Aspire’s Interweave Expands its Reach to Crochet Enthusiasts with Acquisition of CrochetMe.com

Interweave, a leading arts and craft media company owned by parent company Aspire Media, announced today that is has completed its acquisition of CrochetMe.com, a popular social media site for crochet enthusiasts, from its developer, Kim Werker. The move adds to Interweave’s already strong lineup of fiber craft media and online properties, which includes its crochet magazine, “Interweave Crochet.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Interweave has said that it plans to invest and build on Kim’s success with CrochetMe.com.

Aspire Media’s Executive Vice President of eMedia, Eric Shanfelt, said the acquisition of CrochetMe.com by Interweave helps implement Aspire’s strategy to acquire and build upon strong enthusiast magazine titles, expanding their franchises through the acquisition and development of related directories, web sites, affinity clubs, television programming and events.

Werker founded CrochetMe.com in February 2004 as an online magazine, and since then it has grown to become a robust online community built upon reader contributions of crochet patterns, articles, tips and tricks, and a discussion forum for crocheters. In December 2006, Interweave tapped Werker to become editor of “Interweave Crochet,” a quarterly magazine, and she later authored with Interweave a book, “Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution,” a collaboration with many designers from the popular website.

In an unrelated but concurrent decision, Werker has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as editor of “Interweave Crochet” magazine to pursue personal interests.  Notwithstanding her resignation from “Interweave Crochet,” she will be staying involved with CrochetMe.com as a creative consultant and blogger to help ensure the site reaches its full potential as an online community and resource. Interweave plans to build out the site with even more content and community features.

“Interweave greatly values the passionate members and visitors who frequent CrochetMe.com and views the site as their community,” says Interweave President and Fiber Division Publisher Marilyn Murphy. “We’re excited to take over as the stewards of such a great community and look forward to continuing to work with Kim on its expansion, with strong ties and integration with “Interweave Crochet” magazine and its companion website.”

“Interweave will do wonderful things to maintain the community and encourage it to grow,” said Werker. “They understand that people are the most important thing about CrochetMe.com. They understand that one of the most special things about the site is that it has always been a playground for people to explore their creativity. And they understand that the Internet is an overflowing resource for crafts inspiration and fun, and they have the resources to take the site to the next level. It’s a perfect fit.”

Web sites:
www.CrochetMe.com
www.Interweave.com
www.Aspire-Media.com