takes on knitwear and fashion in general.

Knitch: What would be the biggest misconception people have about your job?

Linda: I think the biggest misconception that people from outside the yarn industry have about my job is that I sit around and knit all day! I’m sure Yarn Shop Owners see the same misconception about their job. However, I think anyone who works in this industry -- retailers, wholesalers, designers, reps -- has a lot of respect for the amount of time and commitment it takes to run a small business.

Knitch: What changes have you noticed in the industry – amongst shop owners and knitters – in the past few years?

Linda: I’ve noticed knitters being much more value conscious and more specific with their purchases. I’m sure it’s a direct result of the economic climate. Shop owners are putting more consideration into the products they stock. I also think shop owners have to work a lot harder now than ever before, to stay on top of the trends, to keep their shops fresh, and to continually offer their customers new and exciting project ideas.

Knitch:. Who are your heroes in the industry?

Linda: My heroes in the industry are the companies, designers and yarn shops who are giving back through social commitment. Companies like Misti Alpaca and Frabjous Fibers who support under-advantaged women thru permanent, fairly paid employment. Ja Ja Ja Purses is another example: they’re a small company that produces eco-conscious “green” knitting bags that are hand sewn by fairly paid local craftspeople in the San Francisco Bay Area. Chiao Goo donates a portion of their proceeds from the Breast Cancer Awareness Needles to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. These are just a few examples. My heroes also are all the yarn shops, knitters and crocheters who do work in their own communities; knit countless chemo caps, baby hats, and helmet liners; and support groups like afghans for Afghans. This really is a great industry to work in. At every level, there are people who are working to make the world a little better for all of us.

Knitch: What would be your closing advice for yarn enthusiasts?

Linda: As a knitter myself, I have two bits of advice for yarn enthusiasts. First, the next time you interact with your independent retailer, let him or her know how much you appreciate them; they work hard to make a world of beautiful fibers readily available. Second, try new things with reckless abandon: new fibers, new colors, new techniques, take a class, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Like Dori singing in Finding Nemo: “Just keep knitting, just keep knitting, just keep knitting…”

Many thanks to Linda for taking time out of her busy schedule to speak to us.