Prime Publishing LLC

h+h americas finalizes partnership with Prime Publishing

Northbrook, Illinois —

• Together we are expanding industry outreach, connecting with our community.
• First international offspring of the world’s leading trade fair “h+h cologne.”
• We are uniting the soft crafts industries In North America.
• More than 100 exhibitors signed up.
 

Excitement is building around the launch of h+h americas, which will take place from June 22-24, 2022, in Rosemont, Illinois. With seven months to go, the organizer reports strong interest among the US and international soft craft manufacturers and already has over 100 contracts. 

Today the organizer announced a new partnership with Prime Publishing LLC, a leading online platform and publisher for the fiber and fabric community with 3 million followers. Prime will use its vast online reach to draw awareness to the h+h americas opportunity, where it will organize networking events and pre-show introduction of top influencers, bloggers & designers to selected sponsors. Prime will also offer an “America’s Best Contest” featuring project designs and the award winners will be announced following h+h americas. 

Says Stuart Hochwert, President of Prime: “We think that h+h americas will provide some great opportunities for buyers and sellers in the soft craft industry. We are committed to assisting this event via five of our sites including FaveCrafts.com; AllFreeSewing.com; FaveQuilts.com; AllFreeKnitting.com & AllFreeCrochet.com that comprise some of Prime’s free crafting, fiber and fabric online resources for consumers in beads, crochet, knitting, and sewing. Our team of editors will be onsite to cover the launch of this event. We are very excited to enter this partnership.”

“Having Prime Publishing as a partner on our side gives us another powerful channel to reach the soft-craft buying community. We are confident this partnership will be valuable in our effort to deliver a high-quality and diverse trade show, design competition, and educational program. We look forward to this co-operation,” says Mette Petersen, President and Managing Director of Chicago-based Koelnmesse Inc.

h+h americas, the sister event of its German namesake, is slated to become the leading U.S. industry event for buyers of home textiles, tapestry, sewing, knitting, crocheting, haberdashery, quilting, needlepoint, and business software and marketing solutions. It will be held in partnership with the Craft Industry Alliance, a membership organization that has served the craft professionals community since 2015.

For more information contact:
Darrin Stern
North American Show Manager
h+h americas
773-326-9925
www.hh-americas.com
www.instagram.com/hhamericas
www.linkedin.com/showcase/hhamericas
www.facebook.com/hhamericas

About Prime Publishing LLC:
Since 2009, a women’s lifestyle content publisher focused on DIY, Craft & Recipe sites, newsletters, magazines, and social media. Fiber (Knit & Crochet) and Fabric (Sewists & Quilters) consumers find project ideas, inspiration, new product information and engaging content on Prime’s sites, seven sewing & quilting newsletters & 9 crochet & knitting newsletters and several social media channels on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube. To request more information about how Prime can promote your brand to Fiber & Fabric consumers send an email to Chris Wright.

About Koelnmesse GmbH:
Koelnmesse is the number 1 trade fair location for numerous industries with some 1,000 employees and representatives worldwide. Cologne, Germany is centrally located in Europe and the Koelnmesse fairgrounds with 400,000 square meters ranks in the top 3 within Germany and top 10 worldwide. Every year, Koelnmesse organizes and conducts more than 80 trade fairs, exhibitions, guest events and special events in Cologne and in the world’s most important markets connecting 54,000 exhibitors from 122 countries with more than 3 million visitors from 200 countries. Koelnmesse has earmarked 700 million Euro towards the expansion of its fairgrounds which should be completed by 2030.

Koelnmesse Picture Material:
https://www.koelnmesse.de/news/bilddatenbank/bilddatenbank.php 

Koelnmesse in Social Media:
www.linkedin.com/company/koelnmesse-gmbh
www.instagram.com/koelnmesse 
www.facebook.com/Koelnmesse
www.twitter.com/Koelnmesse 

Koelnmesse Inc. located in Chicago, IL for the past 19 years is the North American subsidiary and marketing arm of the Koelnmesse Group, one of the world’s leading organizers of international trade shows. Their experienced team of marketing and sales professionals organizes trade shows and events in North America as well as North American Pavilions for US, Canadian and Mexican companies at more than 25 trade shows around the world. 
https://koelnmessenafta.com
https://twitter.com/koelnmesseinc
https://www.linkedin.com/company/koelnmesseinc
https://www.facebook.com/KoelnmesseInc

FaveCrafts Sees Continued Growth with Online Crafting Classes

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing used to host in-person classes, seminars, events and how-to opportunities. Their four in-house cooking and crafting studios were used every day.  Their large conference spaces were booked months in advance. Local hotels enjoyed the constant stream of visitors. Of course, the pandemic stopped all of these in-person activities. So, in just eight months, their FaveCrafts brand pivoted and has held more than 30 online crafting classes and hosted more than 15,000 attendees looking to expand their crafting knowledge. 

