First Annual North Shore Yarn Crawl ...

In spite of the drowning rain that lasted the WHOLE weekend here in New England, we had a GREAT time on the first annual North Shore Yarn Crawl. I went with a group of six ... the "Knittin' Kittens.". The girls who weren't able to go sure missed out on a great time and we missed ya, Kittens. But ...

Here's the highlights.

First we all meet and picked up coffee and goodies from Perfecto's in Peabody and then headed over to Sit 'n Knit in Melrose, MA. Remember it was raining out and if it was raining too hard I didn't take an outside picture of the store (and forgot about the inside, but the store was filled with knitters and I was enthralled with the hunt for yarn.) ... so

here's a picture of the stash I walked away with.

The bag contains two skeins of Manos and the plan is to use it in a hook rug pillow I'm designing. Learned how to do it at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn recently remember ...

And this wonderfully soft ball of yarn was a gift for purchasing over $25. Came with a cowl pattern which I cast-on when I got home (needed something to knit while on the road the 2nd day right? ... well, of course.) And I loved this yarn too!

Then on to Butterfly Yarns in Wakefield. BTW, I'd go back to both of these places again when I have the opportunity. Very nice yarn & people here and well worth the trip.

Small but very nicely organized and displayed.







Just look at the goodies I got; two each of Crystal Palace's worsted Mini Mochi and Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Paints. Both with a project in mind. Mini Mochi to make this fair isle hat from Crystal Palace and the Cascade for a scarf project in their new book: 60 Quick Knits

I bought the book when the yarn crawl started on Thursday from Seed Stitch Fine Yarn and then went on the crawl with a "List". The trouble is though, I want to make everything in the book. As you know, I start early on Christmas gifts and this book is FILLED with styles and patterns that I just LOVE to knit.

And take a look at the little sticky note pad holder I got as a gift at Butterfly Yarns. Too cute!






Then off to ... Abbott Yarn Shoppe in Beverly.
Can you feel how cold & wet that it was?



Well here was a busy shop with very helpful people inside. I came out with





more Cascades only this time Cascade 220 Heathers ... for Christmas gifts you know.

And then it was time for a quick lunch at McDonald's. A girl's gotta eat ya right?






Smile ladies!
Then it's off to Cranberry Fiber Arts in South Hamilton.
It was pouring out once again so I only got pictures inside. This was a THREE room shop. The biggest place so far. Lot's and lot's of yarns and samples.
Of course I walked away with more stash ...
Did you think I wouldn't? Sure you didn't. More Mochi Plus is brighter colors and two Cascade Yarns Eco Alpaca and Cascade 220 Superwash Paints. For Christmas gifts right, for Christmas gifts.

Then we arrived at the Village Stitchery in Topsfield.Checked every corner for more ...
Cascade 200 Superwash Paints. For a scarf ... really.

Okay it's about time we had a coffee break!



And then we're off to ....




Loom 'N Shuttle in Ipswich. One of the smallest yarn inventories we saw but do you think I found something I wanted? Of course I did ... one of the most unusual scarf patterns: Bubbles and lovely yarn called Ella rae Palermo. This one might be for the StitchingNut!












And then the last shop of the day. The day mind you. We'll be back out tomorrow, but first we stop at ...

Yarns in the Farms in Beverly.

Are you warm & dry, Cindy?

This is one of the smallest shops but packed to the rafters with yarn and samples and friendly people...

Did you notice all those happy faces? Who would have thought a yarn crawl was all it would take to make so many people happy?

And of course I couldn't leave without buying yarn again.

Now if only I could remember what I wanted to make with it. But it's Noro Silk and it's luscious!

So now it's dinner time so we stop at Family Fare Restaurant in Peabody to eat and make plans for our second day on the yarn crawl.
(Did you think I'd stay out of ALL of the pictures?)

I think I'll cast-on a neckwarmer and get back to you tomorrow.

Of course there's another day of shopping ahead of us and I've got to be ready.

Just for a laugh ...

Let's knit!

