Mim’s Blog

while i love the discount idea, i am a bit hesitant to vote positvely because of the inflexibility of being able to choose certain individual patterns yourself. For example, say I love 2 out of 4 patterns grouped into a collection. Do I want to pay for all 4? Or what if I only like one? Or half? What is the justifiable percentage rate of which patterns you like versus which you don’t that would sway your wallet to open up and purchase the group?Of course, this depends on whether or not you also offer independent patterns or just exclusively as a group. In the past, I have put of buying collections because I felt that my money’s worth wasn’t being well represented if I was only gong to knit half of the patterns. However, I also see the plus side in being able to buy a collection at once instead of adding multiple individual patterns into your cart. The ease and convienance, not to mention the joy of working within a theme would be a greatly added positive.

Added by Mim: I added a bit to clarify that I would also offer the patterns separately for sale, but just release them at the same time

I sort of like the theme idea. As long as the patterns can be purchased individually, I don’t see why it would piss anyone off.

I’m not wild about waiting for a collection…. you know, instant gratification and all that… but maybe you could still release a stream of patterns in a theme? I like the theme idea!

I like the idea, but for me I don’t think I’d buy a collection because I don’t feel like I’m a particularly fast lace knitter. But then if I slowly worked my way through all of them then I’d feel dumb having paid more when I could have had the discount if I’d bought them all at once (but I’d have had to keep track of them).

Maybe if you released the patterns individually, but then at the end released them as a collection? But I suppose then you have the problem of people who will buy all your patterns no matter what, and then they have to wait until the end of a period in order to get the discount, or else they get upset at having bought each one individually.

Personally I prefer on at a time. I think the collection idea is a good one. BUT I’d rather have the patterns come as they are created THEN create a collection.

that would be “one”

I have enough of a backlog of patterns I want to knit that waiting a little longer probably wouldn’t be an issue. Seems fine, since you’ll still have the individual patterns available.

I like collections, myself. :)

As long as I could still buy the patterns individually, I’d be happy waiting for a themed collection.

One at a time, for me. I like LOVING everything, and I like feeling like I can make everything ;) Does that make sense? 4 projects at once = aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. One project at a time = delusional thoughts of knitting everything.

Who am I kidding? I’ll buy everything.

In the end, I think that it’s a hard call because there will be some people who feel they shouldn’t “have to pay” for patterns that they might not want. I think ideally, and I’m planning to do this with some patterns, you would offer individual patterns at a standard rate and a package option for a rate less than the cost of the patterns bought a la carte. It probably means more work for you, but it might also appeal to a greater number of customers, overall. At least, that’s what I’m hoping ;)

I like the idea of a collection — it would be interesting to see how you incorporate a theme into different pieces. I know you do some of this already, and draw inspiration from similar sources, but the connections would be interesting to see. And it might give a bit more excitement when a collection goes public. I’m no publicist, though, so don’t take my word for it!

When I saw the caveat that each pattern would also be available individually, I went from uncertain to LOVE IT. I love the idea of themes. It does add another layer of substance and creativity to the “product” and a uniqueness as well. KnitSpot’s “Little Nothings” collection, while individually released but all of a type, sort of a theme, has been tremendously popular, if blogs and Ravelry are any indication.

I like the idea of several patterns developed around a theme–it is interesting artistically. I follow your blog, and am in your ravelry group, so I would know what was happening, and wouldn’t “abandon” you because there wasn’t a frequent pattern stream.

I have purchased many more patterns than I have time to knit, but I very much want to support independent designers. I also buy the patterns that appeal to me and that I want to knit.

If you do what makes sense to you from a design/aesthetic point of view, I think you can make it work from the business point of view. You seem to be someone who has both halves of her brain operating:)

I like the idea of doing both a theme/collection and an occasional stand alone. It’s never fun to pigeon hole yourself.

Good luck!

I think it is a great idea! Working to produce several variations on a theme is really helpful to the creative process, and a lot of fun. I think most people would still buy the individual patterns, but a few would appreciate the idea of a discount on the whole collection.

From a retailing point of view, people like to buy new things. I’m not sure you’d get as many impulse buys if all the new things came out at the same time? Then again, if you’re average sale is higher that might make up for it? And a planned release can generate excitement…

As long as you give people the option of buying the patterns individually, I don’t think you can really lose out.

Lynda and Kelly D. are right on the mark. Collections/themes are a fabulous idea, but released one at a time. Also, I impulsively will buy one pattern, but I would definitely think twice or three times about buying 4 at once, even discounted. I could get a book for that amount.

As long as we can still get your patterns one at a time it is fine.I like your patterns so I probably would get the collection if it saved some money.

I’ve been toying with this idea too. Although probably without much of a theme. I like your list of pros and cons, very helpful. My main reason for considering something similar wasn’t actually on your list though – I’ve been thinking more and more about wholesale and it seems like it would be better for stores if they could order that seasons new collection rather than ordering new patterns as I randomly release them. I still haven’t decided yet though.

While I think it would be interesting from a design standpoint to see a theme developed in several projects, I would still most likely only buy individual patterns that I intended to knit.

I love your idea! The theme idea is a great one and I also like the idea of being able to buy individual patterns as well as the whole collection. The main concern for me, from a friend POV, is that I want you to do whatever is best for YOU! So if doing it this way will ease your life at all, I say go for it!

Well, since I bought 6 of your patterns at once, I guess I should say that sets of them are a good idea. The only suggestion that I can think of is maybe make one of the groups “easy”, etc, and maybe one that do not have edges to work (all those short rows around the shawl). I am afraid of those worked-on edgings!

I love the idea of several patterns centered around a theme. Sorry I didn’t get to vote though… got here too late.
By the way, I just moved from OK to WA a few weeks ago and drove through Salt Lake City right as I was starting my Hidcote Garden Shawl. Working on your shawl while driving through your city, it almost felt like I could just drop in and see you. (I’m making a big assumption that you live in SLC because of the pics taken at the gardens there.) Anyway, just wanted to let you know I’m loving the pattern (my first lace) though with all of the unpacking I’m only on Chart 4. Oh well, it’ll be done eventually. I’m SURE I’ll be back for more patterns in a few months!

missed the poll window — but I wanted to chime in.
I like the idea — IF it were still possible to buy the patterns separately. I usually find that I want ONE of such sets, and actively dislike one, and then feel all disgruntled at having to pay for six when I only want one of them.