Questions and Answers

Q: What happened to the blog?

A: Oh, dear. I'm so very sorry. What happened is: The blog is written by a store employee, on store time. Mostly. This is so that the employee can be fairly compensated for time spent on the store's behalf, writing on the blog. HOWEVER. Most store employees are part time workers. Also, there is not always a lot of "spare time" during a working day at the store. Sometimes, there will be fifteen minutes or so at the end of the day that can be devoted to posting to the blog. But, other days, there is stock to put out, last minute shoppers to assist, day end chores to do. And, before you know it, there is no time left to blog. So, this morning, I decided to sneak in and post from home. Just so that you all know, that you are not forgotten.

Q: What days/times are you open?

A: This is a question we frequently get from customers phoning in. We are open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am until 5:30 pm.

Q: Can I get a print catalogue? Do you still mail out catalogues?

A: This is another very frequently asked question. We no longer produce a paper-printed catalogue. Our catalogue is now all online (current Spring 2008 is available now at the website http://www.ramwools.com/ ) What does this mean to you? Well, first of all, it means keeping costs down so we don't have to raise prices. Secondly, if you are reading this blog, it means that you probably have a computer, or computer access, and are able to see our catalogue on line. Regrettably, we know, that there are people out there who cannot access the Internet. Most libraries provide computers for patrons to surf the 'net. Some people are allowed to use work computers for personal browsing during breaks. But there are still a lot of people who cannot access the World Wide Web. You can help. Yes, you. Perhaps you have a friend, a neighbour, or a relative who knits but doesn't yet have Internet access. Invite them to share your computer. Print off the catalogue for them. Maybe it is a member of your knitting group, or guild. Offer to help guide them to our online catalogue at the library's computer. By sharing in this way, you can help spread the joy of knitting, and maybe make new friends.

Q: Do you answer your emails?

A: Yes, emails sent to yarn @ ramwools.com (I put in spaces to help foil the 'bots) are checked and answered by our mail-order team. If you want to place an order or ask about the status of your order, this is the email to use. You can also place orders by phoning 1-800-263-8002 PLEASE NOTE THIS NUMBER IS FOR ORDERS ONLY. Thank you.

Have other questions? About knitting or yarn? To contact one of our knitting experts, please call (204) 949-6868, or e-mail us at yarn @ ramwools.com (again, remove the spaces)

Q: What about crochet?

A: YES!!!!!!! YES, we are a "Crochet Friendly Yarn Store". I personally have heard from many crocheters that there are some yarn stores that they don't feel welcome at. Well, not so at Ram Wools. We have several people working at the store who crochet. We carry a selection of threads suitable for crocheting doilies and table cloths. We have crochet pattern books and leaflets. We carry a selection of Susan Bates crochet hooks, in both steel and aluminum sizes. Please feel free to come in and shop for your crochet needs, or ask your crochet questions. There will be someone available to help you.

Q: What new products do you have in for spring?

A: Some of the Spring pattern books have arrived, along with some new cottons and cotton blend yarns. New stock arrives every day!! Be sure to watch our website for new products and newsletters.

Q: Did you knit this? (referring to a sample sweater)

A: This is a question we are often asked. We have several sample sweaters of Ram original patterns, or samples showing a particular yarn knit or crocheted into a hat or scarf. Some of these are, in fact, provided by the yarn manufacturer. Many are knitted by our "contract knitters", people who will knit for a fee. Some of the hats and scarves are knit (or crocheted) by store employees. I have had the opportunity, personally, to knit a scarf from our Lana Linda (http://www.ramwools.com/index.cfm?pageID=3&section=25&prodID=4474 ) a wonderful wool from Uruguay that is very soft; a hat from Mission Falls pattern book "Decade" (http://www.ramwools.com/index.cfm?pageID=3&section=484&prodID=5972) using Mission Falls 1824 Wool ( http://www.ramwools.com/index.cfm?pageID=3&section=506&prodID=3256 ) that was a very interesting textured design (I just had to buy the book for myself, very inspiring patterns) and the wool is very nice to work with, and holds up well when one needs to rip due to making some knitting mistakes! I also knitted one of the panels for the Equinox lap throw featured on the homepage right now.

Hopefully, I have covered many of the questions that you have asked, or would like to ask. If not, then by all means, leave a comment on this blog, and I promise to try to spend more time (from home, if necessary) checking and posting and keeping you updated on what is going on and what it is like to work at Ram Wools.