Confessions of a Yarn Shop Owner: Three Weeks Late and 1.8 Million Views Later!

Three weeks. THREE WEEKS since my last “weekly” Confessions post.

I know. At this point, the word weekly is doing rather a lot of heavy lifting. In my defence, I haven’t been sitting around doing nothing. Quite the opposite. There’s been a retreat, some gorgeous finished projects, cakes, crochet, a little bit of swearing and a YouTube development that has left me wondering whether I need to sit down.

So, pop the kettle on. We have rather a lot to catch up on.

The retreat: happy yarn addicts everywhere

The biggest highlight has to be our retreat, and what a wonderful time we had!

A room full of happy yarn addicts working on their projects, shopping at our pop-up shop and learning new skills in the workshops. Honestly, what more could you want? Apart from cake, obviously. Don’t worry, we had that covered.

Cassie Ward our guest designer kicked things off with some fun games, getting everyone into the spirit of the day, and I had some amazing people running workshops. A huge thank you to everyone who shared their skills and helped make the retreat such a success.

A very special thank you to our retreat sponsors, Stylecraft and Inside Crochet, for supporting our yarn-filled get-together. We’re so grateful for your support and for being part of such a lovely day!  

Parkhill Hotel hosted and catered for us, David supplied some of his amazing cakes for the afternoon, and my foster boys spent the day running around making teas and coffees for all our lovely ladies.

It really was a family effort, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped, joined in and made the day what it was.

There are loads of photos and some videos on our social media, so do have a look. A little reminder of a very happy, very yarn-filled day.

Finished projects and a little sparkle

We’ve seen so many projects finished lately, and some deserve a special mention.

Angie has finished Jemima Puddle-Duck, adding her to her growing collection of Peter Rabbit and friends, crocheted in Wolans Bunny Baby chenille yarn. Another character joins the gang! I love seeing this little collection grow.

Paula has finished a stunning sparkly red crochet jumper in King Cole’s Dazzle DK. Gorgeous? Absolutely. A little see-through? Also absolutely.

Let’s call it a layering opportunity, darling. A bit of sparkle and a carefully chosen undergarment can take you a long way.

April has finished her jumper in Stylecraft Horizon Chunky, too. Another lovely finished make while some of us are still surrounded by a list of works in progress that could qualify as a short novel.

Autumn and winter are arriving in yarn form

We’ve also had loads of new products arriving from our lovely suppliers for the autumn and winter season.

There’s plenty to tell you about, but I’m saving the proper introductions for another post. Otherwise, this three-week catch-up will become a three-volume autobiography.

More on those very soon!

The Maple cardigan and a confession or two

My own project list is, naturally, a list and a half.

I’m currently finishing Cassie Ward’s Maple cardigan, featured in Inside Crochet. I’m using Stylecraft 4ply, and I’m just about there, sewing it all together.

Which brings me to confession number one.

Sorry, Cassie! I think I’ve spotted a mistake in the pattern chart, and I ended up sewing it together incorrectly. Not quite the finishing flourish I had in mind.

Confession number two: when I realised what had happened, I swore.

I know. Shocking.

Please take a moment to recover from the revelation that I am not, in fact, a delicate creature who responds to a crochet mishap by quietly whispering, “Oh, bother.”

There may have been language. We shall leave it there.

Cassie was amazing and on hand 24hrs a day, well maybe not quite, but she sent a quick correction off to inside crochet. she was also on hand to bring me back down to earth after the ciaos of the weekend after the retreat. I cant thank her enough! 

A secret project with Anna Nikipirowicz

I’m also working on a secret project!

Anna Nikipirowicz has asked me to be part of her next book launch, which is very exciting. We love Anna’s books here at Over The Hook, so being involved is a real treat.

I’ve mastered the technique, but I’m still pondering what to make.

Apparently, learning how to do something and deciding what to do with it are two entirely separate activities. One involves crochet. The other involves staring thoughtfully at yarn and pretending that counts as progress.

For now, that’s all I’m revealing. A little mystery never hurt anyone.

Twelve Days of Christmas… and another project for the list!

Because apparently our WIP piles aren’t quite festive enough yet, let’s talk about the 12 Days of Christmas CAL!

The pack is available from us in the shop or on our website, so you can get yourself ready for a little Christmas crochet. Yes, I am actively encouraging another project. No, I will not be taking questions about my own unfinished jumper at this time.

Stylecraft has a separate Facebook group for the CAL, where you can join in, share your progress and enjoy a bit of festive yarny company along the way.

And if you’ve bought your CAL pack from me, I’ll also be running a Christmas CAL support group in the shop on Saturday afternoons. A chance to bring your project along, get some help when you need it and crochet in good company.

Because counting stitches is lovely, but counting stitches with someone nearby when you’ve lost your place is even better.

So, grab your pack, make a little room in your project bag and join us. Christmas crochet, company and a bit of moral support. What’s not to love?

 

Shop the Traditional Christmas CAL Pack Shop the Joyful Christmas CAL Pack

And the Bellica jumper?

Still not started.

Yes, the jumper I want to make in the Bellica yarns is still waiting patiently for its moment.

I haven’t forgotten it. I simply appear to have more enthusiasm than available hours.

Which brings us neatly to the main confession…

YouTube: excuse me, HOW many views?

Over the past three weeks, I’ve been putting more focus into YouTube.

And I am shocked. Properly shocked.

We’ve gone from around 800 subscribers to over 8,000!

And the Quiet Sky Blanket video has hit over 1.8 MILLION views.

I keep looking at those numbers. Eight thousand subscribers. One point eight million views. For a yarny corner of the internet that I’m sharing with you.

It’s lovely, exciting and a little bit ridiculous, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has watched, subscribed and joined us. Whether you’ve been here for ages or have only just found Over The Hook, welcome to the yarny chaos.

There is more coming to YouTube, so keep an eye out!

On the Yarn Couch with Adie

I’ve already hinted at a new series: On the Yarn Couch with Adie.

We’ll chat about the shop, our WIPs and, naturally, our yarny confessions.

Because if the last three weeks have taught us anything, it’s that I rarely run out of things to confess. I just occasionally run out of time to write them down.

Think yarn, a chat and a chance to catch up. Bring your project. Bring your cuppa. Bring that WIP you haven’t touched in months. No judgement here, especially while my Bellica jumper is still entirely theoretical.

Until next time… whenever that turns out to be

So, that’s where I’ve been: retreat happiness, beautiful customer makes, new arrivals, cardigan construction, secret crochet and a YouTube surprise I’m still trying to get my head around.

Thank you for being part of it all. For coming to the retreat, sharing your projects, supporting the shop and watching my videos.

Now, tell me: what’s your yarny confession this week?

An unfinished project? Another yarn purchase? A little language during the sewing-up stage?

You’re among friends.

Love,
Adie x