The focus has been on knit and crochet classes, and topics have included everything from beginner Learn to Knit and Learn to Crochet classes, plus more advanced topics such as Continental Knitting, Tunisian Crochet, Entrelac Knitting, and more. We have welcomed a number of talented instructors into our virtual crafting studio including Marly Bird from MarlyBird.com, Marie Segares from Underground Crafter, and Tamara Kelly from Moogly Blog. 

Beginner classes are sponsored by I Like Crochet and I Like Knitting, and are available to consumers for free. The advanced classes are $19.99/each, or attendees can choose to buy a bundle ticket option (three classes for $29.99) and save 50%. Our free, one-hour classes provide a great opportunity for both beginners and experienced knitters and crocheters to learn a new hobby from industry experts from the comfort of their own home. Viewer questions are answered in real time, and attendees receive expert advice for troubleshooting common problems. 

Recordings of our free classes are made available for those that were not able to attend in real time. This also provides attendees the opportunity to re-watch the class on their own time and practice their skills. Visit the AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting YouTube channels and watch them today! 

To date, one of the most successful paid classes has been Fixing Common Mistakes in Knitting. Due to popular demand, we will be offering this class again in August. Learn more about our upcoming classes at FaveCrafts.com, and visit Eventbrite to sign up. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today!

Prime Publishing Hosts Fifth Annual Prayer Shawls for Charity Drive

Northbrook, IL —  AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting proudly partnered with Rush University Medical Center and JourneyCare during November 2019 for our fifth annual Prayer Shawls for Charity Drive. Together, with the help of our readers, 223 homemade knit and crochet prayer shawls were collected.

The shawls will be donated to families on JourneyCare’s inpatient Chicago hospice unit. “They are a huge comfort for families,” says Deb Donnelly, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at JourneyCare. Those that receive the blankets are “deeply appreciate,” she continues.

This year, hundreds of knitters and crocheters from around the country sent in shawls to donate along with personal notes for the patients receiving the shawls.

“It’s always so wonderful to give back,” says Jenny Bowden, Editorial Manager at Prime Publishing. Seeing all of these homemade donations flood into our office never gets old, and it’s so heartwarming to unbox the shawls and read the touching messages that were sent along with them. Our readers are incredibly compassionate and giving, and to know each shawl is going to such a deserving person in need… there’s really nothing better.” 

The charity drive, in its fifth consecutive year, collected 223 completed knit and crochet shawls that will be shared with local hospice patients. For more information on the Prayer Shawls at Rush initiative, and to learn how you can make a difference, please check out Rush’s Facebook page here.

Prepare for Winter Weather with Our Free Patterns

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Survive Winter Storm Harper and make progress on your New Year’s resolutions at the same time with the help of AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting’s free pattern library.

Winter Storm Harper is expected to bring a lot of snow to a large area of the country through the weekend, and the Midwest is gearing up for it. Winter storm watches and warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from South Dakota eastward through the southern Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Cities included in the winter storm watches or warnings include Chicago, Milwaukee, Boston, Hartford, Providence, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Des Moines.

Winter weather advisories and warnings are also posted throughout the Mountain West, which will feel the effects of Harper on Thursday.

Forecasters are urging residents to take precautions, including wearing layers and a hat and gloves. For those of you that might want to make your own hat or gloves, check out the free pattern library at AllFreeCrochet.com and AllFreeKnitting.com. Whether you’re looking to stay warm, learn a new skill, or improve your health, these free knit and crochet patterns can help! Recent studies have found people who participate in arts and crafts such as knitting and crochet “feel happier, calmer, and more energetic the next day.” The healing benefits range from simply calming you down and easing your stress to potentially relieving depression and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists now believe that “crafts, such as crocheting, can help stimulate that dopamine release to allow us to feel happier and better about ourselves.”

