a crafty week
I've had a wonderfully crafty week. It started with a newly completed woven scarf.
I am so pleased with the way this scarf turned out! The colors are very subtle and my edges became much neater. Want to see a close up?
And even more close up?
pretty...
On one of my previous entries, Jennifer recommended a weaving store called "Pets with Fez" in Highland Park. I needed a shorter shuttle, so I went to check it out. It is one of the most unique stores I've ever been to! The front is filled with tchotchkes, and the back has about 6 looms and yarn. Babajan, the owner, was super sweet and helpful and gave me lots of good advice for weaving. His dog was just sleeping in his dog bed and there was one woman working on a scarf on one of the looms. He had many examples of his weaving for sale and showed me what could be done with a rigid heddle loom (which is quite a bit!) I would totally take classes with him if I lived a bit closer. I still might someday!
Over the past couple of weeks, I also worked on a new purlbee entry for the monk's bag I made for my trip to Japan a couple of years ago. Here's on of my photos that didn't make it to the final post.
I also had a blogging friend come to town - Felicia from sweetgeorgia. She was in town for TNNA down in San Diego, but she spent a couple days here. We did lots of yarn crawling, and I did buy lots of yarn. Yipes! It was so fun to have her in town and to go yarn shopping with someone so knowledgable about yarn. I definitely went shopping with a weaving frame of mind, which is completely different from a knitting frame of mind.
My first stash enhancement was a lovely skein of Felicia's yarn, Banbu sock yarn, that she gave to me. Thank you Felicia! How did you know I LOVE purple?
It is so soft and indulgent. It's made with superwash merino, bamboo, nylon and silk! I cannot wait to make socks from this yarn!
Our first stop was Wildfiber, where we met the owner, Natasha, who was also super sweet and helpful and showed up some great yarn. I walked away with...
...two skeins of noro silk garden sock yarn (one of which is destined to be a woven shawl), one cone of habu tsumugi silk (another weaving project I have in mind), and one skein of the fabled Wollmeise yarn, which I have heard much about but have never seen. Once she showed us the Wollmeise, I couldn't resist!
My favorite store we visited was one I had never been to, Twist in Manhattan Beach. The owner, Cathy, was so helpful and kind and wonderful! Felicia said her yarn choice was "thoughtful" and I couldn't agree more. This is definitely a place I will stop by again and again. She had lots of yarn that would be suitable for weaving projects. I bought yarn in mainly natural tones, including:
two skeins of malabrigo lace (this might not be the best weaving yarn, but it's so soft! and reasonably priced!)
one skein of Handmaiden Flaxen, a silk/linen blend
and two skeins of habu yarn, one kakishibu cotton and the other kakishibu silk. I've just learned that "kakishibu" is a dye made from persimmons - my parents have a huge persimmon tree in their backyard. Will my next craft be to make my own dye from their persimmons? I don't think so!
It was great having Felicia in town! I loved going yarn shopping with her and talking crafting. Hopefully I will start some projects with my new yarn very shortly!
Jan 18, 2009
Reader Comments (6)
wow, I didn't just imagine it, my dream scarf is the one you wove, it's beautiful...
Wait a minute, let me get this straight -- you went to a store that actually sells Wollmeise?!
Mari,
I'm so happy you went to Pets with Fez.
It is within walking distance from my house...I wish it were a closer trip for you but I'm so glad you found my recommendation helpful!
I love the Monk's bag, and your new scarf!!
If you have time feel free to check out my blog:
http://ermieblog.blogspot.com/
xoxo
-Jennifer
your scarves are beautiful, just like you! so glad you had fun hosting Felicia. with going to all those yarn stores, I would think someone would have recognized you.... :)
What a chock full of goodness post!
The scarf is gorgeous and is making me seriously consider picking up weaving, although I think quilting needs to come first!!!
Also, I look forward to see the beauty you will find and make emerge from all that luxurious yarn!!!
That scarf is absolutely beautiful! Makes me want to try weaving. There are a number of lovely weaving supply stores here in Colorado.