yarn stores and kits

I've had a few yarn stores ask me about making up kits with my patterns. In the past, this was a bit difficult because I don't keep a stock of printed patterns and I don't have a distributor. However, the In-Store Pattern Sales program on Ravelry has made this so much simpler! You can go here to read all the details about the program. In brief, you ask to be added to the list of participating stores, Ravelry reviews your request, and upon approval you can then sell patterns from a wide range of designers (the designers also have to sign up for their patterns to be sold this way). The store gets a percentage of the sale, and can either print out the pattern for the customer, or email them a copy.

If you're interested in making kits from my patterns, here are some other helpful tips. I don't list a specific yarn for any of my patterns, since toys can be knit from a wide variety of yarns. I always give accurate amounts and colours, so you can use whatever yarns you would like to promote. If you need more information on what yarns I used for a particular pattern, you can send me a message, or check my Ravelry projects. I usually use polyester fiber-fill for the toys, which is inexpensive and easy to find at fabric or craft stores. I sometimes use wool roving, which makes very nice stuffing, but costs more and can be harder to source. I use plastic safety eyes for all my toys. Etsy is a good place to find a wide range of sizes and colours, but you may be able to find them at craft stores. I also tend to use vintage buttons on the clothing, which helps keep the costs down.

Feel free to use my free patterns for kits as well! The Fuzzy Lamb, Holiday Mice, and Mini Alien are some of my most popular patterns. Besides, if someone really likes the toy they make from a kit, perhaps they will come find out what other toys I've designed.

The In-Store Pattern Sales program is good news for other people as well! If you would like to buy my patterns, but are hesitant to purchase something on-line, talk to your local yarn store about signing up for the Ravelry program. As well, if you would like to teach a class using one of my patterns, the yarn store could use this program to purchase copies for your students.

portland

I've been in Portland, Oregon, since Monday evening. My husband is here on business, and I got to tag along because my wonderful parents were willing to watch the kids. While I do miss my boys, it's been great having a few days to myself in such an interesting city. I've been shown around by a native of the city, had breakfast with one of my favourite bloggers, been to some beautiful gardens, seen a childhood friend whom I didn't even know was living here, bought yarn and fabric, visited the Oregon Zoo, had some great coffee, and eaten some delicious food. (I'm not going to provide links for everything I did, since I saw only a tiny part of the city. If you want ideas, please see this excellent list).

I return to my parent's place in BC tomorrow, and in just a few days we fly back to Montreal. I miss home so much, and our busy lives will restart in a big hurry once we get there. I think it's going to be a great Autumn, and I hope you come back here to see what we're up to.

in-store pattern sales

I've just signed up for the in-store pattern sales option over on Ravelry. What this means is that brick and mortar local yarn shops can now sell my patterns via Ravelry (while getting a nice percentage of the sale price). If you have a yarn shop and are interested in the program, you can read more about it here.

Most of my single patterns are available this way. I've only excluded some of the older ones that need reformatting, and my two books.* It would be lovely if this new feature on Ravelry brings new customers both to myself and participating yarn shops!

*My two books are already available wholesale. If any yarn shops are interested, please email me.