Well, that was the day that was. A very good day. A very fun day. A day full of knitting can only be a good day, and this was very full of the very best knitting. An excellent day.

Can I please take a nap now? For, let's say, a week?

Craig and Gerard, once again and as predicted, put on a hell of a party. The venue was gorgeous. (There was perhaps a slight undercatering problem, but everything else - utterly fab.)

I have to confess, I'd been dreading the day. I knew it would be a great event, I loved last year's show, but then last year I wasn't pregnant. Tired and sick... not the best way to feel when exhibiting! I was hopelessly underslept and poorly prepared (through no one's fault but my own of course) and just thought I'd have to grit my teeth and get through it. But you know, the minute I walked into this hall full of eager people setting up... wool everywhere... I got excited. Energised. Being among My People, you know; being part of a really great event. Good stuff.

As soon as the doors opened, things went nuts. (We were so lucky to have the spot we did, with oodles of space around us. My crowd-phobic self sends heartfelt thanks to the guys!) The only drawback to having so much business was that I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone for more than half a minute - and in fact I was so frazzled and flustered (fruzzled?), I kept overlooking people's Ravelry badges and not realising I was talking to online friends... for which I kicked myself afterwards.

This was the first show we've done with yarn (not just needles etc). I had great hopes of arranging every basket into a gorgeously graduated swoop of colour, as in our print ads. But of course there was barely time to tip the skeins out before the hordes descended... ah well, it never would have stayed pretty for more than 5 minutes anyway!

In the middle of the day, suddenly the crowd thinned out. It was weird. Apparently there was an event taking place next door - some speaker called the Yarn Harlot?

No, I'm not bitter about missing her on her one and only visit to the UK. Nuh uh. I'm totally fine with that. *grumble grumble*... anyway, Harlot time gave us a very welcome breather. There was still shopping happening, but at a more relaxed pace. Phew!

Finally, here's a pic that shows me in full gravid glory. Five months, wouldn't you say, from the size of that belly? Rather than barely three? *sigh* Me and my extra padding.

Posted by Robynn at 06:21 PM | Permalink | 8 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

Phew. In a few days, we leave for a 12-day visit back home - South Africa, but in particular, we'll be going to a big ol' family reunion in Port Elizabeth, for the occasion of my grandmother's 80th birthday. I've been shockingly neglectful of this branch of the family for many years; in fact, most of them have never met Armin (we've only been together for 11 and a half years!), and I have cousins last seen as babes in arms who are now babes at university. It's quite a big deal. I'm really looking forward to getting reacquainted. It's not the best time of year for visiting the Cape, but I'm also looking forward to seeing home again (as always), and eating some calamari. (Take it from me: if you ever visit Cape Town - and you should - eat a lot of seafood. Really. I never realised just how great it was until I had seafood elsewhere, which was... less great.) I'm not so much looking forward to flying for hours with morning sickness, but eh... it'll be fine. Right? Right... And hey, at least I'm ready to take my knitting along, again.

Anyway, worry not, the shop will not be closing. Eszter the Needle Elf will be on duty, so orders will go out promptly as usual. She'll also be monitoring the email, but most queries will probably have to wait till my return, on 3 September. Ah well, that's not long, eh? See you then. Stay well, as they say in my country. (Now you say "go well". Go on. It's the rules.*)

_____
* Actually, it's usually the other way around: first "go well", then "stay well". And it should really be "hamba kahle - sala kahle". But hey. Whatever works, right?

Posted by Robynn at 01:07 PM | Permalink | 8 cups of tea on the table

Unexpected good thing of the day: I got an email from the BBC (yes, that BBC) saying they've linked Purlescence in a green knitting guide. I blush! I squeal!

Posted by Robynn at 03:34 PM | Permalink | 5 cups of tea on the table

Since I've told you what a fan I am of the Twist Collective, I reckon it's only reasonable to pick out some of my favourite patterns, with yarn suggestions from our shelves. And not forgetting this week's launch of the less controversial Knotions - an online magazine on the familiar free model, with a focus on beautiful presentation and fashion-forward designs (take note of the colour trend article, I love the photography here). Let's see...

Gnarled Oakwoods would be just wonderful in Camelspin. Can you imagine how yummy?

