I’ve had some lovely feedback recently. Two instances were messages showing me finished knitted items made from my patterns and both knitters were very pleased with what they had created.
The Fiery Dragon Skin Cowl was this knitter’s first knitting in the round. He has said that I can share that he is 62 and has been knitting for 2 years, taught by his 91-year-old Mum and that knitting has helped with his PTSD. I think this is going to be lovely and cosy when autumn comes around.
Menai on was knitted and modelled by Enid and she loves it. She has done a fabulous job with her two-colour brioche knitting and I love how her yarn choices match so well with the rest of her outfit too!
It’s so good to get feedback from customers and I treasure it when they’ve enjoyed a pattern. It gives me a real buzz at a yarn show whenever someone says “I bought this pattern from you last year and I loved it/it was really easy to follow/I learnt something new and now I’m going to buy another pattern”. This is what my lovely wife calls “Know, like, trust”.
Often, in the world we find ourselves in, people are quick to let you know if something isn’t right for them, or they can’t make it work, but they can be less quick to let you know when you are doing it right. I know I can be just as guilty of this as anyone else, so it’s especially touching when folk do take the trouble to get in touch with a success or a thanks.
Occasionally people have even left reviews on Payhip when it’s something they’ve bought from there and that’s really valuable to me as this feedback is visible to anyone who looks at that product page and will hopefully encourage others to make the purchase. Some examples of these are in the featured photo at the top of the post.
There are even whole designs that only exist due to customer feedback!
Sugar Loaf came about when knitters were disappointed that Honeybun cardigan was only sized up to Age 8. Sugar Loaf is the adult version and is sized to fit UK4 to UK42.
Heart in my Hands and Little Orme were originally only mitt designs. The matching hat and cowl to complete each set came about after a couple of customers wanting them – and now the hats are more popular than the mitts!
You may know that I always respond to emails and if it is an email expressing difficulty or confusion with a pattern I aim to respond quickly. I know it’s horrible when you’re working on something and become stuck with it and know you can’t do anything until the person you’ve reached out to for help responds.
I know that not all designers provide pattern support, but I do. This help can involve explaining something in a different way in an email, sending sketches or videos to show a technique, either specially recorded or a link to a video already on my youtube channel. If I’ve recorded something specifically for someone I usually then pop it on my youtube channel as well, as they may not be the only person to need that bit of help.
Some folk are really clear about what they’re finding tricky, others are less so and it can take a couple of emails before I understand what they’re actually asking, but we usually get there. Mostly, the final email from a knitter will then say something like “Yes! I get it now, thank you.” Sometimes I get complete radio silence after what I think was the reply that would really solve their problem. On these occasions I just have to tell myself that this probably means they’re now knitting away merrily.
There is, of course, a limit to how much help I can give. Once, a knitter wanted me to rewrite a whole garment pattern to include only their size! I had to politely decline, but I did do the first line of the pattern for them, to show how they could do this for themselves.
The other lovely feedback I’ve had this week was related to the music side of my life, one indirect and one direct, but both heart-warming. A positive comment on Facebook about the great sound made by the community choir I lead (last week’s rehearsal was in the centre of the shopping precinct so it was very public!), and a personal thanks from the music teacher of someone I’m working with.
On another note, the broad beans are hanging in there, just. They didn’t like the heat wave, but perked up after some watering. We need to get them planted out soon, but I’m not sure how long they’ll last in the ‘bad lands’ of the veg patch. I think the slugs and snails will find them quickly. I think I’ll be picking gooseberries and blackcurrants this week as well. Crumble and jam making season again!
You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned the utter madness going on in the world. This isn’t because I don’t care, but because I don’t know where to begin and feel somewhat helpless in the face of it all. Small businesses are getting criticised on social media for continuing to sell and promote their products at this time, but, as others have said there, we still need to pay the bills and no-one is criticising the big companies for advertising!
So, I’ll continue to promote that Rhiannon Hap Shawl is launching on Friday as a single pattern (you can still buy the four issues of The Knitter it was originally published in).
And if you want a tasty introductory discount code for it, sign up to my newsletter before tomorrow at 8am (British Summer Time)!
That’s all from me for today. Until next week, take care, keep knitting and share some feedback with people! K x
