Sampler

I've been tossing around variations of this idea for ages, but I got a sudden impulse to just work up a sample (so to speak) over the weekend. I thought it would be nice for customers to be able to play around with the different yarns I dye before committing to larger projects, but at the same time, I couldn't resist the possiblity of doing a little more with it.

Here we have 10 yards of each of my wools and wool blends (I left off the super-luxury silk yarns for the time being) - merino in lace, fingering, sport, worsted, and aran; BFL in fingering, sport, and worsted, the three sock yarns (merino, BFL, cashmere-merino), merino-silk, Merino Whisper, and Cruiser:

I think I'd probably do 15 yds of each for the actual sample pack - a little more manageable, and would work out to a little over 100 gms of yarn in total.  Enough to swatch, fondle, play with, or.....

Make something.

 
What do you think?  Is there interest in something like this?  I think I'd price it around $25.  I could do mini skeins or mini balls (all labelled of course), though I think the mini balls are actually easier to handle on the receiving end. Although the concept of a feather and fan cowl is hardly original, the stitch does a fabulous job of mixing up varying colours and gauges, and I could include a wee pattern for this cowl version. Comments and/or further ideas would be gratefully received!

Comments

[Cyndi in BC]

I love it! The cowl is a perfect idea for that. I'd probably buy two or three packs from you. My granddaughters would love this.

[Linda M]

I'd buy one with the cowl pattern and make the cowl, I love the dark rich tones that anchor your colors. They give the cowl depth and substance. the cowl and hat together look great.

[Janet]

I love this idea, even without the pattern! I am imagining some sort of entrelac scarf conveniently located next to the computer, like a yarn cheat sheet.

[Pam]

I love this idea -- but also wonder if it's worth your trouble?

The cowl is cool.

[sarah-marie]

This reminds me of the Tulip Sweater kits of Dream in Color that one can purchase. They're very popular. My mom got me such a kit, sans pattern, because she knew I would want to make small mathematical objects with the yarn instead.

I would want one of your sample packs for essentially the same reason! It would give me a chance to try all the different yarns and use them productively (even in such small amounts). However, I must say I'm not very fond of the particular color spread on the sample pack shown in this post; only about 1/3 of the colors are to my liking.

Also, I share Pam's question as to whether creating such sample packs would be worth the work you'd put into them.

[Tara]

What a great idea. I've often wondered what all of the yarns you have are like, but haven't wanted to order them all. Colours are sort of important, but I'm more curious about the feel of them all.

[Katty B]

I would most definitely be interested in a sampler! I've been drooling over your beautiful colors for about a year now. Many of the colorways you do have literally taken my breath away. Your yarn-artistry inspires me to find the perfect project to show off your talent. :)

[Carissa]

I would definitely buy one! Love your yarn and this is a perfect way to test them all out :)

[Heather]

I love the idea of a sampler. I'm thinking that I would maybe be interested in slightly more yardage in fewer colors, either in the same family or complementary. Is this too complicated? I saw someone's sock club that was doing 100yds of 4 different colors, in 2-3 colorways. I like the idea that I would have enough for a finished product if I wanted to do more than swatch.

[Jen]

I would certainly buy a sample pack like that (and one for someone else).
The cowl shows off the colours beautifully.

[Natalie]

If you do a sock sampler, I'll be all over it! Stripey socks that would go with anything!

[margot]

Love it and want it!

[Lee]

I would love it. And I like the cowl pattern. I'd be willing to pay for that, too.

[Erica]

I love the idea of a sampler, but I think in reality I'd be more likely to put the $25 towards a sweater pack, assuming that I ever make it to the shop before they disappear. (I'll get one sooner or later...)

So yes, cool idea. Would I buy one? Not sure. I think I'm more likely to just trust your yarn selection and go in for a big project when the time is right.

[Marie]

There must be a market for that kind of thing - yesterday I saw at the Schoolhouse Press website what they call a Shetland Sampler that costs $900.00 for the full range of one company's colours - one full ball of each of the whole shade card!

[knitography]

Awesome idea! One of the things that makes me hesitant about ordering unfamiliar yarns online is the inability to reach through the screen and squoosh them. A reasonable priced sampler pack (and I think $25 is reasonable) is a perfect solution!

[Cheryl]

This is a nice idea. My problem is that I would want more control over the colors, so maybe a variety of analagous colors. I love hand-dyed yarns, but I'm discovering that for actually making a pattern, I would want say - blues and greens, or reds and oranges, or browns, or blacks and greys.

[Trista]

Love it and I would probably buy one- I'd like the pattern too. I have sampled some of your yarns and really love them, but this would make me feel really knowledgeable! Maybe you could put together different colorways, or you could make them surprise color mixes- you get what you get.

[Kathy C]

Count me in!

[evalyn]

I do love this idea. I have wanted to try you yarns but couldn't bring myself to committ to the quantity and the money. A little kit with a pattern for $25 is a great! When can I get one?

[Sandra]

I think you're on to something. I've never cared about cowls until seeing feather and fan knit up in all your yarn bases. That pattern show off all the colors so beautifully. You'd really need to think about whether it's worth your while or not though to do samplers. But from my standpoint, I love the idea.

[adrienne]

I love the cowl, and I'd love to buy a sampler. It's gorgeous, but also a great way to try different bases.

(as well as break out of colour ruts!)

[Jenny]

I would definitely buy that . I like your yarn, but have only ordered one type, so it would be great to "fondle".

[Ros]

I like the idea but admit to being in favour of being able to select the colours a bit more. There are some colours in the mix as shown that I never ever buy as they don't fit anywhere in my colour palette (such as yellow-based colours - make me look ill!). Not sure whether having to create tonal palettes for your sampler would cause you too much of a hedache though??

[mizkathychin]

I wish that the comments had "agree" buttons. I don't have anything new to say but want to weigh in with a big old "Yes please!" to a sampler. I have been hesitating about ordering yarn only because I want to squish first. Also, I agree with having a selection of colours vs. only one colourway.