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.
As we celebrate Black History Month, Cheddar is highlighting prominent Black Americans who are carving their own historic paths and trailblazing in their fields. Today we feature rap icon and entrepreneur, Jay-Z.
Cann, a cannabis-infused beverage company, announced today a $27 million Series A funding round from existing investors like Imaginary Ventures and a roster of new celebrity investors including Nina Dobrev, Adam Devine, Zoey Deutch, Jordan Cooper, Sara Foster, and Rosario Dawson. Cann is also announcing its first international expansion with the brand's launch in Canada. Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Soul Machines is a company that creates autonomously animated digital people in the metaverse and the digital worlds of today. The startup based in New Zealand recently raised the equivalent of $70 million USD, in a funding round led by Softbank's Vision Fund 2. Soul Machines says it helps to bring digital workforces to life for some of the biggest brands in the world, and creates digital twins of celebrities to reimagine the future of digital entertainment. Greg Cross, co-founder and CBO of Soul Machines, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
One in eight men in the U.S. will have prostate cancer during their lifetime, and the disease is almost 73% higher in black men than white men. The sixth annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show benefited non-profit advocacy group 'Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer' and its efforts to raise awareness and funding to support prostate cancer patients. Reginald Tucker-Seeley, vice president of health equity at Zero, joined Cheddar News to discuss.
The end of 3G is upon us. On Tuesday, AT&T became the first major provider to disable its 3G services, and T-Mobile and Verizon plan to follow suit later this year. The shutdowns are expected to impact millions of vehicles that use 3G networks for updates, remote connection, and certain emergency and convenience features. Lance Ulanoff, the U.S. Editor-in-Chief of TechRadar, joined Cheddar's Closing Bell to discuss the ramifications of the changeover.
Sunshine Foss, co-founder of Happy Cork, joins Cheddar News to discuss her Brooklyn business providing black-owned liquor brands a space in the community.
Smart data capture company Scandit recently announced a $150 million Series D funding round led by Warburg Pincus, propelling the company to unicorn status with a valuation of more than $1 billion. Scandit develops augmented reality and mobile computer vision technologies that tap into the cameras on smart devices. The startup's platform can be used to interact with retail items and have a more personalized experience while shopping. Scandit says its technology is also being used by industries like transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. Samuel Mueller, co-founder and CEO of Scandit, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
The Peacock reboot of the beloved Will Smith sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," simply re-titled as "Bel-Air," takes a different, dramatic approach compared to the '90s comedy. Actor Cassandra Freeman joined Cheddar News to discuss bringing a revamped Aunt Viv to life with the updated backdrop in mind. "When I first heard about it I just thought why would anyone want to mess with a classic? It's a classic for a reason," she said. "And then after a year I finally saw the trailer that Morgan Cooper, our creator made and it was amazing."
