đ§¶ Stitching Through the Seasons: The 2025 Mid-Year Catch-Up âš
- Alise Kabakoff
- Jul 1
- 6 min read
Another year is half-way over; and again I think, where has the time gone!! It seems to happen in a blink of an eye!! So, what's been happening at Knit Me Sew Me these past six months? Well, lots, of course!! We never sit still!! From launching fresh handmade designs to connecting with new customers and expanding our creative offerings, itâs been a season full of yarn, inspiration, and community. In this newsletter, weâre excited to share highlights from the first half of the year, give you a peek behind the scenes, and let you in on whatâs coming next. Letâs dive in!
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Tariffs, What Tariffs?
With todayâs unpredictable economic climate, tariffs are on everyoneâs minds. So how to avoid them? Buy American! Supporting 100% USA local and handmade businesses has lots of benefits, both personal and community-wide. Here are five reasons:
Boosts the Local Economy - When you spend money at local businesses, more of that money stays within your community. Local businesses are more likely to use local suppliers, hire local workers, and reinvest profits locally. Itâs a win for jobs, schools, and infrastructure.
Higher Quality and Unique Products - Small-batch and handmade goods often come with better craftsmanship and attention to detail. You get something unique, not mass-produced ⊠perfect for gifts or personal treasures that stand out.
Lower Environmental Impact - Local products donât need to be shipped halfway across the world, meaning a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, many artisans focus on sustainability when choosing materials for their products.
You Know Where Your Goods Come From - Thereâs something powerful about knowing the story behind what you buy, who made it and how it was made. Itâs transparency you can feel good about.
Supports the American Dream - Every purchase from a local business supports real people chasing real goals, not faceless corporations. Youâre investing in someoneâs passion, creativity, and hustle and thatâs amazing.
Donât pass up this opportunity to support small and independently owned 100% American businesses. You and your community will be glad that you did.
Crafty Ladies
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Knit Me Sew Me had a very successful return to Crafty Ladies in March. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces after such a long absence! SAVE THE DATEÂ - The fall boutique will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5; and we are already confirmed to participate. By the way, if you haven't met my twin sister, Sharon, she will be there helping me.
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I have been busy booking events for the fall/holiday season. If you hear of any event that you think will work for Knit Me Sew Me, I would appreciate the organizer's contact information so I can book as many events as possible. As in past years, I will be emailing event information monthly.
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New Products Launch
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Itâs All About Heart!
Susan Husa, one of my Alignable connections, asked if I could create mini hearts to give to her clients. Well, I never turn down a challenge to make something new. The result ⊠crocheted mini hearts that are tiny treasures crafted with love and care, each one unique and full of charm. They are perfect for brightening someoneâs day, as well as a heartfelt way to show support, send love, or simply let someone know youâre thinking of them. Whether tucked into a drawer, resting on a shelf or desk, or left as a surprise, these little hearts carry big warmth. They will certainly bring smiles all around! Check them out at https://www.knitmesewme.com/product-page/mini-hearts.

New Frog Hats
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These beauties were made as a special order for a wonderful woman to give to her two grandchildren. Turns out, they were a huge hit and an easy decision to add them to Knit Me Sew Me's Animal Menagerie of kids hats. đžÂ Each one is lovingly made with soft, cozy yarn and topped with those signature froggy eyes for extra charm. Perfect for kids, theyâre sure to bring smiles wherever you go. Whether it's for a gift, costume, or just becauseâthese hats are toad-ally irresistible! đ See them here: https://www.knitmesewme.com/product-page/frog-hat.

Ready, Set, Goal!
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Setting goals is like planting seeds đ±âŠÂ you might not see growth overnight, but with care and consistency, something beautiful begins to bloom. Iâve learned that the clearest path to progress is writing it down, believing in the outcome, and taking one small step at a time đïžâš. Whether itâs a business milestone or a personal dream, the magic starts the moment you decide it matters đ«. Check out the YouTube video below.
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Alignable Member Success Series
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I was honored to be a featured guest on the May 14th Alignable Member Success Series. During this event, I was able to share how Alignable helped me grow Knit Me Sew Me, as well as building meaningful connections through the platform. Uncover the magic in the following video.
And speaking of Alignable, I am deeply honored and humbled to have been chosen as the West Hills Local Business Person of the Year for the fourth year in a row, as well as being in the North America Top 50 and the North America Top 50 Women. This recognition is not just a reflection of my efforts but a testament to the incredible support, encouragement, and kindness I have received from this wonderful community. The friendships I have made along the way and the unwavering belief they have shown in me mean more than words can express. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank them enough for being part of this journeyâI am truly grateful to serve and grow alongside such an amazing group of people.

Knitspirations
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Ever have one of those days where you need a bit of "inspiration?" Well, we have you covered with our new "Knitspirations" posts. These are thoughtful one-liners to give you a bit of inspiration during your day. They are posted on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Alignable. We hope these will help you make it through whatever life throws at you.

I was a guest on âŠ
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I was so excited to share a bit of the journey behind Knit Me Sew Me with Rhonda Cox of Amazing by Grace LLC! đ§¶âïžÂ Curious how it all came together? See what it's all about. đ§âš
More Special Order Requests
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I am truly amazed by the number of special orders I receive. It's also very thrilling to create one-of-a-kind pieces for my customers. Recently, I created a set of strawberry hot pads for Amy and a Professor Quackers for Nadya. Below are photos of the final products.Â


Want something special? We're her to make your vision a reality!
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Lucky Ducky Cruises the Trade Routes of the Middle East
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Lucky Ducky had a fabulous time on his latest cruise. This one started in Oslo and then had stops in northern Europe, southern United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain. Check out the entire playlist below or watch it on Knit Me Sew Me's YouTube channel at Ducky Getting Ready for Europe!. Want to keep current with Lucky Ducky's adventures, then đ hit that subscribe button and join in the fun!
Kind Words, Warm Hearts: What Our Customers Are Saying đŹ
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Enjoy two of our latest testimonials from two fabulous individuals!
Lena Ehrenberg writes: âI highly recommend Alise from Knit Me Sew Me. She is thoughtful, dedicated to serving her customersâ needs and whims, and always steps in to offer assistance in any way possible. This is a product-based business with a truly service-oriented, multi-talented owner!â
Chris Burns says: âIf you haven't already, you should check out Knit Me Sew Me for any of your upcoming gift giving needs. Alise makes some incredible handmade knitted and crocheted products that are not only beautiful but also high quality. Knit Me Sew Me is truly one of a kind.â
If you haven't already done so, please leave a review for Knit Me Sew Me on our Google Business Profile. Leaving a review really helps our analytics, and every little bit helps. Here is the link: https://g.page/r/CaEM8QL6toojEB0/review.
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Finally, what's in the bags?
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Time never stands still at Knit Me Sew Me. Even though it's summer (the quiet season), I am working my little fingers to the bone!! So what's in store for the fall? The photo below shows bags of new products that are ready for inventory. (I already inventoried two additional bags of products!) There will be lots of products, including new colors to choose from, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful rest of the summer. As for me, Lucky Ducky, Auntie Sharon and I will be heading back to Europe for a river cruise. We'll be compiling videos and photos upon our return. Stay safe, keep cool and hydrated. Summer is forecasted to be very hot once again.
Until next time.
Alise
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