Registration is closed, however.....

Registration is closed, but if you'd like to be put on a waiting list, please email us. If we do have room for you, we only have a certain number of yarn sample packets, but if we find any extras you will be able to have those.

Participating shops, manufacturers, and designers

I've really been trying to get as many shops and manufacturers to get involved in our shop hop. The response I've seen so far has been amazing, and it's only been two days since I started my email and phone campaign. Besides our local vendors we have the following shops and manufacturers participating:

*Note: Please keep checking back, I have been adding to the list*

Two Swans Yarns - Yarn samples, book raffle prize, and 20% off coupon for one week past shop hop, and 15% off the entire month of June.
Knitpicks - $10 gift certificate raffle prize
Kindred Spirit Studio - 3 sets of hand made glass bead stitch markers featuring sterling silver and swarovski crystals for raffle prize and 15% off of purchases
Wendy Knits - Free pattern
Boogaj - Free pattern
Fluffy Knitter Deb - Free pattern
Marguerite Hills - Free pattern
Simply Socks - a large, 8 ounce skein of Interlacements Toasty Toes yarn in the colorway 407-Tapestry, which retails at $38.00
Eucalan - Samples of their woolwash
Berroco - Mystery raffle prize
Straw and Crystal Palace Yarns - Yarn samples and several raffle prizes
Dale of Norway - Mystery raffle prizes and mystery treat bag goodies
Schaefer Yarn - Free patterns and mystery raffle prize
Halcyon Yarn - Mystery raffle prize


The ones that say Mystery raffle prize means that either the company hasn't decided what to send yet, or I haven't chosen out of their options what would be best for us. Isn't this great? This isn't even including our wonderful local vendors that we will be visiting, so this should be a very exciting day!!

Nearing full!

We are almost full for our knitventure, so if you want to be included, please let us know ASAP.

I am having talks with Crystal Palace Yarns and Dale of Norway to donate treats for our event, so this should be a really fun day!

We have a local glass artist and bead designer who has donated some items for the shop hop as well, and will have some stitch markers for sale at the event. I will include photos and more information soon.

Two Swans Yarns and KIDSILK HAZE!

I just got the yarns and the raffle prize from Karen at Two Swans Yarns. Talk about lovely yarns, this is really incredible. Thank you so much Karen for being so generous! She gave quite a bit of yarn for the samples, so everyone will be getting enough for big samples. I know you want to see the pictures, so here they are:


Look at the color of this Kidsilk Haze. The color in the photo is pretty accurate, it is a very deep wine color. If you've never felt Kidsilk Haze before, you are in for a BIG treat! As you can see, it is very fuzzy, but not overly so. I specifically requested Kidsilk Haze from Karen for our samples, and she generously obliged! I just knew that if our shop hop attendees could feel this for themselves they'd be in love with this yarn as much as I am.

The color is a little off for the Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift, I'm sorry. Karen's Two Swans Yarns specializes in Fair Isle Yarns, and she tells me that she stocks all colors of this yarn all the time. I was able to get on her site to check out the colors, and there are lots of colors of this yarn. In your yarn sample, these two yarns will be on the same card so you can knit these two together in Fair Isle. If you are new to fair isle, the colors of this yarn should inspire you to better your skills. I know I can't wait to knit with them!

This picture is pretty accurate color-wise, but it just doesn't show how interesting this yarn is. I was surprised at how soft and light this is. It would be perfect for spring or summer garments.

Well, time to start cutting the yarns to put on the cards! Stay tuned for more photos!

Cashmere and Silk lovliness!

More yarns that I wish I could've played with forever! Trying to describe these next two was so difficult! Mostly because 'soft' just didn't accurately tell just how soft and yummy these two yarns are. I really think you have to feel these to believe them. I'm glad the camera picked up on how much luster the silk has and just how fuzzy the cashmere is, but you just can't photograph the bliss I feel when I touch these yarns. It is pure heaven.

Yarn Pictures

We are getting in some incredible yarns!

Carding yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock

I am really quite sad that I'm done carding this yarn. It was the softest superwash wool sock yarn I've ever felt. I just had to knit a sample up for you guys to see.





Isn't it gorgeous? I'll have more pictures ready for you soon!

Online Registration Form

We now have the online registration form up and running! Go Here, and click on registration form. Once you've submitted your registration, it will automatically take you to our secure Paypal form, where you can input your credit card information. Thanks for your patience!

Meanwhile, I've been cutting yarns and winding them for the sample cards:



Please ignore the pretzels, I've been working on this registration form so much that I have been snacking more than usual :)

I will be putting up photos of the balls of yarn we are getting in for the samples. I must say, they are beautiful and fun!

Gearing up for the Shop Hop!

The Shop Hop Committee is planning some new and exciting things for the Shop Hop participants! The sample yarns are just rolling in, and we've been drooling over them just getting them ready for you. One of my personal favorites so far is a Peruvian Pima Cotton and Angora blend. I will be updating this blog with more information and sneak peeks as they become available. I hope you'll join us on this knitventure, it's sure to be quite a party!

Yarn Samples

Each participant in the 2005 Yarn Lover's Shop Hop received samples of yarn (1-3 yards) donated by the participating shops. The purpose of this was to put samples of the yarn available in the hands of the participants prior to Shop Hop day. Here is a pic of some of the yarns that were donated:

Some shops took the opportunity to use the samples to feature certain yarns. One of the participants knit up each of the yarn samples and made comments based on her experience. See my Yarn Sample links.

A bit of history

Portland is a city of yarn shops - at last count, there are at least 17 within the greater Portland/Vancouver area, add a few more within an hour's drive, and we have a virtual smorgasbord. Let's say 20, as a conservative estimate. Now, imagine trying to visit them all...in one day...and shop. Is your head spinning ? Mine was. As a relatively new member of the Tigard Knitting Guild (TKG), I was challenged by the idea that Guild members went on a Shop Hop that was on their own. From my own experience, I knew that left to one's own devices, a knitter could walk into a yarn shop and not emerge until several hours later. How many shops could a member visit in one day ? From the shop's perspective, how many members would make purchases ?

Instead, I proposed, an alternate "Shop Hop", one that I had previously experienced but for another craft. The organizer had chartered a bus and brought participants around to shops; some of which opened exclusively for us, and let us shop. The focus was on us as participants; the organizer had thought of everything-- raffles on the bus, treats and goodies, and an option for lunch. It was an experience, and a chance to interact with others who shared our interests.
Also, the bus guaranteed that the shops received the same group of participants at their shops.
So, win-win.

What's a Shop Hop ?

A Shop Hop is a knitting tour of local yarn shops by bus. Knitters visit and explore a dazzling array of yarn and accessories at a select group of yarn shops offering exclusive discounts, coupons, and special treats. Think of it as a mini-vacation - come spend the day with fellow knitters; share ideas, tips, and techniques. Explore; Shop; Relax; Knit; Have FUN.