Input needed

I had posted this on the other RCTN Needlework group and it occurred
to me that this group could give me some suggestions. So, please
pardon the cross post if you are on both lists.


I want to carry some yarn in my shop, but am not sure what would be
wanted. And because of space restrictions I will have to be fairly
selective. The previous owners did not carry any since they do not
knit or crochet.

I could carry the Paton line which I have not seen in the craft
stores or Plymouth brand.

Then there are the recycled silk yarns and the other specialty yarns
like Alpaca, etc.

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

So if YOU were on vacation and found a needlework shop, what would YOU
be looking for and be willing to buy?

Thank you for your input.

Naomah
Foxy's Cross Stitch & More



- Hide quoted text -
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The one suggestion I'd make is to have enough to make a sweater.

We have a wonderful LYS, so I'm not sure why LNS decided to add yarn,
because they certainly couldn't compete with the selection at the LYS.
In order to have a variety in the small area available, they only had a
couple skeins of each. Good if you're a beginning knitter and only know
how to make a one-skein scarf, or if you want to make socks. But if you
wanted to make a sweater for anyone larger than a toddler, there wasn't
enough of any one color, and the colors they had didn't go together well
enough for me to want to mix&match. Hence, I don't think I ever bought
any yarn there, and neither did any other serious knitter.

--
Karen C - California
Editor/Proofreaderwww.IntlProofingConsortium.com



I agree. I would definitely have enough of a dye lot to actually make
something with. If it the "no dye lot" type then I could order more
if a customer needed it, but if it is Dye Lotted then there is nothing
worse than to need about half a skein more to finish a project and
then run out. Nearly impossible to match it then Been there, done
that, didn't like it

I plan on devoting the room that will be made from half the stock room
(about 12 x 12 ft, maybe a little more) to the "other needle arts"
like having a tatting corner, the knitting and crochet supplies,
yarns, etc. I also have a corner in the main part that I can put yarn
in.

Shoot, for that matter I could suspend small net hammocks from the
ceiling to put yarn in The sisters had Christmas wreaths hanging
from the ceiling with ornaments hung on them. Great display idea, but
I kept getting hit in the head but various dangling objects if I
forgot to duck. At least yarn would be soft on the noggin.

Naomah

On Feb 10, 3:41*am, Naomah wrote:
I had posted this on the other RCTN Needlework group and it occurred
to me that this group could give me some suggestions. *So, please
pardon the cross post if you are on both lists.

I want to carry some yarn in my shop, but am not sure what would be
wanted. *And because of space restrictions I will have to be fairly
selective. *The previous owners did not carry any since they do not
knit or crochet.

I could carry the Paton line which I have not seen in the craft
stores or Plymouth brand.

Then there are the recycled silk yarns and the other specialty yarns
like Alpaca, etc.

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. *I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. *And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

So if YOU were on vacation and found a needlework shop, what would YOU
be looking for and be willing to buy?

Thank you for your input.

Naomah
Foxy's Cross Stitch & More

- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

The one suggestion I'd make is to have enough to make a sweater.
We have a wonderful LYS, so I'm not sure why LNS decided to add yarn,
because they certainly couldn't compete with the selection at the LYS.
In order to have a variety in the small area available, they only had a
couple skeins of each. *Good if you're a beginning knitter and only know
how to make a one-skein scarf, or if you want to make socks. *But if you
wanted to make a sweater for anyone larger than a toddler, there wasn't
enough of any one color, and the colors they had didn't go together well
enough for me to want to mix&match. *Hence, I don't think I ever bought
any yarn there, and neither did any other serious knitter.
--
Karen C - California
Editor/Proofreaderwww.IntlProofingConsortium.com

I agree. *I would definitely have enough of a dye lot to actually make
something with. *If it the "no dye lot" type then I could order more
if a customer needed it, but if it is Dye Lotted then there is nothing
worse than to need about half a skein more to finish a project and
then run out. *Nearly impossible to match it then *Been there, done
that, didn't like it

I plan on devoting the room that will be made from half the stock room
(about 12 x 12 ft, maybe a little more) to the "other needle arts"
like having a tatting corner, the knitting and crochet supplies,
yarns, etc. *I also have a corner in the main part that I can put yarn
in.

Shoot, for that matter I could suspend small net hammocks from the
ceiling to put yarn in *The sisters had Christmas wreaths hanging
from the ceiling with ornaments hung on them. *Great display idea, but
I kept getting hit in the head but various dangling objects if I
forgot to duck. At least yarn would be soft on the noggin.

