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Whatcha Working On?

This week, I've been proofreading my book (the layouted version from the publisher). Besides, I'm crocheting on a lace shawl and hope I'll finish it in time to include a picture in said book.
I have to prepare some stuff for the class I teach next Saturday.
There is some pattern work on the back burner.

What’s going w…[Read more]

I agree with Jill and Corrina, the more I think about it, the better it seems to end this business cooperation altogether.

And there's no reason to be soft out of pity: You are the newbie in the business, she is the wise and experienced one. She does not see herself as incompetent – and it is paradoxical if you are extra nice to her, helping her…[Read more]

@riin-gill – Most of my smaller shawls have in the neighborhood of 15-20,000 stitches. If you account for distractions and such, it should be more than reasonable for someone to knit 1000 stitches in an hour. So 15-20 hours of actual hands-on knitting time max. I've head that most sweaters hover around the 40,000 stitch mark. And again, I can see…[Read more]

@elaine-vandiver – Another point to consider is that because you are in business with this women, it could be bad for your business now or in the future. If folks know she is crazy, then they might also know that any part of your business that includes her is on precarious footing. Just some more fodder for your resolve.

And I agree with Jill. I…[Read more]

My answer is in reference to test knitting rather than sample knitting.

I've found that one month is a good time frame for my tests. This is for 1-2 skein accessory patterns (hats, cowls, shawls). Some testers get it done right away and others wait until just before the deadline. I think that if I extended the deadline, things wouldn't really…[Read more]

This is really weird, because even though I started this thread, I never got email abotu the responses. I just saw them now.

I actually found a local place that I could donate it too and they have someone on hand who refurbishes them and sells them again. The money made on the sale goes to help those in need. I thought that was a good place…[Read more]

@riin-gill I give usually a 6 week deadline but I am in a different situation than you are.

What I would do is figure out what your drop dead date is to get the pattern released. Figure out how long it will take you to layout, photo etc, to get that all done. Go backwards from your drop dead date that amount of time. Then pad that with 1-2…[Read more]

Yeah, the whole thinking it will take about 10 hours to knit thing? I am time impaired. I have no sense of time. I have no clue how long I think a shawl will take to knit. None. Nada. Zilch.

How do you estimate that?

I give them a timeline that works for me, then ask if it works for them. I let them know if I can be flexible, or if I can't. I like to get weekly photos to keep a sense of urgency.

Every situation is going to be different. Let's say it is a shawl that you think will take about 10 hours to knit. They also have to get gauge, and learn the pattern…[Read more]

@elaine-vandiver you have gotten excellent advice. Tanja is always so good at being logical in the face of our tendency to be otherwise! I value her input on everything!

The only thing I have to add is this: If this person is an alcoholic or has mental health issues (or both), then you cannot have logical dealings with them. I would look at the…[Read more]

Thank you! @kimberley-bridgwater Yes, it was a huge help that my husband helped with the kids so I could just knock some stuff out. I feel some momentum building and I want to keep it going now.

I absolutely needed to hear that @tanja-osswald

I need to toughen up and put my business game face on. I am feeling really burnt out and discouraged by it all, and that's how I already feel at my day job. This business was supposed to be the opposite of that, not the same!

As much as I hate the thought of confronting it and dealing with…[Read more]

So you already know others are not blaming things on you. It will be the same with the people in your small town. Her behavior is her problem, not yours.
And, though there is more reason for pity there – her husband decided to marry her, not you.
You can give them two options: Cancel the contract or have all communication go through him. Ask him…[Read more]

@tanja-osswald
if the business is small, others will know about her already. Now, they probably pity you for having to deal with her. If you fall out, they won’t blame it on you — YES! That is a great point. I have talked to some folks, especially early on in the contract before I saw all these behavoirs, and the surprised reaction from many t…[Read more]

@riin-gill – that's a good point. I'd like to say that if I didn't know her but had a glimpse of this, I probably wouldn't seek her friendship. I think a lot of this boils down to the fact I have a huge hang-up with anyone having animosity towards me. I'm a peacekeeper and a friend to a fault – I know I need to work on the idea that ‘you can't…[Read more]

Well, that woman won't be like that to you alone – if the business is small, others will know about her already. Now, they probably pity you for having to deal with her. If you fall out, they won't blame it on you.

And if she already makes him deal with you when things get nasty – why not leave it at that? He sounds like a good interface. Having…[Read more]

Well, that woman won't be like that to you alone – if the business is small, others will know about her already. Now, they probably pity you for having to deal with her. If you fall out, they won't blame it on you.

And if she already makes him deal with you when things get nasty – why not leave it at that? He sounds like a good interface. Having…[Read more]

Well, that woman won't be like that to you alone – if the business is small, others will know about her already. Now, they probably pity you for having to deal with her. If you fall out, they won't blame it on you.

And if she already makes him deal with you when things get nasty – why not leave it at that? He sounds like a good interface. Having…[Read more]