Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What a Week!

Did you know that we ship internationally?


Pick up one of our pattern
and join in for a knit along
or get help from me on a
project!
If you've been paying attention to Ravelry, Twitter, Facebook or Google+, you'd know that today begins the second week that Midwest Yarn's website has been up and running!  We had a great first week too.


Most of the yarn we ordered is in, as well as the pattern books that support the yarn lines we carry.  Just be aware that Noro will take a little bit longer to get in, as the supplier is backordered like crazy.  Noro yarns are hand spun and hand dyed in Japan from high quality materials.  They are then shipped out of one of the few ports that were not affected by last year's tsunami.  Because of the devastation from the tsunami, it takes can take a little longer to ship Noro yarns to the US.  At least a yarn like this is worth the wait!  Especially now that we've got the Knit Noro book available to order.


Findley Dappled
pattern book
now available!
We've also been searching like crazy for store fronts for the brick-and-mortar shop that would be open to the public.  I'm happy to announce that we've found what we've been looking for and should be signing a lease soon (keep your fingers and toes crossed).  Move in would be around the first week in May and we'd like to get the shop up and running within a few months' time.


Sabine booklet
now available!
In the interim, you'll see our ads on Ravelry and Talk to the Trees blog.  Head on over to the website and pick up some of the highest rated yarns available!  Your purchases go right into making more yarn lines available and the brick and mortar shop become a reality.  A brick and mortar shop means availability for classes and more!


Debbie Bliss
Rialto Family
As we continue online, feel free to suggest patterns or ideas on our social media sites for knit alongs, etc.  Get help from each other or myself on the Friends of Midwest Yarn Ravelry group, Facebook page, or Twitter (@midwestyarn).


If you don't see the colors or pattern book you need (limited to what is available by our suppliers), email me at orders@midwestyarn.com and I can place a special order for you.  In stock items usually ship within the next business day.


Debbie Bliss
Rialto Aran

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Open for Business!

As of today, February 22, 2012, Midwest Yarn is open for business!
Available for order now:
  • Ella Rae Classic Wool and Heathers
  • Ella Rae Lace Merino
  • Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled and Sabine
  • Clover Takumi Velvet Knitting Needles (DPNs, straight, and circulars)
  • Noro Silk Garden (Color - Royals)
Coming soon:
  • Crochet hooks and knitting accessories
  • Louisa Harding Nerissa, Ondine, Grace Hand Dyed, Grace Wool & Silk
  • Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo and Smiley Stripes
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran
Special orders can be placed for Ella Rae, Juniper Moon Farm, Louisa Harding, Sirdar, and Debbie Bliss. Email me at orders@midwestyarn.com for a special order request.

Don't forget coupon code WELCOME20 for 20% off your first order!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there!  As we get started, just know that we love all you needle crafters and hope that our Grand Opening will be a HUGE success.  Don't forget to spread the love and tell your friends about us. 

I was so happy that our knitting needles arrived!  Clover Takumi Velvet dpns, straight, and circular needles are all put away and ready to be shipped.  Some crochet hooks and other knitting accessories should be coming in next week as we get ready.

I have been working hard building the website, using Yahoo! and I'll be available for questions via email or phone as everything gets going.  I'm building and maintaining it myself to keep costs down.  We will be using PayPal to accept payment and you don't need a PayPal account to order from Midwest Yarn.  You will also be able to register an account with us, and your information will be protected by Yahoo! Security.

I'm trying to make the website as user-friendly as possible, including categories for yarn sorted by fiber, weight, and brand.  As we grow, the website will evolve with us.  So, make sure to tell us what works and what doesn't.  And don't worry, ordering online won't go away when a brick-and-mortar shop opens.

Shipping will be available via UPS (for US customers) and USPS (for international customers).  Orders over $50 to US customers will receive free shipping during our Grand Opening months (through August 2012).  Various other offers and savings will be offered throughout the year.

I also want to share an excerpt from my blog at Cherished Moments about this endeavor and my hopes for Midwest Yarn:

"I guess online yarn shops are somewhat taboo in the LYS industry.  I knew that, but I'm still plunging forward with the Midwest Yarn project.  I keep telling myself, 'You're not WEBS, not Yarn Market, you're Midwest Yarn.  You're online to raise capital for the brick-and-mortar shop.'  I'm hoping that this mantra will help me through the Grand Opening jitters.  This is a HUGE investment and I don't want to fail.  Small business profits go to feeding families, not paying for undeserved bonuses or padding the bank account.