Naomah

Naomah ! i see that somebody mentioned she had to oraganize the
threads all the time ,, Well here people aren`t touching the wools.
In most shops here they have a front shelving system with one ball or
skein of each sort, and once you show interest they bring the Bulk of
the threads from the shop`s back or under the counter , or High under
the ceiling, [You would be surprised to see how Tiny some of those
shops are.] As to sorts or typse of wools i have no idea about
American wools etc,,, But i can give you a general idea about selling
wools , many shops here have some Knitted samples of some of the
wools , Some just sell Baby vests etc,,, which of course show how the
threads look when knitted/crochted. If you carry knitting threads , it
is adviseable also to carry some pattern books , to help your
custrumer decide which sweater or vest or item they could knit ,,
SEEINNG some photos always helps, wetting one`s appetite. Or might
help those who Hesitate .. You should also have an idea of How much
wool one needs for a certain project.
All the Best of LUCK with your New adventure !!!
mirjam

In article ,
Naomah wrote:
I had posted this on the other RCTN Needlework group and it occurred
to me that this group could give me some suggestions. So, please
pardon the cross post if you are on both lists.


I want to carry some yarn in my shop, but am not sure what would be
wanted. And because of space restrictions I will have to be fairly
selective. The previous owners did not carry any since they do not
knit or crochet.

Are there any local knitters or crocheters? Could you find out by
looking for adult education classes in knitting, or seeing whether
local magazine sources carry knitting magazines?

I could carry the Paton line which I have not seen in the craft
stores or Plymouth brand.

Then there are the recycled silk yarns and the other specialty yarns
like Alpaca, etc.

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

So if YOU were on vacation and found a needlework shop, what would YOU
be looking for and be willing to buy?

If you are truly cramped for space and yet will not have competition
for a 50-mile radius except for craft stores, I think you might
test the market with some better quality sock yarn. 100 grams is
enough for most people to make a pair of socks or gloves, as opposed
to the amount needed for a cardigan. Tourists are usually reluctant
to overload their luggage, but a little sock yarn can be squeezed in.

Caron and Lion brand are popular and seem reasonably priced, but
they are also fairly readily available in my (American) experience.
A knitter tourist might buy some if caught without yarn, but
I would expect to be able to find it at home or at a craft store.
Patons is sold in some craft stores too. What you won't find in
most craft stores is laceweight yarn or handpainted sock yarns.

I think I would hold off on recycled silk and other odd or really
expensive specialty yarns (quivit, buffalo, camel, possum) until
I knew whether sock yarn and some laceweight wool attracted any
interest. You could have one or two small skeins of specialty
yarns for display so people could find out how they feel, and
offer to order them for people.

=Tamar

On Feb 10, 4:48 am, (Richard Eney) wrote:
In article ,

Naomah wrote:
I had posted this on the other RCTN Needlework group and it occurred
to me that this group could give me some suggestions. So, please
pardon the cross post if you are on both lists.

I want to carry some yarn in my shop, but am not sure what would be
wanted. And because of space restrictions I will have to be fairly
selective. The previous owners did not carry any since they do not
knit or crochet.

Are there any local knitters or crocheters? Could you find out by
looking for adult education classes in knitting, or seeing whether
local magazine sources carry knitting magazines?

I could carry the Paton line which I have not seen in the craft
stores or Plymouth brand.

Then there are the recycled silk yarns and the other specialty yarns
like Alpaca, etc.

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

So if YOU were on vacation and found a needlework shop, what would YOU
be looking for and be willing to buy?

If you are truly cramped for space and yet will not have competition
for a 50-mile radius except for craft stores, I think you might
test the market with some better quality sock yarn. 100 grams is
enough for most people to make a pair of socks or gloves, as opposed
to the amount needed for a cardigan. Tourists are usually reluctant
to overload their luggage, but a little sock yarn can be squeezed in.

Caron and Lion brand are popular and seem reasonably priced, but
they are also fairly readily available in my (American) experience.
A knitter tourist might buy some if caught without yarn, but
I would expect to be able to find it at home or at a craft store.
Patons is sold in some craft stores too. What you won't find in
most craft stores is laceweight yarn or handpainted sock yarns.

I think I would hold off on recycled silk and other odd or really
expensive specialty yarns (quivit, buffalo, camel, possum) until
I knew whether sock yarn and some laceweight wool attracted any
interest. You could have one or two small skeins of specialty
yarns for display so people could find out how they feel, and
offer to order them for people.

=Tamar

Sock yarn will be a must!

The shop I am opening is in Helen, GA USA in the NE mountain area of
the state. There is not even a Walmart for 40 miles and they have
stopped carrying mush of their needlework stuff. There are no craft
stores for many more miles.

The town has an Alpine / German theme.

I know of only one yarn shop in the area and it is over 40 miles
away. I have tried to send people there in the past when I would be
working in the shop for the previous owners. A few would be
interested in the directions but most did not want to or could not
deviate from their vacation spot.

Thank you for the input.
Naomah

On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 17:41:24 -0800 (PST), Naomah
wrote:

I want to carry some yarn in my shop, but am not sure what would be
wanted. And because of space restrictions I will have to be fairly
selective. The previous owners did not carry any since they do not
knit or crochet.

