I've been in a whole lot of wonderful yarn shops over the years, but Knit1Oxford in Oxford, MS has become one of my very favorites. It's the kind of place that welcomes you in---and you forget that you really didn't know any of these people when you walked through the door.
I thought I was going to be pretty 'directional' on this visit over the weekend. I had purchased a few skeins of some shibui on my last visit that I hadn't knit.....IF they still had some of the grey----and IF it was the same dye lot---I'd get enough to knit a sweater. That was going to be it. PapaGeek is pretty good in yarn stores....but I didn't want to press my luck. This couldn't be a whole afternoon of playing; we had places we needed to be.
They had it! I'm sort of happy dancing....taking my armload to the register. I hear giggling behind me, then--you've really got to try this! The women in the shop had commandeered my husband---he was at a table with about a dozen different kinds of FUDGE he was sampling!!! No wonder I was having such a quiet time fondling the woolies. Since he was so well occupied, I headed back to the Shibui wall....and found some of this:
I showed GREAT restraint in not buying needles to immediately cast this on. Just a very plain wide, long scarf in Shibui linen. Beautiful colors. And it's not many yarn shop owners who will actually talk you OUT of buying the dark border color that you use for a total of 12 rows on the whole scarf. (I personally think the scarf is going to look better minus that dark border anyway.)
Hubby is now wandering around, although I did hear him pass up the offer of coffee or tea or something. Back to what quickly became my favorite wall....and found some Habu. Another scarf. It will make a swell travel project this spring if it lasts that long in the stash.
Owner, Patsy, and I are chatting away, she's kindly winding yarn for me--I'm so jealous; next weekend there is going to be a fiber festival in Oxford!!! (the fudge people are going to be there, too---by this time, I was into the fudge, too)--when PapaGeek came up with a "Look what I found"...
Really???!!! Granted, his current 'scarf' is sort of loud, crayon box colors (that he picked out!! I might add) but, he's had it for y-e-a-r-s. Maybe it IS time to knit another. Is this the color you want? Sure, whatever. (Mr. GQ he's not.)
It's cashmere. It's gorgeous. I never want to stop knitting with this. (And it just happened to cost more than all my other piled up yarn put together!!!!--he's so worth it, though!)
Now, if I can just convince him it's not exactly a bundle-up-to-go-scoop-the-poop item.
Sure it's a walk the dog etc. kinda scarf. We use the same justification for expensive antiques, friend! Whats the point of having it, if it's not used? We don't cry when they break (remember that kitchen cabinet that came down?) And obviously, he LOVES it, so why have it sit in a closet? It will look SO much better around his neck! : )
Posted by: Jody | 01/22/2013 at 06:59 AM
Love that you both got a bit of what you wanted. I am amazed that they still had the dyelot and everything. Definitely a good day.
Posted by: Heather | 01/22/2013 at 08:41 AM
I think you bought the bestest yarn out there! Your husband and mine would get along great waiting around in yarn stores. Love the shibui yarn!! and cashmere....ahh. that is sweet! bliss!
Posted by: karen | 01/22/2013 at 08:42 AM
Love your goodies. The hubs might not glaze over in our LYS if the served fudge. One store has a bunny and that can sometimes occupy him...sometimes. But there is a really cool gallery next door so he'll go over there.
Posted by: Melissa | 01/22/2013 at 10:24 AM
I always enjoy reading your blog!
I can't believe you were in Oxford last weekend! Rachel and I are trying to decide whether or not we want to attend the festival this coming weekend...
If you haven't ever been, and are travelling down to Oxford some time, stop in at Hank of Yarn in Southaven, MS (just past the Memphis/Tennessee state line). The shop is wonderful and the people there really make it something special. Rachel and I are there most Saturdays with the other regulars -- and I know they'd all love to meet you!
The yarn is beautiful---I really love long wide thin scarves...
Posted by: Joseph | 01/22/2013 at 02:00 PM
Oh my, my, my! You came home with some very lovly treasures!I would love to raid you stash closet! I now have to call my mom and see if I can talk her into visiting Oxford for the weekend.
Posted by: Tracey | 01/22/2013 at 02:13 PM
LOL!! Oh, the joy in reading this post!! LOL! I can just see this whole scene... and Papa Geek was reeled in by the cashmere (and fudge). ;) Love that linen and I can't wait to see the sweater, too!! Oxford... now, how far is that? ;) blessings ~ tanna
Posted by: tanna | 01/22/2013 at 07:57 PM
Your post had me in stitches! PapaGeek has very good taste, too! What a treasure of a yarn store...Habu, cashmere & fudge all in one place :)
Posted by: Tien | 01/23/2013 at 06:53 PM
so funny, what a great shopping trip, i love that your husband found the kit (i just saw it at our lys too!). and i JUST printed out kozue! and it's made with cashmere too!
Posted by: lori | 01/25/2013 at 02:18 AM