• Mar. 3, 2007
Loopy Yarns
So, as my goal is to hit a yarn shop every place I travel, while in Chicago I managed a quick trip to "Loopy Yarns" on south State Street.
This was a smallish shop but they had lots of goodness packed in there- a nice selection of yarn and tons of needles, books and magazines, and patterns in binders. The two ladies working were very friendly and the perfect mixture of helpful without hovering. (I've read lots online about snotty shopkeepers but have yet to encounter this myself) They also had some bins in the back of the shop with sale yarn that was all 40% off. The only thing I was disappointed with was that there was no Koigu or Malabrigio - I've been wanting to check both of these out in person. (They did have some empty bins with little signs that said "Koigu - coming soon" and "Malabrigio - coming soon" )
I grabbed up some very nice merino yarn from the 40% off bin, and have been kicking myself ever since that I didn't get more of it. Anyway, thumbs up for "Loopy Yarns!"
Here's the new yarn, it's Lane Borgosesia Merino and it's soooo soft. I got 2 balls of red, 2 pink, and 3 of the olive. My middle son wants an olive-green hat - other than that, I have no clue what the other yarn will be for, I guess I thought if I got 2 balls that's enough for a hat or mitts...but I should have bought enough to make at least a scarf. Pictured in front is a Lantern Moon black sheep tape measure, cause you know if I see a black sheep I've gotta get it!
And it's all posed in front of my new tote bag - yes, while the boys were in the Lego shop, I slipped down to the "Hello Kitty" store and bought my 39 year-old self some goodies. Isn't that the perfect size for a yarn tote - and that little bag peeking out on the left is a pencil case.
To completely demonstrate my dorkiness, here's a picture of more of my Hello Kitty buys:
I love these little guys - I guess "Tenorikuma" are little bears, and these are little bear-istas (get it?) with their coffee cups and lattes. See the little coffee mug charm on the pen? I am a sucker for Japanese cuteness, I admit it. I blame these purchases on the fact that I live with all males!
Comments
• Mar. 3, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Danielle
That yarn looks soooo soft and yummy! I loooove that tote bag and pencil case, the pencil case would be great to hold dpns and stitch markers and stuff like that(that's probably what you got it for). I love Hello Kitty, and if you visit the free knitting pattern central in the toy section there is a really cute pattern for a small Hello Kitty. I've gotta say I really think that black sheep tape measure is just about the cutest thing, it would make me smile every time I'd go to measure something! Yeah for yarn shopping!
• Mar. 4, 2007
Let's Hear It For Being A Girl!
Posted by LLA
My 38 year old self is in agreement with your 39 year old self on the importance of Hello Kitty and other girly-girl things. Particularly when it's all boys everywhere around the house.
(I swear, in a way, it's self-defense, isn't it???)
I truly am vicariously enjoying your trip to Chicago....
• Mar. 4, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Lucky you...lots of goodies that you deserve! You can never have too much yarn and what (everything) you got is so pretty.
happy knitting :)
hakucho
• Mar. 4, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
you are not alone. I always think man i am what cough34cough
and i'm always buying hello kitty or chococat stuff myself. I think there's help for us.
loopy yarns is a pretty decent shop. I don't like any of the chicago shops and they are the only one that's tolerable. Arcadia up on the north side by nat's apt is the worst ( i was int here 2 weeks ago to pick up a needle and i was standing behind a lady in line for 20 min before she said the computer wasn't working and we couldn't buy anything...i was like um ok and left.
i like the shop in NW Indiana called Sheeps Clothing (we just call it SHEEPS) the best...mostly cause they've got it all big budget or little budget and inbetween. Plus they have decent sock yarn...the chicago shops have next to nothing as far as sock yarn goes.
xoxoxox
jen