Visit AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet to find a variety of free pattern inspiration from expert designers and top yarn companies including Kristi Simpson, Heidi Gustad, Red Heart Yarn, and more. Patterns feature high resolution color photographs and step-by-step instructions; some include helpful video tutorials so you can follow along as you go.

AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet’s free pattern library includes:

Beginner’s Crochet Scarf – video tutorial!

100 Free Crochet Patterns for Winter: Hats, Scarves, Blankets, and More

Winter Wonderland: 17 Winter Patterns to Crochet – free eBook!

Winter Cable Knit Beanie – video tutorial!

13 Knit Hat Patterns for the Winter

Knit Super Scarves: 12 Free Patterns

PLUS: Health Benefits of Knitting and Health Benefits of Crochet

Prepare for Winter Weather with Our Free Patterns

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Survive Winter Storm Harper and make progress on your New Year’s resolutions at the same time with the help of AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting’s free pattern library.

Winter Storm Harper is expected to bring a lot of snow to a large area of the country through the weekend, and the Midwest is gearing up for it. Winter storm watches and warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from South Dakota eastward through the southern Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Cities included in the winter storm watches or warnings include Chicago, Milwaukee, Boston, Hartford, Providence, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Des Moines.

Winter weather advisories and warnings are also posted throughout the Mountain West, which will feel the effects of Harper on Thursday.

Forecasters are urging residents to take precautions, including wearing layers and a hat and gloves. For those of you that might want to make your own hat or gloves, check out the free pattern library at AllFreeCrochet.com and AllFreeKnitting.com. Whether you’re looking to stay warm, learn a new skill, or improve your health, these free knit and crochet patterns can help! Recent studies have found people who participate in arts and crafts such as knitting and crochet “feel happier, calmer, and more energetic the next day.” The healing benefits range from simply calming you down and easing your stress to potentially relieving depression and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists now believe that “crafts, such as crocheting, can help stimulate that dopamine release to allow us to feel happier and better about ourselves.”

Visit AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet to find a variety of free pattern inspiration from expert designers and top yarn companies including Kristi Simpson, Heidi Gustad, Red Heart Yarn, and more. Patterns feature high resolution color photographs and step-by-step instructions; some include helpful video tutorials so you can follow along as you go.

AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet’s free pattern library includes:

Beginner’s Crochet Scarf – video tutorial!

100 Free Crochet Patterns for Winter: Hats, Scarves, Blankets, and More

Winter Wonderland: 17 Winter Patterns to Crochet – free eBook!

Winter Cable Knit Beanie – video tutorial!

13 Knit Hat Patterns for the Winter

Knit Super Scarves: 12 Free Patterns

PLUS: Health Benefits of Knitting and Health Benefits of Crochet

Prime Publishing Hosts Fourth Annual Prayer Shawls for Charity Drive

Northbrook, IL — AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting proudly partnered with Rush University Medical Center’s Prayer Shawls at Rush initiative during the months of October and November 2018 for our fourth annual Prayer Shawls for Charity Drive.

 “There’s more to the prayer shawl than meets the eye – besides just keeping you warm, prayer shawls provide comfort during challenging times. For a patient receiving a shawl, knowing that someone out there took the time to hand make the garment means so much. Knowing that there are others out there invested in what they’re going through, it makes a difference,” said editor Julia Wiatr.

This year, hundreds of knitters and crocheters from around the world sent in shawls to donate to this charity along with personal notes to the patient who received the shawl.

The charity drive, in its fourth year, collected 503 completed knit and crochet shawls that will be shared with local hospice patients. For more information on Rush’s Prayer Shawls at Rush initiative, and to learn how you can make a difference, please check out Rush’s page here.

Prime Publishing Joins Craft Yarn Council to Celebrate I Love Yarn Day

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing LLC joined the Craft Yarn Council to celebrate the eighth annual I Love Yarn Day on October 13, 2018. I Love Yarn Day, the second Saturday in October, is a day for yarn enthusiasts to share what they love about yarn crafting. The day engaged crocheters, knitters, and general crafters around the world to share why they love to craft with yarn.

Prime Publishing’s I Love Yarn Day campaign featured a collection of easy-to-make Christmas crafts that required little to no knitting or crochet skills whatsoever. These designs were created by our in-house team of crafting experts with the general crafter in mind to encourage using yarn in their everyday crafting projects. Projects included including a Yarn Wrapped Tabletop Tree and a 5-Minute Peppermint Wreath Ornament, which was also demonstrated during a special FaveCrafts Facebook Live event.

