Here's the dealio. We went to the City Bakery gathering the other night which was sponsored by several yarn shops. One of the yarn shops, Wool & The Gang, came in with these gorgeous girls wearing these gigantic cowls. They were really cute and funky and I wanted one. It seems that their idea is geared toward beginner knitters and their packages are all inclusive. You get a bag containing the pattern you want, the yarn you need and the needles with which to knit said project. You can get the yarn and the pattern with no needles or just the yarn but the store is geared toward new knitters and giving them the whole package.
The next day Glenn and I decided to take a walk in Soho, check out this store and pick up the yarn and pattern for this cowl. I had a 15% off coupon so I was excited that I'd be getting something I wanted at a sale price. This is what I got:
Isn't it gorgeous? It's soft and pink and gigantic. The dilemma? That plus the seed stitch pattern was $78.00. I had the coupon so it was $66.00. I understand that they're selling a concept in that almost all their sales are kits but $78 for two skeins of yarn? Granted 100% Peruvian super soft, uber chunky yarn but $78?? The store is lovely, the girls very sweet but I just think that instead of encouraging new knitters to knit, it may dissuade newer knitters because it is so expensive and they don't carry less expensive options. I felt the need to write about it because nothing is openly priced and some may go in not realizing they'll be spending so much money. It's a lovely store, very Euro boutique, and a great idea and I wish them the best of luck but I think next time I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
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Wow, I understand that dilema. I once went into a kinda local yarn shop. I went specifically for a pattern I wanted that they had in stock. I loved all the yarns, soft & pretty, but what a reality check when I picked up a skein I liked to discover it was $85 for 4 oz. That is just not an option for me. I guess I have to stick to my other sources.
Tami in CT
Well I agree with you! That's ridiculous. $77 is about what my students pay for yarn, needles, pattern, and 8 hours of instruction total. In those classes they help each other and get help from me... they get to meet other knitters and socialize... they know they're paying for the experience. As pretty as the yarn and pattern are I feel like most knitters, beginning or otherwise will feel like they're paying for getting ripped off.
WOW, if I was a beginner, which I am not, I would run away. That would scare the heck out of me, and never tried to knit again.
I have bought cashmere with less money than that. In our LYS there is yarn that costs ~ $40 per ball, but it's something very rare.
It would be interesting to know how that store does.
Enjoy the scarf, a girl has to treat herself, even if it's overpriced.
Hope to see pictures when you have finished the scarf.
This reminds me of a knitter's comment I read a few years ago. She said she gets a kick out of walking into a department store, looking at the sweaters, and saying "oooo, I could knit this for TWICE that price!" I wonder what such a cowl would cost in a NYC boutique if it was already knit. Is the cost of this kit comparable?
I hope anyone going into a Euro styled boutique is realizes that s/he is going to pay for that styling.
This review is complete. Lovely goods nicely packaged, good customer service, and buyer's remorse.
It drives me nuts when they don't post the prices at a store; I want to know what I'm getting before I ask and get embarrased because I can't afford it. The concept of the beginners kits is neat, but the cost would really discourage new knitters, I would think
Don't apologize for being honest - it takes guts & dedication to your readers. And incidentally, I agree with every word you said. I've seen their stuff - it's a very nice quality yarn, & some cute patterns, but value fail.
Oh and Scifiknitter: re:"oooo, I could knit this for TWICE that price!" LOL! I frequently say that too!
I totally agree! Those prices would certainly scare the heck out of a new knitter. What a way to discourage people from taking up knitting! Gorgeous yarn, exorbitant prices.
On the positive side, your yarn is beautiful!
Yeah, I have to agree with you! That is a little crazy to expect a brand new knitter to spend that much.
Times have changed. I always say that I could knit something for three times as much!
I just started a flock of newbie knitters with a cowl pattern and a skein of Malbrigo Chunky. Chunky retails for $12, It think. Oh, there were needles, too, but stiill, we didn't hit $30.
I'm glad you wrote about this. There are businesses out there that take advantage of people by hiking up the price in the name of convenience. Hopefully their sales will show you can't pull a fast on the enthusiastic knitter.
Yikes! That's a lot of money for this type (and yardage) of yarn - and I suppose that they will either change or go out of business - I can't imagine them sustaining a business like that. I'm ok paying a lot for yarn but not for beginners!
Totally agree-- they have done themselves in.
Most new knitters won't pay that for yarn. I am not new but I won't pay that. For what is just enough yarn to be a cowl.
Good thing you said something-- otherwise how would they know? Now they have the opportunity to rethink their strategies.
But, but, but it really is such a pretty yarn. This is one project you will have to keep for yourself when it is completed because to spend that kind of money on a gift, the someone you give it to better be pretty damn special!
hell-O SOho! yowza. and you still bought it!
wanna see when you get done, that's fer sure.
gonna have to drink some $12 cocktails wearing it, LOL!
That's daylight robbery!!! No way I'd pay for that. I think you were ripped off, big time.
Ouch! That's a lot for not so much. I keep wanting to take a trip into the City to do some yarn shopping (I'm in Westchester) and now I know one store to stay away from!
I just visited Wool & The Gang's website. The complete kit is $85.00 (if it's the same cowl as your's, and it's the only one that's a kit on their site, so I presume it is). That's just crazy.
Woah 78.00 there was no way I spent that much on yarn when I first began knitting that is asking a lot from a new knitter.
Hopefully all their "new knitters" are celebrities or incredibly wealthy individuals who don't mind spending a lot of money on something that probably won't look good because its knit by a newbie.
But more power to them if they can make it work. I would never spend that much, could never spend that much, but if there are people out there that are willing, why not.
WOW! That is too much. especially for a beginner it could be a turn off.
Apparently they also expect new knitters to have rather deep pockets! I checked out their website and thought it was rather pricey.
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