Yarn Thing sponsors XRX, Stitches and Knitters Magazine CEO Benjamin Levisay has BIG NEWS break on our Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird!
Benjamin Levisay is a second-generation partner in this 29-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley. 
Benjamin has been a part of the fiber industry since his family opened a yarn shop in Sioux Falls, SD when he was a small boy, an enterprise that later evolved into XRX. After a career in the software industry, Benjamin rejoined the company nine years ago as CEO and Director of Marketing & Sales. He is more commonly known as one of the hosts of STITCHES. It is his intention to carry on the legacy of passion and commitment that characterized his family’s contributions to the fiber world.
There’s a picture floating around (I know it was in the Knitter’s Magazine special K100 issue) of Benjamin as a little boy at the loom in that little LYS in South Dakota, which shows that being part of this company has been his whole life long, more or less actively. He’s been really linked for the last ten years when his dad, David Xenakis, began considering retiring. By that time, the Stitches Events had been happening for about 15 years, beginning in New Jersey, and having to make the really hard decisions about what’s feasible in publishing, the live and in person events, as well as social media.
One of those decisions that had to be made a couple of years ago was Stitches East. Rather than 
drop it completely, and very publicly, it has been reformatted to include not just the yarn arts (knitting, crocheting, spinning, etc) but also including sewing, quilting, embroidery, felting and more. The registration has opened, and the commitment of sponsors, Benjamin says, is higher than before, so clearly the excitement is, too. Benjamin’s concept of a playground where we can ‘play’ with several types of crafts is very enticing for many of us!
Benjamin announced today that they are working with Prime Publishing (known to most of us for AllFreeKnitting, AllFreeCrochet among many others) in creating a package for one person and a friend a very complete package to Stitches United. Details include, 5 nights stay, 24 hours of classes (literally, you could take all of Marly’s classes and not have to pick from among them!) VIP seating at the Fashion Shows (including the Student, which is a ton of fun) and banquets, lunch with Stitches Staff, $500 for travel AND $500 for spending. YES, you’ll wear yourself out but it will be so worth it! Click on this link to enter: http://STITCHES.Events/UnitedVIP BEFORE January 10th which is when the winner will be drawn.
Follow all that the Knitting Universe offers at their website, www.KnittingUniverse.com, check out the tabs for the magazines and books (also offered in e-form in case you’re shopping for last minute gifts!), and the tab to the various Events and Camps! They are also in Facebook, and several groups in Ravelry, one for each of the events.
Previously, Benjamin has visited a few times, if you wish to listen to more of him, check out his visit from March 2011, June 2011, and January 2015. If you noticed a big gap, that can be filled with the episodes of his own podcast, Fiber Hooligans.
In case you missed hearing this live it’s still available as an archived episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/12/20/yarn-thing-sponsors-xrx-stitches-and-knitters-magazine-ceo-benjamin-levisay or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. OR you can view Marly’s behind-the-scenes video from the Birds of a Feather Studio that aired on her Facebook page.
Thanks! United Great show and love the opportunity.
Yay, United!! awesome show!
United! love it!!!
United!
Great show! Thank you for such a great opportunity! United crafters!
Loved hearing about the new Stitches United. Great concept ! Hope to attend a location near me, in the future.
Loved the show! Was a lot of fun, and I’m so excited about the XRX events, can’t wait to; united with my daughter, go to one of them, and soon! ^^
Thank you for doing what you do Marly :0)
Was a great show as always, Stiches United – why cant any of these events be near me ?!
Benjamin seems like such an amazing man. I’d love to be able to go to all the events. The prize pack fir Stitches United just knocked my socks off! Wow!!
I’ve never had a chance to attend a Stitches event, but I’ve heard lots of good things about them. Stitches United is the closest event to me, so maybe I will make it to an event in 2017. As a multi-crafter, the Stitches United concept is a great idea. Why do one craft when you can do all the crafts?Thanks again Marly for an awesome podcast! Looking forward to hearing more from you in 2017!
I had the opportunity to go to the last Stitches East. Loved it. The newest show, Stitches United, is going to be a wonderful new event for us in the Northeast. Will see you there!
I’ve always wanted to attend Stitches and I do even more now. Hopefully see you at the next TX! Or even sooner if I get lucky with united 😉
It’s a fabulous idea to have the crafts united all under one roof. Benjamin sounds so excited about this. I would love to attend one in the future.
Benjamin has united all sorts of creative people!
I enjoyed hearing the conversation with Benjamin today and am excited about the possibilities that Stitches United has to offer. I hope that soon it will extend to all the Stitches locations!
