Wednesday, August 5, 2009

penny for your thoughts

When I decided to make a go of Fuzzy Mitten full-time, my hope was that I could build up a good business that would allow me to be a stay-at-home mom until my kids were in school. So far I think we're doing okay, but Lev is not even close to school age! I know I've been really short on time to dedicate to Fuzzy Mitten this year, and as much as I love all the time I get to spend being a mom, I don't want my business to fall apart as a result!

So, in the interest of making the best use of the time I have, and writing patterns you *love* and not just sorta like, I'm hoping for a bit of help. Here's a few thoughts I've had:
  • Would it help if I gave more particulars for yarn brands etc?
  • Would more detailed instructions help? I know I keep promising tutorials, but they take a lot of work, and I'm short on time the last few months. Maybe you can bug Mr. Mitten to help me ;-)
  • Would you like a different style of clothes on the toys - something more detailed, more versatile, or more customizable?
  • Do you want patterns like the Scraps Chaps, which has simple variations for making a variety of animals?
  • I know new toy patterns have been scarce this year as I adjust to being a full-time mother, but I do have some great ideas that I hope to work on over the next 6 months. Let me know if there's anything you're dying to knit!
In case you're shy and don't want to comment, I've put up a poll too. It's got a few other ideas I had. Maybe this sounds a bit like marketing research, but really I just want to make my patterns as awesome as possible, so they deserve all those lovely comments you leave me here, on Ravelry, and on Facebook. (I know I don't reply to them all, but believe me, I am so grateful!)

And here is a super adorable shot of Lev having a bath in the garden, in case you needed a smile today :-)


P.S. If you got an earlier version of this post, I apologize for being over-tired and lacking in confidence when I wrote that. Please ignore my bad mood.

7 comments:

  1. Hey, Ms. Mitten, I think the business is growing. You and the Mr. have put a great deal of time into community building here, on Facebook and on Ravelry. Scraps Chaps has been a hit. People are knitting and swapping toys and clothes. Plus Lev is the best company ambassador I've seen in years. Not too shabby. Great days ahead.

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  2. I think that you are doing so well: I always read you with pleasure, and I am not a knitter...but i always look at what you do and at the growing baby.
    What about more toy cats?

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  3. I think that you are doing very well indeed. I love reading your blog,it's my favourite by far.Your toy patterns are the best,I am so looking forward to the new book,anything that you do is fine by me.
    Pat.U.K.

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  4. I don't know if kits are a lot of work for you or not, but they are so enticing to me, and yours are priced so well. Your bunnies, sheep, bat, etc. might do well in kit-form? Your finished products are so lovely and so polished. If kits are lots of work, perhaps just adding the info. for the yarns/materials you used. And this may be lame, but it might help adding the US needle size and yardage along with mm & g (for lazy people like me...sorry!). I love your stuff! Being a new mom myself, I'm impressed with how much you are able to with your business!

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  5. I just wanted to say that I love your patterns and can't wait to see what you come up with next. I almost always have one of your toys OTN. One thing I really appreciate about your toys is that you allow people to sell the finished projects. I love making the toys, but I don't have any children yet, so if I couldn't sell some of the toys I make, then I wouldn't be able to make so many. Keep up the good work!

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  6. I enjoy reading your blog and hope that you continue to do well. You certainly deserve all good things!I have several of your patterns and like working with them -- as others mention, I really appreciate being able to sell the items I make from your patterns. As far as suggestions go, how about a turtle design? Also agree that your kits are fun and well-priced. Thanks!

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  7. I think my only suggestion would be to design clothing patterns to be knit in the same weight of yarn as the toys.

    You're doing a great job and thanks for opening things up for discussion!

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