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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Crochet Conundrum for Stitch in Time Two

Some of you may already have read on ravelry or the knitonthenet blog that I have a bit of a conundrum and I am hoping you can help me make a decision with Stitch in Time 2. I currently have too many projects than are allowed for the number of pages for the book (already bigger than SIT 1) and am having to make some big decisions.

The main issue I have is with the number of crochet patterns. It keeps resulting in either:

1) Too many crochet to knitting patterns for knitters to be happy.

2) Not enough crochet patterns to justify it being classed as a knitting and ‘crochet’ book.

My gut instinct is to suggest something completely different which is this -

Remove the crochet patterns from Volume 2 giving me the right project and page count and put together a separate volume of the crochet patterns, which also gives me the room to add some beauties which I just can’t include in the main volume. This book would obviously be available as a separate purchase but we are looking to have it ready at more or less the same time as Volume 2 and include a special offer price for buying both together. (It would be a smaller volume so also cheaper).

I feel this then gives crochet the respect it deserves rather than as a foot note to the knitting patterns, and gives all purchasers knitters and crocheters exactly what they expect from whichever book they purchase.

I would be really grateful if you could all give me feedback on this. The overwhelming response to date, is to separate the two books. As I've said earlier this is my gut instinct too. My one major concern about going in this direction is the additional costs of a second print run, which will increase our outlay dramatically. And having never offered a separate crochet volume before this is a new market for me. So my final question I guess, is:

Would you buy a book on vintage crochet pattern 1930-1959 in the same format as Stitch in Time or would you just stick to the knitting book?

Thank you so much for your help in this matter. Its a huge decision to make in many ways, and I really want to make sure I make the right choice.

for now
Ruby xx

26 comments :

Lisa said...

I think seperate books is a great idea. I'd certainly buy them both and it means more patterns for us all as well. More outlay initially but I assume also more profit for you in the long run.

Anonymous said...

Although I can crochet, I tend not to. So from a knitter's perspective, I would be more likely to buy a book that was all knitting.

What about doing an e-book of the crochet patterns? I actually wish you'd do pdf downloads of all of the Stitch in Time patterns. There are a number from the first book that I'd love to knit - enough to warrant paying for the book, however I'm very poor so paying for the patterns one at a time would make it a lot easier for me!

Andi said...

I think separate books would be a good idea because there are so many people who do only one or the other. I also know a lot of crocheters are put off by books that say Knit & Crochet because so many books that say that only have two or three mediocre crochet patterns. They're more likely to be dedicated crochet pattern books.

MUHLHAUSER Catherine said...

Hi Ruby,
Separate books, definitely.It is better to assume a new product for crochet lovers even if it is not as big as SIT. As far as I am concern I am sorry but I don't think I would buy an entire crochet book because i am not very found of crochet..but if I was, I would very happy to have the opportunity to get a so beautiful book,as beautiful as Stitch in Time, i would like to buy the equivalent for crochet.
I am waiting for the second SIT, I bougth the first last year for Christmas and it is so beautiful. I am looking forward to discover the patterns from the fifties period. This period is my favorite (and also the 40ties)
Thank you for asking us to help you to make a decision and I wish you a great success for all your books.
Cheers,
Catherine (french amateur knitter)

Anonymous said...

I think two seperate books is ideal, many knitters can't crochet and vice versa. And also it's a double win for people who can do both as they'll have the chance to own two books full of exciting patterns

Judith said...

I agree two separate books sounds ideal as there are many who just knit and some who just crochet. There was an old Vogue book just for vintage crochet and if I remember correctly it is quite hard to get hold of and highly valued by those who crochet so I think this would be the same.I would also like to see all those patterns and not have to compromise and miss a few!

Anonymous said...

Two seperate books!

Norah said...

I would definitely buy both. I have the first book and I love it. As someone who crochets more than knits, I'd much rather see the crochet in a separate volume, especially if you'd be including some patterns that you wouldn't be able to in a combined volume.

I hope there are some crocheted sweater patterns in there!

Olga said...

I'd love to buy two separate books. i loved the volume 1 and can't wait for more!

flossieKNITS said...

I'd buy them both, and I want more patterns. Separate!

Anonymous said...

I'd definitely buy both. Both equals more vintage pattern lovlies!

Anonymous said...

I don't crochet, so separate books would be my preferred option. I'd only buy the knitting one, but I'd be more likely to buy it since there wouldn't be any patterns I wasn't going to use.

Bronagh (lapurplepenguin) said...

I'd also go for two books. Firstly that means more knitting patterns in vol 2 which to me can't be a bad thing.
Also I suspect my crocheting friends would really appreciate a focused vintage book like that.

Also I might well buy the crotchet volume because a vintage collection like that might start me back with the hook

Jennie said...

Seperate books would be ideal for me. I'm a knitter and haven't quite mastered crochet, so I hate seeing great crochet patterns which I just can't do - I'm all about the knitting xx

patricia said...

I would prefer separate books, I like to knit and I like to crochet but I mostly crochet small things, accessories for larger things I prefer knitting and I know a lot of crocheters that don't knit.

betty said...

I like the idea of the separate books, although for me, I would not buy the crochet book. I know how to crochet, but I don't use it to make full garments.

Renee said...

As a crocheter, I would LOVE a separate pattern book just for me...um, all the crocheters in the world. I love to look and marvel at knitted items, but I can't seem to make my fingers do that.

So...separate books, then!

Thanks,
Renee, spear401

Anonymous said...

A separate book - yes. I am a crocheter who has learned to knit; my first love is faster.

Deanna said...

I would buy both at once! Love your idea.

Seoladair said...

Although I loved the idea of 'Stitch in Time' I just couldn't afford the £27.99, especially when it contained crochet patterns which are of no interest to me. So yes, please consider 2 separate publications. I'm more likely to buy a book for £15 knowing I could make all the patterns if I wanted to.

MayaB said...

I would go with two separate books too. Btw a lot of my crocheting customers complain that there are very few stylish crochet only pattern books, so I will definitely order both books for my shop should you decide to split them.

Sarah said...

I guess a bunch of people have already said this, but I would prefer separate books. While I love the crochet patterns in Vol. 1, I have struggled to make them because I am a beginner crocheter, and nothing has worked out. By contrast, I am an advanced knitter and have been able to make 2 sweaters and the gloves. Planning on knitting a lot more! And I can't wait for Vol. 2 :)

karen said...

I like the idea of two separate books and would buy both.

Unknown said...

Separate is probably best and I will get them both anyway!

Sophie said...

A bit late to the party, but here's my opinion.
I can't crochet very well, so would prefer have a knitting-only book, leaving the crochet volume to those who can.

Pat said...

I would love to buy the crochet book.