Friday, December 01, 2006

Fiber lovers will understand!


I am sooo excited!! I confess, I am a yarn addict. I love rich, touchable fibers. For years now, my only local options have been Michael's Craft Store, Hancock Fabrics (which only carries Lion Brand) and WalMart (choke! choke!) Don't get me wrong. I am thankful that I have any store in my town that sells yarn, but I just have not been able to get my hands on the stuff that dreams are made of. However, that has ended! We now have a small, independent yarn shop in our area...well in a nearby town less than 25 minutes from my house! Huzzah! Huzzah! (Oh, and for those of you who do not have boys who are into historical books and stuff, and that would be pronounced "huh zah" with the accent on the last syllable.)

Because it is close to my local, independently owned bead shop, I have had the opportunity to drive past this yarn shop multiple times wondering when it would finally open its doors, always to be disappointed. On Tuesday, I was thrilled when I saw the owner's van parked in front. FINALLY, I would get to browse. I just about wet myself I was so excited. But alas and alack! They were not open! She was just there vacuuming the shop. I peeked in the windows and wanted to cry. I walked past the door 2 or 3 times and then finally marched up to it and boldly knocked. She opened and I begged for a brochure or something with their hours, etc. I was secretly hoping she might invite me in, but she was there on her lunch hour from another job and was in a hurry. Needless to say, I was back the next day during business hours. As luck would have it, friend of mine who is an avid crocheter also happened to be there. The only thing better than drooling in a yarn shop is drooling in a yarn shop with someone else who also appreciates yummy yarns. I am sure that the owners got a big kick listening to us "Oooooo & ahhhh!" We were like kids in a candy store..."Oh! Look at this!" and "Come see!!" The owner's also probably got a big kick out of the fact we both bought yarn! I confess, I spent every single penny that I had in my wallet! In fact, I had to borrow six cents from my friend! But it was worth it! Not only does this shop carry nice, manufactured yarn, but also handspun, hand-dyed, and hand-painted yarn!! Photos can not do it justice, the colors are much prettier in real life, but have a peek:

This is 250 yards of 100% wool that has been hand-dyed. I wish you could see and touch it! It has a lovely sheen and is very soft, not rough like some wool.

I also got two 100 yard skeins of this, also hand-painted 100% wool:


Aren't they simply scrumptious? Yummy?! And, the owner wrapped it all in pretty tissue paper, put it in a bag with a bow and candy cane and tucked a little baggy of candy inside as well. You just can't beat small, locally owned businesses! Now my new yarns sit where I can see them. I am waiting for them to speak to me and tell me what they want to be knit (or crocheted) into!

And, lest you think that I have been unproductive these past few months...
let me set your mind at rest! Here is a shot of the afghan I crocheted for my Autumn Secret Pal. I don't think I have shown it here yet. I did not post it earlier because I did not want to ruin the surprise. She wanted purple and yellow, and so that is what I made! I have the hardest time getting the color purple to look true with my photos! But this will give you a general idea.



Here are some other items I have been making and selling like crazy! Can you guess what they are?



They are headbands! I make them out of cotton in all kinds of colors. The nice thing about them is that they are totally "ouch-free!" The crocheted cotton has a bit of stretch to it and it also does not tend to slip. I make them with ties so each person can adjust it to fit their head perfectly. I often forget I am wearing one.

And for my friend, Anna, here is a "fun shot."



I have also made a ton of earrings, hair sticks and necklaces in the past month or so. I will save those for another post (which can be interpreted as: I don't have any photos of those and so you will have to wait!)

8 comments:

kimodified said...

Oh HEY!

That yarn sure is pretty!

And Those headbands are great! Are they on your website? those are cool!

I was surfing some knitting sites and saw some stitch holders with beads and dangles and was going to tell you, you should make some stitch holders! :-D Combining your love of fiber with your art with beads!

MicheleStitches said...

The headbands are not on my site YET! I have been selling them to friends and family and also at a local boutique. I just haven't had time to get around to properly photographing them and listing them on my site! Shame on me!

MicheleStitches said...

Oh, and I forgot to say...I have made stitch markers before, as gifts. I just haven't tried to market them!

Liliana said...

Gasp! Wait, let me get hold of myself! Those are the prettiest colors. Oh the photos are delicious. I wish I could touch. Wool is always scratchy so I cannot imagine a soft wool. I like that you're waiting for your yarn to speak to you. Hmmmm. I like that a lot. I'll bet the owner was tickled to sell some yarn to you.

I did find a Web page that shows how to add beads to knitting.

Now you have a bead shop and a custom yarn shop in your vicinity. You are in such trouble!

MicheleStitches said...

Yes, Lil, I am in trouble...except my wallet is empty!!! Sadly, I can not dip into household funds for goodies like yarn and beads (you can read my post further down about the hot water heater and car repairs if you have any questions about that!) So, until I sell some more stuff, I will practice restraint and just drool and dream (and work with what I have.) Looking is always fun too!

Tracy Batchelder said...

You bought some pretty yarn. How exciting to have a yarn shop so close by.

LadySnow said...

That yarn looks absolutely wonderful!

Anna said...

Ahhh...aren't those fun shots addicting??? Love those brignt colors too. Glad things are going well for you. That yarn looks divine. I really need to get out and see what this big city has to offer me in regards to yummy yarns.

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