editorial comments

I was just over at January One reading a particularly interesting post giving a low down on several stores she shopped at in San Francisco. She gave, what appears to me, a very honest assessment of the shops she saw and how she felt when she was there. My impression is that she felt like she didn't belong at one of the shops. Found the staff unfriendly, maybe even unhelpful. Some commenters were upset by this assessment, while many others were totally on board - perhaps the dissenters felt their store was being dissed? But honestly, haven't we all been to a store that feels like that? I will sometimes go father into Madison (through beltline traffic and construction people!) just because I really like how I am treated at one store versus another. The closer store has an awesome selection but I never feel welcome, no one ever speaks to me - but I remind myself that I am not usually there for the warm fuzzy, just yarn dammit. *wee* Don't you think it would behoove an owner is to try to foster a great "vibe"? I mean, this is knitting right? I am sure I am living a pipedream to think all knitters are warm and helpful people, but I do think they mostly are - call it denial. So wouldn't a shop be wise to emmanate this as well? I am not as ballsy as January, I am not going to name names because the pickins are kind of slim really and I need these shops - however, if I went on vacation somewhere I would be glad to tell it how it is. *wink*

I sensed from more recent posts that January One was uncomfortable with people leaving her blog ruffled, maybe it wasn't worth continuing. (I may be wrong here) I think a blog, a web log, is just that - an on-line diary to be honest and share what you're thinking - not what you think people want to hear, right? So I vote she keeps on blogging! please.

Immediately after I wrote this post I headed to Madison to both aforesaid shops - and true to form - not one person acknowledged me at the first shop - not an employee, not even another customer, I walked out empty handed perhaps in part due to this, I can't really say. But the second shop, I was able to get some fabric I needed - dual purpose, and the addi turbo lace circulars I have been dying to try. Score!

I was also able to find some of the cool Zulugrass bracelets at Wild Birds Unlimited, of all places. Double Score!