Claudia Hand Painted and Madeline Tosh sock yarns both use Louet Gems as a base, so Lissajous will be a perfect fit for either of them.

Cleite is perfect, perfect, perfect for either Nature's Harvest wild silk (wouldn't the Demeter colour look stunning?) or Madeline Tosh's Natural Silk Lace. Though I'm also imagining it in Artyarns cashmere 1-ply... delicious!

I'm picturing Edgy in Handmaiden's Swiss Mountain Silk Cashmere. Wow.

And I think Autumn Leaves would translate fantastically well into Bio Bamboo - perhaps in chocolate with a duck egg contrast. (Damn. Now I want to cast on for that right now.)

But the one I'm actually most likely to make first? Well, possibly Cleite - I really love that. But I think smaller, quicker projects are the best bet for me right now, and I have a hankering for some Casbah socks. Maelstrom is probably the winner!

Posted by Robynn at 12:22 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

The next open house is scheduled for... well. That's the question, isn't it? In my last email I blithely said 23 May, but I actually meant Saturday 24 May. However, a couple of you have let me know that actually Friday would work quite well for you, and I had A Thought (always dangerous). Normally I will certainly pick a Saturday to throw open my doors - after all most of us are wage slaves during the week. But that's not true of everyone, or always, so maybe it would be worthwhile to try a different day just this once.

Here's the nub: since anyone who can't make the Friday will surely be able to make another Saturday party, I am not so worried about accommodating the 9-to-5ers this time; I need to hear from anyone who *would* like to come on Friday 23rd. If there turns out to be a modestly significant number, we shall make it so. If not, Saturday reclaims its title.

Your call...

Posted by Robynn at 05:49 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

This afternoon was a special occasion: the first Purlescence Open House. I opened my doors for a few eager knitters to come and hang out, drink tea, knit together, and oh yes... maybe do a little shopping.

We had a great time. Mel brought some amazing brownies. I meant to take photos, but was too busy having fun... sorry! Anyway, all was going well; there was a little civilised yarn fondling, a little sharing of knitting tips and showing off of FOs, a lot of cookie eating (or was that just me?). Good times.

And then I suggested that maybe people wanted to take a peek at the stockroom.

Wow.

Apparently a handful of really excited knitters seems like a lot more than a handful; Armin flatly refused to believe there weren't at least double the actual number of us running upstairs and squealing. Drawers were pulled out. People were squatting on the floor rifling through the goods, oohing and aahing at what they discovered. (Earlier, Stephanie - a new Ravelry friend - had asked excitedly: "Are you going to stock rosewood needles?" Oh, my dear, what you don't know...) There was squeezing, and stroking, and dithering, and a fair amount of cooing and sighing. And then there was begging. "Will you do this again, Robynn?" "Can we come back?" "Please!" "I'll make more brownies!"

Brownies? Oh all right then.

I'm thinking of making it a monthly event. The next one should be on Saturday 23 May. If you want to join the mailing list, please leave a comment. I would really love to meet more of you!

Posted by Robynn at 06:26 PM | Permalink | 6 cups of tea on the table

...perhaps you'd like to see Ed Jenkins at work making those gorgeous needles?

Wanda, his wife, describes the process over at her blog, and shared this video. Quite a process, no? Can you believe how excitable that little needle gets?

(I promise there will be an end to the silence, by the way. You're all keeping me very, very busy, with the orders and all. But one of these days I will catch up with myself. I hope.)

Posted by Robynn at 04:48 PM | Permalink | 2 cups of tea on the table

Finally, we re-open. The promised new products aren't up yet but will be in a couple of days. (It wasn't just the internet gremlins that were at work, delivery gremlins kept things held up too. Grrr!)

The new space is utterly lovely. Still a mess, but lovely. I can't wait to open my doors for a knitting party - what fun we'll have!

Of course, I've spent the past few, internet-less weeks constantly thinking of things to blog, and then forgetting them. (Notes are for wussies. Really organised, efficient, reliably blogging wussies. The present definition of "wuss" is clearly "someone who isn't me".) I have also spent the time working really hard on lots of things - including an insane amount of household stuff; furniture shopping, unpacking etc - and it amazes me that I am still not up to date, but there it is, I'm not. (I am really enjoying doing it all though. Isn't that funny. Ordinary little chores like filing are suddenly quite charming, just because I'm doing them in this delicious new home.) So I am not going to walk around taking and uploading photos now, to show you everything, because there is still STUFF TO DO. But I do have some great stuff to show you. And thanks to the magic of the Hypercyberinterwebnet (never, never take it for granted, knitters!)... show you I will.

