Local Critters for Local Knitters
My two favorite things to do when traveling are (in order), (1) find and buy a skein of locally dyed yarn, and (2) find a local insect. These favorite things have taken me from the softest mohair and tarantula hawks in New Mexico, to Yak and salmonflies in Seattle.
Why not combine the love for local yarns with a love for local critters? And LCLK was born. I began reaching out to local yarn stores and asking if they would be interested in a (free) custom chart featuring a local insect to host in their stores. As with all my patterns, these charts will be backed up with…a lot of information on the insect. Please read more below, find the nearest critter knitter to you, and if you’re a LYS or an entomologist…consider becoming involved!
To the right, I stand with Sarah (center) and Caroline (right) of Birdhouse Yarns in Tucson AZ at the inaugural Local Critters for Local Knitters session- a wonderful group of 25 people who sat and knit a local AZ bee pattern while learning all sorts of facts about local bees.
It has never been more important to advocate for environmental protection and education. That education can look like knitting, and that knitting can look like native insects.
When I began designing my insect knitting patterns, I realized quickly that they were the most valuable tool in my arsenal to tell people about insect ecology. Simply from the phrase “I like your sweater!” I was able to have conversations with people in my community about insects, their ecological importance, and what we can do to protect them. The smallest and most valuable members of our ecological community face multivariate threats- from habitat loss to pollution to warming climates.
My goal is to connect people with their local critters with the same joy and excitement that they are connected with local yarn, local businesses, and the ecological community of fiber artists. Every pattern I publish contains a page of information about the featured insects, and the people who have knit my patterns have reported back to me that this information makes its way into conversations with strangers, again from the simple compliment (which all knitters and crocheters are familiar with) “I like your sweater!”.
Help me highlight local insects and their role in the environment through highlighting local yarns and local businesses.
Want to take it a step further?
Connect with a local entomologist! I will be your liaison to bring the wonderful, wacky world of insects into your knitting circle. So many of us knit while listening to audiobooks and watching TV, why not listen to an incredible scientist answer questions about the coolest organisms around? I might be biased.
Are you an entomologist?
Fill out the entomologist form to be connected (fingers crossed!) with a local yarn store in your area.
Are you a local yarn store?
Fill out the LYS form and I will be in touch about a partnership!
Are you an enthusiastic knitter who wants to have a bug pattern in your local yarn store?
Please send them an email! Actually, here is the exact email (just copy and paste) that you should send them! CC me when you send it, meredithjunewillmott@gmail.com
Subject line: LCLK (Yarn store name)
Dear (insert LYS name),
My name is (introduce yourself, maybe you’re a regular and they trust your recommendation), and I am reaching out to see if you have heard of Local Critters for Local Knitters (LCLK)? This is a project developed by Meredith Willmott, who is an entomologist, artist, and insect inspired knitting pattern designer. LCLK is an international project she runs, working with local yarn stores to design them free knitting patterns featuring local, native insects. These patterns include a lot of information about the native insects, and seek to extend the love of local fiber to local (and underappreciated!) wildlife.
If you are interested in having an insect pattern designed for your store, Meredith is cc’d on this email, and here is the form to apply for your store: link.
Thanks for your consideration!
(Your Name)