Yarn shops are getting very creative with new and limited merchandise in store. I am loving this idea. Indie dyers working together with the local yarn shops. The Indie dyer gets to be involved in the local yarn shops without having to fulfill huge orders and local yarn shops get to have the indie dyers on site without having to purchase a large inventory order. It seems like a win win for everyone.
I recently went to see Earl Grey Fiber Company over at Rainy Day Yarns located in Gig Harbor. It was a planned girl day. My friend Jana and I planned to go, check out Earl Frey Fiber yarns, have some lunch, do a little shopping, and get in some knitting time, chat and get caught up. We both really needed a day like that. It’s so great that the yarn shop can instigate a great day.
As I look out the window, typing this, I am looking at snow falling, but just two weeks ago, it was almost spring like and beautiful outside, with the sun shining. I had heard of Earl Grey Fiber Company before and do follow them on Instagram, but typically shop at yarn shops. This gave me an opportunity to go out and actually see the yarn for myself. I follow lots of folks over on Instagram. Often times, not always, you’ll see a yarn and love it, purchase it and then when it arrives you aren’t thrilled with it. I don’t know if the excitement has worn off, or if the picture was enhanced to make it look better than it really is or what. But seeing all the colorways together really gets the creative juices flowing. Seeing them all there, made me imagine socks, and all those fade projects that are so popular. If I don’t get on the bandwagon, fades will be a thing of the past. Heather, owner of Earl Grey Fiber Company was wearing a lovely Find Your Fade, and she also had some bags there. Jana and I were admiring her fade and we looked at all the bags, and I thought I knew which bag I wanted until Sherri (owner of Rainy Day Yarns) came over and was looking at them too. Then I started looking at them in a different way — that just wouldn’t happen online. I suddenly changed my mind to choose a different bag.
So, 2 skeins, a bag, and new needles later, we left the store for lunch. We headed down to the water and lunched at Tides Tavern. Tides Tavern is right on the water with their own dock for boaters and a deck for outside dining. We sat in the crowded bar and noshed on quesadillas and beer. We visited, laughed and even got a few rows in. Then, we were off to shop. I really wanted to go to Ann Taylor LOFT, and Jana, being the one who gets all these store emails, knew that they were having a storewide 40% off sale that day. Again, so much fun looking around, trying on clothes in the dressing rooms; we both left with purchases. After our shopping portion of the day, we headed back to Kitsap County for a little coffee and knitting time. We indulged, and split a yummy cookie, and got some relaxing knitting in over at Cups!
My kids are grown, and I work from home, but I still need a girl day every now and then to unwind and do all the things girls love to do. It’s important sometimes to skip the housework, and get away from husband and family and work. Rainy Day Yarns also has other small batch dyers in store like Sunsoaked Sister and Buxom Cat Knits (formerly Hula Hut Yarns) and their own in house Rainy Day indie dyed yarns.
Get out to the yarn shop and just see what’s new. If you can’t make a purchase, it will surely get you re-inspired to finish that languishing project that needs some of your attention. You will be glad you did and you will enjoy yourself. I always say … “you’ll meet your best friend at the yarn shop”!
ps~these pictures can be seen in their larger form by clicking on any of these pictures. These pictures look a hair fuzzy and the website creator tells me its an issue with the current theme and a new site is being built and will be live sometime soon – stay tuned!!