Just not today.

Love you, though! Mwah, mwah!

Posted by Robynn at 12:17 PM | Permalink | 2 cups of tea on the table

The internet gods have not smiled on us. We're going to be down until this weekend. And, dammit, our server is acting up at just the wrong time too, so we can't update our home page message. Grrr!

But, soon. Soon.

*deep sigh*

Posted by Robynn at 10:38 AM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

Well, we now know exactly when we'll be taking up our new abode (8 March), and we also know that alas, the gods have decreed we will be sans internet until 14 March. So be warned: the shop will be shut for a week, from around midday on Thursday 6 March (to give me time to post those final orders). I am taking this as an opportunity to unpack and get everything beautifully organised before re-connecting to the world and fighting fires again. Will this work out? We'll see...

Meanwhile, I've finished Armin's lovely Wollmeise socks, and I've almost finished my handspun handwarmers, but the latter need ends to be woven in and the former are right now enclosing the dear man's feet as he sleeps and feels sorry for himself. (He's just gotten a nasty dose of the flu - just a few weeks after recovering from a bad cold. He's allowed to feel sorry for himself.) So no photos.

Time I went for my morning run now. I've been fantastically disciplined about running lately, ever since mid-December in fact. (At first, part of the motivation was knowing I'd need strong thighs for skiing.) I feel terribly pleased with myself and my thighs of steel - or if not actual steel, then at least thinly beaten aluminium - but would like the universe to know that I think things are Very Poorly Arranged when all this exercise serves only to give me fabulously toned thighs, completely hidden under a thick blanket of fat. (I hear that to remove said fat blanket, "eating less" might be an option, or at least "eating less cookies". I find this an extraordinarily unappealing idea.) Anyway, so I'm off for my run. And then it's time for breakfast. Mmmm, hot cross buns...

Posted by Robynn at 08:58 AM | Permalink | 5 cups of tea on the table

[cross-posted on Ravelry]

Right, the first batch of yarn orders has gone out. (And may I congratulate you all on your fine taste?) If any of you lovely readers is one of those lucky souls expecting a package of pretty, I would really like to hear from you when it arrives: is it what you expected? In particular, did the photos fairly represent the colour?

As we all know, it can be really hard to photograph yarn accurately, and even harder to take into account the variance in monitor settings etc. We worked hard on the pictures, and I don't think anyone should have any surprises, but I'd like to hear one way or another.

And for those of you who maybe looked but didn't touch (this time), I'd still like to hear your thoughts. Are you comfortable with how we've organised our yarn department, and how we've photographed things? Any complaints or suggestions?

Finally - because apparently once I start asking questions I Just Don't Stop - does anyone have any particular stock requests? I'm just now preparing my next Handmaiden/Fleece Artist order (which should take 6-8 weeks to arrive). There will be Seasilk. Now is the time to place a special order for the colour (and/or fibre) of your dreams.

Posted by Robynn at 11:13 AM | Permalink | 3 cups of tea on the table

I've spent the past hour gently panicking, because our server was down. Right while I was trying to prep The Yarn Launch. Now, things appear to be back to normal, but... ooh er.

So this is mostly a warning, and a pre-emptive apology: if you're having any trouble with the site - or if you're not finding The Yarn (because the site is about to crash on me again) - please, understand, it's The Gods of the Internet playing silly buggers. And also, we're on it. And also, we're really, really sorry.

*small whimpering noises*

Edit (1.28am): it's done. The technojinx bowed to our superior willpower, and you may have some yarn.

I am retiring to bed in a bundle of nerves. And tiredness. And nerves.

Posted by Robynn at 08:42 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

Wanna see some yarn?

Maybe a bit more detail?

This yarn is having a very strange effect on me. Firstly, the nicest of it seems to get me far too excited to focus.

And secondly, it's making me want to spread it out and spend ages coaxing this little camera to take proper yarn pr0n pics that I can make into wallpaper and just ogle every day. Sadly, I don't have ages, and as we all know I don't have that kind of relationship with the camera, and most of all I don't have the light (honestly, if we have to put up with these dark clouds, we should at least get the snow we were promised! grumble grumble).

