A Yarn Story in Bath, England

If you've been following my Instagram account, you know that I recently took a trip to London and Paris. The trip was a rather last-minute affair made possible by my best friend, Alex. His company sent him to London for work, and he paid my plane fare so that I could come along. Since I didn't have to pay for airfare or hotel, I was able to see and do some amazing things. Thanks, Alex! I would not have been able to travel at this time in my life without his support.

I'll only be focusing on one facet of my trip here on this blog. Check my Instagram for more pictures!

One of the amazing things I did was take a day trip out of London and around England. On that day trip, I ended up in Bath. The tour bus dropped us off in a fairly touristy area of bath, right next to a famous abbey and the baths that were built during the Roman takeover of the area.

The Roman baths were fairly expensive to enter, so I decided to pass. I did take a nice tour of the abbey. It was interesting to see the beautiful carvings inside.

We had limited time in Bath, so many folks from my tour group decided to stay in the touristy area. For both better and worse, I'm a rather adventurous person. I wanted to see more of what Bath was like away from the hubbub. And so, despite the very real possibility of accidentally getting lost and/or missing my tour's departure, I wandered off.

Looking around at all of the buildings was amazing. They are all made out of the same kind of stone, even the houses. Houses in the United States are often made out of wood, or metal and concrete in the case of downtown Seattle apartments. I had never seen so many stone buildings all together.

I decided that I needed a destination. Hmm... restaurant? No, not enough time. Not enough time to go through a Jane Austen tour, either (besides, she hated Bath). Figuratively crossing my fingers, I typed "yarn store" into Google Maps.

Wouldn't you know it... there was a yarn store in walking distance! I immediately began hoofing it up the hill.

Thus, I came upon an English yarn store! I was excited to go inside and see how it would compare to the yarn stores I'm familiar with.

The store was very similar to those in Seattle. They even had some of the same local brands that I am familiar with, brands from Oregon and Washington! The women running the shop were very friendly. I found out that one of them was originally from Portland, Oregon. It's a small world after all!

I didn't have much room in my luggage for souvenirs, seeing as I had only brought a backpack and a purse with me. However, I wanted to get a small gift for my cat sitter, Ariel of Stariel Knits. Here is what I chose: a mini-skein that I could squish in somewhere.

After leaving the store, I realized that I needed to hurry down the hill. I walked quickly and took a few photos as I went.

Happily, I managed to get to my tour bus on time! Traveling abroad for the first time was a truly amazing experience. I will be able to look back on it with joy for the rest of my life. I even managed to go to a yarn store! Life can be so good.

Review: Synchrony Yarn from Brown Sheep Company

Today, I will be reviewing Synchrony, a DK weight yarn from Brown Sheep Company. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion. Big thanks go out to Brown Sheep Company for providing me with yarn to test.

With the winter doldrums of the Pacific Northwest finally wearing off, I've been feeling pretty bold lately. I'm enjoying trying new things, being adventurous, and getting the most out of life. This new attitude has also been reflected in my yarn and pattern choices. When I was presented with the opportunity to try Synchrony yarn, I got really excited. All of the colors are so fun! It was really hard to decide which one I wanted. Also, I don't normally work with DK weight yarn. I've done a lot with bulky, worsted, and fingering weight yarns, but not DK. What a perfect opportunity to play with something new!

Synchrony is 60% Pima Cotton and 40% Merino Wool. This makes it both sturdy and soft.

Since I've been in such a party mood lately, the colorway I settled on was Soiree. I totally love it! It is bold and exciting. Plus, I've always found marled yarn to be very attractive. The yarn wound very easily, with no snags.

Crochet is my first love, so I decided to choose a crochet project for it. I finally settled on Fat Bag, a free pattern by Samanta Maragno. The original pattern makes a large bag. However, I'm being bold! I decided to try the pattern with DK and a smaller hook in the hopes of making a small purse. It went wonderfully! Even though the direction of the twist made the plies come apart a little while I crocheted, I had no issues with the hook catching. It was very smooth and enjoyable to work with. I think the bag turned out super hip! The pooling is very even, producing a modern finished item.

