No, not my muscle, but Ann’s. God I love that woman. Every now and again we talk about a podcast – a one time thing actually – but it probably wouldn’t be funny to anyone but us. Hey Annie – I was telling G about our conversation and he just shook his head and said we were wicked retahded.
Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, but this week is crayzee! Usually I’m home all day by myself trying desperately to get some work done or alternately staring at the filth around me willing it to clean itself (which takes A LOT of energy. Almost as much energy as if I were to ACTUALLY clean it.) But this week, wouldn’t you know, when I would just love to sit around and dream about my vacation, I’m out every single day. Today I have a meeting and then I’m off to Lawn Guyland for guild. So no post tomorrow either. I suck. I know. Hopefully next week things will get back on track and all will be right with the universe again – read me sitting inside with the air conditioner on high, showerless, knitting my little heart out.
Just a brief note on yarn store reviews: as I said in my last post and as evidenced by the comments – for every person who LOVES an LYS, there’s someone else who thinks it’s eh or even ick. That’s the nature of human nature. Maybe I caught the staff at Imagiknit on a bad day. Maybe I was in a bad mood. Maybe maybe maybe. I got a vibe. I’m not telling you not to go to the store – I would never say that (unless it was TRULY awful, which it wasn’t) and I’m pretty sure I didn’t say that. I ended up buying close to $100.00 worth of yarn and stuff. If I had really thought the store was terrible I wouldn’t have spent a cent. The truth is is that the “vibe” is something tangible, and if we’re all honest with ourselves, we’ve probably felt it at one time or another in most yarn stores. It may pass quickly and truly we might not get it at all, but it exists. Which is something I find remarkable given that the any person going into a yarn store must truly have some kind of interest in the craft, whether burgeoning or established, it’s there.
The truth of the matter is that I don’t really frequent yarn stores all that often. I wouldn’t say I have my own lys. I don’t knit with a group, period, let alone one associated with an lys. There are a million and one yarn stores in my area – a huge variety – some of the nastiest I’ve ever been to and some of the nicest, some of the prettiest, some of the ugliest, some of the astounding variety nature, and some of the one trick pony type. Between the internet and the yarn stores in my area, I don’t need to go to yarn stores when I’m on vacation. But I love to do it! I love to visit and see what’s out there – most of them are no different really from what I can get at home – but every now and again you find something really special. And then there are the people. The knitters. You can’t discount the knitters.
Without you damn knitters I wouldn’t be having conversations about love muscles and laughing my ass off. For that, I thank you truly.
Next week! Lots of knitting! I’m about to start the second chart of Moth! Maybe a finished sock! AND the big reveal!
Clue #2
Stay tuned folks….
I know the vibe of which you speak, sometimes it’s worse around lunch time when knitters are running in on their lunch break to shop/knit or ask questions.
I’m sorry, but I’m still giggling about love muscles, and then discussing a “vibe” for the whole rest of your post. heh.
But yes, stores do have a certain “feel” about them, and that shifts depending on staff and the knitterly representation (customers) at any given time. I’ve been in my favorite LYS when there are just the most obnoxious knitters there…and I run screaming. It’s all in the timing.
G said you and Ann were ‘wicked retahded?’ Please tell me he is from Massachusetts…
There were four LYS’s in my area–of them, I really love one (my fave), I like another (it’s newer, but they are nice), I was completely put off by the third despite having great stock in Cascade, and I felt disappointed by the fourth (which, oddly enough, came and went very fast). I don’t know what it is exactly, but that “vibe” thing really does dictate preference.
Y’know, I think sewing stores originated the vibe thing, back before giant Jo-Anns and the like. If you walked into the little local fabric store and weren’t an expert, the staff treated you like dirt.
I think that “vibe” could be experienced at at type of store at any time. Someone could be having a bad day, or they’re frustrated with their job, or they’re tired. I think that most of us knitters love yarn enough that, regardless of the service we receive at an LYS, we’ll still shop there if they have a yarn we want. In truth, I think most of us judge yarn stores mostly by their product — the yarn! — and less so by the friendliness (or not) of their employees.
