Sarah Jo Mosbeck modeling original knit skirt

Hi Sherry,
I was in the PiPN program last year, as an apprentice, and you were a tremendous help to me in the application process, and while I was in Columbus for TNNA. You had me give a talk on how adding the apprenticeship option had helped me, and as a result I was approached by Trisha Malcolm the next day, and she gave me a copy of Vogue Knitting’s Lace Stitchtionary to aid my designing dream.

My summer with Shannon Okey was amazing – informative and fun, and I came away having learned a lot and made a great friend. She wrote me a glowing reference letter for the job I have now.

I am currently filling Renee Lorion’s place as yarn editor here at SOHO Publishing in New York City while she’s on maternity leave for 3 months, and I feel that my participation in the PiPN program is responsible for me having the job I’ve wanted since I learned to knit. I’m also doing a couple of designs for them (one for Knit Simple Winter and one for Vogue Knitting Winter), which has been a long-held desire of mine.

So, thank you – the PiPN program, the addition of the apprenticeship option, and all of your kind council and advice has helped me to achieve my dream.

Sincerely-
Sarah Jo Mosbeck

PiPN’s Pathways Open Up Even further

We are continually receiving applications from both host companies and potential interns, so we’ve decided to open our process to matching students with hosts throughout the year.

We’ll still focus our student recruitment efforts towards positions in the summer months, but will maintain an active matching process for fall, winter and spring placements.

If you’re a TNNA host company who did not match with an intern this summer, we’ll be contacting you soon to see if you would like to keep your position active.  If you’re thinking about having an intern in the future, feel free to go to the Host Application and send it in now.  We will be updating the opportunities available on a quarterly basis.

PiPN 2011 interns and apprentices to date

Sophia Adodo
Texas Woman’s University, Denton
The Handwork Studios, Narberth, PA

Dania Carter
Mississippi State University
The Handwork Studios, Narberth, PA

Leah Chapman
RISD
KnitWhits, Emeryville, CA

Necol Dattilo
Kent State University
Stitchgrrl, Akron, OH

Sarah Ellison
Kent State University
Acorn Street, Seattle, WA

Kimberly Esasky
U of Akron
SoHo Publishing, NY, NY

Alice Faye Huff-Idom
U of Akron
Business Directions inc, Columbus, OH

Kelly Kleiden
apprentice
Helen Hamann, Tennessee

Alice Koelsch
U of Akron
Craft Akron, Akron, OH

Kelsey Leib
Kent State University
Stitchgrrl, Akron, OH

Mary Markeshewski
University of Alabama
Tanglewood Fiber Creations, Seattle, WA

Elli McHugh
Eastern Washington University
BeSweet, Sausalito, CA

Christina Musich
Carnegie Mellon University
Colonial Needle, White Plains, NY

Crystal Spann
Mississippi State University
TNNA, Columbus, OH

Heather Stanco
Carnegie Mellon University
Misti International Alpaca Yarns, Arequipa, Peru

Brigitte Tijerina
SCAD
Misti International Alpaca Yarns
Arequipa, Peru

Rylee Tomlinson
Mississippi State University
TNNA, Columbus, OH

Kelsey Tucker
U of Akron
Stitch, Piece ‘N Purl, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Rylee Tomlinson, Mississippi State University, interning with The National NeedleArts Association

Hola mi amigos!

The TNNA trade show is almost here and I cannot tell you how excited I am! We are doing so many things to get ready like calling people and working on displays. Speaking of displays, I think y’all are really going to like what we are working on. It has a past, present, future theme and we have some help from Ohio State University’s Historic Costume and Textile Museum…but I am not giving away any more than that. You will just have to come to the show and see it for yourselves.
By the way, on a more personal note, all of this has been done while battling a medium level case of poison ivy. I would post some pictures but you would be too grossed out. You know, if it stayed concentrated to one area, like my arm, I would be okay. But no! It spread to my stomach, my other arm, and the front and back of both legs. I look just awful. Oh, and the itching is so much worse than the way I look. I have found, for anyone looking to relieve itching, that ice packs work wonders. Benadryl does too but, alas, I am now immune to it.
But I digress. The real point of this update was to let you know what we interns have been working on here at TNNA.  If you’re coming to the show, and I hope all of you are, don’t forget to stop by our display (to be on the show floor, in the “Fashion Show” area) and see what we have accomplished. You will not be disappointed, I promise!

