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Where to begin...  I have been an avid knitter for about the last 15 years, quickly moving from scarves and hats to sweaters and afghans, but now mostly SOCKS!  I think I like them because they are somewhat complex, but quick and you can make them as intricate or interesting as you want.  And the choices of colors and fibers are boundless.

I totally support local yarn shops, and buy there when I can, BUT there is one big caveat.  They have to have what I want.  The Yarn Garden in particular has a problem in this department, because while they have a huge inventory, they will not place an order for you.  I have asked on more than one occasion and been refused.  Your options are then to wait, find it at another shop or order online.  I can understand not wanting to place an older for every random skein a person might want, but when you need 12-15 skeins of something for an afghan, your only option to get all the same dyelot is to order it, or happen to walk in on the day the shipment comes in.  I do not shed a tear for the Yarn Garden losing sales to online retailers, when they refuse to help with this.  I also think that the Yarn Garden is not the innocent victim that it pretends to be.  They have intentionally done things to drive other local stores out (ie. coffee shop), which is good business sense maybe, but perhaps it takes a shark to know one?!  Don't get me wrong though, they have the best selection, and the best way to pick yarn is to see and feel it.  I have shopped there a great deal over the years (classes, needles, books, yarn), but just thought this was worth pointing out. While I have ordered online occasionally, it was usually when I knew just what I needed and it was a large quantity.  The discount is usuallly canceled out by the shipping, and who knows what you will get if you order something you have never seen before.  Color rendition on computers is too variable.

thanks for the topic, most interesting in a while!

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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