So far I've focused on fingering weight yarns for the Club, with the idea being that each skein is so versatile that the possibilities are really endless. However I'm thinking that next year we'll branch out and feature a different TFA yarn base each month, so you'd get to sample 6 different bases throughout the year. Pretty cool right?
I'd really love to hear your thoughts on this. Would you like to see a more diverse yarn Club, or do you like the versatility of fingering weight skeins? Are the patterns a deal breaker for you, or would you be interested in a yarn only Club? If you do want patterns, must they be printed, or would you prefer to receive digital copies? And what about price point, so far I've done my best to keep the price down by focussing on more affordable bases (mainly blue label) but by diversifying and including more expensive yarns (like Orange Label, Pink Label and Silver Label) I'd have to increase the price.
All ideas, suggestions, opinions are welcome! I really need your help!
Oh, and I should mention, I have considered running two Clubs simultaneously, however I'm pretty confident that it's more than I could manage... I've got other ideas about how to make more one of a kind skeins and patterns available but for now I'm focussing on one Club at a time.
Looking forward to hearing what you all think!
Pretty yarn shot!
This is the first year that I've participated in your club and I am really enjoying it so far. As I've received your pkgs I have been thinking to myself that it would be nice if you included other yarn weights. So, it's like you've been reading my mind. I LOVE that the patterns are included. I would not mind a higher price to include maybe one project with a more expensive yarn - so luxurious. Maybe one way of feeling your way into a 2nd club (and whether or not it would be too much work) would be to have 2 levels of the same club with one having one mailing that for the 2nd level would be one of the more expensive yarns. You could have 2 different patterns for the 2 different yarns or, maybe even the same pattern for the 2 yarns.
ReplyDeleteAnhow, those are my thoughts. Hope they help a bit. And, keep those pkgs coming :-). LOVE THEM.
I have been saving up to do the TFA club next year; I am mostly excited about the colours, and not so much the specific yarn bases or patterns. I would be quite contented without patterns! But I agree with Anon. that I would be willing to pay a higher price to get maybe one base that is more luxurious. I don't use luxury yarns all that often, though, so luxury bases would not be a priority for me. Just colour!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Tanis! I would definitely sign up to try the different bases (knowing they're a different price point) - excellent idea! While I adore the thrill of receiving a pattern, I wouldn't say that patterns are a "deal breaker" for me. And digital patterns are excellent :)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitively excited by the idea of a club using different yarn bases! And I have to admit that I'd be sad to see patterns disappeared: to me, it's nice to receive a pattern that had been thought with a specific yarn in mind, it's a great source of inspiration (even if I didn't yet knit a skein from this year club using its companion pattern...) and you can't feel like you're receiving a skein without knowing what to do with it (meaning: no excuse to have this skein ending up in a storage bin while waiting for "The Perfect Pattern"). To me, digital patterns are better (let's save some trees!), the best being if they can be linked directly to my Ravelry Library.
ReplyDeleteIn any cases, I already requested my Christmas present to be the TFA Year in Colour 2013, wahtever the form it will be ;)
i love the idea of getting different yarn weights and bases- maybe even enough for sweaters of something (a girl can dream). and the pattern support is definitly a bonus. i know it will make things more expensive, so i'll ask for it for a holiday present (as Cecile stated above). if you were to offer maybe a bonus sweater/garment pattern in the middle and then people could pay a little extra to fill out a yarn kit that may be an option. it could coordinate with whatever else you are offering. anyway- i'm glad your club is such a success! good luck!
ReplyDelete-dunikits on rav
A club with different bases is an awesome idea!! I loved being in your first Year in Colour club but did not sign up again because my stash of fingering weight yarn is spilling out of the closet.
ReplyDeletePatterns are not a "deal breaker" for me. Perhaps you could offer an option with and without patterns.
I would definitely pay more to try your luxury bases. Can't wait to see what you come up with!!
I love the idea of different bases and would be out with a more expensive price to include nicer bases. I absolutely love getting a pattern with the yarn so not getting a pattern would be a bit of deal killer for me as then I would end up with random skeins of yarn and not know what to do with it. I think I would prefer a digital copy of the pattern but it doesn't really matter to me either way.
ReplyDeleteReally I'm good with what ever,the thrill of waiting to see what comes in the mail.I think that once you startto mix the yarns up no one will want to go back.
ReplyDeleteI like the patterens but if its better for you to send by
e-mail/Raverly that is OK also.
Not that I spin but maybe a yarn and fleece club???? I would imagine (and about to get proven wrong) that you would sell less fleece so you could see what it is like for work load and maybe latter in the year run a half club.