*sigh*

It's probably just as well. I'd never get anything done.

Posted by Robynn at 11:27 AM | Permalink | 7 cups of tea on the table

The postal gods have smiled. The Handmaiden yarns arrived today.

I'm starting to hyperventilate again just thinking about it.

Really, it's unbearably exciting. I've packed them all away... which was a very agitating experience. I kept thinking about the things I could make with them. I think the only thing that's going to keep me from hiding them somewhere and pretending I changed my mind about this whole "selling yarn" thing is knowing that I can get more. I just kept looking and stroking and making pathetic little noises... you know how, when a cat finds a particularly cosy and good-smelling pile of clothes, say, or cushions, it might do a little dance before settling down in it - turning around and kneading, kneading with the paws, making little cooing purrs? It was a bit like that.

Tomorrow: pictures.

Posted by Robynn at 09:57 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

Hi! How've you been? Good to see you again. Enjoying the knitterly weather, are we? Got lots of cocoa on the go? Yeah, me too. So as I was saying yesterday -

What's that? I wasn't saying anything yesterday? Um, are you sure? I could have sworn. I've been around. What do you mean, no? I have! Haven't I?

Oh.

Well ANYway, as I would have been saying if I'd been here to say it, this is a funny time of year for me. On the one hand, as I've heard other people mentioning, there's a sort of sense of new beginnings in autumn. For me, that's mostly because as soon as the clocks go back and it's dark and all, I'm very aware of the End of the Year approaching, and I feel like whatever I was hoping to achieve this year, I've had my chance. That's it, done. Time to start preparing for next year now. So that's the beginning. More of an end, really, I suppose. Whatever. It's a cyclical turning point.

The other thing is, well, it's dark and cold. These are enjoyable things, sometimes, but also sometimes... not. If I'm feeling sorry for myself (because, say, I haven't gotten nearly as much done as I'd hoped), then I get to feeling more sorry for myself. If I'm feeling stressed, I get even more stressed, because all I want is to listen to the weather's very clear instructions and just Go To Bed with my knitting. But I have lots to do, that's what generally makes me stressed, so that's not an option, so frustrated desires make me even more stressed.

But I'm not stressed now. Nonono. I'm excited. I'm excited because I can see 2008 approaching. And it's going to be rather magic. Why?

Well, for one thing, I'm going to be working on Purlescence full-time. You may remember I mentioned that I have a part-time job - I'm quitting. So (apart from a little freelance editing) I will be able to devote all my time to this lovely website, and that can only be good news for all of us. Better service. More stuff. More ideas, more projects, more fun. Did I mention more stuff?

Gosh... have I been doing some serious stash enhancement, or is there something I'm not telling you?

Posted by Robynn at 04:59 PM | Permalink | 9 cups of tea on the table

You know, it's hard for me to say this, but... I was wrong.

And you were right.

All that anxiety was for nothing. I had a great first day at Ally Pally! Busy busy, but not so chaotic that I couldn't keep a handle on things; and wow, but it was fun meeting so many of you. I know many more of you will be coming by over the next few days, too. Brilliant!

A full report back will have to wait until next week I think - I am pretty much knackered. (I could happily have gone to bed two hours ago, frankly.) But in a good way.

Kisses all round! Mwah!

Posted by Robynn at 09:26 PM | Permalink | 5 cups of tea on the table

You know what happens this week, don't you?

Ally Pally. The Knitting & Stitching Show. (Well, not the only one, of course; but I'm only exhibiting at this one.) The Big Scary Expo.

What, is that not the right attitude? Is it supposed to be exciting? Weeell... yes, I can see that. But for me, dear knitters, it's mostly scary. Luckily I know some of you will be there, so that's something to look forward to. Stand M33 is the place - and as I have been hinting, there will be some rather special knitterly treats unveiled at the show. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but if you are a lace knitter, or a crocheter, you should be particularly excited. So. Come and see me! I'll need all the encouragement I can get...

Oh, I'm getting nervous just thinking about it. Never mind all that! Let me show you some knitting. (Having finally coaxed the pictures out of Armin's electronic clutches.)

