The Sweat Shop.
There’s this running joke among my friends where everytime someone mentions “The Sweet Shop”, someone else will say “Oh, you mean ‘The Sweat Shop’?” Tease as they might, the DH, my friends and my family are always so supportive of my wacky ideas. When I first opened shop in September, Jen was one of the first to send me her congratulations and it’s a message I go back and read from time to time.
I can’t really say that I’m a one-woman dye/spin/design operation because I just couldn’t exist without the support of the people around me. From Glenda (also a knitter!) at the print shop who printed all my new yarn tags so I wouldn’t have to continue hand-trimming each and every one… to my bookkeeper who has worked through my exasperating pile of receipts to get things ready for my accountant… to Richard who re-skeined yarn pretty much every evening last week and tied the yarn tags… to Michelle who stayed up with us until about 10:30 pm on Sunday night helping us package the yarn orders for shipping on Monday. I owe her a really good beer.
If you bought yarn on Thursday, you’ll see the new tags… with the colourway written in Michelle’s delightful handwriting. I took the opportunity to print tags for some new base yarns too… so look for up to seven new base yarns (silks, silk and merino, kid mohair lace, yum yum yum…) coming to the shop in the next few weeks.
By the sweat of my brow, I am grateful everyday.
Beautiful new tag, very pretty!
It’s so much fun knitting with your superwash sock yarn, it’s really soft like you said, I like!
Soooo gorgeous!! I am drooling here!! Wish I could buy them all!!
I can’t wait for your next batch! I missed out the entire first round. =(
reading this post made me very happy! it’s wonderful when someone can blend what they love with what they do to make money. i know you still have a fulltime job, but it’s great to read about someone finding a way to evolve into doing what they love.
If only running your own business was as glamorous as we wish it would be. Gorgeous yarn and great tags!
Wow. What gorgeous yarn pyramids. sigh We’re going to need a countdown timer on the shop- Opening in 15 minutes and 31 seconds. Opening in 7 minutes and 41 seconds. Opening in 1 minute and 6 seconds. refresh Opening in… refresh Opening in… refresh YES! Credit Card at the Ready!
Oh my heavens! What is the name of the browny purpley lavender pinky mix colorway that your tag is attached to in the second photo?? Simply gorgeous!
Just stumbled across your blog and website. Gorgeous yarn, gorgeous colours! I’ve added you to my bloglines, I’ll be back.
i want to jump in that pile of yarn…naked. heh sorry. kid mohair coming soon too…damn you for making me covet.
OMG THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!! i wish i was getting some of that happiness. hahaa. drooooling
gorgeous! (I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with silk….)
Wow, that pile of yarns is so beautiful. I’m also looking forward to seeing the new base yarns!
I want to buy all those yarns! They are just so beautiful all together. The only problem… I don’t knit!
You are a strong woman to be able to give these up. I LOVE the colors.
I can’t wait to see your new yarn… and I’m so happy that your friends and family are so supportive. I think I’ll have to place another order when you have your new yarn up!
I love reading about the whole process. The dyeing, the spinning, the selling. It’s wonderful to see that you can actually keep funding your hobby with your beautiful craft.
Ahhhhhh, so that’s how you do it…lots of helping hands! Way to go!
My LYS owner and I were discussing your yarn on Monday. We’re both enamoured with it and wish the sweet/sweat shop could supply to the store.
Sigh.
Silk! Exciting!
The yarns are just gorgeous…I want 2 skeins of each color in my stash! The new tags go very well with the yarns
Congrats on your successes! Your yarns are so beautiful. I never managed to get to your shop early enough to order any. It’s very obvious that you put a lot of time and consideration in your work.
I just recently ordered from you and I love the colors. They are just as pretty in person as they are in your pics. Thanks to you and all your “Sweat Shop” elves!!
Your yarns are just beautiful! It’s fun to see them all piled up like that. Great job.
Those piles of yarn look so scrumptious that I could just eat them! Congratulations to you and all of your “sweat shop” helpers - I think you’re all doing a great job. Your yarns are always so beautiful, and I love checking the updates to your shop.
How do you make “Superwash sock yarn?”. I spin with Romney fleece what kinda fleece do you use to get “Superwash”. Probably a dumb question but im still learning lots.
When you say “commercially spun” you dont spin it?
I miss Easter Long weekend….Here is WA State the kids go to school on Good FRiday and Easter Monday…and My husband works Friday and Monday…the thing WA State celebrates is Easter Sunday… Different states do celebrate Good Friday….
Oh holy crap, is that not the most delisous pile of yarn ever? Seriously I am drooling over here. I just looked on your sweet shop and was wondering if the superwash sock yarn was something you spun? As someone who owns her own online shop I know what you mean about having everyone around you help. Friends and family have been a godsend to me too. I have been reading your blog for just a few weeks now, I started spinning and found you and couldn’t belive what you can do, it’s so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing information, wonderful pictures, and thoughts on your projects. Sorry this is so long, but I couldn’t find your email address on the side bar. I’m signed up for your newsletter now, so hopefully I can get in on the next big batch of lovelyness!
I could look at that photo for hours. Drooling, Li
Mmmm such beautiful colours! I love them all
Happy Easter xx
I have been reading your blog for a while now and have been drooling over the colors of your hand spun, handdyed yarn. Gorgeous! I have signed up for your newsletter and hope to purchase in the near future.
Just came here from Semaphoria and now I want to weep…those stacks o’yarn are so beautiful and none of it is coming to me.
This blog…link to your store…seriously bookmarked.
Your yarn is absolutely delicious!!
BTW, this is off-topic, but what happened with your TKGA Master I submission? I don’t see a post after you sent it off in 2005.
All those colors make me so happy!
Oh my goodness, the second picture…. I need that yarn. I am off to the shop to see if I can find the colorway. I must have it
(runs to get her wallet)
Wow!
And those are great tags.
Gorgeous stuff. Your new tags are so professional looking! Congratulations on your success.
HI your yarn looks wonderful - was waiting for your last message about new yarn in stock and missed it by a day — could’nt believe it was all gone -will wait for the next batch
pat
HI your yarn looks wonderful - was waiting for your last message about new yarn in stock and missed it by a day — could’nt believe it was all gone -will wait for the next batch
pat
Your stuff is making my mouth water. I want to crawl into the screen to pet your yarn! Wow. The colors are so yummy. I hope I visit again when you have some for sale! I’d love to make my first socks with your yarn.
As always such gorgeous yarns so beautifully photographed. The new tags are great! They add a nice touch.
Love the brown and pink color combo, it’s killer!
Looking good.
Congratulations on your success, and the new tags are great!