You would think adding yarn to a website would be second nature after 18 years or so of doing it, but noooooo …..
Every single time I do something to the website, I either have to update or learn something new. It is not an easy process. The longest thing about adding the images for the Stonehedge Sheperd’s Wool Superwash was actually taking the pictures! Through a comedy of issues with the camera, including recharging batteries, broken stick-thing, and losing the white box, I finally just plopped the yarn down on the beige table cloth in the northwest window with the sun streaming through, and used my phone to take pictures. I did edit a few as far as lightening or brightening, most notably red and orange, but they are as close as I could get it. But then you throw in a different uncalibrated computer monitor and its all looking off again. So, anyways, if you look at the background of the yarns and they don’t look like a light beige, the color isn’t going to be exactly what you think it will be. The other thing that messes up color accuracy is the wonderful pin-drafting that happens to make these colors. There is a lot of depth in each color, take creamsicle for example, orange, white, yellow, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on ……
But, I had the pleasure of my grandchildren helping unbox and put the yarn on the rack. And caught a couple of cute pictures. Alexis wants a hat, and Jacob wants a gnome hat.
In upcoming posts, I’ll blog about the projects I’ve made so far, share reviews with you from customer’s projects, and share care and use tips — yes, this yarn is machine wash AND dry. I can’t wait for you to try it!
The product listings for the LK150 parts, tools and accessories have now been added to the Shopping pages. As I update inventory records, products will go from “backordered” to “in stock”. If you want to order something that is backordered, there may be a ten day to two week arrival time. We’re doing our best to restock all parts promptly every month. Thanks for your business!!! Lea-Ann
Hi, just a quick heads up to ClubKnit Free membership that I’m in the process of updating the website, membership and course areas so they are all contained under one program/login. I’ll send a message when I get it working so you can check it out.
As I get ready to announce the new knitalong (Fisher Lassie), I find myself needing, yes NEEDING, to declutter my space. I go through this process of shutting down, body, mind and spirit. And then I realize the clutter is contributing. What do I need to do? Clear The Clutter! Do you have that problem? What do you do about it?
Here’s what I’ve done:
clean off my desk. Only what I’m working on goes there. Oh wait . . . back that up . . . I get dressed!
Then I check in with my accountability group hangout.
then I work on the one thing I need to do on my desk.
Who am I trying to fool? LOL . . . . that’s wishful thinking. Here’s the actual scenario:
get coffee.
check facebook, email and instagram.
get more coffee, read on the Kindle app.
go the bathroom.
get more coffee, read some more.
remember I haven’t eaten yet.
go upstairs to my office and think about what I need to get done.
get more coffee……
Well, you get the picture, right? I might get dressed by 4:30, because I know Tom is coming home and he would be appalled that I’ve managed to move from my office (Tara’s old bedroom) to the living room several times a day without encountering anyone or needing to step foot outside and thereby living in some pajama pants I bought for the purpose of comfort. AHHHHH, there is the crux of the matter. I work solo now. I have no accountability. I have no purpose. I have no reason. I have no routine. After two years of giving myself time to dream, research the software that makes the backend of ClubKnit, and build the website, I’m having trouble moving into the “doing” phase.
What is the “doing” phase?
The “Doing” phase is the part of the program where I actually put things on the website for sale. Where I video myself knitting and teaching (without actually teaching anyone, just pretending). Where I follow through on the projects I’ve set out to knit. And here we are with the ideal schedule . . . .
get coffee (or green chai tea)
get dressed
blog about the day
shoot some video for the ClubKnit classes
work on the website
….encourage me friends! Tell me you want to knit, and learn, and read about knitting. Tell me that community is important AND participate in that community. . . . . I need you all to keep me going! I need to know that something I offer is of value and use to you.
Be Involved
Comment on this post and Tell me what you need!!! (someone to knit with? check-ins on your projects? new ideas? a place to ask a question? Perhaps a reminder not to drink so much coffee?)
Join our FREE ClubKnit community — I know its a roundabout way, but by “purchasing” the freebie on knittingtoday.com, everything works together automagically at clubknit.knittingtoday.com so you are registered, logged in, can see the blog posts, join the Forum discussion, and look at the classes I’m building. And, I can spend next month in Florida visiting my mother and not worry about everything working properly.
If anyone thinks I use too many “!!!!” and ” ……” well, I write the way I speak, with my hands … LOL. I hope to have an editor at some point in time, but right now you are stuck with me and my ! 🙂 — Lea-Ann
P.S. While thinking of this post and listening to Dave Ramsey, I threw away two garbage bags of “stuff” from my office. Expired price lists, small snippets of waste yarn, business magazines [which I read and tore out the parts that interest me]. I can finally walk to the project bins and get to the machine. I still have three bags of yarn to declutter, and the little pile of sample projects on the floor, but I feel energized!
P.P.S I think I’ll rename this blog “Life with Lea-Ann” — thoughts?
I finally found a website design I liked. I’ve spent the day trying to figure out how to get five columns across the bottom instead of 3 and a sidebar. Oh well! I’m also trying to figure out the best size for images. And, how do I get the sign up for the enews in the posts?? Wait, does this work?
