the blue blog archives: yarnheads

Look ma, crazy ice fishers. What on earth would possess people to get up early on a Saturday morning and go out into the frigid cold that is Maine in January?! Oh yeah, yarn. Our little knitbloggers excursion to Halcyon was a blast! These gals are so much fun.

Booty shot! (Made you click!) I couldn't resist the Peace Fleece wool in beautiful Chickie Masala yellow. And I figured it was about time I picked up Montse Stanley's Knitter's Handbook. After Halcyon, Melissa took us to Grace Robinson & Co. in Freeport (the mecca of Rowan yarns!), where I bought the lovely blue Jaeger Baby Merino to make myself some gloves. I know this yarn wears very well, since I used for one of my boys' baby blankets and it's never pilled. I'd only ever seen it in baby variegated shades though, never in solid colors. In fact, I'd never seen so many Rowan, Jaeger, Vittadini, or Colinette yarns in so many colors in one store before. We only had 15 minutes to shop before closing time. This is my excuse for bringing home so little yarn from this fabulous store. I will be making a pilgrimage back to this place. SOON!

And if that weren't enough excitement, on Sunday the Knit 1, Purl 2 Stash Box made it to Knitsmiths. Becky brought it in and Johanna, Dava and I did a group swap all at once. I picked up a ball each of Cascade Fixation, Rowanspun Chunky, and Debbie Bliss Cotton DK. The last was a great find, as I was exactly one ball short for a sweater I'm hoping to knit for the boys in the spring. My LYS didn't have enough in one color when I bought the yarn last year, but I figured I'd come across another ball sometime. Thanks to the yarn fairy who put it in there! Dava pulled a skein of Gusto out of the box, started knitting, and finished the hat by the end of knitting group.

posted by alison at 12:19 am | in fantastic fiber voyage

Comments

Sounds like you had a great time, I'm jealous! The Grace Robinson store sounds lovely, Colinette looks beautiful when its on display doesn't it? When's the next outing planned for?

Posted by: kerrie at January 19, 2004 3:22 AM

You're kidding! I had something you actually needed??? Cool! (BTW, if you ever come up short on something, let me know and I'll check Fiber Loft for you.) I wish I could've come in, but the snow was coming down and I decided to settle in and get some knitting done.

Oh! Halcyon did have the cheap plastic swift. It was hidden. We should've asked Mary! (Do you want me to pick up one for you next time I'm in Harvard? You *need* one!)

Posted by: Kerstin at January 19, 2004 7:01 AM

Hey do you know where the Stash Box was headed next? I'm so excited at the thought of getting my hands on it!!

Posted by: kimberly at January 19, 2004 7:45 AM

I'm so jealous! Halcyon Yarn in winter! I have the pleasure of a visit every summer when we are just down the road in Georgetown. My experience there has always been in the heat and humidity. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Freeport.

Posted by: Cyndy at January 19, 2004 7:49 AM

Just to tempt you further, my friend Catherine has informed me that the best burgers ever are located in a burger joint close to Grace Robinson....Wild Willie's in York.

Posted by: claudia at January 19, 2004 8:23 AM

Wow, the photo looks great--I guess my decreases weren't so bad after all! Thanks!
Kimberly--the stash box is headed for Amysue in Shrewsbury.

Posted by: Dava at January 19, 2004 10:17 AM

Hey there! where in Maine are you? I'm in Bridgton, would love to get together with other knitters - even if I have to sacrifice a drive. I've only made it to the LYS's in Portland would love to get over to Freeport though!!
Thanks!! Hope to hear from you, Kate

Posted by: Kate at January 19, 2004 11:49 AM

Hey Alison, how funny that the Peace Fleece colorway translates as butter! Well of course, now you can say, it's like buttah...glad it was a good time.

Posted by: Silvia at January 19, 2004 2:21 PM

Looks like you gals had a blast!
We've got lots of those ice-fisherman up here too. Driving their big trucks onto the lakes and setting up huts and building fires. I'm terrified of falling through!

Posted by: kathy at January 19, 2004 3:37 PM

I thought the stash box was coming to me next? Whatever - I'm sure it will make it to me at some point.

Posted by: Mary V. in Cambridge at January 19, 2004 6:53 PM

And to think that you passed Charlotte's Web by as you drove south past Exeter, NH.
Tsk tsk.
But here I was living nearby for years hiking down to Lexington for inspiration, and a yarn store owner in Marquette, Michigan (uh, the receipt is around here somewhere. . .)told me about Pat and company in Exeter.
(why are so many yarn store owners named Pat or Jackie?)
I have one of those plastic swifts. Works like a charm with my ball winder. Gonna upgrade to wood oneday. Trade you my old one for Phildar #372 cardigan pattern(?)

Posted by: Julia F-C at January 19, 2004 8:44 PM

THAT, my dear Alison, is one fine picture of me! I'll have to pilfer it and blow it up to send to the relatives! Say it with me.....EWWWW! I look like a demon! Or a psycho! Take your pick!
Sorry I missed out on the stash fun! Sounds a blast! I turned chicken with the snow falling!
I still can't quite get over those ice fisherman. Cwazy men!
:)

Posted by: sandy at January 20, 2004 7:45 AM

the 2 hours hat -- could you tell me where to find th epattern? I am a new knitter and the hat looks like my speed.

Thanks Pat Deneen

Posted by: Pat at January 21, 2004 3:59 PM

Pat, the pattern was a free pattern from Plymouth that you get when you buy the Gusto yarn. Maybe if your LYS has Gusto you can get the same pattern??

Posted by: alison at January 21, 2004 5:01 PM

I will check it out. I seems just my speed. BTW, all this yarn is making me want to go buy some. Great blog!! Thanks

Posted by: Pat at January 22, 2004 10:03 AM