Spoiled

Boy am I spoiled. Over the last month I've had the opportunity to yarn shop in 2 different metropolitan areas. And, did I ever go for it! I think being in Gainesville with such a limited selection makes these little sojourns do strange things to me. I never thought I'd be like this, but even when I didn't know what I'd do with a paricular skein, I just had to have it. The inspirational value of my yarn stash has increased greatly.

In the Los Angeles area I went to four shops. I chose which ones to go to based on reviews I read online. In all the shops I went to I was impressed by the sense of community I felt there. Well- most of the shops. I'd walk in and feel as though I could just sit down and knit with these people- comfortably. There were always groups of people sitting together and working on projects. One shop even invited me to stay for their holiday party that evening (they were setting out cookies, etc.). There was a sense of these shops as a community center. That felt so very nourishing.

Day 1 found me at Unwind and Stitch Cafe. At Unwind I bought a skein of gorgeous Rio De La Plata handspun, kettle dyed in "faded red brick". I bought this yarn for my brother's girlfriend, along with a knitting magazine- to encourage her in her knitting. I got home and realized I couldn't part with it (sorry Lea). I made peace with this by buying a more expensive skein the next day that I thought I could give away. At Stitch Cafe I adored their selection of malabrigo. The colors are magnificent. I'm thinking of felting a bag with it and the Rio De La Plata. Sharon and Lorena from SnB have felted some lovely totes and I'm jealous.

(Malabrigo with Rio de la Plata in "faded red brick" on the right)

Day 2 of the yarn crawl took us to the coast. We drove over an hour to get to these shops specifically because I had seen that they both carried "Socks That Rock". At the first shop, Wild Fiber, I found lots of beautiful yarn, but also found that they had sold out of the STR. I was very disappointed, but pleased with my other purchases. Also, I later realized that this was the shop that the "Knit 2 Together" authors own. And, I didn't know it at the time, but Mel Clark helped me with some yarn choices and took my money. So, that's my claim to fame- I shopped there.

Then, although we were running late to meet David's friend for dinner, David helped me race across town to the other shop, A Mano Yarn Center, where I was lucky to find a small stash of STR. (What a husband.) I took the 2 STR that I had any interest in. So, success. The feeling of this shop was one of the nicest among the shops. Not that the other shops weren't nice- they were. Just that somehow, although very small, it felt filled with good things and good energy.

(Left to right: Cherry Tree Hill "North Country Cotton Mini" in "Indian Summer", Cherry Tree Hill " North Country Cotton Mini" in "Tropical Storm", 2 Lorna's Laces "Shepherd Sock" 702 Fresh Stripe, Socks That Rock lightweight "Velvet Moon", and Socks That Rock lightweight in "Alina".

On that trip I also got Cherry Tree Hill "Supersock" in "Northern Lights", which I've been working on for my best friend Amy:

I really like the feel of this yarn. Squishy, sturdy, soft, bright- good stuff. It feels good on my fingers.

So, now we have gotten past the Christmas purchases and on to Philadelphia...

It occurred to me when I was shopping for yarn this day how much my mood affects my purchases. Rosie's Yarn Cellar had a wonderful selection of handdyed yarns. I was stunned by the choices of beautiful colors- bright or subdued, natural or not, etc. However, I found myself choosing rather earthy, calming colors. In Los Angeles, I craved bright, deep colors. I thought that was my nature. But rather, I think it had to do with what I "needed" there. I wanted that depth. In Philly, I had just auditioned and had a whirlwind time walking around the city. I needed calm- and I found it in this yarn. They had so many bright gorgeous colors, but somehow it didn't feel right to get them. I loved this shop, and will definitely be going back if I'm accepted at Temple. I even started a "frequent buyer" card.

On the top we have Autumn House Farm's Herdwick Fine merino superwash, in colorway "Barn Swallow". I adore this colorway, even though it's quite different from what I usually go for. In the middle, also from Autumn House Farm, we have a Stideaway Fine 100% wool in colorway "Bracken". Both of these yarns are very soft.

On the bottom you see the major spender of the day. I plunged and got the 100% silk lace from Claudia's Hand Painted Yarns in "Blue Sky" for the Lace Shawl KAL. I'm happily looking forward to starting this, as soon as one or both of my current projects are completed.

In Philadelphia, I also went to Loop, and *gasp* didn't get anything. I don't know if it was just because it was the end of the day and I was tired, or what, but I didn't really get into this shop. I felt like I had just been at a mom and pop's at Rosie's and at Loop I walked into Bloomingdale's. Maybe that's exaggerating, but I felt that way nonetheless. It was a nice place though. Just not my thing at that point.

So, those are my recent yarn acquisitions. Soon I'll share the spinning and accessory items I'm enjoying as well. S-P-O-I-L-E-D ....yay!