In the last fortnight, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.  Two weeks ago, I asked you all for suggestions as we made our plans for 2014.  And earlier this week, I invited your comments as your entry to win a place on the new Swatch Like You Mean It course.

Both times, a direct request for quick feedback and, both times, you guys blew us away.  The first time I asked, your emails came in like a deluge — so thick and so fast that Jill (who sees all the emails first) suddenly said, “What is going ON?!?” (I’d written that post in a burst of last-minute inspiration and totally forgot to tell her to expect your emails.  Oooops!).

And the second time I asked, you guys replied with literally hundreds of comments within a couple of hours.  It was amazing to watch!  And I know it’s given Mel a ton of wonderful information that she can use to help you overcome your hurdles to swatching.

So the valuable lesson?  For as much as it might feel like the most important thing in running a hand-dyeing business is the dyeing… the truth is that the real most important thing is a great Community.  And that’s so more than just having people who buy yarn.  That’s having wonderful people who come together o make a KAL supportive and fun; it’s what makes a yarn show great because I finally get to meet so many customers in person; it’s the supportive and helpful posts on Ravelry whenever anyone has a question or needs assistance.  A great community is truly an amazing thing.

And there was a second lesson too.  When I have a question, I should…  just ask you.

So Here’s a Question…

I have a little dilemma.  You see that gradient kit below?  The one that morphs from that fabulous yellow into gray into lavender?  Yeah, I’m totally in love with it, but I can’t for the life of me think of a name for it.  There’s two of those kits sitting in the shop right now with no name (seriously!).  People will think I’ve gone mad.

So here’s my question: what would you call that gradient colourway?  Leave your answers in the comments (or just hit ‘reply’ if you’re reading this by email).  I’m totally stuck and I’d really appreciate your ideas!

Limited Edition Colourways

You guys already know that the Mini-Skeins are my opportunity to really explore colour and experiment with new ideas.  See those Mini-Skein bundles up at the top?  They were the Multicolour Mix for October, November, and December — and there were three colourways in there that I just knew I wanted to dye again.

Sooooo…I’ve decided I will!  Just for fun, and for two weeks only (17 – 31 Jan), I’m offering these three colourways for custom dyeing on:

• Celeste (3ply fingering, 490 yds)
• Lucina (sparkly fingering, 430 yds), and
• Lyra (cable plied sport, 270 yds)

If you love these colours as much as I do, click here to grab your skeins!  I can’t wait to see which of these three is your favourite…