My Declaration

[amy]

Great thread! ...Man, you know I'm busy when it takes me 4 days to discover a thread like this. I swear I spent all of yesterday trying to catch up with posts, and still haven't read the last two days! LOL. (Of course I love how busy this forum is getting. I only wish I could keep up! I may have to give up reading every post soon! boo-hoo! It doesn't help that I'm a slow reader...)

Now what were we talking about? LOL. Oh yes, one of my favorite things! I love my LYS's. Yay Beldaraan! That's a great declaration!!! I'm with you sista! Let's support these great little shops. Stores like this dissappear if we don't support them. They have the best selection around, and will usually special order if they don't have what you want. They are more pricey than Michaels, but mostly that's because of the quality of yarn they carry, which is so much nicer to work with. And think of it as paying a little bit extra for all their friendly help (compare to the price of knitting classes!) and the wonderful environment that really makes you want to knit. And of course it's also supporting a locally-owned business. SOOOOO important! And it's just so nice and inspiring to go into one of these stores!

Hildegaard, I like it when you "go there." I'll follow you for a paragraph! I think we all need to pay attention to where we spend our money! When we spend money, we are voting for the businesses and practices we want to see in our world. We get what we pay for! It's not easy to know the details, like what kind of business practices a company has, and whether you should support it or not. That's why I love Co-op America, which helps you find worthwhile businesses to support. They also keep an up-to-date boycott section. It sounds extreme, but sometimes that's the only way to convince a big company to change their exploitive ways. It does work. Like the Nike boycotts, which did make a difference in that company's practices. I often refer to Co-op America's "Green Pages" directory when looking for something to buy.

Amy

[ekgheiy]

It is so important to support our local shops (and no, I don't own or work in one). These places have a hard time competing economically with the big chains. They have to do what they do in large part out of love. If we don't support them, they will disappear ...

I had a similar experience when I found a newly opened LYS in the town in which I work! They even encourage people to just bring in whatever they are working on and sit and knit -- no purchase or class needed! When I decided to try a couple projects that required circular needles, I went there and took their recommendation about needles, and I also purchased a book. I though the same thing: I'd rather pay a few dollars more and support the LYS.
Holly

Now what were we talking about? LOL. Oh yes, one of my favorite things! I love my LYS's. Yay Beldaraan! That's a great declaration!!! I'm with you sista! Let's support these great little shops. Stores like this dissappear if we don't support them...
Amy

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As much as some of us would like to support a nice LYS, some of us simply can't afford it or just don't have access to any. And the price difference between the chains and the LYS's are a lot more than a "few" dollars around these parts (MD).

I've been to one of the LYS's in my area and received nothing but "Nose in Air" treatment from them! Bunch of snobs! :x I did not revisit them. Then I went to another MD LYS in a different part of town and was condescended for my troubles. So in my experience with LYS's, I'm left wondering ... why should I pay the massive extra money to support them and their exclusive, condescending ways?

[amy]

ekgheiy, I get what you're saying; I have one LYS that I don't go to for that reason. But my other two are great! It's worth checking them out, at least, most of them are really wonderful!

Amy

[Hildegard_von_Knittin]

ekgheiy where in MD are you? I grew up in Baltimore County, and there is a WONDERFUL little yarn shop in Fells Point... I went there this past summer when I was visiting my mom, and I had some yarn questions... I went in, and the woman was *so nice* and helpful, the prices weren't too expensive, condidering it was Fell Point and all (more expensive then my LYS in boondock illinois, though).... the best part is that mom anbd I could go in a talk yarn stuffand my husband could go talk man stuff (drink beer) on broadway. Anyway, if you're near that area check it out, I think it's on AliceAnna street.

[ekgheiy]

ekgheiy where in MD are you? I grew up in Baltimore County, and there is a WONDERFUL little yarn shop in Fells Point... I went there this past summer when I was visiting my mom, and I had some yarn questions... I went in, and the woman was *so nice* and helpful, the prices weren't too expensive, condidering it was Fell Point and all (more expensive then my LYS in boondock illinois, though).... the best part is that mom anbd I could go in a talk yarn stuffand my husband and step-dad could go talk man stuff (drink beer) on broadway. Anyway, if you're near that area check it out, I think it's on AliceAnna street.

I'm not too far from Fells Point. I've heard about that shop (I think it's called A Good Yarn). That's the next shop I plan to try, but I'm still "taking my deep breaths" after my experience with the first two. There's also a shop in Owings Mills. I'm not familiar with Owings Mills, but I'll try that shop when I'm feeling road-dogg adventurous ...

[MaggieL]

ekgheiy

Glad your going to give it another try. Good customer service is always a must! :D

[Hildegard_von_Knittin]

Yes a good yarn! that's it... they are great.