Back in April, my husband and I went to Orcas Island to visit my Step-Mom for the weekend! As the name suggests, it’s an island, so you have to take a ferry boat to get there. The ferry departs from a town called Anacortes! As it happens, Anacortes has a yarn shop. The name of the store is Fidalgo Artisan Yarn. 
This store is so unique!!!!! When I arrived Emily was working. She was busy winding yarn for a customer, but was so welcoming and happy. Who could not be happy working in a store full of yarn, fiber and clothes. Yes, clothes….we’ll talk about that in a bit.
The store is easy to find, it’s right downtown. We parked on the street, and there are all sorts of fun shops all around, and restaurants too. This store is “FULL” of hand dyed yarn by owner Lori. The only brand names you will see in this store is needles and notions and patterns. Everything in this store is crafted by hand, right down to the Spectator Hats – we’ll get there in a moment.
There is so much to take in, you just can’t be in a hurry! There is alpaca, silk, wool, bamboo, mohair, even camel. All weights will be found at Fidalgo Artisan Yarn. The colors are so beautiful, from clean brights, to neutrals, to soft colors. Owner Lori came in while I was there, so I was able to meet her. She is pictured below in the turquoise shirt. She truly has a gift for color and dying yarn.
There are hand crafted wood bowls for yarn that are crafted locally, hand made jewelry, artisan clothing hand made and those fun spectator hats. I also found fiber for all the spinners out there and some patterns by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas. Fidalgo Artisan Yarn is on Instagram, so follow along, and remember they ship!
I had made up my mind prior to walking in that I needed a pair of sock blockers. I did get my sock blockers, and also some yarn for a shawl. if you are headed up to the San Juan Islands, get up there early, so you can get into Fidalgo Artisan Yarn and tell them Mary from America’s Knitting sent you in!
*you can click on any photo to see it’s larger form