As you all know I spent the weekend working at The Periwinkle Sheep. Like the rest of you I had spent a good deal of time in yarn shops but always as a customer. Let me just say that spending a collective 14 hours in a yarn shop was a dream. Really. And, I learned a lot.
The first day at any job causes some anxiety because you don't know what to expect and what is expected of you. Working at Periwinkle was also a special situation because Karin has decided to close up shop so she didn't have the need to invest in training me. I was just there to lend a hand and assist customers as best as I could. So, the first hour or so on the first day was a free for all. I spent it just touching everything to get acclimated. Looking through all the patterns, books, needles, gift items and of course the yarn. Everything. Now, I have spent a good deal of time sitting on the floor of a book store searching for a pattern that might catch my eye or in the *ahem* Lopi section of a yarn shop but when your job is to help others you just soak in all of it. There was no Spidey Filter engaged. I was dwelling in the world of yarn not just my yarn world. I'm not doing a good job of explaining it but there is a difference.
As a knitter I had no idea what level of inspiration this would provoke.
Lesson #1 after working in a yarn shop
I encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone, yarn wise and pattern wise, the next time you find yourself in a shop at least once. You may not end up finding something and you may end up finding a lot that you don't like but is beneficial to at least see what else is out there. I don't think I realized that I may have a "creative rut". Unconsciously I have a very set path I follow in yarn shops that leads me to the woolly wools and heavier stuff. Ask yourself if you have a set path. If you do, deviate a little, stop and smell the other proverbial yarn roses. You'll be surprised.
One thing I was truly unprepared for the first day which left me confused was the amount of people who came in without any idea what they wanted. I am not talking about indecisiveness or just in need of inspiration, I mean, who hasn't walked into a yarn shop just to be around the yarn and browse a little? These people needed to be told what to knit and what to knit it with. This made me very uncomfortable. I don't like being told what to do so I don't do it to other people. But, I encountered people who couldn't even answer the question, "What colors do you gravitate to?". No joke. Now, I want to be clear that I am not judging or insulting anyone. Everyone has days when they don't know what they want. I was just really surprised by this. So,
Lesson #2 after working in a yarn shop
If you are one of the people who hesitates or feels intimidated by the vast choices and limitless possibilities fiber provides you, all I can say is that I encourage you to let go of the fear. An article that Karin has hanging in her shop cites the #1 reason people learn to knit is for relaxation. So, when you walk in and you have no idea what you have gotten yourself in to, just take your time and learn the layout of a store. Touch things. Sit and look through patterns. Take your time. Figure out what calls to you then see if you can locate those things in the store. Ask for help. There shouldn't be fear because there is nothing you can do with yarn that you can't undo. Find your center of confidence and work from that place. Don't worry if you like neon orange and you fear you'll be judged as you place it on the counter. If you like it that's what counts. But, figure out what you like. That is where the joy and relaxation grows from.
I have heard many stories about witchy local yarn shop owners. Karin the owner of Periwinkle Sheep is, most definitely, not one of them. If you are lucky enough to have such a sweet and giving LYS owner please tell them that you appreciate their help. I can't tell you how many people started sentences with, "You're gonna have to help me..." You're gonna. Not "Can you" or "Would you be able to...". Cars come with warranties and repair stations. Not yarn. You don't expect a clothing store owner to come to your house and help you pick out an outfit in the morning. If you buy paint at an art supply store you are on your own in figuring out what to do with it unless sign up for a class or something. Again, I know we all need a helping hand every now and then but please don't just drop a sweater on the counter in pieces and say, "You said you'd seem this for me when I was done" in the middle of a big sale! LYS owners who provide help and pattern assistance do so out of their own generosity and kindness. So, if you happen to have one of these wonderful LYS owners...
Lesson #3 after working in a yarn shop
Thank your Local Yarn Shop owner today and be considerate of their time.
So, whatchy'all are waiting for is to see whether or not I chose Door #1 (a paycheck) or Door #2 (yarn) well...you're just gonna have to keep waiting because Karin asked me to work next weekend too so we're going to "settle up" then. I did manage to bring home a pair of addi's while there were some left (at 30% off I don't blame people for snatching them up!), a set of Brittany Short DP's size 7, and Karin threw in a ball of Noro Silk Garden :-) I also picked up a few sets of Brittany Short DP's for my friend, Aileen, who loves to work with them.
Oh, and
Lesson #4 after working in a yarn shop
Working in and around yarn all day and not having time to knit is equivalent to torture. So when I came home on Saturday night I ripped open my addi's and knit this hat. Furiously, with a leftover skein of Malabrigo I had. Knitting never felt so good.
