We are a home business located in the scenic area of Redding California. Our business has been thriving since 1970, when Sharon Nani received her first knitting machine from her dear husband, Dave. She accomplished her first set of knit slippers (pg) and found her hobby. Sharon soon became known as "The Slipper Lady" in Redding and she realized that a door had been opened with endless opportunity.
She could work from home and supply extra income for her family; her two young children, herself, and her loving husband. This opportunity would also allow her to be the stay at home mother she wanted to be. The Knit Tree then evolved into a Cottage Industry as a Home Based Business. With this big leap forward, Sharon started to learn new and exciting patterns and making her own for her machine. One machine turned into two, two to three, and now, she has a whole workshop full. Sharon has a grand total of 10 machines in the shop, and many more in storage. In 1973, The Knit Tree, became an official Home Based business. It wasn't long before word spread that someone had increasing knowledge about how to work, operate, and maintain one of these exotic machines. Sharon became a hot commodity on the teaching circuit, and soon was known nationally for her teaching abilities. She loved to teach the Native Americans how to use the looms, as she does a lot of products for them, to this day. Sharon has even published articles about her knitting experience, patterns, and business. As the popularity of knitted items grew, so did the need for a great teacher. They started high school and individual ROP programs, which Sharon had her hands in as well. Some of her students used their gained knowledge to open their own home businesses, or to make gifts for family members, others used it as a hobby to help them pass the time. Those who wanted to start home businesses, needed this to be profitable from the beginning, and so craft shows were their ticket! Starting out at craft fairs, and flea markets, The Knit Tree has helped many knitters grow a home market that has made them successful. Now, we rely heavily on our web traffic to sell our product, although you will see us at select craft fairs! The website was started in 2004, when one of Sharon's close friends and knitter's was diagnosed with ALS. Ellen had become successful in her own knitting business, Mountain High Knits, out of Bridgeville California. She passed away in 2009, but her legacy still lives on in all of the art she gave to the world through her one of a kind knitted pieces. Danielle, known as "Crochet Critter" became a member of our family, knitting and otherwise. We welcomed our first great-granddaughter Bethany in 2010, and the world has never been the same. Eleven months later, we welcomed her sister, Sarah. Sharon had been teaching Dani the art of knitting since she had become interested in late 2009. Teaching her the slippers that got her started first, then baby items for the new gifts we were receiving. Dani picked up on the machine quickly, and that sparked another lost art; crochet. The Crochet Critter and her Crochet Corner had begun. Dani learned to crochet when she was 14 years old, pursued the art for a few years, and lost the drive when life became busy. It was not something she thought she would readily pick back up in her life, let alone become her way of making a living. But, as things do, they work out the way they are supposed to. In 2011, Dani was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer, shortly after Sarah had been born. She immediately went through treatment. First they needed to do a total thyroidectomy, and a lymphectomy. This left her with 3 of 4 para thyroids, no thyroid itself, two missing lymph nodes, and a scarred vocal nerve. A few months after that, she received Radioactive Iodine therapy, and was quarantined for 10 days from everyone. During this time Sharon, Dave, and Dani's husband Andrew (Sharon and Dave's grandson) took care of both of the girls, but noticed things were "different" about their now 1year old great-grand daughter Bethany. Dani agreed with them and they took her to the doctor to see what he said. The diagnosis came back as PDD-NOS, a type of developmental disorder that is associated with Autism. When Dani was released from quarantine, she had made up her mind. She will be a stay at home mom, and the knitting business and her Crochet Corner will be her means of supporting herself and her family. As time went on it became more and more apparent that this was the right decision. Sarah was diagnosed this year with PDD-NOS and shows signs of High Functioning Autism, formerly known as Aspergers Syndrome. Bethany has been re-diagnosed with Classic Autism 1, non verbal, and SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). Now Dani knits not only to support her family, but also Autism Awareness and Acceptance. She advocates for Early Interventions and Sensory Processing Integration. Thank you so much for taking time to read about our little business, our lives, and how we have lived the American Dream our own way! Have a wonderful day!