This yarn is awesome and I'd happily work with it again. It took so much less yarn to make my purse than I expected, so I have a whole hank left. I am currently knitting with it, which is just as pleasant as crocheting with it was.

I'll have to share my improvised knit bag with you when it is complete. In the meantime, here is some info on Synchrony and Brown Sheep Company:

• Brown Sheep yarns is a family-owned and operated company located in Mitchell, Nebraska. 
• Synchrony blends pima cotton and merino to create a springy yet sturdy yarn. 
• In DK weight, Synchrony pairs perfectly with our Cotton Fleece and Serendipity Tweed yarns.
• The mill employs sustainable practices such as recycling 70-90% of their daily waste water.
• Brown Sheep Company buys the majority of their wool directly from the growers who have a variety of good wool breeds such as Corriedales, Rambouillets, and Columbians.
• Not only are Brown Sheep yarns excellent for knitting and crocheting, they are great for weaving as well! They also offer roving for handspinners.

Review: Gradient Trio from Zen Yarn Garden

Today, I will be reviewing the Royal Time Gradient Trio from Zen Yarn Garden. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion.

Gradient patterns are really hot right now. The bold ombre trend came up a few years ago, and now the focus has shifted to slightly more subtle color transitions. I love gradient projects. I think they are really classy. However, something that can sometimes be challenging is finding the right yarn for the pattern. Zen Yarn Garden has got you covered with their prearranged gradient sets. They even suggest patterns!

I am currently working with this yarn and it is a very pleasant experience. I'm using a smallish hook (3.5mm), and yet my hand is not tiring too much. I think it is because the yarn is very smooth and easy to work with. It is soft, yet it also provides good stitch definition.

Purple is my favorite color, so this is the perfect set for me. At first I thought I might find an existing pattern to work with. However, I got a flash of design inspiration and I've actually been developing a simple crochet pattern. Guess what? It will be a free pattern!

This is just a little teaser picture. The free pattern should be posted sometime at the beginning of December. Speaking of December, I heartily endorse this gradient trio as a holiday gift. For a knitter or crocheter. If I have extra yarn after the pattern is complete, I'll knit it up and let you know what I think. For now, I am perfectly pleased to be crocheting with it. Thank you for the yarn, Zen Yarn Garden!

Yarn at the Northwest Chocolate Festival

I have been going to so many events. It's been fun, but also exhausting. I recently attended the last event I'll be going to for a while. The Northwest Chocolate Festival was interesting and tasty, but also very crowded. It was located right on a pier with a pretty view of the Puget Sound. They had chocolate vendors visiting from all over the world. In addition to chocolate, they also had other specialty items like hot sauce and jerky. I sampled both kangaroo jerky and alligator jerky. I enjoyed the former... not so much the latter.

Why am I talking about a chocolate festival on a fiber arts blog? Well, as luck would have it, I actually found yarn there! Stellar Alpacas had a selection of yarn and goodies for sale.

Vouge Knitting Live Seattle 2017: Megapost!

Fall has shaped up to be quite a busy season for me! I've been to at least one event each weekend, I'm working on several projects at once, and my day job is as busy as ever. I was lucky enough to go to Vogue Knitting Live last weekend... and I'm only just getting around to posting about it today!

This was such a cool event. I had heard about it when it came by a few years ago, but I didn't end up going. I made sure to snag my ticket early this year!

The event was filled with art, presentation, classes, booths, and fiber lovers of all ages and crafts. I saw lots of great crochet. I think the fine yarn world is doing a much better job of being inclusive of crochet these days.

There was soooooo much delightful yarn! I really had to contain myself. Look at the lovelies above from Mary Gavan Yarns, Knit Picks, and Third Piece.

I absolutely fell in love with the gradient yarns of The Blue Brick, and the dyer herself kindly posed for a picture. Unfortunately, I snoozed on the hank that I wanted. When I went back, it was gone! How exciting are the sparkles?

Nicky Epstein had a booth showcasing her large "Teatime Bears," as well as toy animals made by knitters who had followed her patterns.