I’m also happy to announce three new opportunities posted just a few days ago.  Y2Knit, an amazing yarn company located in both Funkstown MD and San Francisco CA is offering a great internship for someone looking to eventually have a full time job. (Who isn’t looking for a full time job!) This company is run by two sisters who have more talent than I can even begin to describe.  They’re looking for help with marketing, as well as design . . .

I’ve also just posted two positions with Misti Alpaca in, of all places, Peru!  They’re offering room and board (but you do have to get there yourself . . .)  These positions require skills in knitting and crochet, as well as a good grasp of Spanish.  The interns who were placed there a few years ago had an incredible experience.  I’m sure this year will be no different.

So, again, if you already haven’t registered . . . or if you have and one of these positions appeals to you, let us know.  We’re getting close to our match date (early April) so you have no time to waste.

If positions aren’t filled after that date, we will continue to accept applications, but you may not be able to get the placement of your choice.

Located between Berkeley and Oakland and across the bay from San Francisco, this internship offers a great opportunity to learn all the basics of hand-dyeing yarns from prepping to post-dyeing yarn care, packaging and shipping.  You’ll be assisting with marketing and promotions as well.

Knitwhits is a great place to work and a great place to learn.  Check out more by downloading their information here.

Interweave Press is looking for an Assistant Editor – Yarn Group
Location:  Loveland, Colorado

Interweave is seeking a full-time Assistant Editor to provide key editorial and project management support for Interweave Knits and related special issues. This person will contribute to magazine content by writing and editing assigned pieces, researching, fact-checking, proofreading, and sourcing yarns for projects. Will also assist Editor in developing concepts for submission calls, and photoshoot planning and coordination. Must work collaboratively within and across teams to meet editorial and market group objectives.

Required skills:

* Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
* Knowledge of all stages of magazine development.
* Up-to-date content knowledge specific to market group – specifically, knowledge of yarns, yarn weights, and fiber characteristics, current knitting market trends and leaders in the industry.
* Strong attention to detail.
* Organizational and multi-tasking abilities.
* Exceptional communication skills.
* BA in English- or subject-matter related field. Publishing experience desired.
* Proficiency MS Word, Outlook, InCopy, Access, and other software as needed.

Please include cover letter, resume and salary history.

You can apply directly online by going to: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA4/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=INTERWEAVE&cws=1&rid=168

It’s time to sign up again to become a PiPN Host for the coming year (2010-2011).

NEW this year.

• Hosts and applicants can now choose any time period during the 2010-2011 academic year, as well as throughout the summer.
• Association members can now easily and quickly apply online.  Click here for the Host Application.
• Applicants will also be able to register online.

Previous Hosts have applauded the program, and have commented that the experiences were enjoyable and rewarding.

Our interns have echoed those sentiments.  Visit PiPN Lane to see more of what our interns have said about their experiences this year.

If you’ve never been a host, please consider participating this year.

It doesn’t take much . . . just a willingness to mentor a young, enthusiastic fiber arts lover, to share your knowledge and experience and love of this creative industry.

For more information, please visit TNNA.org College Outreach

There you will be able to download a quick overview of the PiPN program, as well as a more complete overview of the 2010-2011 requirements and schedules.

If you have been a PiPN host in the past, please complete the online application as well,  so we have all your updated information.

Click here for the Host Application.

This year’s turnout was fantastic, and it felt very rewarding to see the entire process through.  It was no easy task to get to this point.  There were ups and downs, but I can say I positively learned so much and feel great about what was accomplished. 