Continue reading "Ally Pally, and pikchas" »

Posted by Robynn at 09:58 PM | Permalink | 6 cups of tea on the table

The internet is a wonderful, wonderful thing.* Besides all the glories of shops, blogs, forums and such, it is populated with very clever and more importantly, extremely generous people.

One of those generous, clever strangers appears to have fixed one of the bugbears we've suffered with since opening: the need to choose a county/state/province at checkout (choosing only from a US/UK list, of course). The good folk who designed our shopping cart software (which I do believe is pretty darn good, generally) did realise that there were knitters in other countries... but for reasons that passeth understanding, they put the "Not UK/USA" option slap dab in the middle of the alphabetical list. How daft is that? Very. (Frankly, I am amazed and thoroughly impressed at how many people managed to find it. Many did. Brilliant, you lot. Brilliant. And very patient.) It also wasn't possible to simply leave that field blank.

Until now.

It's still stuck there between Northwest Territories and Nottinghamshire, of course. We haven't fixed that part. But we** have made it so that you can discreetly ignore such silly questions. I breathe a too long held sigh of relief...

We still have a couple of niggles, of course, and we are working on them. Do let me know if you find this is still not working for you. I'll cry, but I'll get right back on it.

(PS. Alice closed today. Looks as though a little nonsense was just the thing to get those juices flowing - I haven't done more than scan the entries, but so far they seem pretty darn impressive. Why ever did I start this thing?! It's so impossible to choose between all the talent!)

_____
* If you read the latest Yarn Forward (it'll be on the shelves any day now, I hear) you can read more about why I think t'internet has been the greatest invention for knitters since, well, needles.
** Where "we" = "generous, clever strangers"

Posted by Robynn at 11:42 PM | Permalink

I do love a reader who takes things literally. Thanks, Anne! Too right, it's Wednesday night already and I still haven't said a word...

But if it's words you want, here are some choice ones.

1. Price cuts! Yeah, you like that, don't you? That lovely downhill meander of the dollar means we've been able to lower a few prices — despite some increases from our suppliers. All Colonial needles are now a bit cheaper (by between 50p and £2.75), and so are most Lantern Moon products. (I must admit that a few of the smallest LM needles have actually gone up a titchy bit — 25p or 50p — but I'd say at least 90% of prices have gone down. And the cuts are bigger than the increases. So that's good.)

2. Shiny new stuff! What do you think of these cute shawl pins? LM have some seriously good stuff coming out in the next few months. Very soon I should have a new crochet case for you — how lush is this:

We've also got some new colours in the silk taffeta bags. I'm a sucker for this kind of orange and silver.

3. Winners! The Puss in Boots winners have been chosen; go take a look. I guarantee Castle Cat Couture will knock your socks off. As it were.

Now I'm going to post that honourable Snow White mention that I have so sadly neglected thus far. And tomorrow, if the gods smile on me, I'm going to learn to take better yarn pictures. And then you might even get to see a little knitting. Or not. Best not to count on anything, I reckon.

Posted by Robynn at 07:56 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

A comment below prompts me to warn you all: Do Not Procrastinate! I can see the thinking behind wanting to wait and see the Cinderella winners before you enter for Snow White; but the closing date is just two weeks away. That doesn't give you a lot of time. (Thanks for bringing this up, Temperance.)

We are judging the entries right now, and as I've said before, some of them are really impressive. As it happens, in this competition a number of the best entries (most appealing designs and stories) were also the best presented — but it would be a mistake to think your entry has to be beautifully presented to be a winner. It really doesn't. There may be a link there, but I think it's more that the people who put the most thought into their entries also took the most care over the presentation. (As I've said before, this is not a drawing contest.) So don't think you can judge "what I'm looking for" by what happens to win this time; I want you to surprise me. Really.

Also, while of course we want to get the winners chosen and published as soon as possible, I can't guarantee that will happen in enough time for you to get your entries in — especially if you still want to customise your design to what you think I want!

(I've also been asked how many entries we had: around two dozen. I'm telling you this only because I figure that gives you pretty good odds, and hence may encourage you to try. However I won't reveal the number of entries in any of the coming months.)

