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Characteristics of My Ideal LYS

Someone recently created a post on Knitting Paradise about what characteristics she'd like to see in a LYS.  It got me thinking about what I'd really like for my particular needs.  So here's my list
  1. First and foremost my ideal LYS would have a wide selection of yarn and wool types with an equally wide range of prices.  So often LYS carry only the high-end, aka expensive wool, and those of us who also use low-end yarn, like acrylics, are forced to go to big box stores.  This lack of a variety of yarn and wool types requires another stop; I'd be very happy to make one stop and get it all even if the low-end is a bit more costly.
  2. Arrange the yarns by weight and not manufacturer.  Most LYS put all the weights of one manufacturer together, which I'm sure must be convenient for the shop when shipments come in.  However, shoppers are generally looking for a particular weight of yarn and would not necessarily know all the places to look for it in the shop.
  3. All LYS have samples of knitted items around the shop next to the yarn used to make it.  However, few indicate on the knitted item the pattern used to knit it.  There are shops that do place a small card identifying both the yarn used, the number of balls/skeins used and where to find the pattern.  All of this makes the shopper less dependent on finding someone to answer their questions.
  4. Have enough space in the shopping area so that more than one person can touch and feel the yarn/wool at a time.  Space is of course expensive, but when only one person can get close to the product at a time my interest in shopping greatly diminishes.  
  5. Second-hand chairs, tables and couches do not necessarily make for the most comfortable place to learn to knit.  If you are offering classes do have a dedicated table with chairs comfortable for customers of a certain age to spend 2-3 hours sitting in.
  6. Good lighting either natural or otherwise.  Most of us knit with a task light on our work at home, when knitting in a shop it would be wonderful to have equally good lighting. 

Here's a few samples of what most LYS look like:






These requirements would completely meet my personal needs.  However here are other ideas some thought would be great.
  • Serve coffee or tea or wine.  I worry about these three because they can stain wool or yarn permanently.  This lesson has been learned the hard way; and the solutions to remedy the problems those stains created were not easy either.  Enough said.
  • Give a customer at the door a map or downloadable app to help locate yarns.  Frankly I find most LYS small enough that there's no need for a map/app, but then maybe this person had plans for a much bigger space.
  • Much was said about someone greeting customers at the door and asking just once if there was a need for help.  I don't mind not being greeted nor asked multiple times if I need help.  Retailers in other areas had caused me to not focus on either getting no attention or too much.
  • Some more talented folks would like stock for all fiber crafters including those who weave, embroider, cross stitch and sew.  As for me, I prefer a specialty shop.  Most of these other fiber options are not in my repertoire. 
  • A toilet available to customers.  I have yet to be in a shop that didn't offer this option, but apparently there are some out there.
  • A charity bin for yarn and wool, both leftover or new.  Seems to be a reasonable idea but not a necessity for my ideal LYS
Of course this is a dream shop, one that more than likely could not sustain itself financially, but it is my dream.  Perhaps I'll find that LYS that has absolutely everything I am dreaming of.  In the meantime there are several local shops that do quite well when it comes to meeting my needs. 
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