Yarn shopping on Vancouver Island

Bless him; Chuck is so tolerable of me. I travel 5000 miles to see him and drag him into not one but two yarn shops. We took a trip over to Vancouver Island and whilst slumming it in the fantastically lovely Coast Harbourside Marina Hotel in Victoria, I just happened to come across the "what to see in Victoria" book, provided by the hotel.

Let's just say that the Beehive Wool Shop at 1700 Douglas Street is one store that should be on every Victoria BC bound knitter's trip itinerary. An abundance of gorgeousness and as usual, Chuck liked the things I didn't like and vice versa (although there was one shawl which we both thought was gorgeous; I don't need another shawl, I have many, I didn't need to buy it!)

What we did find (and both liked) was a scarf which was made of the softest, fluffiest yarn; oh my God, it was heavenly. Couldn't find the yarn anywhere in the shop; looked everywhere and to no avail. Bring on the uber classic assistant; she obviously loves the 1950s and so do I; she led us to a supply of the most acrylicy looking yarn I had ever seen! It looked like beige string... was she sure this was the right stuff??? Oh, yes indeedy; magic yarn it is - 60% merino and 40% possum.... yes, you heard it, possum. Now, I don't know if you're up on the wildlife that is found in England, but let me assure you, we don't have possum (or is it possums???) We have alpacas, sheep (lots), cows (even more), foxes that raid your dust bin and badgers that come out at night, but definitely no possum. Possums are regarded as pests, a bit like rabbits in England... let's just say something has to be done with their fur.

Well, my fingers started to twitch and I just had to know how this ball of rough string could possibly be the same yarn that created the wonderfully soft scarf hanging on the rail.... apparently, possum yarn goes "fluffy" after you wash it. Wash it gently, let it dry naturally and there you have it; gorgeous fluffy items.

Needless to say, I have a fabulous pattern just waiting to be knitted up and washed; but it will have to wait until I get back to England.

I also bought a ball of Silk and Alpaca yarn by Drops Design at Garnstudio.com. It is unbelievably soft and the colour is gorgeous. Watch this space for something cute being made up. And the best is that the yarn only cost me $4.95CAD, that's about three of your English pounds... I love a bargain!