Jun
Alaska
So, I’m back home for a few days. I’ve been to two of the three known yarn shops in town. The first is Yarn Branch which is inside of Quilt Tree on Benson and Denali. It’s a gorgeous quilt store, and the fabrics there are lush and beautiful and all things you would want out of a quilting store. However, the yarn selection: not so much. Don’t get me wrong. They have lots of yarn, they have lots of GOOD yarn, but they’re a bit spendy. And I’m cheap. (I’m cheap because I’m broke. If I could get away with spending $26 on a hank of yarn, I would.) But I did find a back issue of Interweave Knits that I had been looking for (Summer ’05) and I picked up a nice pair of size 0 DPNs for when I finally decide to learn to make socks. My friend Shannon picked up some quilting supplies and I had a nice chat with the woman at the counter about finding current issues of Interweave Knits, because I had been looking for the new one for two weeks to no avail. She suggested Barnes and Nobel (which is right next door to the shop) but I had already been there, tried that.
So, no yarn at the Yarn Branch. Out of my league and since I’m traveling on a shoe string budget I couldn’t in good conscience spend money on more yarn I really didn’t need.
Until I found The Knitting Grounds which I OFFICIALLY the coolest freaking yarn store EVER. Seriously. First of all, the minute we walk through the door I am greeted with the less than threatening bark of a miniature schnauzer that looks EXACTLY like my Dixie. But, I’m getting ahead of myself, before we even made it through the front door; we had to find the place first. I had the cross streets but because I’m in my hometown I didn’t bother to mapquest the exact address because I was like “Oh, King Street and 92nd, I can totally find that.” Which I did, but only after going the wrong way on King Street assuming it would be on the side of Dimond that is known to house businesses and not just warehouse space. So, after crossing back over Dimond to the right side of King street to find 92nd, (and completely missing the sign on the corner that pointed the way to The Knitting Grounds) we finally stumbled upon a warehouse, with a little sign in the window that said Knitting Grounds and the magical words “open”. Knitting Grounds is in a converted warehouse space, that from the outside looks like it should house a mechanic, lots of cigarette butts and some sort of vehicle in a state of disrepair. What you do find inside is surprising and all together pleasant: a HUGE amount of yarn, a VERY friendly employee (possibly owner) and the aforementioned Schnauzer.
I did buy yarn from them. My ironclad will collapsed at the feet of a tiny black Schnauzer and some freaking GORGEOUS Blue Sky Alpaca sport weight. But only two hanks! Seriously. Oh, and the current copy of IK that I had been searching for. I managed to make it out under $30. Which in my opinion, is incredible, considering I rarely make it out of Michaels for less than $50 and they don’t even have nice yarn.
The next time I’m in Anchorage The Knitting Grounds will be my first stop. Even if just to sit and enjoy the company of laid back relaxed knitters and the dog that sleeps on one of the couches in the back. More than just my new favoritestplaceeveromg, they are the model by which I will plan to build my own yarn shop someday. And the ingenious idea to lease warehouse space instead of strip mall space is fantastic! They have plenty of room to offer sitting areas that are comfortable, a large selection of yarns and a sort of off the beaten path aesthetic that I find comforting. Plus I’m sure they’re saving a ton by not renting overpriced retail space.
Having finished the “One Skein Wonder” (by Glampyre) just before I left Vegas, I am currently without a major project. The One Skein Wonder ended up being a “Two and a Half Skein TINY Monster”, but I’m not sure if my gauge was off (I used Debbie Bliss cotton DK) or if I took my measurements wrong before starting the project. Either way, the shrug turned out beautiful just too small, so I think it’s going to be gifted to my 9 year old cousin. I did make a few mods, but the pictures are on my desktop back in Vegas, so that’ll have to wait a few days until I’m home.
Meanwhile, I’m knitting up a cell phone cozy for my Mom real quick, out of the same hank of Artyarns merino that I made the iPod sock (see previous post) but that will take less than a day. I would like some sort of little should cover up thingy, like the One Skein Wonder, but I can’t seem to find a pattern that fits, is flattering or doesn’t use an obscene amount of yarn. I may try the One Skein Wonder again, in the larger size with my new freshly balled Blue Sky Alpaca, because it is so soft, and so gorgeous. It’s a light moss green, and sport weight, so I’m sure it wouldn’t end up being too heavy to wear in Vegas. I may have to spend some time figuring gauge before I start again though, because I would hate to make yet another adorable shrug that I can’t wear.
So Dear Readers: if you have patterns that meet the above mentioned requirements and would be suitable to a curvy girl who lives in the desert but tends to have cold shoulders, please send them my way. Or tell me where to get them.
Oh! And I got my hair done by my favorite hair dresser/friend/fellow knitter Lydia. And, it’s freaking awesome. I love it. And I’m getting a tattoo tomorrow. It’s a knitting theme…but I like to wait until tattoos heal to show pictures of them. Otherwise they’re just greasy and gross. Speaking of greasy, I must buy some Bag Balm before my tattoo appointment.
I’m off to knit a bit, before heading to my Dads to visit with the other half of my family.
