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KL
Permanent Resident
6041 Posts |
 Posted - 06/14/2005 : 11:55:38 PM
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| Umbaba and all of you who went to TNNA. How was it? What's new? Did you all meet for dinner? Tell all! KL |
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umbaba
Seriously Hooked
USA
693 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2005 : 08:36:15 AM
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Hmmm... where to start. Personally I went to some great classes - one on inventory control(80% of sales come from 20% of inventory) and technique classes on entrelac,intarsia,tubular cast on/off,knitting with beads(lily chin) and alternative closures(lily chin again). The classes were well organized and I liked the handouts and I got great teaching ideas.
On Friday evening was the fashion show (yummy linen layered ruffle skirt from Louet and cool sweaters from Classic Elite) and a gala reception with a chocolate fondue fountain, music and more chatting.
Saturday morning I went to the launch of the new yarn line by Lily Chin - there are not many yarns in the line yet but of course the pattern support and publicity support is great. Saturday night was an "event" called Sample It where you waited in a long line to go into an area where vendors had tables set up and you could actually buy samples of their wares (not sample sweaters) by the time I got in there were only two vendors left for LYSO and they were both knitting bags. The rest of the tables were stuff for needlepoint shops.
Sunday evening was the yarn group meeting and we voted financial support for a professional publicist(TNNA will be asked to contribute also) and there was a presentation by a woman who wants support to start a heritage archive and they thanked a bunch of people.
Now to the market-all the usual suspects had large multiple booth spaces and lovely displays. I had made 95% of my fall/winter orders already but I needed an Addi order and I was looking for cool new knitting bags and one more specialty yarn and anything that will replace NORO to free me from adding another distributor (after speaking with some folks that I had ordered from and looking at their whole line I also decided to return their yarn and not carry it but that is a different story).
I was happy on all accounts. I added four lines of knitting bags - one very inexpensive quilted tote, one edgy and very cool(Lexie Barnes), one perfectly made with drop-dead gorgeous fabris(Dancing Cat) and the last one was Namaste. This is a new company that make STYLISH bags in 4 versions that look like big purses - available in baby blue and pink, chamois color, brown and black. They also make pyrex knitting needles that I am going to use in a window display and needle sleeves and wraps. Young couple from California - these were very well-received.
I was also overjoyed to pick up two yarn lines - one is Claudia who makes a stunning hand-painted line using Louet Pearls (a favorite yarn for me) that is absolutely equivalent to KOIG__ in my opinion (and you can get it) and another was from the Fibre Company- they spin and dye three lines of yarns, one from exotic fibers, another saturated color range and a third that mimics plant dyes - this will be a winner in my shop as we also do natural plant dying. For NORO replacements - I picked a lovely new yarn from K1C2(ask your rep-shops also got a postcard in the mail before the show highlighting the yarn) and found out about another possibility.
I also met a new line of bamboo needles from China that seem to be excellent quality with a low price point. They have a US distribution point. Their company is an established family run operation in China.
Unfortunately I went to the Interweave Press reception where the KR folks were going to meet and got involved in a conversation about the Christmas gift section and I missed everyone for dinner (aauugghh) but then I went swimming and that was good too.
A few words about Columbus - hot, humid, nice people. It was 88 and very muggy at 7:15 am when I went out of the hotel to get my airport shuttle on Tuesday morning - cool Oregon felt good to return to.
The June show next year will be in Indianapolis because of a large LDS convention in Columbus at the same time.
Cheers!
...as soon as I finish this row
www.abundantyarn.com |
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KL
Permanent Resident
6041 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2005 : 5:19:21 PM
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Umbaba, thanks for the overview-especially the Noro business as we are looking for a replacement also, mainly due to horrible deliveries. We also carry Namaste and have done well with them. don't know if we will go for the 17's an19's tho as to I'm not too sure about the weight.
I'm going to follow up on some of the bag people you mentioned; some yarns also. Thanks again for the input. KL |
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KL
Permanent Resident
6041 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2005 : 5:22:16 PM
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| Umbaba- Forgot to ask- about the 80%/20%. Is it 20% of the kinds of yarns or the volume? KL |
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littleturtlemama
Chatty Knitter
100 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2005 : 6:22:47 PM
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thanks for the recap. I was dissapointed not to be able to schedule attending this year. I'd love to hear more about your opinion on the whole "heritage archive", as I've heard interesting points of view from a couple of others who were there.
Theresa, knit-at-home mama to AJ, Ethan, MacGregor & my biggest baby:
http://www.littleturtleknits.com
Random Musings from a Knitterly Mind: http://www.littleturtleknits.com/blog/ |
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umbaba
Seriously Hooked
USA
693 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2005 : 7:06:33 PM
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80% of your sales come from 20% of your yarn types and you can never be out of stock of them - the others you can order less regularly. It was all about tracking your inventory with a manual system so you build up the history you need to figure out what you average monthly sales are by yarn type. He also taught another class on POS systems and how to use all of the info that you get from these and how to make them really work for you.
Also KL - the 17 and 19 needles from Namaste are hollow but they have no little cap or anything (they could explode he said) I wonder if they sell? I was going to use them for display only as they are so pretty.
Also re: the heritage archive - Lily Chin in one of her classes said she had a knitting archive back to the 1910's (and maybe earlier) that she rents a lot of storage space for and uses for research on old techniques and patterns that she can use elements of.
...as soon as I finish this row
www.abundantyarn.com |
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modeknit
Warming Up
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 06:00:27 AM
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I was so disappointed not to attend TNNA this year, but I had been teaching the weekend before, and I'm away teaching the last two weekends in June and just couldn't do that to my family. Darn!