I would love to go to a Stitches event. I live in NW Florida and there aren’t any craft events anywhere close. I enjoyed the news about United! and the podcast (my first time listening!). I am a multicrafter.
Would love to win the books. I’m a stitcher United person because of my history in crafting – quilting, knitting, crocheting.
As makers we are united in our love of crafts. This podcast and others help support us in our passion. Thank you for all the work that it takes to produce such a wonderful show. Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year. Cant wait to see what you have in store for us..
I have already registered to win the prize to attend Stitches United. I never win anything so if I won that I wouldn’t care if I never won anything ever again. Great podcast.
I love the idea of Stitches United. Thanks for the opportunity to win the VIP experience, as well as these reference books!
I like the idea of getting more crafts under one roof, so Stitches United is a great concept. I hope it catches on and spreads throughout the country. Thank you, Benjamin, for being willing to be innovative. And thank you for the generous prize.
I LOVE the idea of Stitches United! Hope it is a huge success so that I can have the opportunity to attend when we move back to the US in a few years.
It’s nice to see my favorite crafts United under the Stitches umbrella.
Stitches United sounds like my kind of event! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to win such a fabulous prize.
Happy Christmas and a Creative New Year
Let’s stay United 🙂
Stitches United would be the most incredible event! Pick me, pick me, pick me!!
I love that this event will bring so many united crafters together! I always love to hear what Benjamin and and XRX are up to.
I love listening to Benjamin, what a great voice. Stitches United sounds like loads of fun. I’ve attended Stitches West and would love to someday attend “united.”
The Stitches United sounds like a fantastic event. I love the idea of the united approach to crafting.
What another great show! Crafters united in the great USA!
I think this Stitches United show will be a great success! As a quilter/knitter/crocheter/machine knitter/spinner and wannabe weaver I can’t wait to have it on the West coast, too!
Stitches UNITED sounds AWESOME! I am a crocheter, knitter and quilter! I’ve just taught my husband to crochet, so he would be my guest for sure if I win the VIP giveaway! *UNITED*
I have thought fiber crafters should be United and no longer made to feel like the red headed stepchild. Thanks Benjamin for making it ok to knit, crochet, spin, sew, quilt, etc… Great show
Loved hearing more about stitches united! sounds like a great time.
We should truly be United! Thanks for a great podcast!
Stitches United is such a great idea. I’m a “maker” and like to sew, crochet and knit. Knitting is my main craft, but I love the idea of having more inspirations and classes at one place
I love listening to your podacasts! Stitches United sounds like so much fun! I hope you keep doing events like this for us to attend! Thanks for the opportunities, both to attend and to win your fabulous prize.
I love the Stitches shows. I attended Stitches South last year and love the concept of Stitches United. I would love to attend. Maybe I can start saving for next year.
Stitches United sounds like so much fun
As a multicrafter, I enjoyed hearing about Stitches United! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year everyone!
Stitches United sounds wonderful. It is an opportunity to get so many creative people together to learn about and from each other’s craft. I think i will come away with another craft if I have the opportunity to attend.
What a fantastic idea with creating the Stitches United event!!!
I would love to attend Stitches United!
I’m very excited about Stitches United. I know so many of my friends were sad when Stitches East ended (I had never been) but I think this sounds even better!
Wow! I was sewing a snowman banner for the front porch while listening to this podcast. I’ve never been to Stitches West, or Stitches United. However, I jumped right up and signed up for the fabulous give-away for the trip, registration and lodging for a friend and myself. Thanks so much for your generosity, Benjamin. Whoever the lucky winner is will be so grateful. I hope it’s me!
Hope that I’m going to be able to attend Stitches United – sounds like a great show!
Attended Stitches West for first time in 16, amazing. Stitches United sounds wonderful. Thanks to XRX for supporting Marly and keeping us united on the Yarn Thing.
Stitches United sounds like a great concept. I wish them success.
Stitches United sounds like such fun!
Thanks for a great podcast! United sounds like fun!
Great show. United is the theme for all crafted. Love the idea. Thanks.
I’m a long time listener of the show frome Israel and I really hope that this prize is open for listeners outside of the United States:)
Yay for Stitches United!!!!!
United we stand!!
Loved hearing about the new Stitches United. I hope the show is a success.
I’m a little late to the game, but I still feel United with y’all!!
Great to hear updates from Benjamin. I think the Stitches United idea is a winner – wish I could be at the debut!
I am really excited about the idea of Stitches United! This sounds like a wonderful direction for the company to move in.
Stitches United sounds like a great event.
I wish I could go to Stitches United! It sounds amazing!