Traverse City, MI Yarn Shops

Well, I was both disappointed and delighted by the yarn shops I found in Traverse City when I was up there a couple weekends ago.

My first stop was Yarn Quest, on Garfield Road. We were greeted by the woman by being instructed to make sure my toddler didn't get into any of the yarn. I should have turned around and walked out right then, but I needed some new needles to get my minimalist cardigan started. The selection was fine, but they didn't have needles in stock in very many sizes. I was not disappointed to leave and continue my search in another shop.

The other shop we went to was much more rewarding (and stash fulfilling). We stopped at Lost Art Yarn and Needlepoint in the downtown area. We were greeted warmly and there were no instructions given regarding my Emily. We found some yummy Adrienne Vitadini Donata on clearance; I picked up 13 skeins in a bright sky blue color at 50% off. They also had my Addi's and I left the store quite happy.

At the end of February, I had 44,381 yards in my stash for a net gain of 274 yards in 2009. My minimalist cardigan should eat up a lot in March!

Milwaukee Yarn Shops

Very disappointing yesterday, but today Milwaukee redeemed itself.

Yesterday, I decided to take a trip to the local yarn shop while on vacation here, temporarily lifting the spending freeze. I stopped by the two shops I know about, Kro-Sha and Fiberwood Studios. It turns out that Kro-Sha is closed for good, and the other is closed on both Sundays and Mondays.

So today, I drove all the way out to Whitefish Bay, which is actually a suburb of Milwaukee, to go to Ruhama's. Good selection, good variety, and a very large store. I picked up 6 skeins of Cascade Eco Alpaca in black for a new cardigan for me (1320 yards). I probably only needed five, but get nervous when I'm buying for a sweater.

So, in February so far, I have added 2,724 yards to my stash, bringing the total way back up. So, the spending freeze is on again until Knitter's Connection.

Hello again!

I have been gone for a very long time, and I apologize if you were hoping to hear from me. In December and January, I had to take some time off from knitting and crocheting as I think I got burned out from all the Christmas presents I was working on. The work part? I didn't even finish most of them. They will, however, make very lovely gifts for next year!

I have some wonderful crochet news. Interweave Crochet has selected one of my designs to be published in their summer issue! I don't want to share any details just yet, as I have promised not to share any pictures or other information before the magazine in published. It was a relatively simple project, but it turned out beautifully and I am very proud of it. It's very exciting.

Projects? I have finished one that I am very excited about. Emily's little Pink and Purple striped sweater that had been on the needles since August 2007 was finally finished in December. I will share pictures soon, but our computer is fried and I haven't been able to download anything off our camera. I am thankful I made a size 2-3 year old, as it is still just a little big on her after all this time!

As for my stash, I continued my spending freeze throughout the holidays and only broke down this week to spend a gift certficate to the Yarn Market. I started out the month of February with 43,808 yards of yarn on hand. I am working on a couple things that should really knock down the totals this year. My goal is still 1,400 yards per month, though there have been very few months where I have come close to that. But, this is a new year!

November Stash Progress

Well, it's been another good month. The most exciting part? No new yarn purchases to add to my actually shrinking stash!

My November completed projects are:
Turn a Square Hats: 197 yards
Mary's Slippers: 220 yards
Crocheted Neckwarmer: 347 yards
Emily's Winter Hat: 80 yards
Crocheted Flowers for trim: 69 yards

Grand Total: 1,132 yards

New stash size: 44,603 - 1132 = 43,471 yards

I promise to post more often. I am nearing completing Emily's striped sweater, which has been a WIP for almost two years!!!

Emily's Super Cute Hat

The hat she will never wear! I love it!

This is the Brr Babie Beanie by CraftyRahRah with a 5-Petal Flower by Julie Armstrong Holetz. Yummy!