Charlotte Yarn Crawl

So we all know that knitting is addictive, and is there a knitter anywhere that wouldn't check out LYS on vacation... what about when visiting family? My sister is a new knitter... and hadn't checked any out, so what is an older sister for???

So far have been to 4 (and went in this order):

Peace of Yarn, Matthews NC
Owner was great! Gave me a tour and let my mom and sister explore. Very warm and welcoming. There wasn't anyone knitting there at the time, but she did ask about what I was working on and talked to my sister about lessons vs classes and invited us all back to sit and knit. Good variety of both workhorse yarns and specialty, silks, handyed, etc... Very bright and cheery. Not a lot of novelty yarns, which made me happy and it was NOT organized by color... fiber seemed to be the primary consideration. Definitey worth the trip, and I will certainly return. Bought my sister a really nice hand painted worsted for her to make a scarf and my 4yrold niece picked a ball of sock yarn for me to knit her socks...

Cottage Yarn, Mint Hill NC
Is in a cottage, hence the name. Almost missed it because it is on a major road, and not well signed. Owner and staff were very friendly. The shop also had a great variety, and my sister found stuff in the sale room. I got a skein of the store brand of silk yarn and picked up a pattern that I hadn't seen (I may have found a use for the large amount of alpaca yarn in my stash). also had beautiful yarn from South Africa... wish I hadn't spent my yarn allowance. Again no one was knitting in the store, but they said they had 2 regular knit-in times and people were welcome to sit and knit. Again I would go back again... especially for their own yarn

The Yarn Shop and Rainey Day Creations, Pineville NC
Even though it is under renovations (they are expanding!) the shop was very inviting. Friendly staff and customers... again no one was knitting, but they were set-up to allow for that... the renovations/construction made things a little cramped (understandably). Bought some sock yarn and some Brittany DPNs, it was 10% off due to the construction which was a nice suprise!

Charlotte Yarns, Charlotte NC
Bright airy, and staff was very friendly. great variety of weights and brands. Lots of different spots to sit and knit, and staff said that there was one group that was regular, but the rest stopped by often... Saw a sign that reminded me of SWS : "See a project you want to try, but are nervous? Let us know and we'll plan a class!" It doesn't get much better than that.

Lots of Noro... actually at all of the shops, and Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn was also at all...

More later!