This week I was taunted with a trip to WildFiber with Jessica and Olli from my Knitting Group that I met through Ravelry, but I sort of got left behind for a rant-fest. A little put out I decided to do my own spoiling by purchasing Boutique Knits. And while they do owe me a trip the next time they go, I was then inclined to snag my one day with Lisa on Thursday and make it a Knit day. And not just any knit day, a yarn Crawl and Group Knit day!!

It was fantastic!!

(Aside from the early wake up call… Which somehow had me up with Greg and moving around the house. This whole week has been weird with my sleep schedule- or lack thereof..)

So Lisa came over around 9ish and we headed out sometime after 10am. The first place we hit was A Major Knitwork. A little tucked away place that had some good selections with a little of everything. Two older ladies that were nice and chatty and full of information (that my brain wasn`t taking in given the hour), and some very beautiful yarn. Being the first Yarn store I had really been into (outside generic crafting stores) I was all doe-eyed over the feeling of them, but a little price-shocked at well.. the prices of a single skein. Although the Noro that my Mom bought for me gave a nice indication- as well as what I have looked at online, it was still a little much for me to take in at 10-ish am and knowing I only could spend money on something I absolutely loved. So, we both got some little trinkets there, (I can`t remember if Lisa got actual Yarn there or not…) But I now have a new Mini Keychain Sock Blocker! It`s so cute!

Second store we went to was called `Rather B Knitting` and it was then we started noticing something. Here the prices were quite high, there was very little selection of yarn, needles or books. It was, as I have dubbed it, Asian Chic Knitting Boutique. Run by Asians, and everything white and despite the knitting group inside it didn`t seem at all like the place for either Lisa and I. Lisa pointed out that we were seemingly getting a nice sphere of the different types of stores. Which after the 3rd i`ll agree!

Third store was … well, if the second store was rather sterile, `Needle World` was the complete opposite! It was like walking into someone`s personal stash that had taken over a warehouse that was store size. There was very little organization and everything just stuffed wherever there was room. Deciding by then that I wanted a new sock yarn I struggled to find anything that was remotely the right weight. There were some stuff in there that I liked but nothing that jumped out at me screaming `buy me` except this skein that was peacock in colour. I can`t find it on ravelry, but it was a nice worsted-weight yarn that was 20$ a skein. Walking around for a good 10 minutes feeling indecisive about it, I chose to leave it behind. That indecisive and I know I don`t need it. I was good… Lisa, on the other hand, got a great deal on this crazy yarn that I have no idea what it is… Watch her ravelry page… I`m sure she will post something sometime! We had lunch at a little pizza place around the corner that would make going back worth the trip. Or at least I think so. Great flat bread and perfect timing…

The 4th store was the JACKPOT!! `La Knitterie Parisienne` was the motherload of yarn stores! They had a little and a LOT of everything. Floor to ceiling and in rather tight rows in two shops of Yarns, Buttons, Books and just… Yarn! Walking in my comment of `Holy Cow!` in absolute awe did not go unnoticed. This was exactly what we were looking for – and will totally make a trip back to! Not only did I find some Beautiful Rowan Sock yarn (the lat two skeins in that lot number), I found so much more! A full wall of Noro Yarn, Skeins of silks and just… pure love! Not wanting to just get the Rowan, I had to indulge in something special. So I found myself flipping between two colours and decided on the Golden-Cream mixture of Aslan Trends Class Yarn. SO SOFT…… so very soft…….. <3

Before picking up Dan from his work we did a quick hop to Micheals and I picked up a 6.5mm circulars (which is the missing size in my Addiclicks) and off we went. Back home for me to make Corn Chowder for the 3 of us. Ending the evening with knitting group and me falling asleep before Greg.

So the End stash of the day:

Since then, I took a small break from my Mystery Sock Challenge (Which is about 65% complete) and have chosen to take the time to flip through my new book and actually plan out my next project. Having nothing else on the needles, I felt it was okay. I still want to get my Noro Shrug started now that I have the proper needles, the Aslan Trend just called out more! I picked the Ruffled Neck Kerchief and have already found some fun bits with it. Not realizing until after the 3-4 rows that it was a lace pattern I am starting to think it was an unexpected challenge -and easier than I thought.-ish. Deciding I love the multiple colours throughout the lace, I believe I will add just one small stripe into the pattern of a solid colour and then the ruffle of that same solid -meaning I would need to go out and find something complimentary in both colour, shine and texture. Next weekend, maybe I can get Greg to take me for a quick run in…. Yeah.. quick..

Either way, here is a little look into the small shawl kerchief thingy that I have concluded will go to my Nana hopefully for christmas. Hope it turns out!!!