March 16-18, 2020 – Laughing Sheep Yarns, Charlottesville and Wool Workshop, Roanoke, Virginia

The Army of the 12 Monkeys!!!!

(Sometimes his titles are so obscure and seriously show our age….)

The hubs has been watching the Covid-19 news A LOT (constantly) and keeping me well informed.  We’ve been stocking up a bit ahead of the crowds, thank goodness, and getting ready to “shelter in place”. (Ed. Note – For God’s Sake – STAY HOME!!!!!!!!!!) For me, that means making sure I have plenty of yarn and supplies for projects!!  I dove into the stash and came up with yarn previously purchased at a fiber festival to knit up a hat for my brother, Doug, who commented on my last blog with a request for a hat – publicly so I look like a bad older sister if I don’t deliver!  I also wound up a skein of beautiful sock weight yarn that Gail brought me from her annual trip to Nova Scotia – the yarn came from Prince Edward Island (which I hope to see this summer) (Ed. Note – Depends on whether folks STAY HOME or not!!!!) and my recent purchase of sock yarn from Yarn Social in Kansas City.

    

I had a trip planned Monday, the 16^th through Wednesday, the 18^th with my friend, Karen, to go visit one of our college friends, Kristin, in Salem, Virginia (right outside of Roanoke).  After much back and forth discussion of traveling home to home, we decided to keep our plans and off to Roanoke we went!  We packed a light lunch to minimize our contact and drove through the smoky, Blue Ridge Mountains.  It was a lovely route and I was lucky to be able to look all I wanted since Karen drove 😊!

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least they see the humor!!!!!

Our first stop was at Laughing Sheep Yarns in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The shop was just a short drive off 29 in a strip mall and easy to find.  There were only 3 others in the shop and it was large enough that we were all able to stay 6 feet apart. (Ed. Note – Ok, if you’re not gonna stay home, at least keep a good 6 foot distance – remember, that’s about 3 feet more than most folks customary personal space!!!)  The shop was decorated with some amazing art and samples were placed around to showcase yarns.  There was a nice seating area for sitting and knitting but that space was empty today (as it should be) but they are planning on staying open as long as they can to meet our knitterly needs!  We didn’t linger as we’ve been told not to but I did walk out with a bright lime green shade of cotton blend yarn to knit up a summer hat for Abigail!

 

We drove on to Kristin’s home in Salem and enjoyed a lovely evening with good food, drinks, delicious strawberries for dessert and great company!  I know my friends are saying, “Pam, you always say fruit is not dessert.” but these strawberries were cut up with a fantastic sauce whipped up and poured over them by Kristin’s husband – they were SO GOOD!  I’ll be texting for the recipe after this post 😊!

One of the delights of this visit is that Kristin is a KNITTER!!!  It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to sit with someone else who is also knitting.  (Karen is resisting the urge to learn – I’ll keep trying).  She took us to visit her favorite local yarn shop Tuesday – Wool Workshop in Roanoke.  It is in a small white house  with a green roof.  We walked in and were immediately surrounded by yarn!  The front room has a couple of chairs that were occupied with knitters and I didn’t know which way to go first.  There was tons of yarn in several different rooms, many accessories and tools and quite a selection of enamel pins (I thought I bought one but apparently got distracted with something else and forgot).  They had some great samples of shawls, ponchos and sweet little animals!  Downstairs was filled with fleece, roving and spinning wheels.  I’ve been on the great search for bulky yarn for a sweater but instead decided to knit a poncho, Muhly Grass, with a pointed side and a straight side – it can be worn either way (point in front or back).  My friends helped me pick out a skein of Noro Tsubame yarn that will look fabulous thrown over t-shirts this summer.  I can’t wait to get started!

We went back to Kristin’s and enjoyed another delicious meal – a St. Patrick’s Day meal of corned beef brisket, potatoes and cabbage, more drinks and more wonderful company!  She sent us off Wednesday morning after a breakfast of brioche French bread and fresh fruit (it is a breakfast food).  I want to send out a big THANK YOU to Kristin and her husband for opening their home to us and being such great hosts!  Besides working on my brother’s hat, I was able to knit a bit during the drive there and back.  I’m loving these socks knitted in Garden Party!

Since I’ve been back, I have settled down to seriously “shelter in place” after a stern set down from my oldest son (I’m listening to you, JC)!  In checking the website, I see that Wool Workshop has closed their doors after a confirmed Covid-19 case in Roanoke but are offering pick up and drop off service to their customers.  I have noticed quite a few yarn shops are doing this across the country.

Everyone, please take care, stay calm and knit on! (Ed. Note – Be well!!!!)