How 'Indiana Jones' star turned passion for knitting into a business

Actor Karen Allen, known for iconic roles in "Animal House" and "Indiana Jones," is finding a common thread in all her pursuits - including knitting. TODAY’s Al Roker visits her knitting studio in the Berkshires to learn more about her thriving business and how she built two successful careers.
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#indianajones #knitting #actor

[@kepckatherinec805]

Karen has talent and passion pouring out of herself through many art forms. What a life she has led! Wonderful.

[@TheDailyVertical]

Hope your day is blessed! A good desire to have is becoming more Christ like and able to leave this world a better place than you found it. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life do so before your last breath. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life, bow your head, close your eyes and from a sincere heart ask him to cleanse you of your sins and be your Lord and Savior. Each of us have a short time on this earth and these days are getting darker and darker, may you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and deny yourself and pick up the cross daily, he loves you.

[@TheDailyVertical]

Hope your day is blessed! A good desire to have is becoming more Christ like and able to leave this world a better place than you found it. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life do so before your last breath. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life, bow your head, close your eyes and from a sincere heart ask him to cleanse you of your sins and be your Lord and Savior. Each of us have a short time on this earth and these days are getting darker and darker, may you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and deny yourself and pick up the cross daily, he loves you.

[@harlemneedlearts576]

The joy of fiber art is real. @KarenAllen Thanks for keeping the art forms alive. BRAVO!!!

[@jekku4688]

One of the few Hollywood actors with a real down-to-earthiness about her! Well done Karen!

[@soniatriana9091]

Wow! Karen Allen’s educational background is impressive! And especially the fact that her love of textiles was started by her grandmother’s simple act of teaching her to knit, when she was a young child! This woman was always at the right place at the right time! What a wonderful video, her love & dedication to raising her son cemented her desire to try so many new endeavors - with beautiful textiles for everyone to enjoy!! Thank you for this video!

[@OlgaPoltava]

So beautiful and inspiring! I can relate to Karen's passion for the fiber arts, I totally get it! I don't knit but I crochet. Crochet got me through my divorce, it became the way to provide for myself and my children, it gave me a chance to work from home and take care care of my special needs son. The repetitive movement of crochet calms my soul. Through my passion for crocheting and teaching it to others I've connected with so many wonderful people around the world. ❤🧶

[@mariaf4396]

hello from australia. i crochet as well, i totally get it.

[@rscats67]

Karen Allen...one of the OG female badasses I saw as a kid. Tough and feminine at the same time. So happy she's turned her crafty skills into a business.

[@bluekitty3731]

So many people who are creative in one media are creative in another. An actor is a painter or a singer a fashion designer.

[@kendram1893]

There is no better companion for Indy than Marion Ravenwood! And what a joy to see her working in her passion, inspired by her grandmother and the priority of being there for her son ❤ Also, as a parent, teacher and professional artist, it is good to see someone else balance all of her interests and passions to create a beautiful life! So inspiring!

[@danniefrenchpea63]

What a lovely lady Karen Allen is, and so very gifted! I love that she is so down to earth, a truly beautiful person ❤ thank you so much for sharing this video 🙏☺️

[@sherylsimmons8111]

I love knitting and crocheting! ❤ It's so cool to see celebrities enjoying it too.😊

[@v.dargain1678]

True . Somebody having an life ordinary outside of Hollywood .

[@cathleenwitt2790]

I was so disappointed when she disappeared from the Raiders franchise! Her character was a great foil to Indy. Glad to see that she is flourishing with her decision to do other things! Great story! Thanks

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

I met Ms Allen at a comic convention and was so star struck. She was sooooo nice and so personable. I wanted to visit her shop when I was in Massachusetts but was unable to visit. I hope one day.

[@joiedevivre2005]

I've always loved Karen Allen as an actress & thought she was just an adorable person. Now I love her even more!

[@SeaBreeze2247]

I saw Karen on stage playing Helen Keller at the Dock Street Theater in Charleston, SC, with Jane Alexander in “Monday After the Miracle” in 1982 or thereabouts. She’s a lovely and talented person, with a bright charisma.

[@kathleentyson6727]

Wow,I would have never guessed that she was so passionate about this ,incredible.

[@melindakhristine9417]

I love Karen Allen. Great actress. She has done many movies. God bless you Karen and your many talents!

[@sherrywilliams2445]

Karen Allen is very talented from the movies and knitting things, thank you Karen Allen for being so inspirational to everyone!!!

[@vintage6346]

I love her acting. She's so good. I wanted to "be" her in Indiana Jones. Lol.

