Get right with the left-handed customer
"Lefty" finds that the Easter egg dipping tool works just fine.
As I attempted to teach my 7-year-old how to crochet recently, I quickly realized that her stubbornness and her left-handedness were going to be pretty big obstacles. I tried all the tricks: We looked in a mirror as I held the hook; we faced each other so she could try to duplicate my actions that way. Both strategies just added to her — to our — frustration. (Perhaps like shouldn’t be teaching like.)
My 10-year-old strolled by and said, “Maybe she’ll just have to learn to do it the normal way.”
Cutting words, indeed.
An estimated 7% to 13% of the U.S. population are lefties. Stores like UK’s Anything Lefthanded cater to this group and offer such diverse merchandise as scissors and watches, golf clubs and guitars.
While it’s definitely a niche, it’s one to take note of — especially for would-be crafters who don’t want to even bother because of all the transposing and inevitable frustration involved. Some learn to adapt to the “normal” way without difficulty; some end up teaching themselves through trial, error and perserverance. Still others thrive under the instruction of a left-handed instructor or a right-handed instructor who is knowledgeable about left-handed technique. I firmly believe that it’s getting them to start that is the biggest obstacle to overcome.
My daughter does needlepoint very well for her age. She’s mastered the tent stitch and the French knot; basketweave might be a different story. Right now, her hands are small enough that “grownup” sized scissors don’t affect her comfort while cutting. I’m glad we’re at least exposing her to different forms of needlework as a kid, so as she looks for a pastime as a teen and adult, there’s a level of comfort and familiarity with it.
In the lazy days of summer, perhaps it’s a good time to poll your customers to see who among them are southpaws, and of them, what they’d like to see in your inventory to make their hobby easier and more relaxing. Perhaps they are just fine with what you already have, but it’s worth it to give them a chance to have their say. (August 13 is International Lefthanded Day — a great excuse for a sale!)
Here are a few examples of acknowledging this group:
- Needlepoint For Fun devotes a page on its website with great links simply on “How To Needlepoint Left Handed.”
- Diane Thorton calls herself the “Left Out Knitter” and has an informative website with videos for sale regarding good technique.
- The Needle and I specifically includes left-handed scissors in its online sales inventory.
- Carol Ventura offers both right- and left-handed instructions for patterns and tutorials at her Tapestry Crochet site.
- Any shop near Left Hand, WV, is bound to have a lot of “Left Handers” as customers!
Want to add to this list? Comment below or send me an email at positiveyarn@goochandgooch.com.
Tags: Anything Lefthanded, August 13, Carol Ventura, Diane Thorton, left hand, Left Out Knitter, left-handers, Needlepoint For Fun, southpaw, Tapestry Crochet, The Needle and I
