Monday, February 16, 2009

My Valentine's Weekend

Orange County Yarn Shops!!! Hubby had a conference in Anaheim this past weekend and I decided that I would brave LA traffic and go yarn hunting... Boy did I have FUN!!!

I started at a local arts and crafts store called Tall Mouse in Yorba Linda. I decided to go there because I heard that they sold Cascade 220 wool for only $7 a skein. Here's my loot from that stop...
3 skeins of Cascade 220 in a great hot pink color (at $6.99 a skein!!!), a yard of some pretty flannel that I plan on making into a receiving blanket for the best friend's SIL (more on that later, I have something very, very cool to show you when I get it in the mail), 4 skeins of each color, green and gold, of Vanna's Choice which was on sale for $2 a skein and a half yard of some fabric that I plan on lining this version of a Fat Bottom Bag with in the near future.

Next stop, Velona Needlecraft which I was quite excited about. Imagine this times, oh, about 100!
That's just one aisle of about 20. This place is amazing guys. Like a humongo fiber orgy (excuse my crudeness, but that's the only way I can think to explain it!!!). Floor to ceiling bins just stuffed with yarn. Try to pull something out and something else usually falls from on top of it. I, frankly, really enjoyed myself. The owner of the shop was very friendly and helpful, even though some others have had a different experience. Next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely make another trip! Here's my loot from this shop (the 3 skeins on the left)...

My first Noro purchase. Ooo, I can't wait to make myself a GORGEOUS scarf!!! The black is a single ply worsted by Lamb's Pride. I think I became overwhelmed as this is all I left Velona's with!

The other 3 skeins were purchased at The Sheared Sheep in Costa Mesa, and truthfully, I went here specifically because the Malabrigo site said that they carried their yarns. The shop was small, quaint, and cute... but the yarn selection was pretty small, and they didn't have any malabrigo :( The lady working at the counter was very nice and there were a bunch of ladies in there knitting, tho. I think if I lived close by, I'd probably love to shop there, but there wasn't much to browse. There were a few ladies that were picking up special orders, so I'm sure the owner is great about ordering something if she doesn't carry it. I'm going to make a baby cardigan out of those 3 skeins for Hubby's friend's sister's little one.

Ok, last, but definitely not least... My favorite... LisCat in Long Beach!!! This shop was fantastic!!! I really enjoyed the layout, their stock of yarns, the cool projects they had hanging about the shop... everything really. Here's the last bunch of loot.

More Cascade 220 in a turquoise colorway and a Cascade wool that I'd never heard of called Nikki, it's quite like Malabrigo, but with GIGANTOR color changes, I mean jeez... the first 1/4 of the skein was almost completely orange! I bought that to make a scarflette for my Mom-In-Law's birthday. I also got some small samples of this stuff called Soak to give away with hand-wash only items that I make as gifts (it's this awesome stuff that is basically a rinse free detergent that not only cleans your yarny goodness but makes it smell heavenly, too). They had the cool bookmarker sized instructions for free, so I took 3 of those, also. Here's what that Nikki has already turned into...

GORGEOUS, if I do say so myself (sorry the pics look so washed out, it's rainy here today). The colors of the skein of yarn are much more true than these two finished object pics are. It's nice and bright and fun, just like my MIL. I'll have a pattern for this up soon! Might need to buy some Malabrigo to make more of these!!!

And, just for fun, a pic of Hubby and me waiting for a table at Cheesecake Factory for our V-Day date...

Hope you all had a great weekend!!!

8 comments:

Laura said...

Oooh, I'm totally jealous! I've never been to a yarn shop, let alone multiple ones! All the yarn you bought is so pretty - lucky you!

P.S. Thank you for the comment on my blog! I wonder if you could make those bottoms with a couple of rows of crochet through the back look only, on the back, and then crochet the ruffles into the front loop of those rows. That might work.

Ellen Bloom said...

Wow! You had quite a yarn orgy, that's for sure!

We have a store in Santa Monica called Yarns Unlimited. They also sell Cascade 220 for $6..something. They have, by far the largest selection of Cascade 220 I've every seen...every color you can imagine. If they don't have it in stock, they will order it for you.

Next time your in O.C. or the Long Beach area, stop by Alamitos Bay Yarn Co. It's a really beautiful shop too.

Congratulations on all of your wonderful purchases!

Janet said...

I love yarn shops but unfortunately there aren't any near where I live. Lucky you!! I like your neck piece. Beautiful colors!

Alice Regan said...

OMG ...totally all the stuff I adore! Thanks for sharing your travels through yarnland! Amazing! I just bought some Noro myself and I'm knitting a wonderful scarf. Should have it posted in the next few days (I hope). It's knitting up gorgeous! I'll keep checking back to see what you have created using your Noro. The SOAK is a great product. We sell it at the yarn shop where I work ...love it! It's rinse free, great feature.
Wow ...I'm exhausted from your travels and you even got though that LA traffic. That's why I left CA! So glad you shared all your goodies! Great finds!

Marty said...

I haven't hit any of the new yarn shops here, but I have picked up Vanna's Choice at Jo-Ann's. I like the softness and the easy care. Most of the people I know would look at me funny if I gave them wool.

Rima said...

Wow. What a yarn hoard. Good for you!!!

Oiyi said...

Wow, you got so much great stuff! I almost fainted after seeing that ppic of Velona Needlecraft.

Amy said...

Love the yarn creativity.
A wonderful photo of the two of you!!
Amy