Walking the pre-Show Floor; Knitted Garments Flourish

I invest a lot of money and time going to h+h Americas. I need to network and make contacts, discover what’s new, and make an overall assessment of what the trends are and the directions the yarn biz is going (it isn’t a monolith).

Why Trends Are Important?

Two years ago I noticed that there were fewer shawls and more simple garments. This was a big shift. Directional trends, not the ever-changing fashion trends, are important for knowing how and when to pivot.

• I have mostly published accessories over the past few years. I am madly knitting cardigans and pullovers to provide simple garments for testing fit.

• I have been developing tools for making garments that fit any body, within the framework of any knitting pattern.

I’m ready for this shift!

As knitting preferences shift, so too should yarn and how yarn is being dyed. What I came back from h+h with are all solids (although not commercial solids, there is definite variation within the colors). This fits me to a tee.

There is plenty of room for all the other cool yarn dyeing and plying. Remember, this industry is not a monolith.

Sweater Knitting is Perfect for Jill Wolcott Knits and The Pattern Tailor

Garments and fit have always been my specialty. It is my passion to help knitters make garments that make them feel and look their most fabulous (based on their preference!).

My job now is to figure out how to communicate that to my customers.

I have customers who are business to business (b2b) and customers who are knitters (b2c). Each group has their own needs and solutions. But talking to people at h+h, where everyone is both a business person and a knitter (or crocheter, sewist, quilter), gave me lots of ways to improve what I say.

What The Industry and Customers Want and Need to Know

These are my primary talking points:

1. Measurements are essential. They are merely data points, but without them nothing can be done to change fit. I can give you “gentle measuring.”

2. Sweaters are a commitment. Once that commitment is undertaken, it is in your best interest (whether you are selling yarn, or doing the actual knitting) to have a satisfying and successful outcome.

   1. If you are selling yarn, you are more likely to sell more yarn to customers who successfully complete their projects.

   2. If you are a knitter (buyer), you are more likely to make more sweaters if you have a successful outcome of the project you have just committed to.

3. Adding Fitting Tools For The Win! The Pattern Tailor tools allow you to add fit element to whatever project you are knitting: it doesn’t have to be my pattern! These tool are all $5 or more to purchase. I offer “second helpings” where you can get additional uses for $2 (or more) per tool.

My rule is that if I have to use algebra then I have to charge! All Garment Tools have a price tag.

Want Specifics? See my next post!