Knits & Bits by Linda is a on-line business. It evolved
into a business from Linda's love of creating things with her hands. Linda
has been doing crafts for many years. Her Aunt Jane taught her to knit at a
very young age. She enjoyed making things for herself and for her dolls. She
learned how to use a sewing machine, do hand embroidery and other skills from her mother,
Bertha. She learned more "life skills" through her years of
Girl Scouting. It was during her teen years of baby-sitting that Linda
taught herself to crochet. She also learned a few things from her crafty sister-in-law,
Betty Swartz.
She perfected her sewing skills through the teen years, carrying those skills into adult hood. In May of 1970 she became engaged to Ken, the
love of her life! With the help of his Great Aunt Verna (who was a professional seamstress), Linda put her sewing talents to the test by
making her own wedding gown and accessories. They were married in September of that same year.
As the children came along (Dean, Michael & Jillian), Linda's skills were
put to use once again. She knitted and crocheted blankets, sweaters, and booties.
She sewed curtains, crib bumper pads and other accessories for the nursery.
She made them clothing as they grew; and quilts for their beds. Being a stay-at-home-mom
was important to her. As the children grew she taught them some of her skills.
They spent hours working on projects together. When Jill became a teenager,
she was happy to have those one-of-a-kind prom dresses on her special event
nights.
Linda passed the hours that the kids were in school learning new crafts, that is, when she wasn't being chauffeur, room mother,
soccer coach, team mother, helping with scouts or whatever else their kids were involved in.
Doing all these crafty things, projects started piling up around the house. At the encouragement of friends, Linda entered the "Craft Show
Circuit", spending every penny she made on more supplies for more projects. Finally, in the fall of 1996, she took a class on becoming a
small business, obtaining her business license in February of l997."Knits & Bits
by Linda" was officially born!
In the spring of l998 Linda decided to venture onto the "cyber highway" by creating a very simple website.
After a year, and much complaining of the website doing nothing, Dean (now a computer engineer) designed his Mom a website. It was
almost another year before things started "happening". This new website focused mainly on Linda's silk floral creations, specializing in custom
designed work. A new website spun off becoming "Silk Floral Designs by
Linda".
In 1999 Linda expanded the silk floral side of the business to include wedding flowers, a section of the business that she hopes will continue
to grow. From that, another website was born, "Silk Wedding Florals by Linda".
The "Knits & Bits by Linda" website underwent reconstruction
and is now focusing on the knitting and crocheting skills Linda learned as
a young girl.
Ken retired from his day job after 30 years of service. He took over the household duties allowing Linda more time to create and attend
to the business of doing business. The children are all grown and moved away.
Dean graduated from RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) in Rochester NY as a Computer Engineer in 1995. Michael graduated from The University of Buffalo in 2001. Later that year he married Karen. They
live in Tonawanda NY.They have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. Jillian graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College in 1998. She moved to Charleston SC in 1999. She met her future husband Christian while working in a local restaurant. They Married in April of 2004. They now live in Marmora NJ with their son. Jill & Chris have started their own webstore so that she can be home
full time with Adam.
Ken & Linda
enjoy time spent with the 3 granddaughters, grandson and 4 great-grandchildren.
They also enjoy their time together golfing, gardening and traveling, when
time permits.
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