the blue blog archives: a capital trip gets yarny

And now for the yarn portion of our trip... First up was Capital Yarns in Chantilly (you'd think it would be closer to the capitol, wouldn't you?). This store saved my hide once when I needed a specific shade of Cascade 220 Superwash and couldn't find it around me anywhere. They sent it lickety split and even sent me a lovely card afterwards.

It actually has a much better selection than you'd expect for a yarn shop in a strip mall, with yarns ranging from acrylics and acrylic blends like Plymouth Encore to Manos and even specialty yarns like Claudia's Handpainted. And the people who work there are extra super nice. This is the South, you know!

Next up was the "nirvana for knitters", Knit Happens, which is not only everything it claims to be, but was also having a HUGE sale. Everything in the store was between 10% and 50% off. Really, everything!

Look, I'm actually inside Knit Happens! I never thought I'd make it here! We spent forever in this store and I'm still not convinced that I saw all the yarn they have. It doesn't look like so much when you come in (just one room of yarn), but there's a lot there! And it's ALL fabulous. And did I mention that it was all on sale?!

I picked up some Cashsoft DK and some Cashmerino DK (in a mango color that I could not resist) for baby sweaters along with the obligatory souvenir Knit Happens Lorna's colorway. What can we learn from a peek at my purchases? I am still completely obsessed with pink. And hey, look at Shannon's loot - yup, she's still diggin' her earth tones. We are who we are, I guess!

Psst, she got that Alchemy Silk Purse yarn in the middle at 50% off! The Luxury Cotton in front is for Shannon's current cozy project and was from our last stop on the DC yarn tour, Stitch DC.

Loved Stitch DC! So cute and every single yarn in the store was beautiful, absolutely no dogs in the bunch. Lots of Karabella and Alchemy and Rowan. There was even yarn from Be Sweet and Habu. Wow! And lookie, nice people too...

Shannon's lucky to have such a sweet store as her local shop. And I was lucky to have a gift certificate to the store, which Shannon sent me for my birthday. I picked out some Rowan all seasons cotton (on sale for 60% off!!) for another baby sweater (doesn't it seem like there's some sort of pregnancy epidemic going around?). I'm thinking a gray hoodie, with either a pink stripe, if it's a girl, or a blue stripe if it's a boy. The colors were inspired by one of Shannon's cats and its beautiful collar.

Oooh, and I couldn't resist the super cute little Mac & Me project bag. It's just the perfect size.

What an awesome yarn crawl! The only thing we missed was this store in Maryland which we discovered online only after we got home. Check out their store philosophy! Great, a reason to come back!

posted by alison at 8:57 am | in fantastic fiber voyage

Comments

Oh, love that project bag! That looks just the right size for me, too. I wonder if I could get this anywhere in Germany as well... Lots of fun with it!

Katrin

Posted by: Katrin at August 28, 2006 9:35 AM

I used to live between Baltimore and DC and I really miss the large selection of yarn shops in the area. I would take a trip every weekend to a new one and check it out. I didn't get to the shops you were before I moved, but Woolwinders was fun. I think my favorite outside of DC is Woolstock Knit Shop.

Posted by: Sacha at August 28, 2006 10:07 AM

*sigh*
That's one of the thing I really miss about living in the DC area~all the shops! We've only got one here in San Antonio.

Posted by: Kim at August 28, 2006 10:12 AM

Next time check out Uniquities in Vienna, VA. It's a fabulous store that unfortunately doesn't have a web site.

Posted by: Jayme at August 28, 2006 10:33 AM

Fun yarn crawl! All About Yarn in Columbia, MD also has a decent selection. I may get some more work in the D.C./MD area so am hoping to visit each and every yarn shop, if possible. That is, if I can brave the traffic....

Posted by: Mary at August 28, 2006 10:47 AM

Sounds like you had fun!

Posted by: Tania A at August 28, 2006 11:29 AM

You should use the Wallaby pattern for your hoodie, it's so fun to knit!