[@Native-Kitty]

I enjoyed seeing her in Animal House and the Indiana Jones franchise. Seeing her with her own knitting store just makes me like her even more. Great for her! ❤❤

[@jazzlover9050]

Loved her in all her movies so graceful. Aging beautifully !!

[@v.dargain1678]

Agreed. She is making it time well spent .

[@studioknit]

Oooh, her work and shop are so beautiful. 🧶💖

[@SparkleLuna77]

I love Karen Allen. One of my favourite actors from my youth ☺️

[@SteveBrant55]

This is a great profile ... except you didn't mention she co-starred with Jeff Bridges in "Starman". It's my favorite of her films, because it is both a science fiction film and a love story. Highly recommended! Also, I saw her perform in an off-off-Broadway show in (I think) 2012. Met her afterwards, and she was very sweet.

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

LOOOOOOOOVE KAREN ALLEN AND LOVE ALL FORMS OF KNITTING AND CROCHETING❤️♥️💙💜💛💚🧡

[@randalllaue4042]

She’s been working her butt off teaching classes in New York, was surprised to see in catalog!

[@patsylvest]

What an upbeat, informative interview! Thank you, Al. And thank you, Karen. Hope you're online.

[@sjain8111]

Al Roker used to do local TV weather when I was young - nostalgia

[@lisathomas1622]

Ooh I love textiles too. My neighbor had a big weaving machine, she made incredible things. She’s a terrific actress too. Talent is talent! I’m in Maine, I might need to make a trip to Mass to see her store.

[@acwilson4714]

Great interview. There's a multi-talented lady and a lovely smile too. You go Karen!

[@salnellen1381]

Saw her many years ago on a Martha Stewart episode I think it was and she was making these beautiful knits on a machine and her technique was fascinating but I can’t find the video anymore. I have been into machine knitting ever since and now have my own knitting machine!. I think it’s wonderful how she has taken on this other career. She is very inspiring!

[@v.dargain1678]

That is so cool . Loved her character in the Indiana Jones movies . Never knew she was a knitter . Thanks for uploading info about her website .

[@Gertyutz]

I saw her recently in "Starman" again. She's terrific.

[@lauraleecreations3217]

Knitting is art therapy ❤❤❤❤

[@boblowney]

What an amazing person. To weigh Hollywood, stardom, and franchise movie roles against knitting and fabric creation and have the latter win out and her true joy with it. Incredible. Not to be seduced by the former and lead a tragic life because they did not pursue their genuine passion. Her son is so lucky to have a mom with what is likely the best head on anyone's shoulders. No disrespect to those who pursue acting, fame, etc. It is the fact that Karen Allen had a choice and she chose what she truly loves which was not what others considered to be the conventional aspiration.

[@cya2163]

I have always loved Karen Allen...and can only wish her all the best!

[@purberri]

She’s always had this tomboyish flare I like that about her

[@CharlotteFairchild]

I think she was great in Scrooged.

[@seanoregan998]

I've always loved Karen! One of the greatest actresses ever!!

[@vickie30]

I love Karen Allen..would love to see her in a good movie again...

[@craftlover9702]

Love her! Extremely talented and humble! Great combination!

[@trinidad2450]

Wow! Wow! Wow! So, so encouraging of Karen for us all who have a creative side to us. Thank you, Mr. Roker!

[@littlebishesstitches_yarn]

What an amazing fiber artist. Her story is so inspirational 🥲

[@smalltowngirl1433]

I’ve crocheted for over 40 years. It’s great to see a Hollywood actress who enjoys the simple, creative things in life. Canna White and Julia Robert’s also enjoy the fiber arts.

[@stephaniefricke7679]

Karen, I can tell you’re a knitter…..friendly, down to earth, and the friend next door to have coffee with and visit. 🤗

[@benstiller500]

Karen is just wonderful in Indy 1 and Scrooged. Why no new big movie-parts? Neither then, nor now? The most radiant and beautiful actress :) So many would love to see her.

[@applejones212]

WOW Great Talent on and off the screen 🎭. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@ismith275]

Ms Allen is very talented… ON and OFF the screen! Wonderful, down-to-earth, passionate woman. I wish her the best! Can we order online!?

[@cj-cw7wi]

My favorite female of all of the Indiana Jones installments.

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

She must of lived near central park west. Saw her in Scrooge with Bill Murray near Wollman Rink.

[@suehenderson9862]

I’m a hand knitter and knitting machines mystify me. You go, girl!

[@andreadeamon6419]

My goodness - beautiful work!! Love it

[@susanmei9980]

This was so fun! I really enjoyed it! TFS! 🌷

[@valetta202]

Well done Karen, I love a girl who designs and knits! I love colour, and yarn and making clothes....Nice story.......