It took time to get information out there to students and graduates about the PiPN program and what it has to offer.  I’m continually impressed by the number of people who are so passionate about fiber and needlearts, and how many were so excited to learn this program was available.   This year the number of applicants quadrupled compared to years before and we were able to place twenty-one students (twice last year’s numbers) from around the country.  It has been wonderful to see the improvements in the program and also the success of changes from years past. 

A great benefit of the program is the Alumnae Group.  PiPN students who satisfactorily complete the program attain alumnae status.  This allows them to attend trade shows and stay in the loop with TNNA and the PiPN program for two years past their internships.

I’m looking forward to keeping the alumnae a tight nit group and to keep them active in TNNA and the PiPN program.  This summer, I personally was able to reconnect with a friend I met while participating in PiPN at The University of Akron.   It had been a year since I had seen her, so it was great to be able to catch up.  The PiPN Alumnae Group made it all possible.

The weekend during the trade show in Columbus was also a blast.  The PiPN group met at the convention center downtown Friday evening for the fashion show.  This was my third show, and I’ve enjoyed the fashion show each time.  There are always a couple great standout pieces.  The collection also featured a former PiPN Student Design Competition Winner as well as a former Project Runway winner!! 

The actual trade show Saturday and Sunday was outstanding.  I am always impressed by the time and energy the exhibitors put into their booths.  I enjoy walking around to each and seeing the great displays of merchandise and products.  The energy at the shows is always a pleasure to be around.  There is an excitement and buzz in the room, which I see each time.

I’m excited and looking forward to what is next for the PiPN program.  In the last couple years I’ve been a part of it, the program has continued to develop and grow.  Exciting opportunities are just around the corner.  I’m also looking forward to hearing back from our summer participants, and we will be posting their blogs on the website for everyone to enjoy.

Until next time,
Kristi Schwechheimer
PiPN Alumnae Coordinator
 

This year, with the new format, close to 40 students registered for PiPN 2010.  More than half have been placed, with several still pending.

Congratulations to the following:

• Bagsmith
  • Ashley Schweikert – University of Akron
• BeSweet
  • Caroline Moore – State University of NY at Geneseo
• Blue Ball Mountain Spindle
  • Amy Church – Western Kentucky University
• CNS Yarns
  • Helen Cosgrove-Davies -  Bryan Mawr
• Coats-N-Clark
  • Samantha Lever – East Tennessee State University
• Crooked Fence Alpacas
  • Alyssa Edlund – University of Utah
  • Kimberly Trusken – Kent State University
• Handworks Studio
  • Trekina Miller – Missouri State University
• Knit Knack
  • Julia Rhoden – Colorado State University
• Knitgrrl
  • Abra Forman – apprentice
  • Sarah Jo Mosbech – apprentice
• Knitting on the Square
  • Alice Koelsch – University of Akron
• Loopy Yarns
  • Jacqueline Shunnara – University of Alabama
• Royal School of Needlework
  • Justin Campbell – University of Akron, graduate student
• SoHo Publishing
  • Claire Kersey – Georgia College & State University   
  • Amanda Montgomery – University of Akron
• Stitches Etc., Beth Gantz Designs   
  • Diane Capuano – apprentice
• Tanglewood Fibers
  • Mariel Snetman – University of Alabama   
  • Emily Sidle – University of Akron, graduate student
• Yarn Designers Boutique
  • Erin Rice – Art Institute of California-SF
• Yellowbird Yarn Room
  • Jennifer Weiland – University of Akron

There are still a number of opportunities available for this summer:

• Barbara Bergsten, Chagrin Falls OH
• City Knits, Detroit MI
• Cowgirl Yarn, Laramie WY
• Fiber Arts Yarn Shop, Cape May NJ
• Fine Points, Cleveland OH
• Kreinik Manufacturing, Parkersburg WV (2)
• Maria’s Knitting & Crochet, Chula Vista CA
• Red Barn Yarn, Pasadena CA
• The Needlepoint Boutique, Collingswood NJ