We made it.  We “survived” our first year.  Wow.  What a year it has been.
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Someone asked me recently what my biggest mistake was this past year.  I told them that I had no idea.  I really don’t have any idea.  For that matter, I don’t know what my biggest accomplishment is either.   It’s all a crazy blur.
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It’s a lot like the first year of your child’s life.  You know that what you did was great, I mean you gave birth to a new life after all.  You know that you made mistakes.  You put your months old daughter in the front hall bathroom, in her bouncy chair, with the fan on and the door closed because it was the ONLY place she didn’t cry.  If you’re like me, you forget the day to day things…what she ate, when she slept, when you turned her car seat to forward facing, when she ate solid foods.  You know what I mean.  I will probably remember this year with fondness, but the edges will be fuzzy.
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We learned a lot about yarn shops this year, some things I am sure are universal, and others are special to our little yarn shop!
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For example…
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We just can’t seem to keep our space under the counter clean.  No matter how hard we try.  Hopefully, you will find this endearing:)
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Counter Mess

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We get ridiculous dust bunnies.  We mean ridiculous!  This one is nothin.
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Dust Bunny

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We need to move stuff in the windows around…a lot.  Our sunny location is great for us, not so great for our garments!
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Sun is good AND bad

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We don’t have nearly enough storage.  I am sure it is a matter of not enough storage and not a matter of not wanting to throw anything away.
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We might have a hoarding problem…

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Size 7 double point needles fly off the shelves.  Can’t keep them in stock
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double point dilemma

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Our best selling yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash color Turtle.  Wow.  We have sold more of this yarn in this color than ANY other yarn.
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Best Selling Yarn…

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Our best selling fabric, for sure, are the pin ups.  Lots of aprons and pillow cases were made with this fabric this year!
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Pin ups…great!

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We LOVE our neighbors…we have a great group of businesses here in the Brick Alley!  One business we frequent a bit more than the others though.  We have had too much to eat (and drink) at our neighbors, Smalley’s BBQ.  Seriously, the loaded mac and cheese can’t be beat.  And, if you happen to get there for happy hour, you MUST try the totchos.  Nachos, with tater tots instead of tortilla chips.  Yep.  Crazy.
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Smalleys BBQ

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See it, right there…Mac and Cheddar.  Trust us…the chilies and bacon are NOT optional!
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See it…right there…

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Don’t get me started on the parking…ahhhhhh the parking!!  We LOVE that parking is free in the gigantic lot right next to our building all winter long!!!
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We love what we do at Darn Knit Anyway.  We are proud of the shop we have created and we are full of gratitude that you all love it too.
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Imagine what we’ll learn next year!