As if I needed another reason to buy yarn...

I decided to participate in the 2014 Great Rhody Yarn Crawl in Surgical Strike Mode. Wait till Sunday, hit two places, See, Prey, Leave.

Destination Numero Uno: Knit One Quilt Too in Barrington, Rhode Island.

Gentle knitters, it was my follow-up visit to this beautiful, new-kid-on-the-block LYS, and I loved it even more the second time around.

Yvonne Weiss, Inventor, Developer, and Proprietor  is one of the kindest needlewomen ever. She brings graciousness, hospitality, and creativity in various ways, shapes, and forms to her lovely enterprise.  (Think: inspirational materials, in-house designers and resident knitting experts. Also, the shop has big windows and is filled with light--a somewhat rare feature among the LYS in New England.)

Two more bonuses:  the chatelaine of Casapinka was knitting one of her amazing designs, just inside the front door, where she cheerfully greeted non-recovering yarnoholics.

And I met for the first time, but I hope not the last, Holly Kennedy of Fish Belly Fiber Works (New Hampshire), who was displaying her gorgeously dyed skeins.

Thus began my downfall:

The two skeins on the right were dyed by Fish Belly; the cobalt blue is Madeline Tosh "Fathom."  All fingering.

Then, Destination Numero Due:  Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, where the culminating ceremonies of the Yarn Crawl were held. I couldn't stay long, but was happy to see Linda Perry of Thistledown Yarns, June Gonzalez of Rising Sun Earthworks (from whom I bought two splendid sets of ceramic buttons), and the Westcotts (Iris and David) as they demonstrated an antique sock knitting machine.

Thistledown Yarns and patterns on display.

The Westcotts and their venerable sock knitter.

Family Portrait

Gentle knitters have wondered, why the silence? The answer:  Knitting. Work. Music. Travel. Fortunately I've been able to combine many of these interests efficiently.

Behold the menagerie created by moi. All patterns are free, from the Lion Brand pattern database. I'm quite enamored of the brown bunny, officially designated Bouncy Bunny Sock Critter.  You could make a few of these to stuff in Easter baskets--the pattern doesn't take long, and if you're a sock knitter, you'll find it easy and ingenious.

Today debuts the Great Rhody Yarn Crawl, a relatively new and splendid Rhode Island tradition; it culminates on Sunday in Bristol. Due to an overscheduled life, I shan't be attending until Sunday, but other yarnaholics might want to set out immediately to satisfy their addictions.  Vita brevis est, so go for it!