Yarn, Food, Yarn, and Yarn

were on Saturday's agenda. This year I was in charge of our guild's annual Safari. It's a rare day that finds me as close to fully awake and partially functioning as one can be at 5 a.m. By a little after 7 a.m., this was the scene.



35 knitters heading to Illinois. First stop on our magical fibery tour, Lorna's Laces for a tour and the chance to purchase mill ends and one of a kind skeins.






Beth, the owner, gave us a dyeing demonstration...



while Pearl, who obviously is used to the sight of knitters high on yarn fums, casually watched the buying frenzy and occasionally slalomed through the crowd for some much appreciated attention.


Look at all that luscious fiber drying on the racks.




Giving our credit cards a chance to cool off, we stopped for lunch at Ann Sather's. I was relying on recommendations when I arranged lunch here. My nervousness about eating at an establishment I had never been to was offset by the fact that the reason I had never eaten here before was because I couldn't get near the place on my previous trips - it's that popular. Obviously, Chicagoans know a good thing when they see it. Lunch was fantastic! The staff was quick and efficient. And their famous cinnamon rolls - you could make a meal just from one. Quite a few knitters purchased bakery before leaving.



This is A brownie. You read that right. ONE. Brownie. In this humungous box. This knitter was going to use the bakery as a diversionary tactic on her husband when she returned home with all her yarn purchases. I'm certain the tactic worked.

Back on the road, we passed some local landmarks.



Next stop - Arcadia Knitting where we were treated like knitting royalty. The staff was so welcoming, arranging treats and specials for our group. Obviously, no one left empty-handed.





Bidding a fond farewell to the City of Big Shoulders, we headed west to where suburbia mixes with farmland, to The Fold. Ah, I pity those who have never had the pleasure of worshipping at the wall of Socks That Rock. I've never seen so many Blue Moon Fiber Arts products in one place.






And they even kindly provide a place to escape to when overcome by yarn and roving fums.


We then headed home, weary, tired, and cash poor but fiber rich. (Notice how I followed knitter's etiquette - no photographic evidence of any knitter with her purchase(s).)

DH never even asked if I had purchased any yarn.

What a guy.