Why Crochet is better than knitting. . .

Crochet Collar Wrap Hood

I love to crochet! I taught myself in 2002 and we've had a love affair ever since. A few years after learning to crochet, I decided to teach myself to knit. Why? Because I love yarn too, and knitting is also done with yarn. The more I can do to dimnish my stash, the sooner I can purchase more yarn. However, as much as I loved to do both, I always found that crochet fit into my lifestyle better. It was easier to carry, faster to work up and I found it easier to do. So, for now I've hung up my knitting needles and I only crochet.

Now, I see amazing knitting everywhere, and not as much amazing items in crochet. I thought I was alone in thinking crochet was tops, until I read this article by Jayna! Jayna loves to crochet and she created a list of 8 reasons why crochet is better than knitting. Well, I'm not a big fan of saying "better" since they are different, but I love her list of reasons and I'm happy to know I'm not the only one embracing crochet to this extent.



Knit Collar Wrap Hood

Going forward there will be a lot more crochet patterns, talk and tutorials while I phase out the knitting in my life. After all, I have two young children and the faster I can get through a project, the better for everyone! I do like knitting and I may get back to it later in life, but for now, I'm a crocheter and I'm exactly where I want to be.

Knit Chunky Scarf Pattern

One of the best pieces you'll ever own! This pattern is to create a chunky long scarf that is easy enough for a beginner, but anyone will love the results.

This Knit Chunky Scarf pattern calls for a wool blend yarn that is timeless in it's wear and it's warmth. Made with or without the fringe depending on who it's for and what their preferences are.

Pattern: Knit
Level: Beginner

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this pattern! Leave me a comment on how you'd  "embellish" this scarf.

For more knitting patterns: Click Here

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Custom Knit & Crochet Items. . . Coming Soon!

When I first opened my Etsy Shop it was made up of completed items that were "Ready to Ship". Eventually I moved to the area of creating patterns because I realized my audience was made up of knitter's and crocheters. However, I've gotten a few requests for custom items so starting this week there will be a "Make Mine Custom" section in the shop where you'll be able to order some of the items you love, in your favorite colors or the perfect color for that special gift!

So now, whether you knit, crochet or just love yarny stuff, you'll find something in the shop to suit you! Below are a few of the items that will be soon offered in the "Make Mine Custom" section of Yarn Obsession... Oh, and don't forget, there are also new patterns in the works that I think you'll love, so visit often to see what's new!

Yarn Obsession is on sale!

With no time to maintain an Etsy shop and my real estate career, I've put everything in my store on sale! You won't find a single item in the shop on sale for more than $29.99!! That means lots of the great items you've been looking at and coveting at higher price points are not just $29.99 or less! Hurry! Once an item is sold, I won't be re-listing and once everything is gone, the shop will close! It's a winning situation all around!!!

Etsy Buy Handmade sedruola

Cropped Top!

This is my first designed and implemented garment and I couldn't be happier! It is far better than my first project ever (that I will show you one day)! I love it, but I promised my neice she could have this sample top once I took the photos so it's going away!

This piece combines knit and crochet and is definitely appealing to a wide age range. For those who are really interested, here are the stats:

Started: January 17, 2009
Finishded: January 24, 2009
Techniques: Knit body and Crochet sleeves and edging
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Silk (discontinued)re-working with new yarn
Pattern: My own!!!

This pattern will be available for sale soon in my Etsy shop or right here in the sidebar. What do you think??

My Inspiration

You never really believe your life will change when another life becomes attached to it until it happens. When I got married, my outlook turned from a "me" to a "we" and it motivated me to make certain changes in my life, not without growing pains, but they were made. Two and a half years ago our "we" was expanded and things have certainly not been the same.

When my little boy was born we made decisions that were best for the three of us. When I speak of "my inspiration" I speak of what I'm inspired to do to make sure we're moving in the right direction for our son to have the best we can give him (not monetarily) wherever we are. When I would travel an hour and a half to get to and from work, it was because I was inspired to do what needed to be done, to move to where we need and want to be. When I work on crochet or knit projects and patterns after my son has gone to bed, it's because I'm inspired to develop a business that will allow me more time with my family.

