How Not to Run an LYS Craft Group

Pity Marketing is Weird & Bad!

This week, Sara and Jules are discussing pity marketing — why consumers are sick of it, why it’s a bad business strategy, and what you could do instead! Follow Hot Cakes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hotcakescraftpod/]! Do you have a hot take? Email us at hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com [hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com]! Support the show on Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod] Where to find Jules (she/her): @juliettepecautdesigns www.juliettepecautdesigns.com [http://www.juliettepecautdesigns.com] instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns [http://instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns] Mailing list: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe] Where to find Sara (they/she): www.bostonfibercompany.com [http://www.bostonfibercompany.com] instagram.com/bostonfibercompany [http://instagram.com/bostonfibercompany] Jules’ WIP: Pattern: Farasta [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/farasta] by Juliette Pécaut (from Laine 52 Weeks of Sweaters) Yarn: JPD Suri Silk Lace held with JPD Merino Fingering https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/products/suri-silk-lace-naturally-dyed-wool-yarn [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/products/suri-silk-lace-naturally-dyed-wool-yarn] https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/products/merino-fingering-naturally-dyed-wool-yarn [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/products/merino-fingering-naturally-dyed-wool-yarn] Sara’s WIP: Pattern: Simply the Vest [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simply-the-vest-4] by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Noro Tensan [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/products/tensan] Things we mention: Hello Lavender oyster earrings [https://www.hellolavender.com/product-page/preorder-oyster-earrings] HapBee Creative Studios [https://www.hapbeecreativestudios.com/] stitch markers Forager Fabrics Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/foragerfabrics/forager-fabrics-your-new-neighborhood-fabric-store] Big Up Box Yarn Truck Go Fund Me [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-big-up-box-yarn-truck-bringing-uplifting-fiber] Wool Works — July 18 https://www.wool.works/ [https://www.wool.works/] Boston Fiber Festival — Sept 12-13 https://bostonfiberfestival.com/ [https://bostonfiberfestival.com/] Music by Steve Ingle

Stop Devaluing "Hobby" Skills!

Hot Cakes Episode 17: Stop Devaluing “Hobby” Skills! (Episode 16 is on YouTube!) We are back from our hiatus! In this episode of Hot Cakes, Sara and Jules discuss what to expect (and what NOT to expect) from knitting/crochet patterns and classes, how skills are devalued in the fiber arts industry, and why it matters to pay artists in this capitalist hellscape. Fun! Do you have a hot take? Email us at hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com [hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com]! Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod [https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod] Where to find Jules (she/her): www.juliettepecautdesigns.com [http://www.juliettepecautdesigns.com] instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns [http://instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns] Mailing list: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe] Where to find Sara (they/she): www.bostonfibercompany.com [http://www.bostonfibercompany.com] instagram.com/bostonfibercompany [http://instagram.com/bostonfibercompany] Sara is wearing: Pattern: Simply the Vest V Neck by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Urth Yarns Etesia in “Squid” Sara’s WIP: Pattern: Bealtaine Tank by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Malabrigo Mora in Ravelry Red Jules is wearing: Pattern: Simply the Vest V Neck by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Nashua Handknits Isabella Jules’ WIP: Pattern: coming soon!! Yarn: JPD Alpaca Silk Boucle dyed with cutch held with JPD Merino Fingering undyed Things we mention: Lil Bucky Bag by Leila Makes Threadloop (like Ravelry for sewing!) Wool Works — July 18 Boston Fiber Festival — Sept 12-13 Music by Steve Ingle

Don't Collaborate With Fascists and Audience Emails!

