Even though it was a quick trip up to Seattle I still managed to come home with quite a bit of stuff. I loved Seattle and can't wait to go back and explore more. You guys up there have a lot of great stores!
From right to left: Shetland lamb roving (named 'Coal') from a vendor at the Port Townsend farmer's market, two skeins (that I hand wound into center pull balls) of Shetland yarn from a vendor at the farmer's market outside of Clinton on Whidbey Island, different types of shuttles from The Weaving Works (they were having a sale on Mother's day!), two skeins of STR lightweight in 'lagoon' and 'nodding violet' from The Twisted Ewe and Churchmouse Yarns & Teas respectively, the pile in the back is enough LanaKnits hempwol to make a bag (the pattern is from 2nd Nature Designs but I can't find it on her website) also from Churchmouse. The fabric is some fat quarters from the quilt store in Pike's Place Market. The bumpy cord I got at the Seattle Art Museum are belts made in Guatemala but I think I am going to use them as bag handles.
This was my big purchase of the trip. A Marimekko bag. I grew up with Marimekko as a kid and it has a special place in my heart. This is partially due to the fact that it is Finnish and I'm a quarter Finnish. But really, their designs kill me. I would love to buy yards of almost all of their fabric. Since I don't have that kind of money I contented myself with a bag.
I also found that wonderful wooden sheep key chain in the same store. I've totally blanked on the name of the store but it features stuff from Finland and is just down the street from Pike's Place Market. If anyone is interested I'll go back and look up the information for you.
So all in all the trip to Seattle was very nice. It didn't even rain. Amazing, I know! It was a nice change of pace from everything else that had been going on. We spent some time with my step-father's family as well. I have only met them at weddings so it was nice to actually get to spend some time chatting with them.
Seattle seems to have quite a few really nice knitting shops. I hope I get to go back soon and check them out. It is great that the knitters up there have such great resources at their fingertips. Speaking of wonderful resources in Seattle Earthues is located there as well. There wasn't enough time to stop in this trip but I would love to take another class on natural dyes there sometime soon. It looks like they haven't updated their classes on their website since last year. Hmm, I will have to email them and see what is going on. Anyway, if you ever have a chance to take a class with Michele Wipplinger (the owner of Earthues) do so. She is a vast resource of incredible knowledge.
Speaking of natural dye classes. I taught a class locally on natural dyeing this past weekend. It went really well. Unfortunately the card on my camera was full so I don't have any pictures but Maia was there. She took some photos and promised to share them soon so you can pop over there to check out what we were up to.
While I was up in Seattle I managed to get quite a bit of knitting done. I finished the Swallowtail Shawl that I started in December while I was down in Mexico and then put down when I got home. The problem is that it is not very photogenic right now because I haven't had a chance to block it since I got home. I also finished one of the Eleanora Socks (also started while in Mexico!). I had run out of yarn on these and then once the yarn got here I just never really got around to picking them back up. I figured this trip would be the perfect opportunity to change this and it was. I also brought along the second glove from my SOAR class that was just missing three fingers. I finished those as well. So now I have a pair of gloves just in time for summer! Actually, the intent was that we would embroider a pattern on the backs of the gloves with handspun silk yarn. I'd like to do this though my confidence in my embroidery skills is a little low. So, I guess I'm undecided as to whether I'm really done with these gloves or not. I'll take pictures and share, I promise.
Lovely purchases. Someday I will see Seattle. Someday...
Posted by: Jessica | May 22, 2007 at 08:08 AM
Love the bag especially & Marimekko in general! I'm glad you guys had a good time - I will haev to trot my butt out there, esp since Dan's bro is always trying to get us to visit.
Posted by: Jenni | May 22, 2007 at 04:06 PM
hi there,
you can get Marimekko yardage at the crate and barrel outlet on 4th st. in berkeley. yes, for real. for under $10 a yard. It's the remnants from their upholstery folks, and "last season." But when did that ever apply to Marimekko??
I have shetland fleeces for you. Give me a call if you'll be down here tomorrow.
xoe
Posted by: erika | May 23, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Hi Brooke! It was nice to see you at BSG. I like your blog too. I saw that you are teaching at Lambtown. very cool. See you soon! kristine
Posted by: a verb for keeping warm | July 05, 2007 at 09:57 PM
Hey there Brooke! How are ya? Don't ask how in the HELL I found you...let's just say I am in the wrong business...lol.
We went to school together ions ago...RLS to be exact...I didn't want to post my last name for obvious reasons! : )
Drop me a line when you have the time...your furbabies are adorable, by the way! I'll actually be in town in Sept...perhaps we could get together and do some wine tasting?!
Hope to hear from you soon...
Angie
Posted by: Angela | August 01, 2007 at 09:07 AM