Inspiration comes through motivation to do what is best for those in my life and for myself. Sometimes, when I look at my son and how happy and healthy he is, I can't help but pick up my needles, laptop, hook and yarn, or notebook to chart the course I'd like to see Yarn Obsession take. I know that having my own business, with my own hours, is the only way I can give my son my presence, the best thing I could ever do for him in the long run.

Winter

I've never been a big fan of Winter. It was always a season I had to "get through" in order to get to the seasons I do enjoy, namely Spring, Summer, and my very favorite Autumn.

However, since crocheting and knitting I've come to have a fondness for Winter that has allowed me to step back and take a look at the positives Winter brings. Below is a list of reason I think Winter is now not only bearable, but one to look forward too just as much as the others.

There is beauty in the barren trees. It's a time when you get to see the shape of the skeleton that makes up a tree and see through the branches to the other side. When they catch snow or ice, it is glorious!

Long sleeves and socks! I love to be "toasty" and in the Winter cuddling up under a blanket or dressing in those long sleeves and socks, makes it easier to "weather" the cold. A nice toasty fire is also something that can only be enjoyed in the Winter.

Then finally, dressing in lovely warmth-bearing accessories is the most fun. Wrapping your fingers in those gloves or your head in that scarf helps keep the wintery cold out and the cuddleness at an all time high!

I'm not going to say that Winter has become my favorite season, but I will say that I've come to appreciate the soft falling snow, the slush and the cuddles that come in the Winter. There is always an excuse to get closer or drink something that warms you when it's cold outside. So, it may not be my favorite season, but it's wrapping itself into the reasons I do love living in New England.

Images courtesy of:
Knight27
Tactile Baby
Handmedowns
Yarnobsession

Winner!!

We have a winner!
It is my pleasure to announce that

Sara Addington

is the winner of my first blog giveaway!

She now has the opportunity to select her favorite of these thirteen colors for her Knit Chunky Scarf

Congratulations Sara!
Sara was chosen through a totally random algorithm found at Random.org.

If you didn't win this time, I have some great news! All those who entered this month are already entered for the next give-away! So stay tuned, next month's prize will be announced sometime this week!

Thank you so much for your interest!

The Waldorf Schools

My husband and I are very interested in the education our son receives. We see him learning at a rapid pace and want to make sure we keep him interested in learning as he begins matriculation into school. We were lucky to find a daycare provider interested in helping kids learn as much as they can as early as they can, because it's helped our son grow by leaps and bounds. Because of this learning, we've talked and contemplated what we'd do when he did begin school in a few years.

Now let's turn the clock back to the year before I was actually pregnant and only preparing to try to have a baby. I heard of a schooling system where yarn arts, such as knitting and crochet were actually part of the curriculum and I had to know more. I did some research and found the Waldorf School in Pasadena (where we were living at the time). I don't have to tell you I was blown away!

It is my contention that when children are allowed to excel at the arts, they excel at the fundamentals of learning such as reading, writing and arithmetic. But the Waldorf system goes further. They incorporate such a well-rounded curriculum that students have an opportunity to truly learn about the world around them through various mediums. Being an avid knitter and crocheter, I was most impressed that I could send my son and/or daughter to a school that would teach them these arts as part of the curriculum. How cool is that?

This is Rudolf Steiner, the founder of the Waldorf School of teaching. I could sing the praises of the schools and the philosophy from now till tomorrow, however, to spare you the verbiage, I'll just send you to Waldorf Answers on Waldorf where you can gain a better understanding of the whole system.

At this point in time, the Waldorf schools seem like a distant dream, but I'm sure that whether or not our son does go to one of these schools here in MA, I will teach him to knit or crochet along with his sporting and music activities. Like me, he'll need them to keep him grounded and to help him listen to his thoughts.

Vogue Stitchionary Volume One

I'm sure you've heard of the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary but I'm not sure you've had a chance to get into any of them. I have three so I wanted to take the time and talk about what I like and don't like about the first book.

I love the presentation of these books. They make you want to pick them up and go through them. As a fairly new knitter I think it's always nice to have books that give you stitch options so you can create what you'd like. This book does that. It offers you several patterns using the knit and purl stitches to create beautiful materials. However, as a new knitter I am not familiar with what all the abbreviations mean, and an explaination or technique for the stitch is not always readily available in the glossary of the book.