I know all about ‘the vibe’. Sadly, one of my only two LYS’s (not very local at 90 miles away) has it. Not only do they stock a pitiful array of yarn, I feel like a schoolchild in a big library being hushed at every time I’m in there! Or someone who just doesn’t belong. Once, I went in with a friend to pick up some cross-stitch supplies (it’s got lots of embroidery/Crosstitch type stuff, too), and this friend, being craft-clueless, made some comment about using a cross-stitched pillow to snuggle with or sleep on or whatever. The look the owner gave her, and the snotty tone she used to explain that they are for DECORATIVE purposes only was enough to convince me that I could darn well take the vast majority of my business online. It’s too bad. The other LYS is 45 miles away in a town I never get to…
A big reveal??? Do I hear smell a mitered blanket all seamed and complete?????
Your review was honest and not nasty at all. I have but one LYS, at first, it was eh. I’m just rather insistant that they like me cause I have the wallet and will open it alot for just a small amount of common nicety. Most of my shopping, however, is done online just because I want what others rave about and I’m rather lazy about leaving the house. The reveal thing is killing me! You mistress of suspense you! I’m hoping my guess is right;)
How dadgum sad is it that everyone knows the vibe of which you speak? I feel it strongly at my LYS – it’s variable, but strong. Sometimes it’s snide, like “Louisa Harding? We are DEFINITELY NOT carrying HER anymore”; sometimes it’s disinterested, like “Yeah, I dunno – guess we haven’t ordered any needles lately…” Sometimes it’s just all “Gimme yer money and get the hell out.”
It’s too bad, because my LYS is a scant six blocks away, in the heart of a busy and pleasant shopping district – a location many yarn stores would give their (collective, figurative) right arm for. But I have such a vastly more pleasant experience online (in particular, with Jimmy Bean’s and Purl Soho). I think me and my LYS have broken up for good this time.
To me, the mystery is: why is it commonplace for yarn shops to give us so much to complain about?
I know what you mean Cara. Every LYS has its own vibe, its own mix of merchandise, and its own groupies. And while it is fun to visit, it always feels a little bit like you are a guest in someone else’s home. You can’t kick your shoes off, and prop your feet up on the skein winder, like you do at home.
Blessings!
I work at an LYS and I’ve gotta state the other side.
We’ve had people throw yarn and refuse to buy stuff they’d already wound because there were too many people in the store. We had people declare that none of our skeins of cotton had enough yardage. We’ve had people ask to cut off parts of a skein for them or ask for free yarn. People who whine about us not starting the sale a day early just for them. People who complain that the sweater they knit was too big, and it’s the yarn store’s fault.
I wonder what kind of review they give our store?
I love working at an LYS, and I love a majority of our customers, and most of the rest are pleasant, but there are some people you can never make happy.
As for “the vibe”, barring any outright rudeness, I’d urge people to try a store more than once before deciding they have “the vibe.” That said, there are stores I don’t go to because of “the vibe”.
There are a couple stores in my area I won’t go to because of the vibe. Maybe I’ll go back one day and retest the waters, maybe not. I, however, always make sure to remain nice (even if its hard) and not be demanding, just for the reasons Sara the LYS employee spoke of above. Maybe they just had to deal with a really lame customer before I got there.
I’m glad you had fun back here in the Bay Area. It is definitely true that all the lys here have distinctive “personalities.” Article Pract & Artfibers are 2 of my favorites and I think I’d go to Imagiknit more if it weren’t for the accessibility issues. Not very close to major transit and parking is a pain on Saturday mornings which is usually the only time I can go there.
My friend gets along really well with the owner of Imagiknit so I may be biased, but I wonder if the vibe you get is ’cause there’s a high turnover w/her sales staff especially in comparison to Article Pract & Artfibers.
And thanks to you, I’ve gotten back on the Monkey bandwagon w/some lgtwt STR after my aborted first attempt when cast on w/med wgt STR and ended up w/too big of a leg.
I am a former LYS owner (closed last year). My store was 28 years old when I closed it. I tried very hard to be as helpful and friendly to my customers as possible, but there are some stories I could tell you that would make your hair stand on end.
The vast majority of customers are wonderful people, but I had customers that made me want to run and hide when I saw them walk in the door. If some one new came in after I had to deal with one of them, I’m sure they didn’t get my best side.
Please remember, folks, yarn shop owners and staff are just humans They have bad days just like the rest of us and they get treated just as bad or worse as customers do.
it’s so interesting to see what personalities come out online in the blogosphere, especially in the comments. i’m always interested to see what you have to say and to see your latest creations. this creative community of ours is so great that we can express ourselves and get heard and converse, so to speak. some topics you could just talk about forever and a day and you still wouldn’t cover half of the issues…
can’t wait to see what the big reveal is…:o)
I think I feel the sting of a bad vibe in an LYS because I am so excited to be walking in there in the first place. I have an elevated expectation of a perfect experience before I even arrive.