Posted by Robynn at 11:44 PM | Permalink | 4 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

The year may be drawing to a close, but things seem to be speeding up around here. A whole pile of boxes arrived this week, with everything from more 5mm Bella Blue needles to a couple of Jordana Paige bags in new colours, plus some cute stick pins/needlepoint stitch markers from Heidi Petach. We still need to photograph these so wait a couple of days to find them on the site. Plus, orders have been coming in thick and fast; [adopts singsong voice] I know what somebody's getting for Christmas! Quite a few somebodies in fact. This is fun.

Judging the Cinderella entries is also keeping us busy. It's so very hard to choose between some of them. We haven't had a lot of Snow White designs yet; I reckon that means a bigger chance for each entrant this month, doesn't it? So have a go. You know you want to.

I've also been greatly enjoying the fortnightly sessions at Cafe Crimson. Yesterday was a particular treat, I found the very talented Anna at Stash and she joined us. What a pleasure to meet a designer I so admire. I've set up a mailing list for the dozen or so people who've either come along or said they'd like to come along; anybody else who's thinking of pitching up some time, do leave a comment or email me (purlescence AT gmail DOT com) for details.

Posted by Robynn at 02:55 PM | Permalink | 5 cups of tea on the table

The first Storytellers entry is in already, and I have to tell you, the bar for creativity has been set pretty high. I've had a few questions as well, and going by these, I really like your thinking!

Some clarifications and further thoughts:

The design doesn't have to be wearable — fibre art projects are very welcome!

You are free to use non-yarn materials. Wire, plastic bags, whatever floats your boat. As long as it is recognisably knitted (or crocheted). Papier mache, not so much. (Not that anyone asked.)

The "short story" to support your entry can be just a few sentences, or longer if you wish.

I know how it feels to be less than confident of your drawing skills... get a friend to sketch your idea, draw a schematic, whatever you like; but find a way to show us! Also, not everyone works the same way. If you prefer to let your ideas take shape with the actual knitting, and then send a photo rather than a sketch, that's great.

Once again: entries will be judged on creativity, not artistic technique; but do try to present your ideas as attractively as possible. After all, it might get showcased on the site. Show off a little!

That's it for now. I hope you're having as much fun as I am.

Posted by Robynn at 12:15 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Glamorous knitters: a challenge! The seasons are changing, your thoughts are turning once more to woolly goodness... make the most of that. We want you to exercise your creativity, and come up with — well — read all about it over here. There is, of course, a fabulous reward for your efforts.

(Exciting, huh? Go tell all your friends. Run quickly. I'll be waiting.)

Posted by Robynn at 04:43 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

I know. I know! Ten days without posting? This is no way to run a blog. Kids today, no follow-through, etc.

See, I was ordered by my webmaster to keep my sticky fingers off the blog while we were dealing with some teknikl issues. You know the ones. Well, you do if you've been doing any shopping here over the past month or so. Those nasty "internal server errors". Good news: we've migrated to a new server, and we hope (cross fingers) that that will be the end of THAT. (If it isn't, please, please let me know. Any little error that hits you at all, fire off an email toute suite. Gotta squash those nasty little bugs.)

Meanwhile, I have some catching up to do. Bunch o' things I have been wanting to share with you. Bunch o' things.

Thing the first: have you seen this utterly delightful gallery of free knitting images? Quite remarkably twee, some of them, but quite delightful.

Thing the second: have you seen the Knitterati competition? Funky knitters are invited to submit original designs*; all will climax in big heap excitement at Ally Pally. You have until 6 October. Go!

Thing the third: only nine days to go until Talk Like a Pirate day. Get in the mood with a little piratical knitting. Arrrh!

_____
* By the way, if design contests get your whiskers all a-twitch, watch this space. We will have a little something for you by next month. Actually quite a big something. I hope you'll like it.

Posted by Robynn at 07:05 PM | Permalink | 2 cups of tea on the table

A short while ago I met the lovely Kerrie, of Hipknits and Magknits fame, to talk about various projects we're both working on. Now this was the first time we'd ever met in person, and what did she do but hand over these:

Which is enough to confirm that knitting is exactly the right business to be in, don't you think? In what other industry would you get random gifts (and such lovely ones!) from your contacts?

(The picture, taken with my Snazzy New Phone, does not of course do justice to the amazing colours. The more I look at that green silk, the more I love it. It's a little more pastel than I would normally choose, but so full of subtlety and marine richness — utterly stunning! Incidentally this yarn, plus more Hipknits deliciousness also kindly volunteered by Kerrie, makes a star appearance in an upcoming Purlescence ad that I am rather fond of.)