Laurinda Reddig, a super friendly crochet designer who I previously met at Urban Craft Uprising, had a lovely selection of crochet pieces out to show.

Gina Rose Gallina, whose pineapple I blogged about previously, was there showing off some amazing and whimsical art. She took the time to chat with me and share tidbits about her process. She is so friendly!

Mandy Greer's art was a mix of many mediums, crochet included. The blue artwork was made by many hands and brought together by Mandy. Such a neat aesthetic!

More amazing art was showcased by Suzanne Tidwell, Carol Milne, Claire Taylor, and Gabriele Meyer.

At the end of the event there was a yarn drop, hosted by Rowan. I got to catch yarn as it fell from the ceiling! It was really fun to line up with all of the other yarn lovers. I managed to snag two skeins from the same dye lot!

After the event, my friends Claire, Suzanne, and Caroline all joined me at a coffee shop. We worked, chatted, and reviewed our loot.

I came away from the market with some lovely stitch markers and a case from Miss Purl. They can be used as either crochet or knitting markers. Isn't that cool!? I also splurged on a gorgeous skein of sparkle yarn from Fidalgo. It was such a great time! I'll definitely attend when it comes to Seattle again.

Yarn at Seattle Recreative

I love Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. With a bar called The Angry Beaver, my favorite yarn shop called The Fiber Gallery, The Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company (the funds of which go to a non-profit tutoring center for kids), and Chocolati chocolate cafe... what's not to love!? The neighborhood suffered a tragedy last year, but it has mostly recovered.

Another neat spot in Greenwood is Seattle Recreative. This is a non-profit shop that receives donations of craft supplies and resells them. They use the profits from the sales to fund art programs. This place is so fun to browse; it is full of little treasures! As a teacher, it seems to me to be the ultimate representation of the phrase "I could totally use this for a class project someday!" They even have a yarn stash. Check it out!

Rainy Sunday Knitters Go to Tolt

A few weekends ago my fiber group, the Rainy Sunday Knitters, took a little trip to celebrate one of our members. Lindley (in the blue shawl that she made for her wedding) just recently got married, so we all went to brunch and to Tolt Yarn and Wool to celebrate. It was a little bit of a drive, but it was worth it. Tolt is known for its inspiring displays of yarn and friendly attendants. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Pictures of items are mine, and pictures of people were taken by my friend, Toni. Thanks for a great day out, friends. Best wishes, Lindley!

Review: Manos del Uruguay Alegria Grande Yarn

Today, I'll be reviewing Manos del Uruguay Alegria Grande yarn. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion. Thanks go out to Fairmount Fibers for providing this lovely yarn for me to play with.

Despite having both my personal and professional lives being very busy, I am getting into the groove with my crochet business again. As such, I need to be very picky about how I spend my time. I have some big, exciting projects that I am working on. That said, when I got the opportunity to review another yarn from Manos del Uruguay (I previously reviewed Franca), I accepted right away. What a wonderful yarn company! They care about the people who make their yarn and the yarn itself is wonderful to work with.

As soon as I received my skein of Alegria Grande, I knew I would not be disappointed. There were many colors to choose from, but I selected Orquidea because it reminded me of a spring garden. The hank of yarn was so soft and squishy! Wanna know something silly? I ended up winding it up by hand instead of using my winder, simply because I wanted to play with the squishy goodness.

Having only one skein, I decided to dive into my crochet One Skein Wonders book to find a suitable project. I settled on the Boutique Weave Scarf because I wanted to show off the colors in the yarn. I ended up making some alterations to the pattern. First, I included more repeats of the mesh base. Second, I added a decorative border to either end instead of fringe. Last, I whipped up a little cinch with the remainder of my yarn ball so that the scarf could be worn once around the neck more comfortably.

I enjoyed every moment I spent working with this yarn. It is soft, doesn't snag, and has just the right amount of stitch definition. I will absolutely be working with this yarn again in the future. Don't just take my word for it; take a look at the finished product and decide for yourself.

Once again, I wholeheartedly recommend this delightful yarn.