Sandra
TFC Year in Colour 2013 is going to a Christmas present to myself. I'm willing to pay for luxury bases and fingering weight is my favourite; a reasonable amount of knitting with a significant finished piece. Electronic patterns are definitely my preference. I download them into Good Reader so that I always have a library of patterns when I travel. My first Tanis Fibre yarn was a souvenir purchase in Winnipeg. As long as the price is less than $300, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see an "all weights" club, and yes, a "yarn only" option too. Digital patterns are also a great alternative, as I rarely use the print versions (I like to have the digital on my iPad).
ReplyDeletecheers
Ursa
I really like the idea of digital patterns as well as seeing "yarn only" and/or "pattern only" options. Personally I don't know if I'd go for an all-bases club, I find myself using mostly fingering, lace and sometimes dk weight yarn and I don't know if I would pay extra to get a club that might not end up shipping yarn I use regularly for the majority of it.
ReplyDeleteI have loved every pattern so far (been in the clubs since the beginning) and would probably hesitate to sign up if it was just for skeins of yarn. I could always find a pattern for them, yes, but they would just pile up and probably get lost in my "some day" stash. I print off patterns from my computer because I like a paper version to make notes on, so I would be a bit disappointed in seeing digital copies only. I understand this is an extra cost to you though, so it is only a minor disappointment because of how I prefer to work.
ReplyDeleteI am partial to fingering weight because it is versitile and would be open to other weights if there was enough yarn for a project. I wouldn't want to receive a single skein of worsted weight because I would only have a few narrow options for it right now. I have yet to complete a colorwork project and again, that skein would sit until some day. (Really trying hard not to have a huge stash pile up in my home. I buy project specific and not just to buy yarn.)
I do like the idea of introducing your other fingering bases to the club. I really liked the feel of the yarn from March's shipment and would like to see that base again. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more to have that happen.
It's already in my budget to join again for 2013, but if you do make significant changes, I may reassess that. I love your yarn and the colors you dye up. I hope that if changes are made, they are clearly laid out beforehand.
This is my second year in your club, and at this stage I would probably not re-up for a 3rd year if everything stayed the same. Mostly because I have way too much fingering weight yarn, and at this stage I haven't knit any of the patterns (only 2 out of 9 have been of interest). I'm just as happy to order your Blue Label off the shelf (so to speak) as I am to get a club of Blue Label.
ReplyDeleteHowever, with digital (Rav Download) patterns, or no patterns, more yarn variety (weights, luxury or workhorse)I may be more intrigued. Getting OOAK bases and colors is really neat in a club, and in that case having a pattern designed for the yarn would be helpful.
Your yarns are all about the colour and pattern combination. I appreciate the quality colour printed patterns which come as a "extra" bonus. I like the fingering weight but I also like to try an occasional new yarn.
ReplyDeleteI think it's key to keep the price where it is. It is a pretty expensive gift as it is now and I want to continue to get it.
Key point here - colour, colour, colour.
This is the second year in a row that I have been a part of your yarn club and I love it just the way it is! However, if you would like to make changes I would be excited to try out some new bases. Unfortunately, a significant increase in price might put the yarn club out of my reach for now.
ReplyDeleteI adore the patterns and love how the designs are coordinated with the color of the yarn. I think the club would lose a lot of charm if you discontinued patterns completely. I would be happy with a digital pattern though as I prefer using my iPad for patterns than printed sheets. I've been meaning to go back and scan the previous patterns from the club into my computer for safe-keeping. Hope this helps!
It would be fun to try a variety of yarn bases...that sounds like an awesome idea. I look forward to getting a pattern each time and I prefer getting a printed project.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I have been in the club and I love it. I think it would be even better if it included a bigger variety of your yarn bases. I would be ok with paying more for a bigger variety of yarns. I like that a pattern is included with the yarn. I would be happy with either a digital or print copy.
ReplyDeleteThis my first year in the TFA club and I enjoy opening each parcel to discover a new yarn and pattern. I have knit the pattern each time with the corresponding yarn and appreciate a suggested item for each skein so they don't end up in my stash. I would be interested in other yarn weights if that is the route you take but the most important feature I think is the anticipation of the next yarn colour each time.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it last year, and if I didn't join this year is not because of anything you could have done differently! A girl must choose sometimes! I would love to see different bases, and would be willing to pay more, although I would love to b able to pay per months (or shipment) instead of all at once. Patterns are definitely a nice addition, I don't think the club would be as fun without them... But I would like to have them in pdf as well. It could even be pdf only.