Knitting Today ENews
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Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. If you don't receive it, please email lea-ann@knittingtoday.com and let me know!!! If you don't click the confirmation, you will not be added to the Enews.
Hi, our records show you've already signed up for the Enews, so we won't show the signup to you again. Have a browse around and see what's new in the Store or on the Blog.
Thanks for returning to Knitting Today's website!
Blog
After I get the home page set up, I have to work on the Blog page. It is duplicating the home page — what???? Why in the world is it not showing the posts?
I really hesitated to buy this theme because it hasn’t been updated in a couple of years, but I also knew I don’t have the capability of making my own theme as that has been what has kept me from publishing the past couple of years. So, I guess I’ll find a workaround and we’ll live with it until I have some money to hire a designer, right??
Shopping
Third thing that needs fixed is the product shopping area. I have so many pattern books, supplies and kits I need to get uploaded and ready for you to buy. But, right now, the LK150 is orderable, as is the Stormy Weather project. Yes!!! Success!!
I’ve been busy trying to figure out how to set up WooCommerce, Paypal, and other integrations on the e-commerce portion of the website. I finally have a product uploaded!!! Check it out under the SHOP link above. I even put links to the videos showing how to use it in the product description. Ignore the formatting (color, type, column width and placement) . . . take a look and let me know in the comments below what you think. What products would you like to see added? What categories should I have and place things under?
August 1 job: integrating weight-based shipping because who wants to be pay $6.50 for something that can be sent for $3.20???
Next Up: Finalize swatch of Stonehedge’s Superwash and decide if that’s the one for Fisher Lassie.
Twitter
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Website
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E-News
Groups/communities
Mailings
My dilemma ….. Where should it go? It used to be the www was all about email delivery. Now I’m not sure. I used to update the website, then send an enews announcing the update. Since my website has changed, it isn’t so easy to pop things on the front page. And it is quite easy to blog and facebook, but no so easy to get those formats to the enews and if you are reading the blog, then get an email for the same thing, isnt that annoying? Then, too, I think the expectation of what is in an enews is a little different now. It seems like its all about the sale, not the news. Since I’m restructuring everything and trying to figure out the best way of communicating, I though I’d ask….
Where do you expect to find information from Knitting Today? How do you want it delivered?
I’ve just updated the website with an “About Us” page. Hard to believe its been ten years at the store.
Tara’s been busy working on the Noni yarn packs page. Its not quite working yet, but she’ll figure it out. She had the Nomad, the Cinch, and a few others to do. She did say “Bettie Boop” is working though. And, I noticed we are restocked in the Rhythm Superwash for the Lilly blanket if that is something you’ve been waiting on.
A new yarn in the store is Stiletto. I’ve started a shawl with it. Chelsea, which is one of the Ravelry LYS download service patterns we now support. Doesn’t it match my blouse perfectly? I feel so springy working on it, even though we’re supposed to get six inches off snow tonight! This yarn would make a sock with a little glitz too. I’m not feeling the lurex on my hands but then, I am knitting on size 6 needles. I think if I don’t start a pair of socks, I might do a baby sweater in it. Wouldn’t that look great with a little Easter dress?
Frosty the snowman was a jolly ???? soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose And two eyes made out of coal.
Here’s the scoop: the picture above is copied into one of the products on the page related to the ???? word missing from the clue. If you search for that word, you’ll find a number of products you can click into to find the featured picture. It seems like it should be easy, but we try and make you click around just a little bit so you get to know our offerings and how the website works. Once you find the featured picture on the product page, you need to email that page URL to customerservice@knittingtoday.com. You’ll receive a reply back that you’ve been entered or a try-again if you aren’t quite there. While these clues seem fairly easy to us because we’re in the store day-in and day-out, I realize those who don’t know the products we carry might be having a little trouble. Feel free to email us (customerservice@knittingtoday.com) for clarification.
Come back again tomorrow after 9am est to get the next clue. Every time you email the answer, you are entered into a drawing for three Marie Mayhew Woolly patterns or projects (up to a $30 value).
P.S. While you’re busy clicking around, I (Lea-Ann) am working on installing a coupon module in the store and working on some of the design functionality, so don’t be surprised if things move around a little bit.
The projects include snowmen, santa, gingerbread men, ornaments, a nest, candy corn, and a penguin. The photo and the clue will give you a hint where these adorable projects will be hiding in our online store at https://knittingtoday.com
Once you find the page on the online store with the photo, email us at customerservice@knittingtoday.com, tell us what page you found it, and be entered in a drawing to win 3 Marie Mayhew patterns or products (up to a value of $30)!
The blog picture will be posted at 9 AM Eastern Time daily which gives you 24 hours to find the projects! You will receive a return email confirming your entry (although it won’t be immediate since we don’t check email 24/7).
Only one entry per day, but you can enter every day for more chances to win! Winner will be announced on December 19. Happy Hunting!
Once a day, starting December 12th and ending December 18th, we’ll post a photo along with a clue, on the blog at: 