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Fiber Run - Part I

Did I mention this past weekend was a three-day one for those of us living in Canada?  Well it was.  And since I was alone and wanted to do something for me, I decided a fiber run would be appropriate.  This of course involves no swift feet, but rather driving to a new place in search of my fiber of choice--yarn.

I had it in my head I really wanted to see Port Orchard, Washington, the home of the prolific writer, Debbie Macomber.  Without the benefit of really looking at a map or discussing it appropriately ahead of time, I thought it would work into our Olympic Peninsula trip taken earlier this fall.  But a drive to Port Orchard would have easily added 2.5 to 3 hours to a trip when we didn't have that much extra time to add.  So this weekend's plan developed out of a need to find a way to get there.

This weekend's trip started on Saturday at 7 am in order to avoid the long line ups at the border, unfortunately many others decided to use the same tactic.  The Nexus card came through on this venture and I was in Washington state by 8:15 am.  The plan was to drive to Des Moines, Washington (town with a population of about 30,000 about 16 miles south of Seattle city center) and stay the night.  Then get up on Sunday, drive the approximate 45 miles to Port Orchard, have a nice brunch, check out the yarn shop and drive back to South Seattle.  On Monday, I'd do some looking around as I pleased and get home at a decent hour.  So on Saturday I was able to stop/shop at two yarn shops in the greater Seattle area, Seattle Yarn and All Points Yarn.

Seattle Yarn celebrating 15 years!  

Yes these guys were making zombies

Let's start with Seattle Yarn, located at 5633 California Ave SW, Seattle (actually in West Seattle).  I found the parking lot a bit fiddly, but once parked  the shop was delightful.  They carry much of the typical brands of yarn Cascade, Lamb's Pride, Malabrigo and Lopi, but the activity that truly caught my attention was the zombie making being done in a private corner with a couple of young boys.  Here's a very quick photo of them working away.


I did pick up yarn to make myself a rather large scarf.  It is Metalouse by Stephen West.  (Click on his name to get more information about this creative designer, a US citizen now living in Amsterdam.  You will also find the free pattern on his website.)
Stephen West and Metalouse
I'm making it in the colours below picked up in Seattle Yarns.  Purple has long been one of my most favorite colours and I'll be able to wear this thing a lot because of all the wonderful additional colours the Malabrigo yarn carries.  Thanks to Seattle Yarn for tipping me off to this lovely pattern and having options other than Noro and a cashmerino for me to choose from to make it.

There's one more purple skein being wound when the photo was snapped

I had two real favorites on this homemade yarn crawl and All Points Yarn, 21921 Marine View Dr S., Des Moines, Washington was one of them.

All Points Yarn near the end of the day on Saturday
This rather large shop is owned and operated by Morgan Hicks (Click to read about his background in design.)  By the time I got there on Saturday afternoon things were rather quiet and Morgan was more than happy to let me browse and browse.  This shop carries a wide range of not so familiar yarn brands that are very affordable.   Yarn was purchased here, but I found some unique yarn bags, a cribbage-like counter and some specialty buttons.  They will be revealed as used.

All Points Yarn bright classroom area 
We'll stop here and return for Part II tomorrow.  However, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Wally's Chowder House in Des Moines.  I indulged in a cup of their award winning chowder and seafood  for dinner.  And it was all within easy walking distance of my motel.  Day 1 - Fiber Run - total success! 
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