A "dictionary" gives the "meaning" of a word as well as it's pronunciation and root. The assumption in reading the title of the books "Stitchionary" is that they will do the same for various stitches. In my opinion, they don't actually do as much as they could to help the knitter. They give you the word, but they fail to break down the elements which may leave any reader a bit frustrated.

I do find myself using the books, but I do have to consult the internet for the technique of some stitches. Generally, I find the books useful and they do trigger my creativity, however, if you are a complete novice, I would not recommend them until you've had some experience with abbreviations and and consulting other sources for the breakdown of the techniques.

Bee's Knees Knitting

What would Yarn Obsession be without the yarn. . . just an obsession. But Bee's Knees Knitting is part of the industry that enables my obsession and for that I was drawn to her shop. However, what got me to keep her as a favorite shop was the fact that she handspins her own yarn and fiber. How much better could it be?

If you don't already have a yarn obsesion maybe what you should do is check out her shop and develop one.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m Jenny, originally from Beloit, Wisconsin. I’m married, have two grown children, and live with my husband and 2 cats in Michigan. I spend my days spinning yarn, dyeing wool, exercising, and taking care of the household, plus reading and knitting/crocheting for leisure.

What inspires you to your craft/artistry?

I've always loved fuzzy or sparkly things. When I was little, I would sneak out of the house wearing some embellishment with my school clothes (a colorful ribbon around my dress or my Sunday shoes, for instance). I loved going to the local thrift shop with my Mom in hopes of finding a frilly old prom dress to play with. One of my earliest memories is of seeing a pretty lady in a pink angora sweater. The angora sweater really caught my attention. And those rabbit-fur pom-poms on winter hats – how I envied the little girls in church who had those! Once I learned to knit, of course my favorite yarn was angora – though I rarely had the funds to buy any!

My parents were also a source of inspiration for me while growing up. They were very creative in so many ways! For my Mom, it was painting, drawing, sculpting, wood engraving, etching and pottery. She could also knit and sew. For my Dad, it was ham radio, building satellite dishes and two-seater airplanes in the garage, building a pottery wheel and a kiln, throwing pots. I learned knitting, macramé, crewel-embroidery, rug latch-hooking, drawing, and sewing. After I was married, I taught myself to crochet, needlepoint, and hand-quilt. After my kids were born, I taught myself to spin. While my kids were in high school, I finished college with a degree in graphic design. During that time, I did lots of "painting" with graphite, colored pencils, art stix, and guache. So I've been active in crafts and artistic endeavors on and off throughout most of my life.

How do you promote your items?

I will post new yarns on Flickr and Ravelry groups once per week. Other than that, I don’t advertise right now.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?

Allow yourself some quiet time every day without thought to gain inspiration. A minute or two here and there is all you need - that’s where creativity comes from, that silent space of stillness without thought. When you are creating, be fully present with what you are doing – that way your energy passes totally into the thing you are creating, endowing it with an aliveness, as it were.

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?

I usually don’t spend time looking ahead. But, at some point, I would like to return to drawing with colored pencils, as that is one of my most favorite artistic endeavors. I don’t really have time for both spinning yarn and drawing right now.

What are some of your favorite things?

Yarn, audio books, books on paper, listening to Eckhart Tolle while I spin, going to movies with my husband, enjoying my kitties, talking to my kids (they live in other states, so I don’t see them much), dark chocolate.

What is your favorite quote?

I have many favorite quotes, but one that is appropriate to this profile is:

“Joy does not come from what you do, it flows into what you do and thus into this world from deep within you.” (from A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle)

Raghouse International

I recently examined the motivation I have to keep doing profiles on other artists and the answer came back "because it is so inspiring". From the first time I saw what was available at Raghouse International I was hooked (no pun intended). Everything she makes is fashion forward and appealing to a wide range of tastes. It has been my pleasure to get to know such a vibrant artist who truly believes in what she's doing and enjoys every minute of her life.

I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Make sure to visit her at her places when you're done reading.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
I was born Cornela Marie Austin and I am from Los Angeles. I’ve lived in Los Angeles all my life but I've had fun opportunities to travel to different places, giving me the desire to live in other places! Everything I do now, I’ve always done as a child. It seems with each passing year I discovered an artistic skill. I started out singing when I was four years old. Hand sewing was next. I used to pull curtains off the windows and make skirts. I started writing poetry and songs at the age of twelve, drawing in the 8th grade and so on… I now work professionally as a singer and photographer. I didn’t know what a fiber artist was until I joined esty! So I am mow a fiber artist!

