Crank & Create is a unique mobile pop-up workshop that brings the joy of knitting to local venues, partnering with brick-and-mortar businesses to host fun, social events. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, our workshops make it easy to create hats and other crafts using circular knitting machines—no prior experience required! Attendees leave with handmade items, and a portion of our profits goes toward making hats for those in need. We’re also renovating a studio for future workshops in Shelby Michigan, creating a permanent space to inspire creativity, build connections, and support local businesses.
My passion for crafting and teaching makes me the right person to lead Crank & Create. I ran a DIY painting studio in Indiana, where I taught hundreds of workshops on everything from creating beautiful signs to refurbishing furniture. But knitting? I tried countless times, got frustrated, and ultimately gave up, convinced it was a skill I just didn’t have.
I discovered circular knitting machines from a random TikTok video in 2022. I shared my knitting journey online and quickly built a global community of over 1.5 million “Cranknitters.” This journey, fueled by my own frustrations with traditional knitting, taught me how crafting can change lives, build community, and make creativity accessible to everyone.
With plans to expand Crank & Create nationwide, similar to the success of wine-and-canvas events, I envision licensing this concept, allowing others to combine creativity, connection, and social impact across the U.S. Through Crank & Create, we’re not just teaching a skill—we’re building a community, fostering creativity, and creating lasting memories through fiber, friends, and fun.