We went to Yarn Expressions yesterday for their big sale. It was crowded when we arrived – and even more crowded five minutes later. I think crowds in yarn stores are great fun. Pam headed for the nearest table, sat down, and tried to stay out of the way. (Roles are reversed in rubber stamp and scrapbook stores.)

The hand painted silk I had my eye on was gone – one of the risks of waiting for a big sale. The Rowan I had my eye on just didn’t grab me the way it had on my earlier visit. I had to investigate every yarn in the store all over again!

I ended up with three skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca. One skein is color 6297, called Lobster Mix. The other two are 6278, Stone Washed Mix. Despite it’s name, Ultra Alpaca is 50% wool and only 50% alpaca. I can feel the wool in the blend, but I think it will make great, warm, socks.

Rowan Ultra Alpaca

Lobster is really a lovely mix of color

Even though I already have one double-ended crochet scarf on the hook, I wanted to try another. I pulled a skein of handspun Georgia out of my bag and went in search of a complimentary yarn to do it justice. I settled on Rowan Tapestry. It’s not as soft as Georgia’s handspun from her 2002 fleece, but it is soft enough to do the scarf justice. The yarn is 70% wool and 30% soybean. I can feel the wool, but it’s a nice, soft, wool. I think color 172, called Pot Pourri will do justice to my Georgia yarn. I also got two balls of color 170, called Country, which will work with Georgia, but may end up used with combination with some of my other handspun. I look forward to integrating the variegation with Georgia’s rich, warm, dark brown.

Handspun alpaca (Georgia’s 2002 fleece) next to Rowan Tapestry.

When I got home, I started knitting. What elseis one supposed to do with brand new yarn!?

Lobster Mix Ultraalpaca on the needles. This really is the toe of the sock. I’m planning on using blue for the bodies and this color called Lobster Mix for teh toes and heels.

I enjoyed the shopping and enjoyed the store. Thoroughly enjoyed actually having a weekend off when another store was having a big sale! I’ve got yarn. It’s wool yarn. It’s in colors I don’t have in my alpaca stash. I’m excited – and I’ve got three works in progress.