Hmmm, preggers juice must be in the water. ;)

Posted by: Bookish Wendy at August 28, 2006 11:33 AM

These beautiful yarn stores are inspiring. So much potential! And I always imagine my projects coming out as neat and pretty as the inside of the store.

The truth is usually not nearly so nice, but I love the fantasy just the same!

Posted by: LaurieM at August 28, 2006 12:27 PM

It's interesting that we both had DC trips and only went to one of the same LYSs -- Knit Happens! Of course you were obviously in VA and I was in MD. Now I know where to head to this summer!

Posted by: Elspeth at August 28, 2006 12:40 PM

Wow. I have never heard of a yarn crawl before. (Maybe because there are like 3 stores here.)What fun!
I checked out the store you didn't make it to - what a philosophy!! I wish I had access to that place - sounds like nirvana.

OOh - you just gave me an idea. My Mom and I are going to Victoria next weekend - I am going to plan a yarn crawl for us! Thank you.

Posted by: Miss Scarlett at August 28, 2006 12:42 PM

You actually did miss a yarn shop in the DC area. Springwater Fiber Workshop is in Alexandria, not too terribly far from Knit Happens. Which I did not find to be nirvana for this knitter. The employees were too busy chitchatting with their Saturday morning knitting group than to actually help customers(i.e., me and my cousin). The employees of Springwater were helpful when necessary and made it clear that it was okay to interrupt them with questions--I didn't get that feeling at Knit Happens at all. I felt as if my presence there was a major imposition--so I bought what I came for (Koigu) and skedaddled. I won't be going back.

Posted by: Natalie at August 28, 2006 1:04 PM

Wow, I live here and you showed me stuff I didn't know. I was planning to visit Capital Yarns and Stitch DC sometime, but I am so spoiled by Knit Happens (and a non-profit a few blocks away) that I haven't ventured out yet. Thanks for the info!

Posted by: Elle Kasey at August 28, 2006 1:13 PM

What a fun yarn crawl! There are still plenty of others in the area that you didn't get to (Woolwinders, which you mentioned; Springwater which is in the commments; Aylin's Woolgatherer, which is a good store with a fabulous sale room; and more), which is a great reason to come back!

Lots more for the boys to do, too - Air & Space and the Spy Museum come to mind.

And your post over the weekend inspired me to visit the Zoo again - we went on Sunday morning. Thanks!

Posted by: Sarah W. at August 28, 2006 1:22 PM

I like Woolwinders, but you know that KFI Cashmereno you love (I still dunno why they spell it that way)? They still have it out in Vienna, VA (closer than Capitol Yarns!) at Uniquities! I buy a couple of balls every time I'm out there 'cause I love it so! ;)

Posted by: jess at August 28, 2006 1:27 PM

Next time you come back, please check out All About Yarn in Columbia. They have a huge store, great selection, and really nice staff. (Can you tell I love my favorite LYS!) If you fly through Baltimore, it is on the way to the airport!

Posted by: Sarah at August 28, 2006 2:01 PM

OOooh! Thank you for the info! I live in the D.C. area, and may just have to do a little run to Knit Happens

Posted by: Paloma at August 28, 2006 2:40 PM

Woolwinders is my mom's LYS (except she's not a knitter), so I plan to go there the next time I visit my parents. It looks wonderful (and she says it really is, but again, she's not a knitter).

Looks like you had a great time!

Posted by: katie at August 28, 2006 3:22 PM

You definitely hit many of the DC area yarn highlights. I agree with the other commenter that Springwater Fiber is my favorite shop in the Alexandria area. They are a non-profit fiber arts school, which helps them keep their costs down. I also got the clique-ish feeling at Knit Happens. At least you got some great yarn on sale there!

Posted by: Jenna at August 28, 2006 5:20 PM

Looks like you had a blast! Sorry, I have to go before I start giggling about DC being the south...

Posted by: Anne at August 28, 2006 5:29 PM

Wow! That WAS a fantastic fiber adventure! I have to drive about 150 miles to hit that many stores!

