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february 23, 2006
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What a fun shopping day I had yesterday! Kerrie flew down from London to meet up for a three-hour shopping tour in Frankfurt! What a gal, just flying over like that to see me. All I can say is, she is fabulous! Of course, I didn't manage to take a picture of her, but I did take a picture of some of the incredible hand-dyed yarn she brought me from her online (and soon to be brick & mortar) yarn store, HipKnits.
The yarn was so yummy I had it spread all over the table where we sat down to eat. The Kellner was little verblüfft when he brought our drinks over and saw the yarn in the middle of the table. Yes, we're crazy english-speakers who travel hours to scope out a few yarn stores in a foreign city, but still choose to eat lunch at Pizza Hut. We spent so long chatting and eating (pizza, not yarn) that we didn't end up having that much time for the shopping. But I have a feeling that each of us probably has enough yarn already anyway.
Still we did our best to find a couple of the shops that Beate told me about. The first yarn shop we visited was Wolle Rödel. They make their own yarns and they are all really lovely. They have variegated and self-patterning sock yarns, soft merinos, delightful cottons and interesting blends. If I lived in Frankfurt (or Munich - they have another shop there that I've visited several times), I would definitely be using a lot of their yarns to make sweaters. They've done a really good job reproducing the styles, gauges, and content of brand name yarns like Lana Grossa and Regia. And their colors are to die for.
The second store we found was a beautiful little gem of a yarn store, called Lana.
It was so tiny, but we could see from outside that it had all sorts of exquisite yarns like Noro. Unfortunately, Kerrie and I only got to see the store from the outside, because the owner had to close for her lunch hour. And then Kerrie had to ride back to the airport. I couldn't find the third shop that was supposed to be near the main shopping area, so I went shopping for other things (Legos, I bought tons and tons of Legos!) and then rode home and knitted in the train (Regia Canadian Color #4732).
When I got back to my in-laws I found that the boys had spent the whole day building. They'd put together an entire Lego space station with little space vehicles and a rocket ship.
And hiding houses with dining chairs and blankets.
So a good day was had by all. Maybe I should go away more often! posted by alison at 8:28 am | in
legoland
,
vacation 2006
Comments
Though I am delighted to read about your vacation, I have a question unrelated to your post. You seem to be all about the socks, and I'm gearing up to be all about the socks. I taught myself the Magic Loop method and I like it so much better than using DPNs, especially for lace socks. Here's my question: I started a pair of socks on DPNs and wish to switch to Magic Loop. As far as you know, will that interfere with my gauge? Should I be prepared for a visible demarcation as to where I made the switch? I appreciate any guidance you can offer. And I also understand if this is a question you wish to save for when you return home. Thanks! Posted by: Megann at February 23, 2006 8:51 AMDo your boys play with Playmobil too? My husband has started to collect their toys, and he is getting into the German lines not sold in the US, as well as older discontinued lines or items. Germany is supposed to have lots of good Playmobil shopping, according to him!! Posted by: Danielle at February 23, 2006 8:52 AMRodel is an awesome store! I have to avoid stopping there because I can drop some serious money there. Posted by: Erica at February 23, 2006 8:55 AMLooks like you had such a fantastic time. And there is nothing better than shopping all day with a girlfriend and leaving your kids with someone else! Posted by: Scout at February 23, 2006 9:13 AMenvious on so many levels...shopping (sans kiddos,) yarn daytrip (sans kiddos), eating a meal with another knitter (sans kiddos)...it's like a dream come true and yes, you should do it more often...this morning i walked into the kitchen and scout was on my cell phone "talking to b, s and alison"...come back to boston soon or i'm afraid scout will be on a plane to germany...lord knows she keeps threatening it... Posted by: lisa b at February 23, 2006 9:49 AMbesides your great knitting adventures, i always love the pictures of your boys! they always look so happy! Posted by: ilikeredbean at February 23, 2006 9:51 AMIf you going away more often means us meeting up for pizza, yarn browsing and gossip more often then yes - do it! I had a great time, thanks for saving a day in your vacation for me. Next time we'll have more hours to shop, I promise! Posted by: kerrie at February 23, 2006 10:02 AMHahaha, what a coincidence. I just came back from Wolle Rödel in Munich and got myself three skeins of Regia Canadian Colour (#4727, #4734 and #4735). Might go and pick up some more daring colours (i.e. those that I won't wear, but could knit for somebody else). And all this was because of you blogging about them last night! Maybe I should've checked Hertie and Karstadt for more....hmmmm...I still have time. Posted by: Elemmaciltur at February 23, 2006 11:33 AMIt's a blast traveling and shopping vicariously through you! Love it! The silk and cashmere are to die for. If you can't find room for it in your suitcase, feel free to mail it to ME! ;-) Posted by: Mary at February 23, 2006 1:11 PMLooks like you had a great time. Good for you!! Posted by: kimberly at February 23, 2006 1:28 PMI envy your European vacation! What fun, to scout out yarn shops on the other side of the pond, go to cafes and order in German (what, no wursts?... you gotta have a wurst in Germany) and leave the kids at Grandma's while you roam free and unfettered. :-) Posted by: Beth S. at February 23, 2006 2:27 PMWhat a great day! Posted by: Chris at February 23, 2006 3:16 PMAfter reading your blog, I have a strong desire to go to Germany. Posted by: Ashley at February 23, 2006 3:37 PMIs that the Regia yarn that is named for each province? I live in Nova Scotia and would like to get a ball of that to make myself a pair of socks. We carry Regia yarn at the store where I work, but we don't have any of this yet. I think we should at least carry Nova Scotia!!! Boys love Lego, huh? I bought my three-year-old the Thomas the Tank Engine set for Christmas. Now I see there are two more sets! They also have a bunch of Lego that was mine when I was a kid (tomboy), but there's not as much left as there used to be. I think my nephew lost or took some home with him when he was little. :( Posted by: Sheri at February 23, 2006 5:24 PMOh, yes, I am jealous! Looks like you had a wonderful time and I can't believe all that Regia yarn. Looks like the boys are having a blast! Posted by: dani at February 23, 2006 9:42 PMSounds like you were in sock yarn heaven :) Legos are THE BEST! I still have a huge bucket of them from when my kids were small, and every now and again, we all take them out and build :) The pictures of the yarn as "curlers" absolutely cracked me up - my daughter came over to see what I was laughing at and promptly called me a geek/dork! lol Thanks for the great pics - I'm so happy you are enjoying your trip! Posted by: Cathy at February 23, 2006 10:39 PMThe vacations you have are all so yarn-filled that it makes me want to travel soon! Posted by: Emy at February 24, 2006 1:28 AMoooooh Lego heaven!! My brother 'inherited' the legos.. I am sad.. but we have a bit of a collection started here. Now the the little guy is mostly past the stage of putting things in his mouth we can get some more! I think I will sort out and put out the Duplos for the little guys on Monday! your boys are just too cute! Posted by: Denise at February 24, 2006 1:36 PMLove to read about your journey to Germany! ;-) I just bought Regia on Friday :-)... Posted by: Orli at February 25, 2006 5:36 PMWhat a super-cool idea, Knittaxa. I love it! Posted by: alison at February 26, 2006 5:21 PM |