What inspires you to do your craft/artistry?
I don’t know if I was ever inspired to do my craft. I realized, for me, it was something I was born to do then I found that I inspired others through what I did. I never really thought about it. I just know that when I was in the third grade and I sang in front of my class for show and tell I was asked to sing again and again! I didn’t even know I could sing until that moment. So many things have happened to me in that way. Not really knowing that I could do anything, but when I did, it happened to be good, it happened to be spectacular! I started to see that creativity was just a part of my DNA. I hardly know any designers in my field, I don't watch much TV, or listen to many music artists. A lot of my inspiration comes from within and the love and challenge of creating. Most of the designs in my shop I’ve stumbled upon…It’s pretty weird!

How do you promote your items?
Myspace is one of my favorite places to promote because everything is so visual and now they have tools where you can update your profile and your friends can see what’s new right away. Whenever you upload new photos, friends can see and know about it immediately. Myspace helps to keep friends in the know. I also love word of mouth and promo items. I have particular places that I go to promote like open mics, poetry lounges, festivals, marketplaces, California Market Center in downtown Los Angeles, where the center of fashion happens. And I am always a walking advertisement! I used to make everything and just sell it off, but then I started taking the time to make things for myself to wear. My promo items are simply my card with a finger ring, bracelet, or earrings inside. Everyone loves something for free and they are so happy to receive it!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?
The most important thing is to first believe in yourself and in what you do. Have faith in what you do and then go after it passionately. The worst thing you can do is make something and feel that no one will like it. I know what that feels like, I’ve been there. What I’ve discovered is that people everywhere like the most unique things and they are bound to like what you make. It’s all a matter of finding the right market for your product, which leads me to my second point. If it is your goal to have a successful business, study all you can about branding and marketing. Psychology goes hand in hand with marketing, study that. Know how your target market lives, breathes, move, where they shop, how they shop, online or offline? Once you know these things, promote, promote, promote! It takes hard work and discipline.

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself evolving socially for one, because I am in my creative world so much that I don’t really go out much. I love being a home body, but now I feel more ready to socialize. My artistic and entertainment work is so fun that it's socializing for me while getting paid at the same time! I also see my fiber arts line growing more couture with an emphasis on unique menswear, eventually making its way to Paris and making a big splash in European Countries.

What are some of your favorite things?
My favorite color is green and I love all things Japanese, the food, Juku. I love to read, sing, and dance. I love fitness, working out, cooking, taking photos, and being in front of the camera. I love making people beautiful, and life coaching! Love to listen to quality music and of all things, traveling. A trip across the US is the best thing ever! Just love smiling and having fun, living my best life no matter the economy or when things are up or down.

What is your favorite quote?
Wow, this is a great question! I drown myself in reading inspiring things and great books that help shape my life. There are a lot of great quotes out there, but there are specific ones that I live by and help to keep me grounded.

“If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. Carry out my instructions, don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.” Solomon Proverbs 4:12

“Get noticed by being beautiful.” My Grandmother

I live by these because life is full of decisions. Wisdom is the best thing to have and know that if God blessed you with beauty work that beauty until the day you die!

Shop
Myspace

Eileen Fisher

Everyday I walk through a mall to get to work. Everyday I pass the Eileen Fisher store across from the Coach store and next to the Luis Vuitton. . . Yes, it's a pretty "high end" mall and that does nothing to curb my love of the trends! What I've noticed in my walking past Eileen Fisher, is how many of her designs are knit this Fall.

In the Summer there were lots of linen dresses, tops and pants, but as the Fall set in, I noticed whispy knit scarves, lovely "cuddle up" sweaters and cardigans. When I pass by I can't help but feel "comfortable" in her designs and colors. I can't say that I've ever purchased anything from her, but I do love some of her pieces. . . like this sweater . . . love it!

(image borrowed from here)

It must be Thursday because I'm thinking fashion when I should be obsessing over all the finishing, labeling tagging and bagging I need to do in the next three days coming up to stART on the Street! Nevertheless, I'm looking at sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats because it's getting nippy here in New England and I'm excited!

