LYS and stash additions.

Today, as I had a day off from work, I found myself at a loose end. My initial plans (finding out the results of my MA) were no longer on the cards - so I had lots of options - but nothing set in stone.

A thought occurred to try my luck at a yarn shop in Penarth - Yarn 'n Yarns. They don't really exist on the internet - and they have had sporadic opening hours. I discovered some months ago that the owner is ill and consequently running the shop is very much on a back burner for her priority-wise. The best way to find out if it is open is to ring beforehand. Luckily they were open this afternoon, as a friend of the owner was opening it - so I caught the train and headed off to what is, in my opinion - the best LYS in the area.

Size-wise - they are a small shop - but choice-wise - phew!

I picked up some Collinette (the only place I've found that stock it in the area), some fancy yarn, some Rowan and some Noro. I could have continued if I knew my bank balance would let me! The photo doesn't really do the colours justice at all.

I do hope Yarn 'n Yarns continues for the future and the owner's health improves. It seems a shame that the area could lose what is the best shop for increasing your stash with good quality and unusual yarns. We've already lost Big Knitters, and whilst Calon Yarns and John Lewis are both good and useful in their own way - they don't have anywhere near the choice, nor indeed the amount, of yarn that Yarn n' Yarns carries.

It seems a shame that whilst the crafting world appears to be increasingly popular, little yarn shops are still challenging to run, and, should the owner no longer be able to run it (for whatever reason), once they are gone - they are gone for good. I miss Big Knitters as it was useful for getting some very nice yarn - both branded and, on occasion, locally hand spun.
Should Yarn n' Yarns vanish - then all my yarn shopping will be focused either online, at Wonderwool, or will be acrylic.

As a weaver - I don't need knitting yarns. But I do use them in my projects. Some of my best work uses yarn that I shouldn't really use - and many of those I picked up in either Big Knitters or Yarn n' Yarns. Today buying more stash was great fun - but bittersweet as this may be one of the last opportunities for me to look at the yarn and touch it prior to purchase.

Long live the LYS's of the world and their dedicated owners. This crafter will sorely miss you - should you choose for whatever reason not to continue.