I just finished going through more than 1,000 survey responses. With 21 questions in the survey, that’s more than 20,000 answers.

Twenty. Thousand! 🤯

Honestly, when my friend Michael suggested I survey our readers and ask them for input in shaping our 2026 premiere Knit Stars Season, my first thought was…hmm.

I felt bad asking people to fill out a survey. “They’d rather use their time to knit!” I protested.

But then Michael said, “Don’t make it just another survey. Really put some thought and time into it, and you might be surprised at the gold you get in return.”

And boy, was he ever right. The responses were so open and thoughtful, it felt like getting a laser view straight into the collective Yarnie soul!

Some of it was honestly heartbreaking. So many of you feel overwhelmed and exhausted – with life, health and family obligations. With stash and WIP guilt. With choice overload and what one Yarnie called “Excessive Hobby Disorder.”

Many of you were soooo tough on yourselves. 🥺These are actual quotes from the survey:

“I’m lazy.”
“I lack imagination.”
“I never think my work is good enough.”
“I can’t finish anything.”

But hang with me here…there is a silver lining! Lots of answers made me smile:
When asked their favorite way to learn: “All of the above – I am a floozy!” 💃🏻
“I teach knitting but also love to be a learner.”
“Nothing is holding me back – all knitting is an adventure!”

As I read through your responses, something began to click into place. A deep sense of clarity and purpose. A renewed sense of why I created Knit Stars in the first place, more than a decade ago.