As much as I'd like to think I could make myself all the warm clothing I need this season, my reality check says NOT! So I came across this lovely Cashmere sweater and stopped to drool. I can see myself wrapped in this lovely piece with jeans and the new boots I'm sure to get this season going to dinner with my hubby or just to hang out and be seen!!!

Now that I've come to my senses, I just want to put the style in my databank so one day, when I do have the time, I can re-create this in lovely cashmere, baby alpaca or merino (whichever comes first) and live my fantasy. After all, it is a classic style that can always be tweeked for the time.

What do you think?

Time is running out!

This is it! This coming Sunday I'll be doing my first big craft show and I am very excited!

stART on The Street
Sunday, September 21
11 am - 5 pm
Park Ave. (between Highland and Pleasant)

I can't say I'm completely prepared because I still have more items to make, buttons, hooks, and tags to sew on and hangtags to attach! However, I'm really looking forward to the experience because it will let me know if I'm up for doing more shows next year or not. Everything in my Etsy Shop is going to the show with me, so if there's something you like, now is the time to purchase it because I can't guarantee it will be there next week!

Here are a few images for your viewing pleasure!

Canvas / Contest

With all the items I'm creating for the Fall and Winter, I've started making more for myself. In making more for myself, I've come to realize that I need a "canvas" to showcase all the beautiful accessories I'll be wearing.

Having moved from Southern California where coats were not necessary except for 3-4 days out of the year, I never gave much thought to purchasing a nice coat. I had a ski jacket I brought with me when we moved there and random jackets and sweaters, but never a nice coat.

Last year, I made due by borrowing one of my sister's old coats and using various jackets that I'd brought with me. But this year, since I'm back into making beautiful accessories, I've decided I need to buy a good, classic coat to use as a backdrop for my pieces.

Because I want something that won't quickly go "out of style" I've chosen some basic cuts. However, I do want something that has a bit of a kick so I don't get tired of it quickly.

So here we are, my three finalists!

This is Coat 1, you can see it here.

This is Coat 2, you can see it here.

This is Coat 3, you can see it here












Now, I've chosen one to be my canvas. I would just like you to tell me which one you think I've chosen and in what color!

Rules:
- Follow the coat links and see the available colors
- Visit my Etsy shop to see the items I've been making and the palette of colors I've been using
- Leave me a comment on this post telling me which coat and color I've chosen.

That's all you have to do! Everyone who chooses correctly will be put into a drawing for the prize.

Prize:
The winner will receive a $5 off coupon for anything in my Etsy Shop!

Hurry, voting ends on Friday, September 19th and the winner will be announced on Monday September 22nd!!

Crochet!!

When I started working with yarn, it was crochet. I loved making blankets and scarves for everyone I knew. But it seemed that every time I walked into a yarn shop and asked for yarn to crochet, the store attendant would look at me as if to say "you really should knit" then they would proceed to let me know that they didn't really know much about 'crochet' but that it took a lot more yarn.

I began to think, maybe I should knit. So, a year after learning to crochet (by reading and doing) I bought myself a knitting book, some needles and yarn and started teaching myself to knit. I fell in love, but I couldn't finish a project nearly as fast as I could with crochet. As I learned to move my fingers faster and subsequently in continental style, I finished projects, but not with the same speed as crochet.

Yesterday, I came across this article on the web. Can you imagine? After doubting crochet and learning to knit, and realizing that if I wanted it done quickly, it needed to be crochet, the world is catching up and falling in love with crochet! Go figure!

I've always loved crochet for it's texture and pop. But, I've not always liked the items I've seen made with crochet. It seems that the reason most people think of crochet as the "ugly step-sister" is because of the items they've seen that have turned them off, they did me. I decided a long time ago, that I'd like to make items that are stylish, fun and sexy in crochet, because, it was my first yarny love.

As I work to create 100 pieces for stART on the Street, I've turned to crochet because, I could never make enough items in knit. Does that mean I'll leave knitting behind? No. It only means, I'll have to have two markets and cater to both.

I'm armed with hooks and I love it!