As others have said, you can't go wrong with sock yarn. However,
having more than one variety at more than one price might be a good
idea. Some people are on a tighter budget, and will not want to
invest $40 in fingering weight yarn like Mountain Colors Bearfoot,
which I was just gifted 2 skeins @ $20 each for my anniversary because
I mentioned the yardage might be too short to make a pair of socks for
my larger feet with only 1 skein. I like the idea of Opal, with it's
automatic colorways, but there is also Meilenweit by Lana Grossa which
is automatic colorways but not nearly as expensive ($12-$15 versus
Opal's $20).

I could carry the Paton line which I have not seen in the craft
stores or Plymouth brand.

I've tried Plymouth's Encore DK, and I really like it. It's
affordable and only 25% wool, not too heavy for my desert area, but
does have the stretch and some of the warmth of wool for the really
cold days we get here.

Then there are the recycled silk yarns and the other specialty yarns
like Alpaca, etc.

I'm not that big on recycled silk. I've heard it stinks, so I've been
cautious re trying it. As for other novelty yarns, fuzzy scarves are
still somewhat "in" in my area, though not in the really furry manner,
more like a wool/mohair mix that has a little bit of fuzz, and a lot
of warmth in a light weight. I've made some scarves for a local shop
in mohair mix yarns. I've have to mention we've had bad customer
service from Crystal Palace. They mark their yarns as being able to
be dry cleaned, but no one there has a clue about solvent
restrictions. I had to arbitrarily label scarves I made for sale the
circled P for dry cleaning, because all the other mohair mix yarns I
use are labeled that way, while Crystal Palace didn't know and didn't
care about solvent restrictions.

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

I also like acrylic. Some people put it down, but I make my afghans
out of acrylic, and they wear like iron and are easy to care for.

You might also want a wool that will felt, as felting is very popular
in my area right now. I've tried and really like Brown Sheep's
Naturespun for felting. I've also tried Lion Brand's wool for felting
and liked it. I think Brown Sheep has more colors available, while
Lion Brand has some multicolor wool yarns that make a nice effect when
felted. Anything labled "superwash" will not felt. White and off
white wool, even if not marked superwash also won't felt well. They
tend to full, which means they shrink down a little and get fuzzy, but
I can still see stitch definition, and it's not nearly as consistent
as the colored yarns when felting.

So if YOU were on vacation and found a needlework shop, what would YOU
be looking for and be willing to buy?

You might put some thought into a small selection of knitting needles
and crochet hooks. Not all crochet hooks are created equal. There
are 2 head types, the one called the Boye type because Boye is most
often found with it, where they have a very large bulbous head on an
extremely skinny neck; my Boye "H" hook has a neck narrower than my
size "F" Susan Bates type. The other head type is the Susan Bates.
Lion brand also has the same head type as Susan Baets. It's an even
neck that doens't narrow down and a head that's not nearly as bulbous
as the Boye. Some people swear by Boye, and others like me can't use
them and get even work, so I use the Susan Bates head types. The
fancier wooden Brittany crochet hooks are the Susan Bates head type,
at least my set is. So if you are the only shop around selling
crochet hooks, you may want to carry a small selection of both head
types, since anyone beginning to crochet may need to try both head
types to see which one works for them. I have often on vacation
bought hooks and needles because I wasn't matching gauge, or the
pattern called for a second hook size that I failed to read in the
instructions before going off on vacation and I needed to buy hooks or
needles to continue the project while I was out.

HTH

Leah

In article ,
Naomah wrote:
On Feb 10, 4:48 am, (Richard Eney) wrote:
Naomah wrote:

I personally like the Caron yarns, with Lion brand next and they are
easy for me to get. I will not have any competition for at least a 50
mile radius if not more. And the majority of the customers are
tourists.

snip
Caron and Lion brand are popular and seem reasonably priced, but
they are also fairly readily available in my (American) experience.
A knitter tourist might buy some if caught without yarn, but
I would expect to be able to find it at home or at a craft store.
Patons is sold in some craft stores too. What you won't find in
most craft stores is laceweight yarn or handpainted sock yarns.

Sock yarn will be a must!

The shop I am opening is in Helen, GA USA in the NE mountain area of
the state. There is not even a Walmart for 40 miles and they have
stopped carrying much of their needlework stuff. There are no craft
stores for many more miles.

That sounds like there aren't a lot of local knitters or crocheters,
if Walmart has stopped carrying needlework materials. Either that
or they're all buying online.

The town has an Alpine / German theme.

Maybe you could try carrying some German- or Swiss-made sock yarn. :-)

I know of only one yarn shop in the area and it is over 40 miles
away. I have tried to send people there in the past when I would
be working in the shop for the previous owners. A few would be
interested in the directions but most did not want to or could not
deviate from their vacation spot.

How about considering the age group of those who have asked for yarn?
Did they ask for specific types or just ask where they could buy yarn?
What kind of yarn do you think they were looking for - "anything to
knit," or specifically sock yarn, baby yarn, shawl yarn, thick-and-
fast scarf for unexpectedly chilly mountain nights, dressy glitz for
dinner? (Don't forget sock needles for the ones who lost one or
forgot them or decided to learn how on vacation.)

=Tamar