Saturday, January 24, 2009

PDX Yarn Crawl

I keep thinking I should start blogging again, and today seems like a good time to start! I just got home after participating in the Seattle to Portland yarn crawl. A huge group of knitters from Seattle took Amtrak to Portland, and about 20 of us Portland knitters were there to meet them at Union Station.

From there we split into smaller groups (so as to not completely overwhelm the yarn stores we would be visiting). I got a chance to visit with some of the PDX knit bloggers I hadn't seen in awhile, and meet some new people. Our first stop was Dublin Bay. After snacking on yummy scones and hot cider, I ended up with two skeins of RYC Cashsoft Aran (to be armwarmers for my mom), a skein of Lorna's Laces shepherd worsted (which is one my new favorite yarns), and a skein of Handmaide Sea Silk (to make Rusalka from Knitting New Mittens & Gloves).

Next was a quick stop at the Tea Zone for Rose Garden bubble tea. Then off to Knit Knot Studio. I had only been to this shop once before, and there was a better selection of yarn than I had remembered. I couldn't resist a skein of Tilli Tomas Flurries and then found a coordinating color of Laines du Nord Royal Cashmere (100% cashmere, enough said).

Then there was another quick stop at Cupcake Jones, and then on to Knit Purl. They had yummy lavender cookies and even yummier yarn... I picked up some Malabrigo worsted that matched the Tilli Tomas skein perfectly (I'm thinking these two will end up being a hat, possibly with a matching cowl or gloves depending on how much yarn is left). Also fell in love with some Fleece Artist Big Blue that had to come home with me. So I think I spent my yarn budget for the next 6 months or so ;)

By that time I realized I needed some real food, so went to Habibi with a new friend. Wasn't quite ready to go home after that, so headed back to Knit Purl for a couple more lavender cookies and some knitting time. I finally started a pair of Filigree (also from Knitting New Mittens & Gloves) for myself, and am really liking the Rowan All Seasons cotton for this pattern.

All in all it was a fun day, and I'm looking forward to knitting with my new yarn :) Though I probably should do some studying instead of knitting tonight...