ReplyDeleteBut most important, do something you like and are happy with, as this is what makes this club (and your yarn) so special : we can feel the fun you have making it!
i'm a member now and i love it. however, i love love love the idea of trying different bases and no, the pattern is not a deal breaker. you could include one or not and if you did, you could make it digital. and i would pay more because i know the price increase would be totally necessary, but also fair. see, we're all easy to please.....
ReplyDeleteI'm easy. Whatever you want Tanis. I love the TFA club, I love the colours, and I'll definitely be signing up next year! :D
ReplyDeleteI can't wait!
I have been a member for just this year, and I love love love it! I also love the idea of new bases, even if that raises costs. As longs cost keeps in line with product, I don't see it being too bad - would it be any different if I ordered from your website directly? Patterns aren't a deal breaker, but personnally, a pattern accompanying a new base would be a definate selling point. I prefer to try things as prescribed the first time out, I get a better feel for what I can do with a new type yarn. Also, patterns don't really need to be printed and mailed out, a download or email, or maybe available to group members on Ravelry, as long as I can print it out I'm good. However, I'm not a great chart reader, having directions written out are a big help. Not knowing what your other plans are, thinking strictly from the viewpoint of someone who sees only the end result of your hard work, perhaps 2 clubs wouldn't be all that difficult. Alternating months (Jan - Club 1, Feb - Club 2, etc), and dedicating one club to fingering or sock weight in new colors, letting buyers use thier imaginations, and using club 2 to experiment with patterns and bases as well as colors, but that's just a thought. I hope you find your answers in all these responses, but for me, all said and done, as long as you keep doing what you do, I'll keep buying your beautiful art!
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I haven't joined the club is because it is just the one weight. So I would love different bases!
ReplyDelete(Sorry if this posts twice, hotel internet is temperamental)
ReplyDeleteAs long as there's a skein or two of sock-appropriate yarn, having other yarn bases in the club would be pretty exciting.
I'd also love to see the patterns switch to Ravelry downloads (or maybe have an option for printed or downloaded), and having some more complicated/difficult patterns would be lovely.
I'm really not into clubs, just want to say how gorgeous that yarn picture is! Is it Frost?
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, it would be great to have a ratio of 3:3 or 4:2 between sock yarn and non-sock yarn. Maybe something like blue, purple, red, orange, pink label and a surprise label (any weight).
ReplyDeleteI would be OK with paying more for it.
With regard to the patterns: I would prefer Ravelry downloads, since I hardly ever print the patterns out. I have only made a small fraction of the patterns, but I still would like to have them, since some of them are real gems.
Susara
The reason I hadn't joined was because of the single weight offering. I'm not a fan of fingering weight yarn so to have the prospect of different weights makes me smile from ear to ear and check my budget for wiggle room.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the patterns go, I prefer Ravelry download or digital because I keep my patterns on my laptop or eReader.
I really think the option of choosing different bases is great! I am not interested in worsted or DK weights, so I'd be tempted to not join if there were the different bases available for a year club. It would be fun to get a season of yarn rather than a whole year in a base of choice, i.e., spring DK base w/o patterns and leave the patterns as part of the year long clubs and less expensive too. Whatever you choose will be wonderful, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI did your first club, loved the yarns, patterns not to my taste. An option to download a PDF would be good but so would a list of projects that use the weight and yardage.
ReplyDeleteIn a mixed weight club I would love at least one skein of lace weight, although I appreciate this would add cost.
What I would really like is a lace club - having used your lace and loved it!
suenagle56@yahoo.co.uk.
I love the club as it is with all fingering weight yarns and exclusive patterns. I like that you can include different bases that are still fingering weight and the price is right for me! If you went with the more expensive bases, I probably wouldn't be able to justify joining in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year in the club and I've enjoyed it. I had rarely used fingering weight before, so I am personally enjoying the novelty (ahem, challenge), but I'd be open to other weights. I love having a special pattern, but I do keep most of my patterns digitally, so I'd be just as happy to get them that way.
ReplyDeleteI've started saving to join the 2013 Club, I'm so excited to join! I love the versatility of fingering weight yarn, but would be fine with a few other weights too. Patterns are a nice addition, but I never use printed copies so I'd be happy with digital versions.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of different yarn bases and understand this can come with some extra cost. I'm not adverse to receiving patterns by download as I usually like to photocopy or print out my patterns and mark them up. I assume this could bring the cost down slightly. I do enjoy receiving a pattern though, especially if you will start doing different sized bases. I'm not good enough yet at selecting patterns to go with yarn. I've had to frog a lot because of this.
ReplyDeletedifferent yarn bases would be great! digital downloads would be fine, probably better in the long run anyway...i would be disappointed if the yarn didn't come with a creative new pattern--that was 1/2 the draw of the club for me...
ReplyDelete