Hippy Chick Knits: Yarn - A love story?

Did you ever go into a store or business and notice how happy the employees are? Kind of a rare experience isn't it? Sometimes retail employees are pleasant, sometimes civil, other time sullen or down right surly. I've noticed this recently because our local Whole Foods Market is filled with happy, pleasant, outgoing employees. It really makes that store a pleasure to shop at. I've even gone out of my way (when they aren't too busy) to ask a couple of the employees about why they are so happy. Turns out they like the company, they get good benefits, and their boss is great to work for. So would I like to work for Whole Foods? Well maybe, certainly on those days when my engineers have been surly and subcontractors are running amok, it sounds pretty darn good.

The other notable places that I have recently experienced people who are happy with their jobs/careers are people who are engaged in community development and many of the folks in the yarn and knitting industry. I don't think I have the skills or connections to find work in community development (or at least not work that pays a salary). And I'm not talking about every yarn store employee or owner, some of them are down right surly, too. But many of the designers, dyers, producers, and yes, yarn store owners seem very excited, contented, and satisfied by their businesses.

I want to feel that way about my job. In my current job as a program manager and systems engineer there are some very satisfying moments interspersed with lots of plodding, paperwork and spreadsheets. I'm pretty good at my job, but am finding it less compelling lately. The chocolate chips of satisfaction are getting pretty sparse in the cookie dough. There could be another program management job that would excite me or peak my interest. A new project with some meaty work or product line that would be more satisfying. But what really has my interest currently is yarn and knitting. I still feel very much a novice when it comes to understanding the technical details of yarn and what to do with it. For whatever reason, it is endlessly fascinating to me. After spending 20 some years in an engineering career it seems crazy to think about, but could I develop a career in fiber arts?

I think I'm falling for yarn and knitting and I'm not sure what to do about it. It feels sort of like one of those boys you fall in love with who you're pretty sure isn't good for you, but you go for it anyway. Endless trouble, parents wouldn't approve, but oh so satisfying. It seems like my right brain is now demanding equal time after playing second fiddle to the left brain in all the engineering activities. Not sure where to begin exactly, but I think it's time to start investigating.

It was amazing to meet the vendors and instructors at Stitches West and to see how many are making a living doing what they love. I particularly enjoyed meeting the small scale dyers and producers and a couple of the designers. I think I need to find out more about how some of them got where they are and how they do work they love while paying the bills.

Here are a few of the people and companies that impressed me:

Designers:

Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton http://www.corneliahamilton.com/

Ann Weaver http://annweaverknits.com/

Yarn vendors:

Cephalod Yarns http://cephalopodyarns.com/