[@dbb3892]

Amazing woman !!!!love her in Indiana Jones and still do , hope see her in another movie of this big series !!!! 🤠👧❤❤❤

[@-cosmicrogue-]

What a wonderfully creative lady!

[@richoneplanet7561]

Fascinating - it's like hearing about a great skill of a co-worker that you'd never expect - neat! Lol scarves for the House ! 👍🏼

[@sarapiburn2523]

Her work is beautiful!💜💜💜

[@kadairh]

I always loved Karen Allen but this is icing on the cake! Awesome ❤

[@saradiyamukherjee2603]

Very inspiring .... I love to crochet and knit , and I'm motivated 😊

[@titusrider7948]

What a very sweet person 😊

[@mama_knitter]

This is awesome, I love this! I hope to visit her store someday!

[@Sonicman415]

I love this. All the feels.

[@thelionandthebee1933]

She is so beautiful ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@susanmarie2231]

Yay Karen! Love your story. Inspiring!

[@batfreeze56]

Such a stunning woman.

[@lauriepruski2771]

Always a class act!

[@HelenBeeee]

What a lovely energy she has. 🙂

[@12deeps]

Been to her shop and met her. Wonderful clothing!

[@Fred.pSonic]

Karen's film career has always been a great mystery to me. She's clearly beautiful and charming (still to this day), such an important presence in "Indy" and "Starman". Then the films got smaller and smaller and then seemingly at the height of her career--pffftt..all gone. Maybe poor management or perhaps she just didn't like Hollywood and preferred the east coast. Whatever it was she left an indelible mark but I still wish she had made more movies.

[@AJR-zg2py]

She chose to focus more on raising her children rather chase fame. She gets my utmost respect.

[@lorainebooth1191]

I'm so glad you mentioned Starman. It's my favorite Karen Allen movie.

[@carmarasmussen8118]

​@lorainebooth1191 Yes! Loved her in Starman. I've seen that film several times over the years and I still bawl like a baby at the end. 😢

[@lorainebooth1191]

@@carmarasmussen8118 Right! 😢

[@marigold7596]

Karen is a fabulous lady!!!❤❤❤

[@celesteadeanes4478]

Living life well. Contribution to a better world well invested in big and small ways

[@bethelle9099]

Good for her!!!

[@suzettewoolley5397]

Amazing interview 😊😊 Amazing lady and Amazing interviewer😊

[@lisawallis6300]

The background music is too loud. A common problem in many interviews.

[@tatigurumi]

So inspirational! ❤

[@Ursaminor31]

Always loved her

[@jeanetteh.9240]

Great interview!

[@wendyclark387]

Bravo! Very inspiring!

[@tainyaross2842]

Good For Her!!❤❤❤

[@a.sobriquet6220]

How inspiring!!!

[@chilloften]

I’d adore a visit to the shop to purchase something gorgeous.

[@ROBYNCROCKER]

Multi-talented!

[@pinklaura1961]

Love love love!!!❤❤❤

[@francinegreenway8451]

Oh I remember her !!

[@sbl5248]

Love her!

[@Fiawordweaver]

So impressive 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Lupton2000]

She's a down to earth person:)

[@melissasweeting-percentie6679]

special, bless up

[@BNJewelryandArtwork]

What a great story 💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@leedebarros7434]

That is great

[@voulathomacos-lagonas8445]

When God closes one door he opens another❤

[@v.dargain1678]

And the journey continues .

[@MeMeDaVinci]

That's not exactly it... She started the fiber first, followed a curiosity re acting, then went back to fiber when she wanted to settle down w children. It doesn't sound like any doors closed for her to me. She kept her options open by leaving the doors open.

[@v.dargain1678]

@@MeMeDaVinci So she hasn't completely retired from acting ?

[@AuroraMeansDawn27]

I was thinking about her about a week ago.

[@mauricepowers3804]

Wow!!!❤

[@danholmesfilm]

What a babe

[@amyohl5037]

Fabulous

[@yawfraser]

She sounds like Barbara Streisand. Similar voice

[@ronswansonsdog2833]

Wait … all this time I thought it was Margot Kidder who was in Indiana Jones. Hopefully it wasn’t just me lol

[@EricaGamet]

I know the difference between the two, but now and then I'll think of a movie from way back in the 80s and my fuzzy brain can't remember if it was Margot or Karen.

[@SigalAlon]

Cool

[@rebeccapaul6455]

Marian!!

[@michelemartin5262]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Gildete257]

Sweet lady