“I Love Yarn Day is a chance for yarn crafters to reflect on what their craft means to them and share it with others,” said Jenny Bessonette, executive director of the Craft Yarn Council. “Whether you learned when you were five or 85, these are activities that anyone can learn and enjoy.”

Yarn crafts are not only meaningful and fun, but they provide numerous health benefits too. Studies have shown that knitting and crochet can help reduce stress and provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. The crafts can even help with pain management.

“A survey conducted by the council in 2018 confirms the numerous health benefits of yarn crafts like knitting and crocheting,” Bessonette said. “We invite all of our followers to participate by posting and talking about how yarn has affected their lives.”

Visit AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting to learn more about I Love Yarn Day. Plus, visit the Craft Yarn Council for additional inspiration, ideas and tips for teaching others how to knit and crochet, free patterns, yarn party ideas, contests, and more.

Prime Publishing Featured on Craft Yarn Council’s Blog

Northbrook, IL — Prime Publishing was recently featured on the Craft Yarn Council’s blog! Check it out here to learn more about what Prime Publishing is working on this year, as well as a brief history of the company.

Based out of Carrollton, Texas, the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) is the yarn industry’s one-stop resource about all things yarn. They represent the leading yarn companies, accessory manufacturers, magazine, book publishers, and consultants in the yarn industry. For more than 35 years the Council has sponsored a wide range of promotional and educational programs, including its highly acclaimed Certified Instructors Program, Discover Knit and Crochet classes, and its popular I Love YARN Day event (the second Friday in October), which offers a virtual meeting place for the nation’s knitters and crocheters.

We are proud members of the CYC, along with other leading companies in the yarn industry such as Red Heart Yarn, Lion Brand, LoveCrafts, Clover, Leisure Arts, Creativebug, and more.

The folks at the CYC are currently working on publishing a series of “Member Spotlight” blog posts for their blog. One member is featured on our blog each month and they are planning to spotlight all of their members by the end of 2018. The goal of these blog posts is to educate their readers about their members and what each of them is up to.

Check out Prime Publishing’s member spotlight blog post here!

Prime Hosts Successful Charity Drive with Warriors for Hope

Northbrook, IL — AllFreeCrochet and AllFreeKnitting recently partnered with local charity Warriors for Hope to collect handmade knit and crochet items for Chicago-area cancer patients.

Warriors for Hope is a family run operation; their goal is to “bring cancer patients, survivors, and their family and friends together and bring a little inspiration & hope.” They regularly knit hats and scarves for cancer centers and donate a new set as often as possible. They have worked with North Shore University Health System quite a bit, as well as Children’s Lurie in Chicago.

“I have organized countless charity drives since working at Prime Publishing and they are all so rewarding,” says Managing Editor Jenny Bowden.” I am always amazed at the talent, kindness, and generosity of our readers!”

“We are SO overwhelmed with gratitude over the response we received from our charity drive partnership with AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet!” says Dina Sampras of Warriors for Hope. “We are so grateful for all you warriors out there lending your time and talent to our cause. We truly appreciate all your help and BEAUTIFUL pieces. THANK YOU!!”

AllFreeCrochet’s Hats & Scarves for Hope charity drive ran from March 15 to April 15, 2018. We collected 109 scarves and 90 hats that will be shared with local cancer patients in the Chicagoland area. For more information on Warriors for Hope and to learn how you can help make a difference, please visit their website here.

AllFreeCrochet Reaches Major Milestone

Northbrook, IL – Prime Publishing and AllFreeCrochet are excited to share that this past month, AllFreeCrochet’s YouTube channel reached a major milestone – 1 million minutes in video views for the month of February!

With 87,000 subscribers and 11 million total video views to date, the AllFreeCrochet YouTube channel is a place to learn all things crochet. From crochet stitch videos and technique tutorials to full project walk-throughs, our videos are shared to help beginner crocheters and experts alike. We feature in-house and blogger talent to help craft our tutorials and focus on popular topics and trending projects.

With a pro-video focus, Prime Publishing has been working on producing the best instructive videos for all of our lifestyle websites, hoping to aid and inspire our cumulative viewers. With a total of 254,021 YouTube subscribers across all our channels, our goal is to share our knowledge and provide 5 minutes of fun in a person’s day.

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