In this episode of Hot Cakes, Sara and Jules are chatting about the importance of not collaborating with fascists (iykyk) and answering some questions and discussing hot takes from you, our lovely audience! Do you have a hot take? Email us at hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com [hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com]! Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod [https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod] Where to find Jules (she/her): www.juliettepecautdesigns.com [http://www.juliettepecautdesigns.com] instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns [http://instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns] Mailing list: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe] Where to find Sara (they/she): www.bostonfibercompany.com [http://www.bostonfibercompany.com] instagram.com/bostonfibercompany [http://instagram.com/bostonfibercompany] Sara is wearing: Pattern: Pressed Flowers Cardigan by Amy Christoffers Yarn: East Coast Yarn Sport and La Bien Aimee Merino Sport Sara’s WIP: Pattern: Simply the Vest V Neck by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Urth Yarns Etesia in “Squid” Jules is wearing: Pattern: Off the Grid by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Imperial Yarns Denali in “Sagebrush” Jules’ WIP: Pattern: unnamed variation of Simply the Vest (coming soon!) by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Baa Ram Ewe Woodnote DK in “Toad” Things we mention: Finish Line Socks kits: https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/products/finish-line-sock-kits [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/products/finish-line-sock-kits] BFC Classes: https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes] Music by Steve Ingle

How Not to Run an LYS Craft Group

SORRY THIS IS SO LATE - LOVE, SARA In this episode of Hot Cakes, Sara and Jules talk about best practices for running a crafting circle at your LYS, how to avoid alienating your customers, and how to build a sustainable and meaningful community at your shop! Do you have a hot take? Email us at hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com [hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com]! Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod [https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod] Where to find Jules (she/her): www.juliettepecautdesigns.com [http://www.juliettepecautdesigns.com] instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns [http://instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns] Mailing list: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe] Where to find Sara (they/she): www.bostonfibercompany.com [http://www.bostonfibercompany.com] instagram.com/bostonfibercompany [http://instagram.com/bostonfibercompany] Sara’s WIP: Pattern: Rumble Raglan by Lydia Morrow Yarn: Ex Libris Fibers Jules is wearing: Pattern: Simply the Vest V Neck by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Junction Fiber Mill Making Tracks in Cider Doughnuts (MC) and Undyed (CC) Jules’ WIP: Pattern: Bealtaine Tank by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: JPD Alpaca Silk Boucle in Cutch Things we mention: Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival (April 25): https://goreplace.org/sheepshearing-festival [https://goreplace.org/sheepshearing-festival] LYS Day is also April 25! Finish Line Socks kits: https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/products/finish-line-sock-kits [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/products/finish-line-sock-kits] BFC Classes: https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes] Music by Steve Ingle

Don't Monetize Your Hobby

Hot Cakes Episode 13: Don’t Monetize Your Hobby In this episode of Hot Cakes, Sara and Jules talk about why you shouldn’t monetize your hobby and how side hustles are a terrible side effect of late-stage capitalism (from two people who have monetized their hobbies and/or have several side hustles — oops!) Do you have a hot take? Email us at hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com [hotcakescraftpod@gmail.com]! Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod [https://ko-fi.com/hotcakescraftpod] Where to find Jules (she/her): www.juliettepecautdesigns.com [http://www.juliettepecautdesigns.com] instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns [http://instagram.com/juliettepecautdesigns] Mailing list: https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe [https://juliettepecautdesigns.com/pages/subscribe] Where to find Sara (they/she): www.bostonfibercompany.com [http://www.bostonfibercompany.com] instagram.com/bostonfibercompany [http://instagram.com/bostonfibercompany] Sara is wearing: Cardigan Pattern: Loopy Mango Rhinebeck Cardigan Cardigan Yarn: Loopy Mango Dream Sara’s WIP: Pattern: Baby Aoasta Sweater by The Knit Purl Girl Yarn: Shirsty Cat Designs Sparkle DK Jules is wearing: Pattern: Sure Thing Raglan (coming later in 2026!) by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: The Perfect Blend Yarn and Tea Shop Alpaca Jules’ WIP: Pattern: Sure Thing Raglan by Juliette Pécaut Yarn: Wooldreamers Mota Things we mention: Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival (April 25): https://goreplace.org/sheepshearing-festival [https://goreplace.org/sheepshearing-festival] BFC Classes: https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes [https://www.bostonfibercompany.com/pages/classes] Music by Steve Ingle