Twin Cities yarn blow-out: Uff-da!

If you've been to Minneapolis, you no doubt recognize the SpoonBridge and Cherry sculpture in the Minneapolis Sculpure Garden at the Walker Art Center pictured above. The garden is but one of the many spaces that make the Twin Cities such a miraculously pleasant place to live. This is the type of realization you have when you grow up and move away and live in a place that doesn't value art or green spaces, has no Vietnamese restaurants or co-ops and gives economic incentives to places like Wal-mart to thrive. In short, I love coming home and treasure everything about these two great cities, especially the fabu yarn opportunities!


My first stop was an evening visit to the Yarnery in Saint Paul. Let me just say that it was such a pleasure to do some yarn browsing at night, an activity that only metro areas seem to provide. As it turns out, one of my mom's good friends works there, although she wasn't there as she was busy judging at the State Fair, which anyone who knows anything about Minnesota knows that sacred space that that event occupies in the psyche of all Minnesotans. The Yarnery is a kick-ass yarn store, the staff is super friendly and they have one of the biggest selections of knitting books around. Major koigu scorage was had and I really enjoyed myself there, chitchatting with the Minnesota-nice employee who is as obsessed with Project Runway as I am. All in all, a great shop with very friendly customer service.
Next I hit Depth of Field , near the University and Needlework Unlimited, in South Minneapolis. Depth of Field occupies such a lovely space and has a beautiful storefront. They also have a fun sale loft that has many deep discounts and a great view of the store. I have a sentimental attachment to that place as when I was a student I alsways dreamed of being one of those smart, cool people who could knit and afford to shop there. So now that I basically am that person, I feel actualized and it feels like a mini-wish came true (except the smart, cool part, ha, ha!). Needlework Unlimited is such a massively gigantic store that basically has everything you ever wanted. Almost as if Ebay were a brick and mortar store and everything was immediately available. Because it's such a big place, the employees are always busy and you sort of feel like you're intruding by asking for help. One of these semi-surly employees is a mega Kaffe Fassett wanna-be, if you've been there you know who I'm talking about, he wears the needlepoint vests to prove it...anyway. N.U.'s selection is way above and beyond anyone else's, but the customer service leaves a little to be desired. Please don't hate on me for my observations, people!!

My favorite stop by far was Yarnzilla. The owner Linda has got to be the most freaking hilarious LYS owner I have ever met! She is super-helpful, witty and funny. She told my daughter that she might look like 'big bird' if she wore a ponco in a certain color, and another poncho made her look like 'she had a pneumonia thing going on'. So, so funny and helpful, she makes you feel instantly loved and like one of the gang. She has a huge internet business and offers huge discounts, so please check her out. Mad props to Linda and Yarnzilla!!
Hey, coming home is great, but now it's time to return to PA. and face the music. Summer is over and I will no longer have all day every day to devote to thinking about yarn. But that's ok, gotta earn some bank for my next yarn blow out!