The point, however, is that one of the things we talked about is Kerrie's terribly exciting new project: Yarn Forward. Now I know you agree with me that this is long overdue. The UK's existing magazines are... well... disappointing. It's great that we have them, but this is in a whole new league, and I for one can't wait. (I also can't understand how Kerrie can possibly find the time, with everything else she has going, but maybe if I stick around and spy on her a while I'll learn some Cunning Tricks, or at least find out where she gets her Expandable Time Potion. There must be some, I'm convinced. Or maybe I've just spent too many years watching Buffy and Charmed...)

We also agreed that Kerrie will be selling some Purlescence stuff from the Hipknits stall at the Knitting and Stitching shows in Birmingham and London. Good news for those of you who can make it; if you were hoping I'd have a stall all to myself... sorry. Not this time. But I do hope to be visiting Ally Pally myself, and maybe I'll be lucky enough to meet some of you there.

One last thing. You know I had planned to leave Purlescence open while I'm on holiday this week. Well, we've been having some nasty server trouble lately (if you've placed an order, you almost certainly know what I'm talking about — lots of error pages, possibly no email confirmation... very bad news), so it no longer seems like such a good idea to let people place orders without the back-up of a live person to talk to. We will be shutting down from this afternoon until Sunday (all orders placed by around 3pm will be dispatched today!), and when we're back we will continue with the, ahem, interesting process of changing servers. So the problems will all be behind us soon. I promise.

Posted by Robynn at 12:29 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

A question for my customers (or anyone who might conceivably be a customer):

Our website is designed to make it impossible to order items that are out of stock. If you want a pair of 4mm needles and we're sold out, you won't find 4mm on the pull-down menu. In theory. In practice — through technical or human error, or sheer bad luck — sometimes it does happen that we are unable to fulfil an order.

When that happens, we offer the customer three options: a refund for the missing item; a replacement of their choice (eg. same size but different length or wood — considering the vast range of needles we have, there's almost always a substitute of the same size); or a back order. Brittany products can usually be sourced pretty quickly, because they have a UK distributor, but Lantern Moon can take aaaaages.

Now, as a customer in that situation, what would you prefer:

A. Email me and ask what I want to do!
B. Pick a substitute for me, I just want to get my needles and start knitting already.
C. Refund me and tell me what's happening, I'll order again if I want a substitute.

So far we have always gone with A, but not everyone checks their email frequently, so this can add quite a delay to the order. I will try to phone the customer if I don't hear from them fairly quickly, but still. We don't like delay.

I'm leaning towards B, for the sake of speedy delivery, but I am very ambivalent. I don't like online supermarkets deciding that when I ordered smoked salmon, I'd be happy with a tin instead. (Of course, we hope I have a better handle on what knitters really want, but still...) The customer may be given the option to return unwanted products, but it's a pain to take those triangular boxes to the post office!

So I'm at a bit of a loss. Your thoughts would be very welcome.

Posted by Robynn at 11:49 AM | Permalink | 4 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

I know. I know. Where have I been, indeed? Well, a large part of the answer to that is "fighting with my mobile network", but that doesn't make for very edifying blog content*, so I'll spare you.

Besides that, and melting in the heat (look, I'm from Africa and I love the sun, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to moan when things get quite so sticky!), I have been doing some really rather interesting things. I can't tell you about them just yet, but trust me, you'll like the news. Watch this space.

I've also been doing a reasonable amount of knitting — even trying my hands at a little yarn polygamy. Turns out, I can work on multiple projects if I set my mind to it! Of course the conditions have to be right: I need a really good excuse for every one. For instance, the wrap top that's ready for sewing up** is too big to take to work, so I need a little carry-along project. And the tit bits I started may be small and portable, but I'm nervous about carrying a bunch of DPNs (how can they not fall out along the way? I don't wish to push my luck). See? Ironclad excuse for multiple infidelity. Ironclad, I say.

Quick commercial announcements:
Lantern Moon's circular needles have arrived at last. And they are lovely.

We also have a bunch more glass needles, so if the size you wanted sold out too quickly before, please have another go. I think we have enough now.

