I’m a yarn snob. When I moved from sweater knitting to shawls and socks, I became very particular about the quality of yarns I use. No more big-box store yarn for me. For the same price as 5 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-ease, I could get enough merino wool, or merino blended with another luxury fibre, to make a lovely pair of socks, or a beautiful lace shawl. I’ve become addicted to anything hand-dyed, especially semi-solids. The exception I make to this is I don’t mind knitting with machine dyed yarn for socks.
So, I’m telling you all this as a preface because I’m going to Knit Nation this weekend! Knit Nation is an event held at Imperial College London that brings in amazing teachers and wonderful British yarn vendors for a weekend of fibre fun! Last year I went to the marketplace only and didn’t have much cash. This year, I’m taking a sock design class with Cookie A (!) and have saved up a fair bit of money to spend in the marketplace.
To say that I’ve been looking forward to this is an understatement! It’s two days away, but I have my class handouts printed, along with a schedule, a map of Imperial’s campus, and a map of the marketplace vendor layout with a plan of action drawn up. I’m planning some major stash enhancement in the form of Wollmeise, Skein Queen, Old Maiden Aunt, Nimu, and Sweet Clement. It will be one of the last times I can buy British handdyed yarns before I move back to the US and I’m planning to act accordingly.
I have no doubt that when I move back to the US, the customs people will think I’m trying to open my own yarn shop!
