So, why would anyone travel around for three or four days to visit seventeen different yarn shops? Good question. First off, there are free patterns at every shop, with limited edition hand-dyed yarns for each pattern. Then, there is the fun of seeing how different each shop can be. For the un-initiated, every shop has its own personality, and many sell a wide range of items. Punkin' loves to go to Darn Knit Anyway in Stillwater and Lila and Claudine's in Mahtomedi. No other shop has full sized knitted and stuffed humans hiding somewhere on the premises. Trust me, it is worth the trip! And then there is the camaraderie of hundreds of knitters trekking from shop to shop, comparing yarns and patterns, and all and all having a blast.
For me, the best part is time with my daughter (and granddaughter), sharing our love of knitting. Punkin' has a great sense of color, and I love turning to her to ask for advice on colors. Not many can say that they trust a ten year old for fashion advice, but she is special.
So now, I will sit and look at all my new patterns, and then start to wind the yarns for yet another project. Will I finish everything before next year? Not a chance! But every pattern and every skein of yarn will stir a warm feeling every time I pick them up. Finished projects will be special, because they will evoke memories of a great weekend with Kate. And that's what it is all about.