And an early warning: we Purlescence people will be taking a little summer break next week. My sexy web designer and I will be hieing ourselves off to Scotland for a few days. The shop will be open for business but orders placed during the week will take a leeetle bit longer than normal to ship; plus, we may not respond promptly to emails. (I hear the Highlands are not entirely devoid of the glorious interweb, but I don't fancy my chances.) I know you'll understand.

_____
* If all goes well, though, the outcome should make for happy blogging indeed — I see a vastly improved cameraphone in my future. Wish me luck, knitters!
** Or so it seemed. Turns out there's a little frogging and remaking to be done. Why do I get it so wrong sometimes? Whywhywhy? *sigh* It will all be worth it in the end. I hope.

Posted by Robynn at 07:30 PM | Permalink | 2 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

Yup. Bargain hunting time. Go wild.

Posted by Robynn at 04:07 PM | Permalink | 1 cups of tea on the table

So, anybody try to access Purlescence yesterday? Wasn't that annoying? Our web hosts crashed all afternoon. Most tiresome. All is of course fine now, but I worry that we do seem to have service interruptions... well, not exactly frequently, but it's not the first time. And I probably don't always know immediately. So if any of you find the shop (and blog) disappearing on occasion, please do let me know. Action may have to be taken. Action of the changing hosts variety. I do hope not, cos that's, like, *work*. Of the boring variety.

Meanwhile, there is good news in Purlescence land. Glass needles baby! I would have let you know sooner, but — did I mention the service interruption. Yes. That, and life stuff. It's a terrible thing when life gets in the way of knitting. So anyway: glass needles are up, more funky Namaste products are also in stock and will be published online in the next day or so (viz: cute needle cases — I especially like the hard shells — and some fabulous bags). I snaffled one of the bags for myself; I'd show you, but we haven't photographed them yet. Just give us a day, okay?

And today, more big boxes arrived, with tons of Lantern Moon stuff: some old (needle vases and origami bags now available in all colours, hurrah!) and some new (a lovely thing called a cabana basket, for one, and some needle gift sets that I know are going to go down *extremely* well). Photographing must happen; watch this space to see when they're ready to buy.

Posted by Robynn at 02:52 PM | Permalink | 3 cups of tea on the table

Quick updates:

Glass needles should be available within two weeks.

Full colour range of Lantern Moon origami bags and needle vases, ditto.

Lantern Moon circulars will take a bit longer: they tell me it might be as late as July. But rest assured, the order is in, they're on their way.

Posted by Robynn at 09:46 PM | Permalink | 4 cups of tea on the table | TrackBacks (0)

My new Vogue Knitting arrived this week — always an exciting moment. I've been reading VK since high school (though getting hold of it used to be quite a challenge) and I know by now that every issue is bound to get my pulse racing with inspirational designs and tantalising product reviews. In fact, VK can be credited with inspiring Purlescence. I was reading about the US knitting revival long before there was any signs of it in my environment (SA, then London). And of course I was drooling over the ads for Lantern Moon, Brittany and Offhand Designs for years.

So having a new issue plop through the mailbox always makes me bounce a little. I can't wait to get a cup of tea and curl up with my knitting pr0n. My beloved husband — Armin, the creative genius behind this website — knows better than to get me to budge from that couch until I've leafed my way from cover to cover and thoroughly digested the quarter's knitting treats (an experience that often leaves me somewhat glazed... inspiration overdose! If I only had six pairs of hands, maybe I could act on half the ideas that germinate in these couch sessions, but failing that, I must learn to live with my inadequacy).

This issue, though, was the most exciting yet. It's not that the designs were unusually spectacular. It's not that there were any thrilling features. No, my heart skipped a beat for just one little paragraph on page 26, beginning: "Knitters from across the pond who pine for American-distributed products yet fear the expensive import fees have good cause to rejoice..."

Yes indeedy, Purlescence has made it into Vogue Knitting. We have arrived.

Oh, and by the way: VK claims, "The selection is small right now but is sure to grow quickly." You betcha. Readers of Knitting may have spotted the promise of Namaste glass needles; they're on their way — along with needle cases and some more fabulous bags — in June. Before then, we have new lines from Offhand and Jordana Paige coming in (soon, very soon!). And there's plenty more waiting in the wings; believe me. Plenty.

Posted by Robynn at 05:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)