I read Cat's excellent review of the show and felt even more bereft that I was unable to make it!
quote:
Watch for the cover of Vogue Knitting's upcoming fall issue, featuring a garment that converts from a jacket to a shrug, worked in three colorways of Lorna's Laces.
That's mine! I'm so excited because I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the reception of this. I'm hoping perhaps the KR TNNA article will be edited so the designer is listed - I'm so proud!
It's my first time in VK in about 20 years - woohoo!
Annie Modesitt
Knit Designer / Craft Writer
annie@modeknit.com
http://www.modeknit.com
Confessions of a Knitting Heretic now in it's 5th printing!
http://www.knittingheretic.com |
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kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4129 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 07:06:07 AM
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I want to second Annie's commendation of Cat's review of TNNA. I felt I was there...I was envious I WASN"T there!...and I want all those new books! And the yarn too!
Congrats to Cat on a terrific review and congrats to Annie on her VK cover garment!
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
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PamS
Seriously Hooked
USA
943 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 09:26:00 AM
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That was a an excellent article by Cat. For us "custormers," Cat gave us a taste of what that weekend was all about. Many thanks for your time!
And, congrats to Annie. Can't wait to see the mag as I love Lorna Laces.
--PamS
Women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges. |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 10:12:29 AM
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Thanks for letting us know you were the designer, Annie! Cat made no mention of this, so I'll edit the article now.
And Cat, thank you again for writing such a vivid and passionate description of the weekend. Your enthusiasm is truly infectious!
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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littleturtlemama
Chatty Knitter
100 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 12:23:55 PM
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Cat's article was incredible. Definitely made me resolve to be there next year, ready to exhibit :)
And Annie, now I have to be the one to admit the green-eyed monster is rearing it's head at my desk today! Congrats on the VK cover!!! SO EXCITING!!
Theresa, knit-at-home mama to AJ, Ethan, MacGregor & my biggest baby:
http://www.littleturtleknits.com
Random Musings from a Knitterly Mind: http://www.littleturtleknits.com/blog/ |
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modeknit
Warming Up
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 12:30:30 PM
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It's it funny that sometimes when things are going well the green meanies come in to visit? Hmmm, makes me think at times I thrive better when I'm a little under the stone.
MORE WEIGHT!
And thanks SO MUCH Clara for making the change! It's very kind!
Annie Modesitt
Knit Designer / Craft Writer
annie@modeknit.com
http://www.modeknit.com
Confessions of a Knitting Heretic now in it's 5th printing!
http://www.knittingheretic.com |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 2:25:09 PM
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I thoroughly enjoyed the article too. Being a long-time admirer of Hanne Falkenburg's work, I just had to order a kit for her new design Mermaid!  Really nice!
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 2:34:24 PM
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I am also a huge fan of HF - and it was neat to see a picture of her too! That Mermaid sweater does look gorgeous, doesn't it?
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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lemons
Permanent Resident
1692 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2005 : 7:55:00 PM
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Mmmmm...more Modesitt AND another book from Sally Melville. I'm almost twitching at the idea!
lemons of mmmmmissouri |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 05:07:07 AM
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Wow! Fabulous report umbaba. Thanks. I am reeeeealy curious about substitutes for Noro (I have a visceral hatred for that yarn even though I adore the way it looks knit up - I think I was a slave in a japanese fiber factory in another life) and I'm fascinated about Koig__ type yarns and Lily Chinn label. Not surprised Annie came up with another fascinating design either.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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Two Sticks and a String
Permanent Resident
USA
1453 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 06:58:01 AM
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Umbaba - thanks for the great recap.
Annie - Congratulations!!! And best wishes in all your future endeavors.
Dorene
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away." -Unknown |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 06/17/2005 : 4:28:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Clara
I am also a huge fan of HF - and it was neat to see a picture of her too! That Mermaid sweater does look gorgeous, doesn't it?
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
Was that Hanne? I didn't realise that! I can't wait for my kit to come. It seems to embody the flow that I really like from Ballerina but is just that little bit more tailored.
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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happyneedles
Seriously Hooked
USA
848 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2005 : 03:40:35 AM
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I thought the Mermaid was nice-until I saw the Diva on the HF website. Now that one had me purring! Sue
~Knitting is a gift you give to yourself~ |
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CrazyforEwe
Chatty Knitter
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2005 : 05:50:26 AM
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Hi Annie,
At the ArtYarns booth I saw the corset top you designed and made from the luscious green handpainted silk. It was just stunning! I ordered lots of their yarn, and several copies of your pattern from them. Your desings are so innovative. Also, I just received my Touch Me order from Muench. I ordered extra bags of the chocolate brown color so that we can make your design from Wrap Style. Thanks for bringing such creativity into the world.
A bad day at the yarn shop is better than a great day at the office!
www.crazyforewe.com |
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Angelika
Chatty Knitter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2005 : 07:20:43 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by modeknit
quote:
Watch for the cover of Vogue Knitting's upcoming fall issue, featuring a garment that converts from a jacket to a shrug, worked in three colorways of Lorna's Laces.
That's mine! I'm so excited because I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the reception of this. I'm hoping perhaps the KR TNNA article will be edited so the designer is listed - I'm so proud!
It's my first time in VK in about 20 years - woohoo!
Yes !! Annie!! woohoo !!! I've seen the garment and am amazed at the ingenuity (sp??). Just awesome!! I suspect there'll be alot of demand for the yarn. I've already ordered in extra of the Grace Yarn which I don't normally get a demand for.
It's a "knock-your-socks-off" garment!! Many congrats!
Angelika
www.yarn-store.com
On the Southern Oregon Coast ! |
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