The K Factor - Knitting!
and
The K Factor - Knitting 2


And there's a contest at my LYS, Seed Stitch Fine Yarn ...

working on my entry now. For an Easter egg and basket Hunt!

Now what do you suppose I'll make? Egg or Basket or Both? Knit or Felt? And do I have enough time to get it/them done? After all ... there's a Yarn Crawl as well.

Hey, I'm knitting as fast as I can ....

The New Scarf ...

I've finished up two more Neck warmers ... otherwise known as Cowls aren't they? Well I've always thought of them to be one and the same. I love scarfs and have knit plenty for myself and gave away many as gifts too. But it's funny that I haven't seen any of the recipients wear 'em. Didn't you like your scarf? I knit it just for you. Maybe it was the color choice. Or maybe you just don't like to wear scarves? Please don't tell me you lost it the first time you even wore it.

Well this year is the year of the Cowls. The Neckwarmers. The NEW Scarf ....



So I just finished two more to throw into the 2010 Christmas Basket





Instead of wrapping everything ... I'm going to let each person who WANTs a knit item to pick out the one of their choice. And to make it fair, I'll have everyone draw a number to see who picks first and who goes next, etc. But of course, if there's only one or two recipients who even want a home knit gift this year ... well all the more for ones who do want them right? Do my grandchildren, daughter, step-daughters or sister-in-laws even want one?

Any suggestions on how to figure that one out??



Sad but maybe it's a case where the kids are tired of my knits. Sigh. Or should I get them one of Mason Dixon's new books. You know the one right?





But what am I going to do with all my knitting?

When a major project if finished ...

I should wear it somewhere to celebrate. Let's see ... there's a birthday party to attend with a class on Hooking Rugs with Amy from Lincoln Farms.

What shall I wear?



Oh yah, my Erika Poncho, pattern from Rowan Classic Winter Solace using Rowan's Alpaca Cotton is DONE.

The party was a blast and hooking lessons was fun!

I not only LOVE the Poncho ...



I just feel so D*m cute wearing it!

Just another scarf ...

Project info

Name: Braided Scarf with Spud & Chloe

Pattern Braided by Susan B. Anderson

Needle and yarn

Needles:

US 13 / 9.0 mm

US 17 / 12.75 mm

Yarn:

Spud & Chloë Outer

How much?

3 skeins = 180.0 yards (164.6m)

Colorway Soapstone #7200

Purchased at:

Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, Massachusetts

And warm enough to walk about town even on the coldest days!

Other than knitting ...

There's a Festival in Salem to attend with my SIL.



And I didn't even take my knitting bag with me. Really!

I crochet as well ...

as knit. Although, I use to feel like a crocheter is the "poor" cousin of the knitters. Yet I still loved to crochet. I'm obsessed with knitting but my first love is crochet. After all, I crocheted for over 40 years.



I want to share this wonderful article I read today. Very inspirational and even contains some of my own beliefs as I was growing up such as; "Every dream begins with the decision to try to accomplish it. If you believe you can, you can." I thought of my great grandmother Brown when I read it. I spent many hours visiting with her when I was a child. I thought she was fascinating. I loved the stories she told of her own childhood. And of course I loved her crochet!



After every crochet class I teach now; I no longer feel like a "poor" cousin. I now feel like the "rich" Aunt sharing my love of Fiber Art.

And teaching a skill that will last forever.

Freshing our crafting skills ...

by taking a class in making Dorset Buttons.

Went to a class at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn and fell in love these buttons. It's our way of going Green and using up bit and bubbles of left-over yarn and floss. Most of us hate throwing anything way, but eventually we need something to do with it before our spouse (or family) throw us out. That's a personal dilemma for me anyway.
[hear the laughing in the background?]

So here's something to make with our little bits & pieces of left over yarn. And I'm all for using up every little bit. That's why I also needle felt pieces of wool. Even the bits I cut off of my projects. Anyway; the whole class enjoyed something "new" to do with our time and abundant skills. Here we are "perfecting our new found skill."

With the instructor; Jules Means.

And the class was full.

 

 

This is what I came up with below ...

Oh I must do more ... needle felt on some maybe?