I told you that I would share about a knitting-related story that happened during our trip. Last year (February 2017) I wrote here on the blog about our annual trip to visit my mom in Florida. A kind reader left a comment on one of my posts and told me there was a great yarn shop I should check out while I was in Florida sometime. I made a mental note of what she told me- A Good Yarn, in Sarasota – but since we always visited the other coast, I wasn’t sure when I would get a chance to go there. It just so happened that we visited the Gulf side this year and not only that, but we had plans to go up the coast and pass right by Sarasota. I took that as a sign that it was meant to be for us to visit A Good Yarn, and my mom was all for swinging by on our road trip that day.
We walked in and started looking at all the sample knits, yarn, and inspiration everywhere. (I realized, when looking through these pictures, that I didn’t take a picture of something while I was in the yarn shop… Yarn!) I loved the sign that read This Is My Happy Place, and… how cute are those knitting narwhals?! I was looking through some knitting books when I spotted some buttons Jeff made in sassafras wood on the cover of Kindred Knits by Susan B. Anderson, and let out a little squeal of excitement and said “Mom, look at this!” (If you scroll through the pictures in that link to the book, you’ll also see an adorable pink sweater with two buttons that Jeff made in black walnut wood. It was so fun to see, I couldn’t wait to show Jeff.)
My mom and I were delighted to see a pattern that we had been looking for, on display there. We had gone in specifically looking for it, so that was a great coincidence to see the sample knit and be able to purchase the pattern right along with the yarn. And then… the best coincidence of all happened. You know that blog reader from Florida who told me to visit A Good Yarn in the first place? She came walking through the door, stopped in her tracks when she saw me (recognizing me from my pictures here), and introduced herself. (I’m so used to what sometimes feels like writing to myself in this space, that I’m still surprised when I meet someone in-person who reads my words here!)
I was so delighted to meet her, and we couldn’t believe the chances of being there at the same time (especially because she lived on the other side of the state.) I had only mentioned getting ready for a trip, but hadn’t said anything about Florida yet on the blog, so imagine her surprise to see me all the way in Florida at her favorite yarn shop no less. And being there on the same day at the same time? I love the synchronicity, what a small world! (Hello Daune, thanks so much for the recommendation to visit A Good Yarn. It was fun to get to meet you in person!)
I could have stayed there for hours, looking around at everything, but the shop was closing for the day and Bracken (who normally enjoys going to yarn shops with me) just wanted to be outdoors and kept begging for us to go outside already. Oh, they had an ocean themed display at the shop with crocheted and knitted items, and said that anyone was welcome to make something to add to it. How fun is that? Oh, and another fun thing? When we left that day, I noticed that our bag had little bits of yarn sticking out from under the tag. I loved it, so I took a picture of that too. I’m so glad that Daune recommended visiting, and that my mom was up for a yarn shop adventure, because I so enjoyed going to A Good Yarn. What do I want to do when I travel across the country? Visit yarn shops, of course! And if I lived nearby, I’d be checking out their wonderful classes!
P.S. Right outside the shop… yet another thing to love!
Reading your blog entries is always so much fun! I get drawn away to interesting places…I feel like a friend is chatting with me!
It was sos much fun meeting you and your family in person at the Rose City Yarn Crawl! My family and I were really blessed by our little visit with you and Jeff! It was so great to meet Bracken…been following you since he was little! What a thoughtful young man!
You guys are just like I pictured you…cheerful, present and kind!
Thank you so much for the gift…love my Tree of Life ear rings!
See you at Flock and Fiber!
Thank you for leaving this note Toni! I’m so grateful that you came and saw us during the yarn crawl, it was great to meet your family. What a wonderful family you have! Thank you for your kind words and for reading my blog, I appreciate it, and I’m glad to have a face to go with the name every time I get a comment from you now. 🙂
I am just catching up but it looks like Florida was awesome!! Yay!! I forgot how many shells you can find on the beaches of the east coast. They are so beautiful! Miss you dear friend!!
I was so surprised by how many shells there were. Thank you for saying hello here, lots of love your way!
Sounds like you had a lovely time exploring. It’s funny, I purchased the picture of the knitting narwhals for myself for Christmas and it makes me smile every time I walk past it. The artist is the cousin of a dear, long time friend (someone I watched grow up, someone who used to babysit my children, someone who now has 2 lovely babes of her own). The artists name is Sally Harless and has an etsy website
http://Www.sadlyharmless.com
I purchased her 2018 watercolor calendars for all the special people in my life this year for Christmas. My little guy is fascinated by the pictures and fun facts about the different animals.
Anyways, I am glad you had such a fun filled day. Nothing better than exploring a new knit shop. So much inspiration!
Have a lovely week – ❤
Thank you so much for telling me about the artist Daniela! Your story makes it so special. 🙂
I love little local places! If you should ever find yourself in Fort Collins CO here are two more to visit: https://mysisterknits.com and https://www.lambspun.com 🙂
Thank you for letting me know! If I am ever there, I will be sure to visit those shops. 🙂
What a fun experience and coincidence. That looks to be a really wonderful yarn shop and I loved the displays that they had there. The “This is my happy place” sign certainly looks to be true.
That looks like a fun place with lots of imaginating projects. Glad you got to visit and happy you shared the photos. Wish you had shared the picture of the sweater with Jeff’s buttons. I understand your wanting to visit yarn shops. I can’t avoid any quilt shop I pass. Unfortunately neither can I avoid buying fabric or kits that strike my fancy. I’ll never live long enough to use up all my treasures.
Love,
Grandma
It makes me so happy when you leave comments here Grandma. Can’t wait to see what quilts you are working on next time we visit. Love you!
What a great story!!!
What a fun-looking place! I just love all the hanging jellyfish. Thanks for sharing. The next time in Florida, I’m definitely planning to visit this shop.
Oh my goodness! I’ve been wondering if you would be near Sarasota and whether there was a nice yarn shop there because we are about to drive to Florida to spend 3 weeks right there in the Sarasota area – I couldn’t believe it when I read this! I’m going to see what classes they offer, thanks for this Taryn 🙂
That is so perfect!! I love the timing. Have a great time Lynn!! 🙂