In a few days I'm going to post some more yummy "crochet" yarny goodness for you to fall in love with, cause the more love for crochet there is, the better off our yarny goodness will be . . . besides, crochet can only be done with human hand, so that means more work for those who are willing to learn and grow!

stART on the Street

I had a plan. I was going to place some items at OAK for adoption to a nice home, then I was going to show at the Lancaster Flea Market once a month until the end of the year. That way, I'd be able to research shows for next year, build inventory and hit the ground running for 2009.

However, as we all know, the best laid plans. . . .

Turns out, I am placing items at OAK, I will be hand-delivering them on Saturday, August 23rd! I'm very excited about it because getting my pieces out to the public is key to survival & growth. However, the part of the plan that didn't work out so well was the "showing at the Lancaster Flea Market" part.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I went on a recon mission to see the venue and make sure my items were a fit. They weren't. From what I saw, the biggest draw was antiques. My items don't fall into that category by any means. So what does that mean? It means I had to re-think my plan and implement another.

So on Sunday, September 21, 2008 (rain date Sunday September 28) I will be showing and selling at stART on the Street in Worcester, MA. This is a great opportunity, because apparently it's a BIG show. You'll notice in the sidebar ---> I've challenged myself to have at least 100 pieces with me. How many do I currently have, that aren't going for adoption at OAK? 19.

Am I worried? No, just anxious and a bit "rushed". Had I been planning for this show since June, I'd be ready with 100 pieces, however, the plan started last Monday. . . needless to say, if I'm caught at any time without my hooks, needles and yarn, it's because I'm at work or I'm sleeping!

Mark your calendar and come out to stART on the Street to see what I've done and to say hello! Let me know you read the blog. It will really make, what I anticipate to be a busy day, much easier to get through. . . did I mention this would be my first "real" show?

I decided to jump in with both feet. . . now I'm wondering about the sea life. . . .

I'm hoping to have another show lined up for December, but that one is juried, and I won't know until September 4th if I've gotten in or not. . . If I do get in, it will be another HUGE show, but I'll have more time to prepare!

The Point Knitting Cafe NYC

(image borrowed from here)

The next time I'm in NYC visiting my sister, or the many other friends I have there, I'm dragging them down to The Point Knitting Cafe NYC because it just looks so cool! My sister doesn't knit, but it would be a fun place for me to knit and spend time with her while sharing a drink and pastry. I love the idea.

When we lived in Pasadena, there was an empty space we passed all the time on our way to and from "Old Town Pasadena" that I fantasized about making into a "Yarn Cafe". It didn't happen then, but I know it will happen in the near future. . . Until then, I can live vicariously through the places I find in and around me pushing forward toward my dream!

Great shopping experience!

About a month ago I blogged about a shop I found online called Ardith Keef. At the time I was working on (and am almost finished with) a new project for my Fall/Winter 08 line of items. In working on my project I got stuck along the way because the circular Addi Turbo I was using proved to be too short to continue my project.

Needing a new, longer needle, I decided to purchase from Ardith Keef because I liked the idea that I'd be helping a good cause with my purchase. I went through their system, selected the "turbo" needle I wanted and made my purchase. A few days later a package arrived with my "Addi Natura"?

The next day I called and left a message on their system letting them know that the needles I received were not the ones I ordered. I got a call back later in the day, from a very nice young man, apologizing for the mistake. To be clear, when I called I wanted to know how I could get the needles back to them and receive the correct ones. The nice young man on the line said 'keep the ones you have, we're getting a shipment in next week, we'll send you the correct ones then.' No questions asked! I asked all the questions like "are you sure? can I send these back? etc." He said 'I'm sure, use the ones you have until you get the other ones.'

I have to say, in this day and age of haggling to get what you want, that was the most pleasant experience I've had in commerce in a long time! Yesterday I was going to call them to say that the Addi Natura actually weren't that bad and that they didn't need to send the new needles, but I got an email, early in the morning saying they had been shipped!

I'm a big believer in customer service. I have walked out of shops where I felt discriminated against by the actions of the associates and never returned. I don't beleive I need to argue with you to get my way, you just don't need or deserve my money. Having said that, if I am pleased with an experience, as I have been with Ardith Keef, I will not only return over and over, but I will tell everyone that will listen about what a great experience I had.

So, if you need knitting needles, patterns, supplies, I encourage you to please give them a try. It doesn't hurt that you're helping someone in the process!