Lately much of my knitting has been samples that will go to Shall We Knit? out in New Hamburg.
Now, yarn shops have samples knit up for a reason -- the main one being, of course, that seeing a particular item or a particular yarn knit up can be much more inviting for a potential customer. Seeing how the yarn works up, seeing how the pattern looks in real life -- and being able to try on a finished item to decide how it looks -- all of that can mean that it's easier to make a sale.
But there's more to it than that. A good sample knitter -- by that, I mean one who can analyze the pattern as he or she works through it, taking notes -- a good sample knitter anticipates what the experience will be like for the customer.
Are there quirks in the pattern that might trip someone up? Are there actual mistakes? If there are, can an errata be found, and easily? And if not, how accessible is the pattern designer or the yarn company, and how helpful are they when questions are asked? Are there any tips or tricks that can be passed on to make the project more enjoyable to work on?
I'm always thinking about these things when I knit a sample, and I pass the information on to the shop so that they can better help customers. And I think that's what makes a difference -- how responsive and supportive a shop can be, beyond merely selling the yarn.
I'm thinking about this because the last two samples I've worked on have presented me with challenges, particularly in how the patterns are written up, and how I've had to approach the projects and make changes and figure out how to diplomatically convey that information to others. Because the one thing you DON'T want to do is diss people's efforts, their designs, their products (oh, well, unless they are truly vile, but that's rare, I think). As someone who noodles out the occasional pattern, I'm aware that most people doing that are doing it because they have an idea that they think is worth sharing (or worth being paid for, and there's nothing wrong with that). They are creative, they are creating something -- usually something beautiful or at least solid and useful, in the case of knitting.
So it's a matter of balance: being fair in one's criticism (and by criticism I mean thoughtful analysis of positives and negatives, not an opportunity to take pot shots at people), and looking after the needs of potential customers/future knitters of the items in question.
Over the next few posts I'll take a look at those two projects I mentioned and try to present a constructive view of things.
In the meantime, though? I've got to go dig out another project, because I'm waiting to hear a response back from the designer of the item I tried to start today, and couldn't work on because I didn't feel completely clear about what was being said in the pattern. It's New Year's Day, so I'm not likely to hear anything right away.
But I can't help thinking what I'd be feeling if I were a customer who'd bought this kit, and who'd hoped to start it while on holiday and probably finish it over the next couple of days, only to discover I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do, and having to put the project on hold while I waited for some answers.
I think I'd be frustrated and disappointed.
And that, precisely, is what I think about when I knit samples: what can I offer so that customers won't have to feel that way?
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