HRYC

Does the thought of opening giant boxes of squishy smooshy wool sound like Christmas to you? It does to us! And we're looking for like-minded people to staff our Willis St & Petone stores, hooray!

Holland Road Yarn Co isn't just a shop, it's a place where we build a community of knitters and crafters. We really love our customers and bend over backwards to bring them the best possible yarn buying experience. We are a 21st century business who use all the technology at our disposal

Our ideal colleague is:

- a true yarn-lover, a passionate knitter and well-versed in all things woolly

- can talk about knitting and projects until the cows come home

- know Ravelry backwards and believe technology is essential to daily life

- can wrangle google docs and share inspiration in 140 characters

- crochet and/or spinning skills would be a bonus

- constantly looking to learn more about the craft

- comfortable with money handling and sales

- and, most importantly, have amazing people skills.

There are two positions available. The roles are sole charge, so we need people who can take the initiative but aren't afraid to ask questions if unsure about something.

Role 1: 

Grand Arcade, Willis St store

- Wednesday OR Thursday 10am - 5pm

- Saturday 10am - 4pm

with the option of extra hours in winter, school holidays and as required

Role 2:

Grand Arcade, Willis St AND Jackson St, Petone

- Friday 10am - 5pm Willis St

- Sunday 11am - 3pm Jackson St

with the option of extra hours in winter, school holidays and as required

For the last two months we've had god's eyes hanging in the window. Twice this morning i've been asked how to make them, and at least that many more in the past week. They make great Christmas decorations and are super easy to put together. 

Seeing as I only have two hands and that isn't quite enough to photograph my own tutorial, here's a couple that go through the process:

Wikihow - How to make a god's eye

and Spoonful.com's how to make a god's eye

Our popsicle sticks came from Warehouse Stationery, but I think collecting a bunch of sticks works just as well. Sitcks look a bit more organic and awesome, plus hunting for suitable sticks is fun for small people to do.

While i'm at it, we've put together DIY felt ball garland kits in both Christmas colours and anytime themes. Once i'm organised i'll get them online, but for now you can pick them in-store (they come in pizza boxes!).

My Sparkle's felt ball garland tutorial is the best i've found online - and her blog is super cute.

Want one more? How about pom poms for Christmas? Our Clover pom pom makers turn tedium into super-speedy, and it's a great way to use up leftover yarn. 

Do you have any awesome yarny non-knitting craft ideas? I'd love to hear them! And they may well end up in the shop window...

Right now i'm sitting on the couch, trying to figure out where the Christmas tree should go. It's now December, summer has undoubtedly arrived and there's no more denying that the end of the year is rapidly approaching. 

Usually I'm pretty ambivalent about Christmas. I'm a firm believer in quality time over gifts, but after what can only be described as an interesting year, i'm ready to throw myself into the spirit of things. Gift-giving and all. 

As I try to figure out where to put the Christmas tree, i'm browsing around online for present ideas. This year has seen so many indie business-owners really make their mark. Back in 2008 when I first got involved with Craft2.0, many of the people now opening stores and proving their worth online were just getting started. 

So below is my mostly-NZ-owned-business gift guide for this year. It's on Pinterest, so i'll continue adding to it. Buying locally means that people working super hard to live their dream are able to keep going. That's an honourable thing to support, and i'll be doing my darndest to only buy from small & locally owned businesses this year. 

Sale stuff! Hooray! I fancy a bit of a clear out and so you get some pretty super deals if I do say so myself. 

There's 20% off all Addi needles, Zealana Willow, Cascade Sport (non superwash), Twilley's Echo Cotton (in-store only) and a bunch of other stuff. Oh, and Blonde Chicken Yarn is down from $24 a skein to $14.40. 

All are absolutely beautiful products, but we need to make space for summer stock and some new treats that the second store will allow us to introduce to our ranges.

In other news, it's my birthday this weekend! Eeep! And yeah, it's a milestone. Numbers don't bother me, but I find it interesting to reflect on my twenties. Who would have guessed that taking up knitting as a rebellion against crocheting colleagues when I was 23 could lead to opening a yarn store? Not me!

Anyway, to celebrate, tonight is the last Knit Night of the year, so there is a fancy-pants raspberry chocolate cake, Six Barrel Soda Co sodas, and bubbles. Plus a whole lot of knitting and giving thanks for surviving another year. Couldn't come at a better time, really, considering it is, actually, thanksgiving in the States today. 

Happy thanksgiving! Hopefully see you at the shop tonight from 7 - 9pm!

xx Tash