The recent series of questions from aspiring teachers, designers and even some shop owners led to wondering why or how to address two topics dear to my heart. Not to mention some of the discussions in several good sized “hobby” groups have made it very clear there is confusion and misunderstanding on both sides of the table.

The first, why do I consider swatching and sampling to be so important and how these swatches and tools are an essential tool for everyone involved in NeedleArts.

And of course, how the owners of our independent shops can make their shops a more welcoming place for ALL users of String, not just knitters.

During the most recent “YARN Craze”, many of those who had previously only had access to the limited selection of yarns offered in “the big chains” or thru the “bit Mail Order houses” – became exposed to a much wider variety of types and styles.

As yarn sales began to flatten and fall, those chains are now “cutting back” to the more limited selection; our yarn using NeedleArtisans have begun to venture into the Independent shops, but at least for crochet, have met with what they perceive is at best condescension and at worst hostility.

Really, what they met is more likely confusion and defensive posturing. Running a small business in an increasingly competitive environment takes a toll, and when you build your business on being helpful, but are faced with “the unknown” as crochet is for so many —

Well, they stick to what they think is true.

So here are the Myths that need busting.

Retailers need to realize there is growing segment in the yarn community who have been exposed to and have been enamoured of “Yarn Store Yarns” for Crochet.

It is true, that based on harsh experience many who crochet have not had the most positive of experiences, some of the fault is the attitude they bring in the door.

Yet, more of it is likely a defensive response by the shop owner or staff because they are not sure they possess the necessary skills to properly support the Crochet customer in the way they (The Retailer) want to be able to serve their customer.

Nor, should Retailers believe that all past behavior is the unbreakable rule. An opportunity exists to increase your sales thru common courtesy. So what if they initially only buy from the Sale Bin. You did want to sell that stuff didn’t you?

At a shop recently opened in my area, she has a begun monthly stitching night. The Group was quite diverse including a small cadre of those who can knit but prefer not to. We had an interesting discussion about why Yarn Shops seem to be Crochet Unfriendly. Typical of many of the shops opened in the last few years, the shop owner is rather new to the business.

Atypical is that she is completely upfront about her lack of indepth knowledge and has gone out of her way to hire ‘experts’ who can assist her customers in the many ways of using yarn.

I explained that, in my opinion, it really has nothing to do with Crochet – although changing in the last few years, reports and reality of clique-ishness in “local shops” for any needle arts have been rampant for years. You can read all about that in just about any “Knit Group”

Add in the challenge of possibly not having the skill set to properly support Crochet, with a smidgeon of Customer Attitude because they have not had happy experiences in other shops, and I sincerely believe that most of what is perceived as snootiness about crochet is really just a very human reaction defensive reaction caused by fully understanding something.

It is just so hard to say “I don’t Know” when you are in the position of thinking it paramont to the be the expert.

If Retailers recognize this and explain it to their staff, then it will help them to create the Retailer/Consumer relationships that benefit both.

It is neither rational or reasonable for the consumer to expect a retailer to stock merchandise that that is unprofitable. If Crocheters want free patterns and cheap tools and low cost yarns, they need to shop elsewhere.

From a shop owner perspective.

No, Crochet is NOT the New Knitting…

but why not make them feel welcome, perhaps invest a bit of time in learning more about Crochet and at least carry a few patterns, books and tools for this craft, they will see this become an increasing portion of their sales.

Don’t they deserve the same courtesy and respect you give to other user of yarn?

Maybe I need to offer a class at TNNA on making your shop “Crochet Friendly” without breaking the Open to Buy Budget Let me go make a note to include cost of a Nerf Ball Bat to use on those who forgot to knock off the chip before they came in the door.

Wheat

Many Thanks to Judy from Crochet Partners for sending me this this link with the photo above and some of the story that has the Story of Carol Hummel’s Tree Cozy.

Naturally I could not type “tree cozy” in to google fast enough to find more and was rewarded with this rather eclectric blog with a ton more pictures

Shopping in an LYS does not make you a “YARN SNOB”, a term I find divisive and smacking annoyingly of “Have vs Have Nots”

It JUST Does Not Have To Be That Way. It does NOTHING to improve the craft or the industry.

I am NOT embarassed because I Crochet.

I don’t hide what I enjoy behind “fancy terms” like Fiber Artist.

Yarn choices for my business activities are often dictated by others. Yarn Choices for my personal projects are dictated by what I can afford and what will be suitable for the project.

I want Crochet to be accepted and respected –

That means I invest much thought in planning my projects, thinking about how the item will be used and what stitches and materials will give me the best result – including what yarns I can afford.

Each project deserves as the utmost care and pride in creativity and craftsmanship I can invest put into my work, the quality of the workmanship, the thought I give in planning each project -whether it is a garment for a beloved grand. child, an afghan or cap for charity

I also spend a fair amount of time helping other to improve the quality of their work without regard to what yarns they can afford.

In other words, I have enough respect for myself and my work to be secure in my accomplishments and see no need to be defensive about that work.

I am pleased to admit I can Knit, but …
I LOVE To Crochet
and in the words of that immortal 1970 movie:

Love means never having to say you’re sorry

Okay, I am not going to spend $100 on Buffalo Gold for a baby sweater. (adult is more like $300 much less what plus size will require) I can and do choose to spend an extra $10 for many of the Sirdar yarns or Kraemer’s Little Lehigh or Brown Sheep’s Cotton Fleece – although I hope to soon try Serendipity Tweed – They are well priced and better quality and offer good yardage – and will produce a product worth my time to make and the love with which it is given. There are other “Yarn Store Brands” that also offer quality product at a fair price.

If I cannot afford a certain yarn, then I do not rant on the Internet about unfair it is. I don’t abuse the shop staff about how they are “gouging me” – such rudeness is uncivil, impolite and embarrassing to all.

Nor, do I think it helps the image of Crochet when “professionals” create an unbusiness-like disturbance on the floor or a trade show… causing one retailer to comment (as I took her order for quality Crochet Patterns) “I am not really sure I want those kinds of people in my shop. We prefer to be welcoming not combative”. (Behavior that was commented on Other Retailers and well none of us were amuzed.)

No where in the Miranda decision did the court say “If you cannot afford higher priced goods, we will provide it for you”

If your funds are limited and you do not wish to limit your supplies so choose lower priced goods, that is your decision to make – and none of my business.

But if that is your situation, I decline to accept the concept that just because you want something you are entitled to have it. This is not food, medicine or shelter or legal representation in a court of law. Although it might be fun to try to convince the insurance companies to offer yarn and hooks instead of anti-depressants or other mind altering substances or local government to trade yarn for guns instead of cash to be spent on street drugs.

With rare exceptions, I have been treated like any other customer (good, bad or indifferent) even after I said I Crocheted – I have not been, and some stupid comment is made about Crochet I just look at them with a sad expression and say “I am so sorry you are so limited in your skills, it must be very difficult to own/work in a yarn store without the proper knowledge of how your products can be used…”

On the other hand, there has been a many a time when I wanted to take out a baseball bat our from under the cash drawer and knock the chip off the shoulder of the Crochet Only Customer. For goodness sakes, can you really blame the shop owner who prefers the customers who seem happy to be there over the ones who are only there to bargain hunt and STILL complain about the cost.

If Crocheters want better treatment in the LYS, they need to knock the chip off their shoulder, take pride in their choices and treat others the way they wish to be treated. Shop owners and their staff are human beings.

Courtesy & Respect are a Two Way Street.