I'll still be knitting, I'll still be designing, and at some point, maybe I'll be able to hire an assistant or bring on a business partner to allow me to be more involved in the industry.  My mission is to promote the longevity of needlecrafts like ours.  I don't want to step on any toes, I want to bring people my age and younger on board...

Let's get my generation and the next into the mix!"

With that being said, I'm committed to making Midwest Yarn successful, getting to know my customers, creating innovative ways to teach knit and crochet, and providing excellent customer service.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Grand Opening Update

The grand opening of Midwest Yarn is scheduled to take place on or before Monday, February 27, 2012.

Don't forget, you can enjoy 20% off your first order using coupon code WELCOME20.

Until then, tell your friends about Midwest Yarn, your online source for natural fiber and organic fiber yarn!

Monday, February 6, 2012

What We'll Carry

We're right on schedule to go live by the end of February!

I'm happy to report that our yarn and knitting needle orders have been made!  Some of the yarns I ordered are newer, meaning new lines or new colors so they will take longer to be stocked in the online shop.  Once we get a decent amount of stock in, we will go live!  But here's what you can expect to see coming soon:
  • Noro - Silk Garden and Silk Garden Lite (newer colors, so will take some time to get in).  Noro is a one-of-a-kind type of yarn.  Its lines have unique color combinations, making finished items like a work of art.
  • Louisa Harding - Ondine, Nerissa (new line), Grace Hand Dyed and Grace Silk & Wool. 
  • Sirdar - Baby Bamboo and Smiley Stripes.
  • Juniper Moon Farm - Findley Dappled and Sabine (both are new yarn lines).
  • Ella Rae - Classic Wool and Lace Merino.
  • Debbie Bliss - Rialto Aran.
We'll be sure to carry some of the books that support the yarn lines that we have coming in. 

The knitting needles are Clover.  All needles, including the circulars are bamboo.  The dpns are Takumi Velvet, an excellent bamboo dpn (have a set and LOVE them).  We'll be ordering crochet hooks soon, can't forget you crocheters out there!

I'm also starting what I call the "Wish List".  It'll be a list of the yarn lines I'd like to carry as we grow.  You can always leave comment on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Ravelry group for lines to add to the wishlist, which will be kept on the blog and updated as we get recommendations.

Check out Knitting Fever's website for free patterns and for a preview of what we'll have available (or to add items to the wish list).

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Welcome to Midwest Yarn!


We will post when our website is set to go live.  It should be up and running by mid to late February.  Until then our Ravelry ads will point you to the blog.
Welcome to the Midwest Yarn blog!  Midwest Yarn, a Cherished Moments company, is a small business operated out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My name is Melina and I am the proud owner of this wonderful yarn shop.  Over the past few years, I have been operating Cherished Moments, dreaming about the many different options available for needle artists when it comes to yarn.  And then it hit me, OPEN A YARN STORE!

Our goal is to provide the highest quality yarn to knitters and crocheters alike.  There's nothing like proudly wearing a handmade garment and feeling how soft and luxurious the yarn is.  We carefully select our yarns to make sure that we only stock lines made from natural fibers. Silks, wools, cotton, and their blends make wonderful fibers to work with. 

You may not see yarns from nylon, acrylic, or polyester, but you will see high end brands like Noro, Debbie Bliss, and more. We will also carry yarn made from organic fibers and are working to find spinners and dyers who would like to sell their natural fiber yarns as well.
 
To start we will carry some great new yarns and some favorites like:
  • Noro
  • Louisa Harding
  • Sirdar
  • Juniper Moon Farm
  • Ella Rae
  • Debbie Bliss 
We will do everything we can to provide excellent customer service, support for your projects, and a welcoming environment for yarn lovers everywhere. All the comforts of your local yarn shop without having to leave your home.

If you do love the atmosphere of your local yarn shop, don't worry!  My goal for Midwest Yarn is to also open a brick-and-mortar shop as soon as possible.  Until we reach that goal, check out what we have to offer and let us know how we're doing.

I will be using this blog to support other knitters and their projects, keep you updated with what's going on with our store, and offer you special deals.  For now, make sure you follow our blog.  Ravelry group (Friends of Midwest Yarn), blog, Facebook page, or Twitter (@midwestyarn) followers receive a 10% discount - more details to follow.

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL:


Enjoy 20% off your first order using the coupon code WELCOME20 at checkout. 

Otherwise, any order over $50 shipped in the US will receive free shipping.