My visits to the LYS are not like a visit to the butcher shop or a trip to lube the car during which I anticipate nothing but direct, efficient communication and order taking.
Sometimes in a YS I want to chat and gush over the yarns and needles and books and samples…(I could go on and on)
Sometimes I just want to be left alone to consider the possibilities or to be inspired from out of the blue.
So I usually just put “bad” vibe down to being what for me, at the moment is the wrong vibe.
Pure nasty rudeness is another thing altogether and I am with you – it translates into no sale whether I’m shopping for pork chops or an oil change or the fibre I covet the most at that moment.
I so agree with the people who have mentioned that the same store can give out different vibes at different times. There is a wonderful yarn shop not too far from me and there has only been one time when I felt a chilly sort of vibe. And that was a time when there was a class going on and the store was crowded and the salespeople were rushed.
There is another shop where the reception always seems chilly (it’s a high-end sort of shop) and I was about to scratch it off my list. And then I went in and had a marvelous experience.
So you just never know for sure, I guess, though I think there is a general sort of consistent vibe to shops.
I fully understand the vibe thing. I have been there too with a LYS.
Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for all the pretty colors.
Oh! Are you going to crochet that granny square afghan from interweave crochet from last year? Those colors perfectly remind me of it!!
are you opening your own yarn store? it THAT the big secret?
that looks like dream in colors wool. you aren’t making that Tulip baby cardigan are you?
oooh, either the mitered square blanket is done or there’s another large multicolored project in your future! can’t wait!
It’s either miters or babette!! Oh, but which one? I haven’t heard much about the knitted babette, though. ????
I think I live about 25 minutes southeast of you (exit 140 on the parkway). Can you *please* tell me where some of these million and one yarn stores are? There’s only one by me, and the vibe was so awful I even asked to be unsubscribed from their email list. Their response? “Sure, we have enough on our plate as it is.” I would love to see a friendly one in person.
I love Imagiknit the best of all yarn stores around me, and I like Article Pract. I don’t think Imagiknit has a vibe, I think it’s just the general SF vibe. You just gotta come by a couple of times before people warm up.
But ANYWAY – much more interesting than that, I wonder what your big reveal is going to be? Hmmm… more granny squares? Looks like some crazy colors you got there!
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who feels “the vibe”. I am pretty young (23) and I often feel like I’m not quite part of the group. In most cases the staff is nice, but sometimes it feels like they are only helping so that I’ll leave sooner. I DO go to yarn shops several times before I judge them because I’ve found that this varies largely based on the person working there. There is only one yarn store that I have ALWAYS felt welcome at, but I think that this is because the owner is the only one who works there and she is super friendly without being overbearing. I just love shopping there even though it is pretty small and over 100 miles from where I live. In my case I assume that this vibe is because I am young and most people think that I am inexperienced and only there for “trendy” yarn and projects (which is not even close to true) or that I don’t have the money to spend like many of the older customers (which is totally true). Either way though, if I have a choice, I’ll try to go to a given yarn store when I know that someone nice is working or just wait until I’m near the one that is always nice if I can.
Cara, the “vibe” thingy isn’t just yarn stores. That said; I used to get it every time I went into a LYS that was 30 miles away. I do not go into a store to have them tell me I do not knit correctly. I do not go into their store for them to tell me that if I would knit socks correctly (on double points instead of magic loop) I would be able to find the right size of needles. Since I have been knitting left-handed for 53 years JUST FINE I tend to get offended by some person telling me if I can’t or won’t knit right-handed like normal people, why bother? (I was in that store twice hunting 40 inch circs but never again: they are out of business!) Kay
Big reveal? Are you doing another mitered square blanket?! 🙂 I’ve gotten “the vibe” from one of the LYS’s in Dallas.. every single time I’ve gone in there. 🙁
PUH-LEASE don’t stop blogging!! A LYS is just that, a LYS!! Your blog is read all over the world and lots of us value your opinion since you KNIT so fabulously (QUALITY & QUANTITY). If on vacation, you visit a LYS and get a bad vibe there’s nothing wrong with stating it. IF I were the owner of store in question, and I “heard” you’d had a bad experience, I would have contacted you by now and apologized that you didn’t have a PLEASANT experience. Even NOBODY’s should be treated courteously – we don’t have to be gushed over – and apparently at that store you were just one of us. The people who run my favorite LYS don’t understand blogging but if it got back to them that someone people respected and listened to was somehow disappointed, I’m bettin’ they’d want to know how to contact them to apologize. I’m assuming that as of now no-one from that store has contacted you and you can bet they’re aware of it. ULTIMATELY, it’s how they treat their local customers that matters – they’re the ones who will be frequent flyers – but they need to know that how they treat the “new” person can make a difference with how they are perceived. SOME of them truly don’t CARE how they are perceived and maybe they don’t need any business from people they aren’t familiar with. I work in retail at a University and without students we could all go home BUT in order to stay in business there are things we can do for customers and things we can’t. I can’t say all my customers are ALWAYS happy but by gosh, we make an effort to make sure they all feel welcome when they come in the door.
