Trenchwork

The package is in the mail. Really. I just dropped it off, and I’m laughing at myself. See, I bought this huge padded mailing envelope. Not intentionally; it just happened to be the only one currently in stock which was larger than a Monarch-sized sheet of paper. No worries, I told myself. I can just fold the extra up and tape it down.

Ya, right! The sucker was almost too small! Now, admittedly there’s a bit of bubble wrap protecting a couple of the goodies, but . . . well, sheesh. I individually wrapped each item—reining myself in about individually wrapping each ball of yarn—but the yarn is compressed in ziplock bags to take up less space. And the kicker? While it’s the size of a small bed pillow, the entire package weighed less than a kilo and cost less than 10usd to mail. I’m soooo impressed! Seriously. I figured postage would run about 30. Hmmmm… and I’m really hoping the girl didn’t misunderstand and send it surface! That simply would not be funny.

Nevertheless, the deed is done and the package is on the way, and Janice reassured me that I wasn’t overlooking anything critical. I have to say that I had a wonderful time looking for things for this knitter, but, Oh! I’m jealous of those folks who have access to good yarn shops. I really do prefer to lay hands on the yan I’m buying, and I’m at the point where I’m interested in trying things other than pure wool. Specifically, yarns other than Dale, PT, or Sandnes DK and worsted wools. If I’m looking for wool for a sweater, well, I’m in the right place. If I want something else, anything lighter than baby weight or other than the 2 lines of sock yarn (in less than a handful of colorways) . . . I can almost give it up. There are some cottons, one bamboo, a couple of mohairs and alpacas, and not much more which is not standard wool. Needle options consist of Pony, Novi, Inox grey, and PT (similar to Addi). I’ve seen some bamboo needles in the area, but there’s not much variety or options in length.

I told Janice that I wanted a shop to consider setting up a “swatch” arrangement for all the hot yarns. Not just one brand, but a yard from a couple dozen different yarns. I’m not worried about colors; I choose weight and texture first, and then look for color. Instead, I want to feel the yarn and know which one I really want. I’d cheerfully pay 20usd for a swatch package that consisted of seasilk, Lorna’s Laces, Zephyr, any host of special blends and hand dyeds—just to get the stuff into my hands so I’d be able to know what it is for myself. I want that. Really. Really really. Those of you who know LYS owners, mention it? And if anyone takes it up, let me know??