We're going to change and simplify the shipping rates and the "free shipping threshold". For most countries, this means an increase (though for some countries only a slight increase, and for others even a decrease).

I will tell you why.

We need to keep our business healthy.

Our quite low shipping costs are just no longer feasible. We get more and more small orders of 1 or 2 skeins of yarn, that need to be shipped as a parcel.

At best, we break even on such orders, but mostly we lose money on them. That's fine if it happens only once in a while, because not everything always has to be only about making money. But it's happening too often.

An all time favorite: one or two skeins of Bio Shetland or Bio Balance.

With shipping costs going as low as €2,- in Holland, this was perhaps not surprising.

Sustainability, people!

Yes I know, it seems the consumer gets all the responsibility these days. And the guys who can really make a big difference, like the governments and bigshots in charge, seem happy to keep this responsibility focused on ordinary people.

Still.

There is the cost in resources and transportation to consider. Very small orders require more of everything, related to large orders. More time, more packaging materials, more gas for transportation, etc.

By raising the shipping rates, I do hope to nudge customers to consider carefully. Either to get some more yarn or notions in one order (an extra project/gift for someone/thing you covet but hesitate to buy) - or to think "well that's really too expensive, it can wait".

And if you really want it, it's still possible to order just that one skein, of course.

Shipping actually costs much more.

Nice to know: we do not make money on shipping itself. The actual costs are higher than the amount that we charge.

The charm of a small business.

Yarnz does not have millions to burn. We want to be independent and healthy without big loans from banks. We believe that, in a healthy economy, there must also be room for smaller players. Because it's good for innovation and sustainability if people can choose. (And not only between the big companies, whose investors determine our course only based on quick money.)

We want to be healthy and contribute to a healthy, fair economy.

So go on and fill up that parcel! Or postpone your purchase until you know a destination for 4, 5 or 21 skeins of yarn.

New shipping rates

Per Oct 21

Netherlands:

Shipping costs €4,50 (free shipping on orders over €40,-).

Belgium & Germany:

Shipping costs €6,- (free shipping on orders over €50,-).

United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Sweden:

Shipping costs €8,50 (free shipping on orders over €70,-)

Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain:

Shipping costs €10,- (free shipping on orders over €75,-).

Rest of the world:

Shipping costs €20 (free shipping on orders over €100).

We like to help grow a community of eco-concious makers. And it's much more fun to design something for a group of friends, who are eagerly awaiting the new issues. So we started our Making the Fair Way Project Club.

It is contradictory that we have to use the capitalist system to fight the injustice resulting from that very system. But I don't know any other way.

We cast our vote every day, with the choices we make. Which products we buy, which organizations we support, where we work, etc.

When considering your hobby, your creative self-expression, don't you want the materials you use to be kind? Your yarn and tools have already made a journey, transformed from raw resources to hand knitting items, before they ended up in your hands. Don't you want to know that the path that has led your materials to you has made the earth a better place?

We are part of an ever increasing global tribe of people who care deeply about other beings and the natural world. We want to do what's best for the world, the people living in it, and the natural environment on which our quality of life depends.

We do all this by selling beautiful, ethical and Fair yarn.

In a complex and complicated world, it is impossible to be perfect and not leave any footprint. I don't think you have to. But I do think we have a duty to make an effort.

Join the makers movement. Feel the difference, make the difference.

Throwback to last year!

At the Festival in Zwolle, in 2018, they already met and became friends (yes the Festival does that too......)!

On the left Susanne Visch a.k.a. @la_visch on Instagram and on the right Alina Popovici a.k.a. @lamailleauxtableaux.

And now, they are both teachers at the coming Festival in Zwolle on October 11 & 12. Susanne is teaching how to fix mistakes in knitting. And from Alina you can take the masterclass ''Knit your palette’ – Balance, harmony and contrast for colorwork knitting' (with Dutch assistance so don't be afraid of taking an English based class). ⁠

Tickets are already in pre sale! Book your workshops and tickets here on the Breidagen website (click).

And I'd almost forget... of course Yarnz will be there too! ;)

Photo credits @ Janet Vermist.

As a thank you for the loyal support, encouragement and trust, Alina Popovici from La Maille Aux Tableaux celebrates her birthday this week with a sale of her Opulence and Graphismes sweater!

Until Sunday Midnight (Paris time) both patterns are 15% off, both in her Ravelry store and in our webshop.

If you prefer our webshop:

You can find the Opulence pattern here.

You can find the Graphismes pattern here.