And Finally.....Yarn

A trip would not be complete without a visit to a yarn store.  Afternall, I need to add to my Travel Afghan in which I add a block, or in this case, a border side, to remind me of the trip.

I visited two shops.  I was less than impressed with the first one.  When I walked in the door the clerk asked if she could help me and I said that I'd like to look around.  Browsing was quite difficult as there was a large table full of knitters.  I felt like I was intruding on a clique. The table took up most of the space and in order to look at the yarn I had to squeeze by.  I didn't see anything that "spoke to me" for my afghan, but then I decided to pick up one ball of Rowan yarn that I'd not yet seen in order have something for my blanket..  I tried to connect with the clerk to tell her that I was ready to pay but was ignored so I left without making a purchase.

That meant that I'd have to look at another shop.  I know, such a hardship! Fortunately I found another shop that was just the opposite.  Rainbow Yarn & Fibres is a charming, warm and welcoming store and the owner, Brigitte, the owner, and I chatted a bit.  She did have some locally spun and dyed yarn but it was too heavy for my afghan.

However, I found a yarn that I'd never seen before called "Vice", a gorgeous heavy fingering-weight yarn.

Brigitte was winding one of these skeins into a ball for a customer in a vibrant cobalt blue named "Calypso".  I decided to choose the same color because, (a) I liked it, and (b) I was in Memphis to hear some blues.  Brigitte offered to wind my skein for me but I decided to wait until I got home so that I could first take a picture of it in the skein, and then in the ball.  Danke schön, Brigitte, for a nice visit to your shop and if I ever find myself in Memphis (actually, Germantown), again, I'll definitely be back.

Now, the first border of my Travel Afghan is complete.  Only three more borders to go and the afghan will be finished.

THE DETAILS

Pattern:  Rambling Rows Afghan from Cottage Creations

Yarn:  Vice

Heavy fingering weight - held double
70% Merino/20% Cashmere/10% Silk
400 yards/115 grams

Needles:  US #7/4.5 mm

Note:  The yarn is beautifully soft and drapy...almost too nice for an afghan.  However, there were 83 grams left which may be enough for a small neck wrap.

♫ Can't help falling in love ♪
with this yarn!

One more thing before I wrap up my trip to the South.  A comment was left saying that I should take a picture of my new guitar strap.  I don't know if it's sacrilege, but here it is on my Fender Stratocaster guitar.  Perhaps one day I'll have a Gibson, too.  (I should have put a shirt on the mannequin - such a bold girl, she is!)