Today I went to the Lion Brand Outlet in Carlstadt NJ because I needed yarn for my Knit & Relax event that is coming up next weekend. My daughter was off today so she drove. Can I tell you it’s a wonderful thing to have your kids drive YOU around, I love it!
If you are in an area where you can visit an outlet, do it, it is a wide open space filled with yarn. I was instantly reminded that this is where it all started. I mean Thick n Quick was the end all be all for me. I was green, I had no idea the fiber treasures I would later discover. I had never been to a yarn store. I mean according to me a yarn store was ACMoore and Michaels. That is where I would get all the shades of Thick n Quick, I mean before Ravelry I got ALL my patterns from Lionbrand.com. I didn’t know anything else and boy oh boy when I found out, that is when I lost my mind.
But I digress, this post is ALL about my first love, it was like homecoming today when I walked into the outlet. All that wide-open space with all them lovely Lion Brand colors. I have alway felt they had some very rich colors. I took a moment and thought about my first hat, my first knitting in the round experience. I was truly in my happy place. I grabbed what I needed and tried to get out of there without getting something I wanted but surely didn’t not need. 
It didn’t work. I spotted this big bulky yarn and like a moth to a flame..that’s the way life of a yarnho goes. LOL! I mean it was super bulky and I had never seen it, or touched it or rubbed it against my face..so I had to, didn’t I? Of course I did.
But I do have a question though. Who was supposed to tell me about this LB Collection Natural Wool? Huh? which one of you saw it and didn’t think to say “Hey GG, have you seen this new yarn THAT I KNOW YOU WILL LOVE?” Huh which one of you are no longer loyal to #teamlazy? I think we need to have a team meeting, because this is agains EVERY rule, well we don’t have rules..but you guys know what I mean. I almost tripped when I saw this yarn. It is 131 yards of 100% virgin super Bulky roving wool. I did say Shelbey was with me right? She was giving me the serious side eye so I didn’t arm swipe the shelves I just grabbed 2. LOL!
I think I saw four colors, I had to walk away fast! LOL! I got the yarn and needles I needed for the course, I stopped and snapped one more picture and put Lion Brand behind me for now.
What was your first yarn love?
Knit on my fiber friends….knit on
~GG
Lion Brand Fishermans wool was my first yarn. I made a scarf. I taught myself to knit from the McCalls Needlework Encyclopedia. It still counts as a scarf even if it was more of a trapezoid than a rectangle, right? I still use Lion Brand yarns for a lot of projects, especially the whole Wool-Ease line, it washes well and wears like iron, especially for hats and mittens for my kids. I like fancy yarns once in a while but Lion Brand and JoAnns coupons are this knitters best friends. And their online store has great clearance sales.
Yes I agree
One of the first yarns I used after I learned to knit was Malabrigo. It continues to be one of my favorites. I love the colors and the feel of the fiber in my hand. Malabrigo never disappoints.
You ain’t ever lied..but I didn’t find out about them until later. I met the owner this year and I keep some in my stash!
I love malbrigo, too. I want to make something with the new lettuce color. I have lately been into oranges and greens. I now want to try Miss Bab’s hand dyed yarn after seeing it as one of GG’s favorites. GG has good taste 🙂
I have that Miss Bab’s sitting and waiting to be great. I will be in Texas for work I may take it with me to keep me company.
This sounds exactly like me with the exception of the outlet. I will have to see if their are any outlets in Los Angeles County. I didn’t know their were yarn stores until I joined a crochet/knit group. I went with them on what they call a yarn safari. They go Once a month to 3 or 4 yarn store and have lunch in another county usually on a Saturday or Sunday. I was in yarn heaven. I learned about all the different fibers and seen all kinds of hand dyed yarn. I was in love, lol. I haven’t been back to Michael’s or JoAnn’s craft stores since. It’s all about my LYS.
I totally understand! That Safari sound like tons of fun. We have an annual Wool walk here in NJ
That sounds like fun. I’m a semi new knitter. It’s been almost a year now. I learned while I was laid off last year. I’m currently waiting for Vogue knitting to come to Pasadena, CA in May. I recently went to Yarnosphere and it was great. Your Rhinebeck looked fun, too. I have an aunt that lives in Jersey. I will have to plan a trip and find out from you the great yarn stores in your area. Maybe I can even meet you.
Oh what was the website for the knitted dolls again? I was telling someone else about them. They are really cute. I’m still trying to find that super cute yarn bowl of yours. I love your faves. I bought a few of the books and some stitch markers. I definitely got your cup, bag and notebook..I’m a little top heavy so I’m not sure about the shirt, lol.
I am top heavy too. Don’t get it twisted crochet is where I got the dolls. Which yarn bowl? Maybe I can help.
I’m taking a fee newbie fiber chicks to thr Lion Brand outlet next Sunday. Lion brand was also my first love which I purchased from Michaels. LB carries a few natural fiber yarns which is what I plan to get during our outing. Right now I’m enjoying my foray into to natural fibers and usually try something new each time I visit my LYS. Next month I’m visiting my cousin in the Boston area. I plan to take a side trip to the Webs warehouse which I believe is about an hour or so away. I hope I’ll be able to control myself.
I want to visit Webs too one day. Where are you? You coming this way, maybe I’ll meet you guys
I’m relatively local (Mercer County NJ area). I’m trying to get Lenora Isaac to meet me there that day. She’s the person who “introduced” me to you.
Well keep me posted I will come if I can
Will do!