What to do with a week completely to ourselves.... with all the littles tucked away at Grandmas? Why, tour a select number of knitting shops in the great state of Oregon, of course! In case you ever have a chance to visit our lovely state, and need a list of some fibery stops along the way -- this post is for you!
First, we made a surprise stop in Astoria to Salon Boheme, where my wonderful husband had arranged for a haircut and manicure for me :) Here's the before and after for my new hairdo! I have nothing but good things to say about this particular salon -- if you ever get a chance to stop in and pamper yourself, I highly recommend it!
We then started our knitting journey along the Oregon coast, in the town of Seaside -- home of Creative Beginnings. This store specializes in yarn, as well as beads, and scrapbook supplies. They do have several aisles of yarns, along with many samples and garments to admire. Because they carry such a diverse assortment of crafting supplies, the salesperson may or may not be able to answer any yarn questions you might have.
Several knitted items are also for sale in this store, along with pricing ideas in case you would rather knit your own. There is a cat that roams freely throughout the store, as well as a small indoor espresso stand. The aisles are large and easy to navigate, and there is plenty of inspiration if you are in the market for a new project!
Next up is Coastal Yarns in the town of Cannon Beach. This little store is tucked away amidst the tourist shops lining the street. They do carry some local fiber, including Blue Moon Fiber arts, and they have a lovely selection of books and patterns with a cozy seating area. I have visited this store many times, and each time I have been pleasantly greeted by a very helpful clerk. This particular time, I chose a skein of Noro Silk Garden that exactly matched a luxurious project bag that I am sending to a friend of mine. In the back, there is a wall of luxury sock yarns that I love to browse through, as well as a fun selection of knitting notions and buttons.
Finally, 10 miles down the coast from Cannon Beach is the town of Manzanita -- home to T-SPOT Yarn & Chocolates. I adore this store... from the darling way she has her yarns displayed against the back wall, to the wonderful selection of knitting samples and garments she has displayed throughout the store. This shop also carries gifts, embroidery designs, and gourmet chocolate (we decided to try the "Bacon" variety!) The owner is very knowledgeable, and pleasantly answered all of my questions.
Stay tuned for Part 2- where we venture into the wilds of Portland, OR to try out some new shops!