How I Spent My Summer Vacation - FInale

Of course, I couldn't go on vacation without checking out a yarn store in the area.  This time, I went to two of them.  The first was All About Yarn in Columbia, MD.  I walked in the door and was greeted by a friendly "hello" from the owner as well as the ladies who were sitting and knitting.  The shop is packed with lots and lots of yarn from many of the major companies.  I found a couple of skeins that needed to immigrate to Canada.  I had difficulty, however, finding a yarn that would specifically remind me of this vacation and the area for my Travel Afghan.  I like to choose something from a local dyer if I can.  I picked up one ball of yarn that I hadn't seen before in variegated blues, for the blues I was going to be hearing at the concert.  It's from a company called "smc select" and the yarn is Extra Soft Merino Color.  It's very pretty, denim-y shades of blue and I might be tempted in the future to get enough yarn to make a shaker-stitch pullover to wear with jeans.  That is, IF I ever get caught up on my gazillion other projects. There's even more to the shop than what you see in this picture. If you walk to the back on the right and then turn left there is another big room.

On my last day, a Monday, I decided to visit Cloverhill Yarn Shop just a few miles up the road in Catonsville.  I wanted to visit this particular shop and Monday was the only time I was going to be able to get there.  Imagine my disappointment when I found out that it's closed on Mondays. 

Just as a coincidence, I had been 'talking' with a lady on Ravelry about the Allman Brothers/Santana concert as she was going, too.  Her name is Jolene.  It turned out that she wasn't just another knitter but was a yarn store owner, too, and her shop is Cloverhill Yarns!  I had hoped to meet her.  I sent an email saying that I was sorry that I missed her on this trip and she wrote right back telling me that she was going to be in the shop and that I could drop by.  How nice.  I was very pleased to be able to see the store and to meet her afterall.  Her shop is full of lots of great yarns and many were from local dyers - just what I was looking for.  One of the dyers was Jolene herself.  She didn't have any yarn on hand that was the right weight for my Travel Afghan but she's going to dye some for me and it'll be coming in the mail.  Perfect.

I really need to get caught up on my Travel Afghan as I'm a year behind.  It think it'll be moving to the top of my must-do list this weekend.  I want to get up-to-date before I head out to Santa Fe & Taos in September.

If I'm ever back in this area (maybe for Maryland Sheep & Wool...hmmmm......) I'll definitely be visiting Jolene's shop again.  I'd also like to spend more time in Catonsville.  It appears to be a music mecca in the area.  I noticed that as soon I drove downtown.and saw the many music shops.  So much world.  So little time!