I took up knitting several years ago when I quit smoking, and taught myself how from a book. I could never master anything beyond the garter stitch, though, and made many, many scarves employing my one and only technique. Well, they eventually turned into scarves. My first attempts were really more of an upper-body wrap, as I made them crazy wide. <ahem> My poor, long-suffering family.
Anyway. In an effort to remedy my one-stitch pony repertoire, I've been taking knitting classes at Hilltop Yarn on Seattle's Queen Anne Hill. It's so refreshing to knit something besides a scarf -- using new stitches. I've learned to purl! Let me tell you, I'm excited. Yarn costs a small fortune, though. Its kind of insane. Thus, I've been touring the web looking for deals and came across a great find -- Earth Friendly Yarns. Many of their products are about what you would pay in a regular store around here, but they have organic options, fair trade options, vegan and even recycled options. In addition, they have some really great deals. For example, they have undyed, unprocessed Peruvian wool in 478-yard hanks for $15.
Yes, you read that correctly. $15 for almost 500 yards! Yowza. The Fiber Gallery in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood provides these yarns live and in person, or one can order online. I think I'll be swinging by their shop soon and pick myself up some of this bargain basement earth friendly stuff. V.cool.