Oh for fuck’s sake. I may have to rant a bit. So you didn’t enjoy your time at the yarn store. Okay….still not getting what the big deal is. You are totally allowed to not enjoy yourself and let other folks know about it. If someone says they don’t shop at Wally-World (you know who), because they don’t treat people well that person is celebrated! Others shop there because it’s all they can afford! So what? Bully for both of them. What the hell with this touchy-touchy, you didn’t say the right thing, how dare you not be smiling attitude in knit blogland right now? It’s knitting! It’s yarn! We all do this because we love it. Right? Right? I like your blog, and don’t think for a minute that you shouldn’t speak a fair, justified opinion.
I can’t believe people are giving you crap for writing about your impression of a shop you went into. You weren’t asking people to boycott the place, just that you got a less than friendly vibe there. If I am a customer it’s the job of the place I’m spending money at to make me happy. I’ve not returned to restaurants where I got awful service and if a LYS wants my money then it’s their job to make me feel welcome.
My LYS is the same way. I’ve been there countless times and have not once felt welcome. It’s horribly cliquish and I feel judged every time I go in there. Last time I wore a beautiful lace shawl I just finished working on and a couple of the women chatted with me about it but completely ignored the friend I came with even though she was sitting right next to me. Plus there was a lovely woman sitting across from us who talked loudly about her syphilis to some of the other women for a good 20 minutes. (Yes, I am totally serious.)
I got that ‘vibe’ on the first day and it hasn’t ever gone away. So now when I want to go to a yarn store I drive an extra 30 minutes and head to a much friendlier one where I have been greeted warmly every time and where the staff is always willing to chat.
i second Krista M’s sentiments. well said.
shame on some of y’all for getting on this poor girl’s back. this is her experience, not your insecurities/prejudices/whatever. sheesh.
haha I had to LOL that someone would accuse you of hurting someone’s business b/c of what you said on your blog, and THEN go on to say that you should temper your comments. Shout it loud and proud, yo! I believe that popularity brings an extra responsibility of being true – to yourself and to your readers…. not shy away from controversial topics. First Amendment Baby! Say it like you feel it!
Frankly, I get “that vibe” just about everywhere in San Francisco.
Cara, one of the best things about your blog is that you can be honest without being hurtful, and I think you did that in this situation. Thanks for always being real with us – that’s why we love you so much!
Oh, goodness. People… Well, you can add me to the list of people who do NOT fault you for writing your actual experiences.
So I am probably the one today’s post and the comments are aimed at. My apologies for any upset caused.
Another person seconding Krista M.’s comment. You know, if people associated with the store read your post, it might actually help them. They may not have realised that this vibe existed and will reconsider their approach for the future. Any sensible business person will welcome constructive criticism.
What Krista said.
All these balls of yarn in completely different colors! I can’t wait to see what this is…..As for the other stuff, at this point, the less that is said the better.
Oh, Geez Louise!
I completey agree you had a right to say what you said, in fact this is part of the reason we read your blog, so we can get someone with an opinion! As for the readers that said it may be just the day and they really are awesome, well check out the other comments. Many many people are saying they don’t like shopping there, maybe there is something in it! And for the others that said working with the public is so hard and therefore that gives them a right to be rude, well then don’t do it. I have worked with the public my whole career and yes it is hard but that is your job and if you can’t cut it then get a new one! You will have better days than others but there is never a good reason to be rude to customers because you are feeling frustrated. Keep saying what you are saying. LYS listen up, this is how knitters are feeling, this is what we want, give it to us and we will seek you out and support you, simple.
