Art Fibers

My tour guide Joy, wisely provided me with the address, hours of operation and directions for Art Fibers, and it was the first place I went when I arrived in San Francisco.

What I liked the best about this yarn shop, was that I didn't know what to expect.  While all yarn shops are a delight in their own way (even if they're filled with scary patterns and tons of acrylic--you can still pretend it's like a wax museum or a throw-back to the sixties) this one was filled with shelves of yarns that I had never seen before.

I was instantly drawn to this way filled with ribbon and sari silk with all the bright shiny colours.  It was funny that I looked there first, because it's not the yarn I like to knit with.

Another nifty thing about this shop is that there is a swatching area--a circle of chairs, boxes of their yarns and needles--and you're invited to sit and swatch whatever you like to give it a test run.  If you like, a free custom pattern can be made using your measurments and gauge--a very cool service. So of course, I did that for a while and took notes and compared, and had fun with new fibers.  I also learned that this yarn that I was always intrigued with, was a total bitch for me to knit up--better than learning it after it arrives in the mail.  A

The hard part was deciding what to buy.  I already had some Art Fiber yarn in my stash from Jenna, in my usual palette of blues and purples, so I decided to stretch myself and try textures and colours I hadn't used much before.  I decided to do a sampler shawl/scarf with the help of Kira the manager who eased me into a green palette by making me pick all the green yarns that caught my eye and then we added and substracted until we came up with this.

If it wasn't so hot I'd be knitting it up now, but there's a lot of brushed silk and furry alpaca in there.  It's definitely a cool weather project.   I do keep pulling it out and looking at it, it's so very pretty.

Now, off to find my air conditioner (it's under a large pile of stuff in the basement).  I'm with Stephanie on this one--sorry Rick, I'll find another way to conserve, it's freakin' hot out.

Comments

[Heather]

*drool*

[Lee Ann]

I second the *drool*...wow, what a haul :-) and a swatching area too...I'm IN AWE.

[claudia]

Lovely green-ness. I am completely in love with Artfibers.

[Kathy in San Jose]

Glad you enjoyed SF! It's a great city. I'm dying to go to ArtFibers, and when I'm off work next week, it's the first place I"m heading. Even though the CGOA/TKGA conference is just across the bay in Oakland next week, I'm justifiying the trip to ArtFibers because they won't be exhibiting in the marketplace.

[Vicki]

I LOVE those yarns. The ribbon is really pretty. I wish one of my lys's would have a swatching area, it's such a great idea. When I open my yarn store I'll definitely do that :)

[Stefanie]

I have only ever oogled Artfibers online, would love to go see and touch them!

I'm with you on the A/C!

[Nadia]

Good haul!

[stephanie]

Is that chai? Is there Chai there?
I love the Chai. Oh. Yes.

[alison]

Wowie -- it looks like you'll be knitting an outfit for next year's Mermaid Parade!

[Dani]

Oooh, I think I see a ball of Kyoto there. It is SOOOO nice to knit up. I am doing a scarf with a herringbone pattern with it right now. Mmmmm, yum

[Shannon]

Oh, yum. I need some of that ribbon for a wrap I'm making! :)