Released on = May 14, 2006, 6:48 am

Press Release Author = Lion Brand Yarn

Industry = Retail

Press Release Summary = Taking advantage of the explosive growth in the billion
dollar knitting category, new program offers opportunities to teach, learn, and form
local Knitting Clubs

Press Release Body = Manhattan, New York - May 12, 2006. A rebirth in knitting has
propelled the category from $450 million in 1995 to over $1 billion today. Women
from all walks of life are getting together with other women to participate in
sessions that are part creative, part social, therapeutic, and restorative. The
interest in learning to knit is at an all time high, driving demand for qualified
Instructors to share techniques and their love of the craft. Local Knitting Clubs
are popping up all over the country with thousands of women looking to form their
own clubs or join one in their area.

In response to this explosive demand, Lion Brand Yarn, the leading manufacturer of
innovative knitting yarns for over a century, and Purple Tree, the premier direct
selling company that helps women get back in touch with their creativity, have
joined forces to offer a new, national program for knitters who are interested in
being instructors:

Lion Knitting Instructor Program
Women interested in earning money while teaching others to knit will now have access
to a turnkey solution for starting their own Knitting Instructor business. By
accessing the www.lionknittingclub.com website and registering as an Instructor,
participants will have access to exclusive projects geared towards the new knitter.
The projects have all been designed specifically for a teaching environment by the
experts at Lion Brand.

Instructors will also be able to take advantage of the Purple Tree web technology
and tap into the extensive business building support and expertise that has made
Purple Tree one of the fastest growing direct selling companies in North America.
Instructors will manage their business and receive professional training and
business advice from the experts at Purple Tree.

"When Purple Tree approached us about this opportunity, we were absolutely thrilled,
" explained Ilana Rabinowitz, Director of Consumer Marketing, Lion Brand Yarn
Company. "We know that literally thousands of our newsletter subscribers are
interested in either teaching knitting, or learning to knit, and now we have a way
to help them do this."


The Lion Knitting Instructor Program will begin accepting registrations beginning
today.


About Lion Brand Yarn Company
The Lion Brand Yarn Company, is a 128-year-old entity and is America's oldest hand
knitting yarn company. Founded in 1878, the company began operation in New York and
has been a leading supplier of quality hand knitting and crochet yarns ever since.
Throughout its history, Lion Brand Yarn has been at the forefront of yarn trends
while consistently providing its customers with the highest quality product, service
and inspiration.

For more information about the Lion Brand Yarn Company, contact Ilana Rabinowitz at
(201) 804-3999 or send email to Ilana@lionbrand.com

About Purple Tree
Purple Tree, Inc., a ground-breaking entry in the direct selling industry, began
operating in the U.S. in November, 2004 and launched in Canada in October, 2005. The
Tampa, Florida-based company markets a broad range of creative projects, including
jewelry, memory/paper crafts, home décor, and more through home parties and clubs.
Purple Tree is a part of the Blyth, Inc. family. Blyth, Inc., headquartered in
Greenwich, Connecticut, designs, markets and distributes an extensive array of
candles, home fragrance products, decorative accessories, seasonal decorations, and
household convenience items. Blyth, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange,
symbol BTH.

For more information about Purple Tree, contact Donna Green at (508) 732-2123,
pr@purpletree.com, or visit www.purpletree.com.
# # #

Web Site = http://www.lionbrand.com

Contact Details = Ilana Rabinowitz
(201) 804-3999
Ilana@lionbrand.com