Independent designers and independent magazines go together like tortilla chips and salsa...

...or insert your favorite food combination here.

So there's been a whole lot of discussion on the web about the struggles of independent knitting designers, the challenges of those who publish the work of independent designers, and everything that relationship means. The discussion is explained here. It's a complex issue, and one made more challenging by the innovative possibilities the internet makes available to designers and knitters alike.

Knitty has a unique place in the designer->magazine->knitter continuum, and that's on purpose. I started Knitty in order to publicize and support the work of independent designers who were giving it away for free on their blogs. You can read what I wrote in the first issue here. Happily, Knitty grew quickly from a sweet, tiny thing into a robust magazine, thanks to the support of indie designers, a growing number of readers, and the final piece of the puzzle: our advertisers.

Since day one, Knitty has always been clear on one thing: the work of each designer and author belongs to THEM, not to us. They allow us to publish their work exclusively for a short 3-month period on our website in exchange for a modest honorarium. Afterwards, they do with it as they please, which means their work can continue to generate revenue for them. The other thing we offer to independent designers is, frankly, a huge audience -- 2.7 million site visits in December 2008.

I am so proud of the designers we've featured over the years, some who want careers as designers, and some who just have great knitting ideas. This kind of independent, spontaneous creativity is what I want to be able to continue to share through Knitty for many, many years to come.

I was really touched to read this post that Shannon Okey wrote about Knitty on this topic. She writes about how she's supporting Knitty and why she thinks that support is important.

There are many ways to support Knitty.
Designers and authors do it by sharing their work with us and our readers.

Readers can do it by:

• clicking on the ads in our issues and shopping with our advertisers when they need knitting supplies or want a treat. Since Knitty is free to readers because of our advertisers, this is the most important way readers can show their support!
  
  
• visiting our Knittyshop, where each sale sends a few dollars directly to Knitty...and when you wear Knitty gear, you help promote the magazine, too!
  
  
• joining our grassroots marketing team by telling knitters and yarn shops about Knitty when you come across someone who's never heard of us. We've got a simple letter-sized flyer that you can print, cut up and pass out when you need to...you'll find it here.
  

People have been writing me for quite a while, asking if they could send a financial contribution directly to Knitty as well. After reading Shannon's post, it seemed time for me to put a Tip Jar on the counter. Does it feel strange to do this? Um, yeah. But I also know what it's like to be on the other side -- wanting to show your appreciation for something you love in a tangible way.

If you'd like to support Knitty with a donation, here's what to do:

1. To use a Paypal account or a credit card, click on the Send some love to Knitty! button above. You'll be able to fill in the amount you wish to send and then complete the transaction.

2. To send a check/cheque, payable to Knitty Magazine, here's our address:

Knitty Magazine
2255b Queen Street East
#527
Toronto ON
M4E 1G3

Because Knitty is not a charitable organization, your donation is not tax deductible. Our donors names and e-mail addresses are kept strictly confidential, but the Knitty editorial staff will know you've donated and we all thank you for your support!

Writing this post reminds me, once again, how lucky Jillian, Mandy and I feel to have knitters, yarn companies, yarn shops, publishing companies and other craftspeople wanting to support independent design and publishing in general, and Knitty specifically. And that this little magazine I started more than 6 years ago, because of a passion for knitting and knitters, and a desire to work with people I care about and admire, has become important to so many people.