I think I’ve mentioned that Janelle Speicher-Paisley at Design Revolution is redesigning our website. I have a vague idea of what I want it to look like and what it should contain.
I want a nice clean look, a blog that’s easy to update and to read, a simple way for you to sign up to get notices when a new post is done, automatic updates to Facebook and Pinterest and maybe Instagram, for those of you who love to connect in every possible way, and a way for you to post projects to my Facebook page without enduring sickening spam. The content should be simple and straightforward – hours, directions, classes, blog, and some free patterns, although I prefer to keep most of those for you, the people who keep the store open by walking in the door! Website design is a mystery to me – I know some sites that I like quite a bit, but I don’t randomly surf the web much. When I’m on the computer, I’m trying to get something accomplished (which, frankly, is not easy at this moment because there is a puppy trying to tug the sock off my foot while I type). I am generally looking at my suppliers’ sites, to get information, to enter orders, to email about something or other. You, on the other hand, may be trying to find a specific yarn, are curious about a shop you’ve heard of, or looking for a shop in a place you’re going to visit, or just browsing at some of the bigger on-line stores.
So, I’m curious…
Do you have favorite sites or blogs to visit?
What do you like about them? Looks, content, products, vibe – all of the above??? Can you be specific?
What about social media? What are your favorite Facebook pages for businesses? Pinterest boards? Who do you follow on Instagram or Twitter? (I have to say that I ain’t goin’ to tweet but I’d like to know if you do, or why you follow someone.)
Now, I’m not talking anything personal. Of course you’re going to be looking at your friends and family. I would just like to know about businesses and blogs that you like. It would really help me clarify my own aims, I think. Or totally muddy the waters. Don’t know yet, but please either post a comment or email me at info@yarngal.com.
‘Kay! Now we can get to the fun part, which is finished projects from our talented customers. Some are from before the holidays because I haven’t done this for a while.
David made this terrific Fair-Isle yoke sweater in about 3 minutes. He came to get yarn and before I could even say “It was so nice to see David the other day,” he had sent this photo:
Love the colors he used, it’s just stunningly perfect.
Anne Nordhoy busily made gifts before Christmas. The first is a gorgous gift for a child and the second, some rippingly red socks, obviously NOT for a child, perhaps for a yeti!
Amy Lipton used leftovers from a cowl to make these great mitts for her daughter:
I love how she accented the cable – is that duplicate stitch? What a good idea!
Janice Bieber came in with this beautiful jacket she made from a Lavold pattern in a sadly-discontinued merino/mohair blend. The project was filled with angst as they usually are with Janice, but came out perfect, as they usually do with Janice…
Now she’s happy!
Nancy Rambo chose gorgeous colors for her Inspira cowl. I’ve seen many and each is more beautiful than the last. Doesn’t it bring out the blue in her eyes?
Virginia Griffith made Turn-A-Square (I think there are 15,000 projects on Ravelry for this hat – amazing!) for her son in soft Eco-Duo:
You can see why it’s called Turn-A-Square, yes? She also made another cute little Owl hat, such a sweet baby gift:
Jennifer Gensemer made a bunch of these beautiful headwraps for presents. I bet shopping for the perfect decoration was as fun as knitting them:
In the following picture, Susie Crump is decked out in skirt and scarf that she made. What a great look with boots and a beautiful jacket!
Lauren Turgeon made these amazing Octopus mittens – what a project! I love how they’re designed to flow from one to the other. And I love the colors she chose.
Good job, all. What creative and talented people we get to work with every day!
There are more photos but they are sadly stranded in my camera at the shop. Since I got all my errands done yesterday, I refused to go out on this bitter day, even though heaven knows I could use a haircut. It will just have to wait for the heatwave coming this weekend – into the 30’s! We’ll all be walking around in turbans covered with fruit and grass skirts, it will feel so tropical…
(…if this happens, I promise pictures on the blog next week.)
One more thing I have neglected to mention time and again. We are collecting unwanted yarn and needles for Caron’s youth program. They use knitting (as well as other meditative pastimes) to teach these young people how to entertain themselves without getting high. And I can’t think of better reason to cull your stash!!
See you soon…
