Who is the blogger for the 88 Stitches website?
+ I am (Sue/owner of the shop) the main blogger for the 88 Stitches shop website. Sometimes my co-workers will write a post, but each of them have their own blogs and we often link to their blogs from the shop blog, so that our customers may see (if they like) what the staff is knitting and what's going on in their interesting lives.

What can we expect to see on the shop blog?
+ What you can expect to hear about on our shop blog is information about upcoming sales, events, knit-alongs, new yarn arrivals, and what we are knitting and crocheting.

How often do you blog?
+ I try to blog as often as possible, usually every week or so. I also have a personal blog called 88 Stitches after hours, where I write about my knitting life after shop hours and post photos of my projects.

Do you blog from the shop?
+ I blog from home on my day off, usually Sundays. There is no time at the shop!

How in earth do you find time to blog?
+There is never enough time, however, I make the time to blog because I think it's important to stay in touch with our customers, especially those who live out of town, who can't visit us all the time.

Do you have any advise for other bloggers?
My only advise [to bloggers] is to try to have as many photos as possible. Folks love to see yarn and our works in progress, as well as our finished projects. I notice an increase in hits when we have photos and details of our projects for inspiration.  Also, I don't share personal information on the shop blog. Keep the news to what's happening at your shop, not on the home-front.   Personal blogs are for sharing info about yourself.

http://www.88stitches.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=0&Itemid=39

88 Stitches
#602, 21183 – 88th Avenue
Langley
604 888 6689

http://www.88stitches.com/

When I emailed all the local yarn shops with questions about their blog Maiwa was the first to reply.  I was so thrilled because Maiwa is one of my favourite stores in Vancouver; when they started carrying yarn it made them that much better.   Here's what they told us:

Who is the blogger for your store?

My name is Tim McLaughlin and as I have the privilege of being the editor for much of the Maiwa content I'm also the blogger. I couldn't say I work alone though. All the staff make great suggestions and pass on interesting content. And the owner Charllotte Kwon is my chief collaborator, sounding board and inspiration. We work on the blog together.

What can we expect to hear about on your blog?

Our blog is presently describing our research trip to Assam, India where we went looking for wild silks. But we also promote and review events from our textile symposium; present new arrivals in the Maiwa store; send announcements when we put up a new podcast; and let people what is going on with the Maiwa Foundation.

When do you blog?

Whenever we can. Usually every third day.

Do you blog from home... the store?

We have a nicely appointed textile collection and research library in the Maiwa Loft on Granville Island (open to the public by appointment). Its a great space to write in and very handy if you have to consult a book, open a textile, or look up a quote or reference.

How on earth do you find time to blog? Have any advice for other bloggers?

Well, we had a number of projects that we wanted to communicate and the blog turned out to be the best mechanism to do that. We have documented a great deal of artisan cultures and techniques and we wanted a vehicle to share that information. Also the store and the foundation are pretty active. I think we are still finding our voice so we don't have any advice for other bloggers yet!

http://maiwahandprints.blogspot.com/