The tour started at The Yarn Garden in Charlotte, Michigan. I have been to store before, it is tucked away off of Cochran, the main street in downtown. It's a great shop, and I was inspired by her Christmas tree, that was decorated with yarn balls and knit mittens. How great would that be in a craft room? I especially love the family of snowmen as well. I did get a small knit sweater, and that will be the first ornament on my tree!
The next stop was Thread Bear Fiber Arts Studio in Lansing. This store was a bit hard to find, it is in a strip mall right on Waverly Road, but the sign by the road did not make it easy to spot. This shop has a wide variety of yarn, and I did buy some mohair for half off. I was tempted to get a keychain that was made of yarn. There were so many to pick from - all in the form of people, but they had a name and job and were well accessorized! The bags of fingering yarn mill ends were great, they came in tons of colors. I would have bought a bag, but I didn't have a project in mind. Plus, it gives me an excuse to go back! ;)
I did visit Hobby Lobby, and most of their yarn, with the exception of some Patons and Red Heart, is their own brand. It just amazes me the sheer size of a Hobby Lobby store, my only goal on this trip was to check out the yarn department, and since it's in the far corner for the store, it was quite a hike! I figure the average Hobby Lobby is about 3 times the size of the average Michaels, but I could be wrong.
The next two stops were at Joann's and Michaels. They are in the same shopping complex. I parked in the middle and managed to walk to both. My mission in going to the chains was to find some Patons Allure in Amethyst. Joann's is another store that has it's own brand of yarn, and I was not able to locate the Allure. Across the parking lot I went to the Michaels, and found their yarn department in the back corner. I managed to locate the Allure, but no Amethyst! That's what online ordering is for!
My final stop on my journey was to Rae's Yarn Boutique this shop is on Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing. I found yarn of many brands, and some weaving tools. The poster that caught my eye was for breast cancer awareness. I did pick up a sheep cookie cutter that was filled with some blue wool, and I plan on felting with that fiber.
The following day I stuck close to home and visited Basket Full of Yarn in Clarkston. (no website) They too had the poster, and kits to buy. They projects are chemo caps with flowers, or squares to be joined for an afghan.
I did buy a beautiful skein of mohair, that I cannot wait to turn into a creation! The shop is very cozy, and the service is excellent. Another note from my trip - they have a drop box for St. Joseph-Mercy Hospital's "No One Should Die Alone" program, where you can donate an afghan that will go to someone who is ill. On my next trip there, I will not go empty handed.
I was able to see and feel a variety of yarns, get an idea of what is out there, because even
though you can buy most yarns online, nothing beats it like seeing it in person.