Well I hope a sociologist is taking note, the power of the Internet strikes again! I just briefly skimmed the “controversy” that erupted here over the past few days, and it really brings to light that blogs operate by thus far unexplored rules of communication. I had a similar experience a few weeks ago when I posted a criticism of a bed & breakfast on Tripadvisor, only to have the B&B owner write me a personal, slightly defensive e-mail. Although I stand by my Tripadvisor post, I was *so* surprised to have my impersonal Internet post come back at me in a most personal way. Very unsettling. I think we’re all just getting a little taste of the feelings that used to be reserved for professional Critics! Keep on bloggin’, you’ve done nothing wrong.
Just wanted to add my voice to your supporters- don’t stop blogging!
I work for a company that prides itself on providing excellent service to our customers, and one of the ‘pillars’ of the company mission is the idea of running to criticism…in other words, working hard to find out what you’re doing wrong so you can fix it, instead of reacting angrily and defensively when you are criticized. When I learned this during orientation, it was something of an “aha!” moment for me- and I wish more businesses and people, like so many of the LYS owners/employees who reacted negatively to your post, would embrace negative reviews like this as a chance to improve themselves or their service rather than a chance to vent. Obviously there are two sides to every story, people have bad days, etc., but you have given Imagiknits the chance to improve their service, and they should take it. Look at what happened when Grumperina (and others, can’t remember who) complained to Skacel about the blunt tips of Addi Turbos- they came out with a new, popular line of needles…they used it as a chance to improve their service.
It’s never easy or fun to put criticism out there, but the knitting world truly benefits from those of you who are willing to do so.
Exactly what Krista M & Kara said.
I’m delurking in anger because apparently its not acceptable to voice your honest opinion anymore! Please don’t stop being yourself and writing your own thoughts and experiences in YOUR blog.
And please don’t doubt that you were more than fair and not mean or vicious in any way.
And as for the vibe – I think ‘having a bad day’ is an excuse. Busy or not, some stores have a vibe. You can feel you are being judged as soon as you enter and its the most uncomfortable experience. I hate it and I appreciate your honesty.
OK now I have vented…Thank you
Cara, I am mostly a lurker, but I had to come out to say PLEASE DON’T STOP blogging. Your enthusiasm for things you love is infectious, and I love catching things from you…like jaywalkers and now monkey socks. For some reason the mitered blanket didn’t stick – whew – although I enjoyed yours. Of course your photographs are gorgeous works of art too.
I didn’t see anything mean spirited about your yarn shop review, and we all have encountered “the vibe” in all kinds of stores. I don’t think anything in your review would keep other knitters from checking out the store if they were in the area. Like you said, maybe you were having an off day – maybe they were. The fact that you bought a fair amount of yarn should have settled the issue. If you had really hated it, you would have left empty handed.
Not nasty, just honest! This is YOUR blog and you have every right to blog YOUR experiences!
It is ridiculous that people are giving you crap for posting your opinions about your experience. Please don’t let it get to you–it seems that the vast majority of us appreciate you sharing your opinions. I have actually been to Imagiknit once and had a good experience, but I understand that one person’s experience is not the same as another’s.
I recently had a person go crazy in my comments section about some a post from a year ago I made about unappetizing, and potentially dangerous, items being sold in Japanese bakeries–like you, with a lighthearted and humourous tone. (Bread with bacon and sunny-side up eggs, UNREFRIGERATED!) This person told me I had “no right” to say the things I said and started insulting the food safety situation in the US (even though I had said nothing about America in my post–I live in Japan!) Crazy, crazy. It’s so suprising what will get people’s panties in a bunch.
Awesome bag, by the way! You were lucky to find it on sale!
please don’t stop. Your blog is one of my most favourite. I know, you feel stung right now by those who have over reacted to your honest and, in my opinion, gentle comment on a vibe. Take a break, read all the wonderful encouragements, revel in your bright stash and then come back. We’ll be waiting for you. *hugs*
if you can actually believe that imagiknits vibe has IMPROVED, i’m sure you would be shocked. it has…it used to be even worse then it is now, like REAL BAD. i live a block from imagiknit & go there only when i need to (rather then just “hanging out” like i would if they were more friendly) and have an endless supply of patience + calm.
not sure when the yarn stored are going to catch on that their selling an expensive luxury, competing with huge, cheap stores + are easily effected by word-of-mouth as well as online reviews. would it kill ’em to smile?