Mikey teaches crochet on YouTube and constantly releases free patterns. People often ask what happens to the samples. Does he sell them? How can they get their hands on one of Mikey's samples?
The quick answer is Donations.
Mikey lives within a community of outreach, whether it's women's shelters, search and rescue, school programs, day programs for special needs, or local charity organizations helping new immigrants, refugees, and others in need.
Yarnspirations gives Mikey samples of yarn directly to teach with, and the finished samples have helped him monetize the website and YouTube programming. Mikey considers that double-dipping if he were to try to sell the samples he makes with his finished items. Yarnspirations generosity is being passed forward.
Mikey's obsession with crochet allows him to keep his hands busy and educate the public through the free patterns and teaching resources he offers.
Remember, each time you buy a Yarnspirations yarn such as Bernat, Red Heart, Lily Sugar'n Crema, Peaches and Cream, or Caron, you contribute to free education from people like Mikey.
When he was a kid, his mother used to knit and crochet for the local charity box. She made a significant difference in keeping people of all ages warm. With Mikey's obsession with crochet and this being a full-time job, he pumps out volumes of finished items.
He has a collection of stitch sample swatches he keeps for reference for further use. The more significant samples, like the Study of Series, go to charities and outreaches once the item is finished with marketing.
Leave me your thoughts...