Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who spread the word about The Yarn Gourmet through blogs, emails, and Ravelry!  My first two days have been very successful, and based on customer comments I attribute this more to word-of-mouth than radio and newspaper advertising.

Opening day was good - not so busy I was overwhelmed, but steady.  Chris was there almost all day, giving moral support that was worth more than I can say.  My darling husband brought me flowers from our gardens.  Yesterday was much busier, but at least by then I had established a rhythm for using the credit card swiper and filling out order slips.

And yesterday the Malabrigo Worsted and Silky Merino arrived!  The colors are so rich - there is even one worsted color that looks like strawberry ice cream with chocolate syrup.  Also yesterday I placed a big order for Ultra Alpaca and Ultra Alpaca Light - should be in by Tuesday, maybe Wednesday at the latest.  I also submitted my references to Mountain Colors, so once they verify I am for real I will be able to order from them.  There are so many colors to choose from, I cannot possibly carry them all.  I am thinking that if I get a couple skeins of several colorways so customers can see what they look like, that would be better than having a lot of just a few colorways.  Also, Mountain Colors has a Special Order program that would allow me to place an order for a specific customer and they will drop ship to that customer.  I don't know how fast the turn-around time is for this, but I think it's a good way of getting beautiful yarns to my customers.

The question of the Great American Afghan knit-along came up.  So far the consensus is in favor of doing the Aran afghan, rather than the other one.  Comments, please?  This is YOUR knit-along, so I want to do the project that the most people favor.

The Knitting at Knoon pattern order arrived at my house yesterday.  Lots of really sweet kids' patterns, and a few very nice adult patterns, including one kimono that is a great beginner project when a knitter is ready to progress from scarves to a garment.

Remember Saturday is the River Park Sidewalk sale.  The Yarn Gourmet will have drawings for door prizes at 10, 11, noon, 1, 2, and 3 PM; you do not have to be there to win.  In fact, if you come in today and fill out a customer information slip, you are automatically entered in Saturday's drawings.  I have some really nice door prizes, including whole bags of yarn.

Beginning June 01 I will have Yarn-of-the-Month - each month a different yarn will be 10% off for the entire month.  If anyone is interested in teaching classes after Labor Day, I am going to get a sign-up sheet together, listing the classes I would like to offer.  So far customers have specifically asked for colorwork, knitting socks on two needles, making knitted garments that fit, and introductory knitting.  Classes will likely be held Thursday evenings and Saturdays.

Also - someone suggested I get a box of toys for kids to amuse themselves with while mom shops for yarn.  All I have is cat toys (kids aren't too interested in those) so if anyone has some gently used kid toys they would like to donate, I would appreciate it.

Off to the showers with me - knit happy!