Happy Belated Fourth of July to everyone! As I do every year, I made the road trip down to my parents' home in Kentucky...but unlike every single other year I didn't bring the Russells! I can't even begin to tell you what a wonderful restful relaxing vacation has resulted, since JP (who had to work, of course) agreed that Mama had earned a vacation away from the furballs. Result: I got to visit with friends in Lexington! I got to take a leisurely tour of the Liquor Barn on Harrodsburg Road! (Seriously, I LOOOOOVE Liquor Barn for their wine selection AND liquor is MUCH cheaper than in Michigan!) I got to have father-daughter bonding time at the shooting range! And best of all...I got to go here:
The Woolery. Y'know, Mecca for spinners and weavers? They who I bought Furthur the Hitchhiker from a few years ago? They moved to Frankfort, KY earlier this year, which placed them within an hour's road trip of my parents' home! So today, off my mom and I went, and YES, it was everything it's made out to be!!! I haven't bought fiber since I don't know when, but today I definitely fell off the wagon.
My mom checking out a Dorothy Loom.
Spindles ahoy!
Oooooooh.......
One of the loom corners. Weaving is one fiber art that I don't enjoy, but I get the feeling my mom will have a floor loom before I come back down here again. My dad is resigned to this fact (as he should be).
Kinda makes you want to rip off your clothes and run frolicking through the aisles, doesn't it? Or is that just me?
The end of the Fiber Mile and beginning of Dyes 'R Us. So. Much. Pretty.
So what did I bring home? (Not a wheel, sadly. Three plus a spindle is enough for now.)
These names absolutely cracked me up, but are super-soft...50% angora, 20% merino, 20% tussah silk, and 10% alpaca.
It doesn't get much softer than this! Although...can someone explain to me how a Russell hair got in there five seconds after I opened it when they're over 400 miles away? Gah!
Camel down, which I had to have because I've never spun it before (I love exotic stuff!). It's very fluffy.
100% soy silk, of which I own some and have spun a little. But really, I bought it for the label...it's called Happy Hippie in the Haight Ashbury colorway. Gotta have it!!!
And because I love a challenge...one pound of stinky raw merino. And I do mean STINKY...fresh off the sheep! Looks like I'll put those long-neglected hand cards to use!
My only disappointment was that I was looking specifically for local fiber, something I love to do on any roadtrip...it's my favorite souvenir. None of the super-crunchy-looking fiber was labeled with where it came from (as opposed to Heritage Spinning and Weaving, which tells you not only the farm but oftentimes the name of the sheep!). Some of them had blue ribbons from Maryland Sheep and Wool...but still, no farm names or anything like that. There is really only a token amount of straight knitting stuff (needles, commercial yarn, etc.), but there are a TON of books (including damaged books on sale), and spinning and weaving supplies out the wazoo.
All in all, however, the employees were super-friendly and helpful, wanted to hear all about my drive down from Michigan, what I like to spin and knit, etc. Definitely worth the roadtrip...if you're coming down I-75, it's a quick side-trip down I-64 just north of Lexington. Definitely check it out!!!
Although...to my shame I did not think to take a "Roaming Julip Bags" picture out front. This may necessitate a return trip.
LOL - I have some Happy Hippie Optin roving in "Commune". I can't resist their color names either. :D
Posted by: trillian42 | July 06, 2009 at 07:04 PM
Oh my goodness that place looks AMAZING! Can you imagine if that were your LYS? I would probably spend more time there than I do at home!
Posted by: Yarndude | July 06, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Oh gah!!!! I'm drooling!
Posted by: bezzie | July 06, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I keep wanting to pop in there. I'll have to settle for your photos. :)
Posted by: Kelli | July 06, 2009 at 09:49 PM
A Return Trip? When are We going? ;-)
Posted by: Amanda | July 07, 2009 at 09:15 AM
I'm stowing away in your trunk next time!
Posted by: Amy | July 07, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Sounds like you had a wondful trip. Enjoy all that fiber - but good luck keeping that damn Russell hair out of it :)
Posted by: JennC | July 07, 2009 at 11:22 AM
OR, if you don't want to hand card, you can borrow your friend's new drum carder....Just let me know so I can get it put together. I have tons to card!
Posted by: Dana | July 07, 2009 at 01:35 PM