I feel like I’ve been on a it of a yarn buying spree – but for other people – lately. Well, mostly… there were those two impulse skeins of Regia, but what sock knitter can resist inexpensive sturdy and pretty sock yarn? Irresistable combo. I still haven’t learned to head to the department store ready to resist the yarns. (For the Europeans, many US department stores don’t carry yarn or other craft supplies).
But anyways, I’ve also been off buying yarns for other peeps. I talked about enabling a first time knitter a couple weeks back. Since then I’ve also purchased yarn for two more people. I think it’s a combination of trying not to buy yarn for myself since we’re headed to Amsterdam in less than two weeks, and I plan to drop by Stephan and Penelope’s again to splurge a bit, and some people having some major life events and/or birthdays. I feel like yarn is a good thing to have around during major changes if you knit (and it’s always a good birthday present).
My purchases of two weeks ago have long since arrived at their destination, and the recipient opened them up late last week. It was my first purchase from The Neighborhood Fiber Co and they didn’t disappoint. There was great tracking on the package, and the NewKnitter has reported that they love the colors (Rock Creek Park is their favorite of the three). I have ordered from The Loopy Ewe before, but as before, they also delivered promptly and with a nice little note, which clearly the NewKnitter clearly appreciated, since they included in it the photo they sent me of their goodies.
The next person on my list loves bright colors, especially rainbows. Unplanned Peacock has a rainbow kit that fits the bill which I purchased with the white contrast for a summery look.
Lastly, I wanted some indie dyed bulky yarn and I thought it would be fun to look for another new dyer to buy from. Bulky can be a bit trickier to find in the indie dyer world since many small dyers start with thinner yarns like fingering. If somebody can only afford a skein or two at indie dyer price points, skeins that are enough for a project (like socks or a small shawl) can be more enticing. Unplanned Peacock and The Neighborhood Fiber Co both carry bulky, btw, but somehow weren’t quite what I wanted.
I started from a handy list of dyers posted by The Yarn Mission. I found what I was looking for in the colorway “Autumn Nights” and the yarn base Palisade from Essence of Autumn Yarn. I think the colors are fun and sophisticated at the same time. And maybe I’m already thinking ahead just a bit to cooler days as it’s around 38C/100F today (and yet, not too hot for the cat to think my lap is a good place to sit).
I really enjoy shopping for other people. I think I like being an enabler as much as being enabled because I think yarn crafts are pretty cool. I also like the challenge of finding something another would like and the opportunity to shop a bit outside my own personal preferences and tendancies.
Do you enjoy shopping for yarn for others as much as yourself?