Hi, I’m Laura and I am the owner here at Bella
Knitting. Our online shop was founded by a really
interesting group of women. All knitters (no surprise
there), designers, writers and moms, of different ages,
from a wide variety of backgrounds who did all at one
point own or work in a LYS. Some just got us started,
some stayed around for the long haul of growing a new
business, all contributed in a significant way.
We all got together with the basic idea that the new generation of knitters had changed the industry but most yarn shops hadn't really changed at all. We haven’t met all our goals yet but we’re well on the way. Here are some of the issues we decided to address:
1. We all know that samples sell. “Oh, I want that one!” So why not create a whole store of samples with fashionable projects for all skill levels?
We turned the traditional model upside down - focusing first on the project not on the yarn. Yes, we love our yarn, but we only carry the ones that support the fashion statement we're looking for.
2.Lot's of knitters ask "how can I modify this pattern?" but patterns are not written to be modified easily.
Building a flexible project has to happen from the ground up. Design, pattern writing, yarn gauges, options all take careful planning but the result is worth it!
3. If knitting is such a social activity why are patterns so sterile?
Since we are not constrained by a 2-inch wide magazine column we like to spread out a bit. We have a goal to write the best patterns you’ve ever read :) with a nice layout, helpful hints, designer’s notes and how to photos. We thought we were doing pretty well until we saw the patterns written by Anny Purls. We'll just work harder!
We all got together with the basic idea that the new generation of knitters had changed the industry but most yarn shops hadn't really changed at all. We haven’t met all our goals yet but we’re well on the way. Here are some of the issues we decided to address:
1. We all know that samples sell. “Oh, I want that one!” So why not create a whole store of samples with fashionable projects for all skill levels?
We turned the traditional model upside down - focusing first on the project not on the yarn. Yes, we love our yarn, but we only carry the ones that support the fashion statement we're looking for.
2.Lot's of knitters ask "how can I modify this pattern?" but patterns are not written to be modified easily.
Building a flexible project has to happen from the ground up. Design, pattern writing, yarn gauges, options all take careful planning but the result is worth it!
3. If knitting is such a social activity why are patterns so sterile?
Since we are not constrained by a 2-inch wide magazine column we like to spread out a bit. We have a goal to write the best patterns you’ve ever read :) with a nice layout, helpful hints, designer’s notes and how to photos. We thought we were doing pretty well until we saw the patterns written by Anny Purls. We'll just work harder!
4. Most online stores lost the feel of the LYS, either
pounding out low cost yarn or leaving customers
completely on their own if they need help. There's
nothing a LYS likes less than a customer that bought a
cheap kit somewhere else coming in for free help. We
didn't want to do that!
Our Blog: We love to knit and want you to get to know us. Sarah and I focus on the blog writing. It’s been a great success as we have watched our daily hits grow to 1,000 on some days. We’ve made friends with our regular readers and hope you join us. The blog is not just about Bella projects – we work hard to make sure it’s well rounded.
Our Help: We also think supporting the project after you buy is really important. That’s why our patterns are so complete and why we’ve added even more general and project specific help online. We even have some videos showing you how to knit the stitch and how to fix some common errors (i.e. Peasant Lace Scarf). We will add more of these as we go along.
5. OK, one more personal pet peeve. Why do all the craft stores sell purse ‘handles”? Who wants to carry their purse all day?
This was the foundation of the ‘not just a yarn store’ idea. When we design a project we try to sell everything you need with it: purse straps (that go over your shoulder!), purse feet and so-hard-to-find magnetic snaps, fabric, buttons, pillow forms, Tunisian crochet hooks.
One of our customers described receiving her Bella purchase as “opening a knitting bundle of love”!
6. Independent Designers - we love them!
The Internet has created a new breed of designer – the everyday knitter. No longer do you have to be a knitting superstar to design projects. We encourage independent designers to submit their ideas to Bella. Unleash your creativity - do you have two ideas for a sleeve? We will offer them both! Need some non-yarn materials to finish it up? We'll find them and offer them too. It's just too much fun. :)
Earn revenue two ways – a fee upon acceptance of your design and a commission based on number of patterns sold. The more successful the design the more you earn! You'll also be part of the Bella team which means employee discounts on projects and yarn. Send a note to laura@bellaknitting.com with ideas.
You can find us on Ravelry here.
We're in a business book! Read our blog about it here!
Our Blog: We love to knit and want you to get to know us. Sarah and I focus on the blog writing. It’s been a great success as we have watched our daily hits grow to 1,000 on some days. We’ve made friends with our regular readers and hope you join us. The blog is not just about Bella projects – we work hard to make sure it’s well rounded.
Our Help: We also think supporting the project after you buy is really important. That’s why our patterns are so complete and why we’ve added even more general and project specific help online. We even have some videos showing you how to knit the stitch and how to fix some common errors (i.e. Peasant Lace Scarf). We will add more of these as we go along.
5. OK, one more personal pet peeve. Why do all the craft stores sell purse ‘handles”? Who wants to carry their purse all day?
This was the foundation of the ‘not just a yarn store’ idea. When we design a project we try to sell everything you need with it: purse straps (that go over your shoulder!), purse feet and so-hard-to-find magnetic snaps, fabric, buttons, pillow forms, Tunisian crochet hooks.
One of our customers described receiving her Bella purchase as “opening a knitting bundle of love”!
6. Independent Designers - we love them!
The Internet has created a new breed of designer – the everyday knitter. No longer do you have to be a knitting superstar to design projects. We encourage independent designers to submit their ideas to Bella. Unleash your creativity - do you have two ideas for a sleeve? We will offer them both! Need some non-yarn materials to finish it up? We'll find them and offer them too. It's just too much fun. :)
Earn revenue two ways – a fee upon acceptance of your design and a commission based on number of patterns sold. The more successful the design the more you earn! You'll also be part of the Bella team which means employee discounts on projects and yarn. Send a note to laura@bellaknitting.com with ideas.
You can find us on Ravelry here.
We're in a business book! Read our blog about it here!