H is for Hippo
I finished the example hippo in time for Judi’s birthday (back in August). She’s pretty awesome and she loves Hippopotamuses, so I made her a pattern. But since she doesn’t knit, I sent her the example Hippo instead. He’s made with bulky merino from Morehouse Farm – an excellent tie-in to our Mindful Fiber this month. <--Spoiler! The pattern is available on Ravelry and Etsy*.
Happy Birthday, Judi! You make my life grand.
*What are y’all’s views about having the patterns in the same Etsy shop with the toys? Is that weird to you? Should I make a separate pattern shop now that I’ve got a bunch of them?
Not at all – you have a section labelled patterns, that’s good enough I think.
I think having them in the same shop is ideal. I find it frustrating to have to search out separate shops for things by the same person. Just my two cents. (:
I LOVELOVELOVE the hippo and NEED to make one for myself for Christmas! 😉
Of course you should have the patterns in the same shop as the toys! I’d hate to have to search another shop! That’s why they have the sections, right?
My immediate thought was that of course you should just use the one shop. But then I thought, what if putting the pattern in for not a very lot of money makes someone second-guess having you make the animal for them at (comparatively) more money. But, then, I suspect your clientele is the sort who understands that things that aren’t made by 8-year-old Chinese orphans out of toxic material cost real money and do not get dropped at your doorstep by fairies.
So I guess my suggestion would be to start by having them in the same shop, but if you notice that your pre-made animal business starts to slacken in a noticeable way to open a second one.
I think one shop is great as it is nice to see the finished toys. I have just heard stories about people thinking they were getting the finished object not the pattern. Maybe having both in the same shop will keep this from happening.
why would you need a 2nd shop? but I usually buy from ravelry….
I LOVE the hippo…can’t wait to make him!!! thanks again for a FABULOUS critter!!!!
LOVE the color and the hippo is so darn cute !
I think you are fine having the patterns in the same shop- a separate store section and putting them at the tail end of your shop pages should be good enough 🙂
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the pattern/toy/shop question. The outcome is: I’ll leave it alone! Which is awesome because I dreaded managing two shops.
Love the purple hippo!