Posted by: Jamie at August 28, 2006 6:06 PM

Oh, I'm so dissappointed you didn't stop by Springwater Fiber Workshop I kept an eye out for you all day today, as I work at the shop. I hope you'll come and see us next time you're in town. Along with the yarn we've got spinning, weaving, and all sorts of other fibery things to tempt you. And Springwater's a non-profit fiber arts school, to boot!

Posted by: ninaclock at August 28, 2006 6:14 PM

Ooh, what a fun weekend road trip idea you've given me! I have friends in DC...

Posted by: Megan at August 28, 2006 6:42 PM

Oh your yarn purchases are gorgeous, and the mango yarn really does look so great. I love your little mac and me bag too, so cute.

Posted by: Sue at August 28, 2006 7:07 PM

what a very neat & organized store....;o)

Posted by: Michelle at August 28, 2006 7:32 PM

I can't wait until I go up to visit my parents again -- I'm going to leave the kids with the 'rents and do a yarn crawl as well! That Alchemy Silk Purse looks just amazing ... 50% off? Hot dog!

Posted by: Ann at August 28, 2006 8:06 PM

I was so excited to see your lorna's laces "knit happens" colourway. I have been looking for something like that for a long time so I immediatly bought some online!
Thanks for enhancing my stash with your crawl!

Posted by: Michelle at August 29, 2006 7:20 AM

WOW...you'll need a whole knew suitcase ;-)

Posted by: Orli at August 29, 2006 7:41 AM

Knit Happens looks like my craft room oasis - in my dreams. Someday, someday...

Posted by: Deborah at August 29, 2006 10:10 AM

Alison, it was so great to see you at Knit Happens on Saturday! (I didn't want to go all fangirl on you on Saturday - and when you left, I was teaching a class...) It looks like you made out with a lot on your DC yarn crawl! :)

Posted by: Holly at August 29, 2006 1:02 PM

I'm so glad you liked Stitch DC. I thought Shannon must live close when I saw her doorway - it looks a lot like ours did. You were 1/2 a block away from our old digs! Great, isn't it?

Posted by: Julia at August 29, 2006 2:51 PM

I went to DC in April and went to the same Stitch DC shop. They were very nice and helpful with a beautiful selection of high quality yarns! Don't waste your time going to Woolwinders. I rode the Metro all the way up the line, walked from the station (long walk, unless you are lucky to catch the shuttle) and was disappointed: boring, small selection, uninterested/unhelpful staff. Definitely not worth the trip.

Posted by: mel at August 29, 2006 5:05 PM

Springwater is a fantastic place to visit for getting some coned yarns. They sell it by the ounce. Plus, a fiber school. How can you not love a fiber school? :)

Alexandria is a lucky town.

Posted by: freecia at August 29, 2006 5:54 PM

hey, I am in CD RIGHt now & will be seeing some yarn stores tomorrow!

Posted by: carole at August 30, 2006 11:08 PM

Oh my gosh, I read that last store's philosophy. Did they really say bring the kids? What a dream. AND you can use the bathroom. Gotta love that. I think I need to look into a job wechsel!

Posted by: kimberly at August 31, 2006 12:19 AM

I was just at Springwater and Knit Happens yesterday - they are my not-so-local LYSs, as I am in MD. All About Yarn is very close to where I live, and it is probably my favorite. There are a lot of good yarn shops in the 50-mile radius! :) Glad to see that you made it down here to check them out.

I need to check out some of the Boston shops!

Posted by: Lolly at September 1, 2006 11:05 AM

I'm another DC knitter and have to mention one more place you missed. It has a strange name - Knit + Stitch = Bliss and they are located in Bethesda. Pretty good selection and they are above a homemade ice cream place!

Posted by: Lori at September 1, 2006 8:00 PM

I agree with Natalie. Springwater is the place to go in that area. I soooooo miss living around the corner from them.

Posted by: dianna at September 3, 2006 6:52 PM