Times are tough!

It's been just over a year since the virtual doors of YarnSoft opened...and what a year and a bit it has been!
 My decision to open my own business came  from a long period of unresolved stress, mostly experienced in my job at the time.  Being self-employed has its own set of stresses, not the least being the the worry of not having enough money to pay the bills.

I am now in the position where the mistakes of the past have returned to bite.  When I started buying stock, I wanted to have a broad range of yarns, rather than just a few.    I knew who my ideal customer was, but I wasn't sure just what they wanted to buy straight away.  I knew that most people like natural fibres but can't afford to spend top dollar on a single ball, so I tried to keep the variety broad and the prices reasonable.

My biggest problem has been buying in too much stock too early.  This has left me with some large bills that I just can't clear quickly enough for my creditors.  Until the bills are paid, I can't order in new stock.  I find myself constantly juggling my accounts, and have gone back to work outside the business to try and stay afloat.  Money is still an issue, but more frustrating is the lack of time I now have to enjoy my business...very annoying!

Enough of the sob story!  I can see that the only way to get through the next few months and keep the business viable for the next Australian knitting season I need to shed as much stock as I can.  And the only way I can do this is reduce reduce reduce!  I've marked everything on the site at 50% off and this will remain until I have managed to get on top of the accounts.  The sale will start on Monday 23 January 2012.

Do feel free to contact me to check stock levels.  I add the quantity to the title of each item, but if I don't get time to update this manually, an order might go through for a quantity that I don't have.  If this does happen to anyone, I'll do my best to get the complete order to you, or offer a complete refund.

So, if you can stick with me through this tough time, I'm sure YarnSoft will continue to give you as much lovely soft affordable yarn as you can fit in your house!

Surf on over to YarnSoft to see what bargains can be had!  If you have any questions, you can contact me here.

Six reasons why knitting is good for you and good for the world!

Knitting, crocheting and crafting in general is no longer the necessity it once was.  From the days when everyone wore handknitted clothes on a daily basis, knitting and crochet is now a lifestyle choice.

Here are six ways that I can think of to bring these crafts back into every day life and maybe even do our bit to save the planet -

1             Knitting is a form of slow living.  You have to keep at it to see results but the joy of watching a garment unfold and grow is pretty special.  Of course not all knitting is this captivating!  Just make sure that nearly everything you knit is because you just can’t NOT knit it.

2             A loved hand-knitted garment is more likely to be worn for years than a mass produced garment.  In general, we knit to please our tastes, not blindly follow fashion.  I have a jumper that I knitted over 10 years ago.  It is my winter cover-up jumper which does the job of a dressing gown/blanket beautifully!  I’m lucky to live in a climate that doesn’t get freezing cold in winter, so wearing a woolly jumper and socks means I don’t have to have a heater on.

3             If you buy locally produced yarns, you are not only supporting local businesses, but you are also reducing the effects that production has on the environment.  Reducing the need for transport/large scale manufacturing etc is a great way to reduce our carbon footprint, while supporting the small business and retail sectors.  Even buying commercially produced yarn that is mostly sourced and manufactured in your country makes a difference.

 

         4  Learn to spin!  Buy locally sourced fleece, spin it up yourself and make a huge contribution to saving the world!  While you're at it, dip your creative feet into dyeing so you have created the whole package.

                   5  Teach your children/grandchildren/neighbours children to knit/crochet.  Passing on the skill keeps it alive and fresh.  Just look at what people make from yarn…knitting and crocheting is a great way to keep up with fashion trends.

         6    Knitting is a form of stress relief.  If you are not the type of person who can relax while running or exercising, maybe knitting is what you need.  The slow, rhythmic movements allow you to become lost in the stitches and give your stressed brain time to relax and repair.

What are some other benefits to you and the environment?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.