Puppet Scarves

After an extremely busy holiday season I suddenly have a ton of baby and children crochet projects to work on. Spring has sprung early and I don't even get a break! Again, I shouldn't complain. 

Red Heart's Puppet Scarf Pattern - Free!

I finished a couple of baby beanies, which inspired two more friends to want them for their friends' babies. On top of that I'm trying to get baby booties and a baby blanket done for a coworker who's having a baby in March. 

However, my favorite project right now is the puppet scarves I'm making for Drew's nieces and nephew. I'm altering a free pattern from Red Heart and I'm using Stitch Nation's Bamboo Ewe yarn. I'll post photos when I finish :)

Next I need to work on my scarves for the Special Olympics before I miss all the deadlines. AND the 2012 Waverly for Bernat Crochet-Along and Knit-Along is coming up on February 15! Whew! I need to get on it! 

Oh and February 23-26 is Stitches West 2012 in Santa Clara -- yarn galore! I can't wait :)

First Sale: Lessons Learned

Sometimes, most times, the only way to learn is to do. That said, it's great that the first two sales from my Presque Isle Etsy store were made to my mom and my good friend Andi.

Lessons learned:

1. Followup emails are necessary. First I need to put together an email that lets customers know I got their order and will be shipping their purchase soon. Then I need an email that tells them I've shipped their purchase. I got away with not doing it this time because I speak to my mom and my friend Andi every day--they know I got the order and they know exactly when I sent it. 
2. I need a logo. I thought I could get away with not having one... until I wanted to create my hang tags to send with my beanies. Suddenly I realized how bland they were without a logo.
3. PayPal charges a fee for sales. It's a tiny percentage, but it helps to know that when you're trying to figure out what your net profit is going to be.
   
4. Invoices are the easy part. I usually hate Microsoft Word, but their templates are very helpful.
5. A Thank-You-Please-Come-Again postcard would be nice. Something to include in my shipment. Something that says thanks for buying from me. Hope you enjoy your purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about your purchase. Oh, and I do custom orders if you want matching gloves or a scarf to go with your beanie!
6. Stamps.com is essential. It's the easiest way to create and print mailing labels with postage.
7. Packaging is important. Right before I put my first beanie in the envelop made of and stuffed with recycled materials, I realized that if this package was left on a doorstop where it was raining or snowing, the beanie would be soaked right through the package. So I bought some Dupont Tyvek envelops to wrap the beanie in before I put it in the recycled package. Not the most earth-friendly, but I plan on fixing that for my next shipment.
8. I need a scale (or at least set up a chart with approximate weights for my average shipments). I used the scale in the mail room at my day-job to figure out the weight of my first package. Turns out I may not have to charge as much for shipping as I originally thought.

I'm sure I'll be learning a lot more in the months to come. But until I build up inventory, I think I'll probably be more occupied with holiday gifts for my friends and family than sales from my Etsy store.

Presque Isle has launched!

Finally! After months of crocheting, writing, organizing, and picture taking the Presque Isle shop on Etsy.com is open for business.

I'm sure some people expect a ton of responses and loads of orders the moment their store opens, but honestly, I'm happy to have a slow start. I need to work out the kinks before people start ordering things.

The CIRRUS beanie in gray and teal.

My friend Andi ordered a CIRRUS beanie from me and I still need to sew the label in, make the hang tag, and craft my follow up emails. She also requested a pair of gloves to match the beanie, and gave me some great advice on promoting custom orders in my receipts and thank you messages.

I have so much to learn!

For example, I didn't think I'd really need a logo, but as I create the hang tags I realize a logo would be a nice sign-off. So now I'm figuring out if I want to design one on my own or get my designer BF to do it for me :)

Anyway, check out Presque Isle when you have a chance and let me know what you think!

Cumulus Beanie Pattern Redux

"Cumulus" beanie in peach.

Finally figured out the pattern I made up for my Cumulus Beanie. I'm not sure I got it exactly right because increasing a cluster stitch can get a little complicated.

However, the beanie fits well and looks how I wanted it to, so as far as I'm concerned it's mission accomplished.

Now I get to try writing out the pattern. It will be the first pattern I've ever written and I'm not sure I can get it to the point where I could share it with other crafters and have them understand it, but I shall do my best.

I guess this is the learning process when it comes to designing your own pieces. Next time I'm going to write everything down as I go--even if it only makes sense to me ;)

Recognizing a pattern

Finding stitches I like and working them into a circle for beanies can be a bit of a pain--at least for me. Especially if I'm working with a cluster stitch or some other stitch that is built out over several stitches. The crux is figuring out the increases. (If anyone has any tips or tricks I'll take them!)

Worse than that, however, is a month later trying to remember the pattern I successfully completed, but never wrote down. For example, the pattern I developed for my Cumulus beanie was formed mostly with a simple cluster stitch crocheted together over three single stitches, but I couldn't remember how I got the hat started!

I worked on trying to remember the sequence for a couple hours--and frogged a lot of tests--before I remembered I started the first three rows with half double stitches; which are easy to increase. Unfortunately, the a-ha moment hit at almost midnight, and I have a day job.

So, I wrote myself a couple notes and tonight I will endeavor to re-create the Cumulus in a different color.  Wish me luck!