As people across the globe work to occupy a surplus of free time due to coronavirus-related quarantining, the good ol' pastimes of knitting and crocheting are making a roaring come back in the new age of social media.
Last month, the yarn company hosted Stitch Around The World on Zoom, the largest virtual crafting group in history with more than 800 participants, featuring none other than one of the biggest names in game show history: Wheel of Fortune hostess Vanna White.
"Try it! It's so much fun and you're creating something for yourself, or a loved one, or a family member, or a gift, or to give to charity," White told Cheddar.
White, a well-known knitter who has her own line of yarn with Lion Brand, is encouraging people to try their hand at creating garments during the coronavirus crisis. She said she has been spending most of her time at home with family, knitting baby blankets, and cooking.
Lion Brand ambassador Shira Blumenthal, who led the massive virtual crafting event, told Cheddar, "This was an opportunity where I was like, you know what, let's have everyone come together. Let's have this massive crafting group or crafting event,"
White will join Lion Brand's Blumenthal for the next global and virtual event on June 14.
"We are asking people to donate during the event and that day to the American Red Cross. We want to give back," said Blumenthal.
In what could be the biggest deal in video games history, Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard underlines the company's aggressive push in gaming and beyond into its long-term vision of being top dog in the metaverse. Adam Hollander, former director of gamification at Microsoft and founder of Hungry Wolves NFT, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss. “Microsoft always plays chess, not checkers," he said, describing the price tag as an opportunity cost. "It's about integrating Activision Blizzard in with Azure and Windows and Xbox and Hololens and Minecraft and everything else that they're doing for the inevitable goal of being the major player in the next phase of the internet."
Jordan Zakarin, Media Producer at A More Perfect Union, joined Cheddar News to break down the latest from Colorado, where at least 8,700 Kroger employees walked off the job in demand of increased benefits and wages.
Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Strella Biotechnology is trying to solve the problem by introducing new technology to a business that's been around for generations -- farming. The 24-year-old CEO created hi-tech sensors that interpret the shelf life of produce and alert farmers when fruits and vegetables are ready to be sent to supermarkets. The company says the process can help farmers make money, reduce food waste and increase the quality of produce. Strella Biotechnology's co-founder and CEO Katherine Sizov and co-founder and COO Jay Jordan joined Cheddar Climate to discuss.
Norbu Tenzing, Vice President of the American Himalayan Foundation and the son of the first Sherpa to ever summit Everest, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss how Sherpa's put themselves in danger for clients, and the dangers of Everest's 'Death Zone.'
Gordon Janow, Director of Programs at Alpine Ascents, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss how to get mentally and physically prepared to climb Mount Everest.
Netflix may not be staying at the top of the streaming wars, according to some wary investors, as competition heats up and it raises prices yet again. Tuna Amobi, director and senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, spoke with Cheddar about what investors should be considering should they stick with the streaming pioneer or drop the investment. "I think it's always mostly about the subscriber growth for the Q4, which is going to be an indicator of how the company has been navigating the speed bumps that we saw early in the year," said Amobi.
Daniel Loría, SVP content strategy and editorial director at Boxoffice Media, joins Cheddar News to discuss what helped 'Scream' score number one at the box office and what it means for the horror genre.
Dave Levinthal, deputy Washington Bureau chief at Insider, joins Cheddar News to discuss Gallup's new survey that reveals more Americans leaned Republican by the end of 2021.
