Adventures in Yarn

sights from the driver’s seat

andreamarquis — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:33:03 +0000

normally I love every aspect of my new life, even the driving around by myself part. I have seen so much beauty and many unexpected, yet delightful sights. That said, there are sometimes things that make me a little uneasy. Here are two of them:

kinda creepy

I like to call this piece of environmental art “Bowling Ball Graveyard.” It’s been so long since I have posted, I can’t remember if this little gem has ever made it onto the blog, but it deserves a rerun, even so. Especially poignant when the Pandora background music is Beethoven’s piano Sonata #14, like it is for me right now.

Then there’s this…I have, on several occasions, taken weird back road detours between Columbus and Cincy to avoid this sign, and the super-boring drive that brings me to see it. The billboard immediately preceding it says something like “If you were to die today, where would you spend Eternity?” and there is one nearby, which I find almost as offensive and heavy-handed, that commands me to “DRINK MILK.” Yikes. At least when I drive on 80 across the top of Ohio, my landmarks are things like a sign for Pickel Street, and a large tractor tire sign for some kind of gravel processing plant.

Cute Yaks!

andreamarquis — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:46:59 +0000

Who knew yaks were so cute? A great use of 5 minutes is to watch this video of the Koops and their yaks. I am so happy that they got this news piece done, since it highlights the special nature of yaks and the simple yak ranching way of life that Carl and Eileen have chosen. I know they are working hard to get all the exposure they can by attending shows and fiber festivals, advertising, getting the word out on Ravelry, etc.

Yak fiber is definitely in the “luxury yarn” category, and it is not cheap! However, I feel that it is an affordable luxury. Don’t we all have someone to knit for (maybe ourselves!) who really deserves a unique and super-soft treat? One or two skeins would do it, and be so worth it! The recession is over, and while some people are still suffering because of the downturn (I was near Detroit a couple weeks ago and you can see and feel it all around), some of us are really, really sick of knitting out of our stash! I love new experiences, and I love the gift to your senses that comes from yak down on the needles.

And Here’s Why I “Eat Local”

andreamarquis — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:50:06 +0000

The view from the highways I travel looks pretty much the same, especially when I am hungry. McDonald’s are everywhere, of course, as are all of the other fast food chains. Applebee’s has done a good job of placing their stores near the type of hotels I frequent. What is more difficult to find, at least for someone like me who does not like to do a lot of research, are the nice, interesting, hopefully healthy, locally owned eateries. I am sure there is a website to help me with this, and maybe someday I will look for it.

But the best way I have found to get to the distinctive restaurants is to ask for a recommendation. I ask the LYSO or I ask strangers. Sometimes people get what I am looking for and sometimes they don’t. When I asked the desk guys at the Crack Hotel in Columbus to guide me to a nice, non-chain restaurant, they suggested Longhorn Steak House

Luckily, Beth Smith of Spinning Loft in Howell, MI suggested I try Blue Fin for sushi or hibachi. I had not eaten too much all day and I was running quite late for my appointment with Beth (another spinning goddess, who, in a minute, made a 2 ply lace weight string on a drop spindle with the Mountain Meadow roving…wow…maybe someday I will be able to make something even close?) so I was ready for an early dinner.

Here’s why you need to go to the local places–okay, there are lots of reasons, but here is a fun one! The owner of Blue Fin Japanese Steakhouse was opening the place up for the 4:30 dinner start. It was about 4:20, but he gladly let me in. I sat at the bar and asked to look at both the sushi and hibachi menus. Very reasonably priced, and incredible variety. I got a seared spicy tuna appetizer and seaweed salad–both way above average. But the kicker was they had a lot of different sake and I thought it was about time for me to know what I am doing in that area. He gave me tastes of 4 different sakes and I found my favorite. Maybe it helped him make a better sale, but it really made him earn a new customer. Oh yeah, he also gave me 3 giant Japanese grapes to try for dessert. I loved them and I loved the focus on helping me have a new and exciting experience that I couldn’t get anywhere else. That’s what I look for every day. If I don’t go back this Thursday for 20% off sushi, I will certainly go back when I am back in town. In fact, he is making it into my GPS and my Communitywalk.com map website!

4313 E. Grand River Ave.
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 545-8899
Map / Directions

new hair color

andreamarquis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:42:29 +0000

Are you kidding me?

andreamarquis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:19:43 +0000

This is one of the many splendid views I have appreciated so far in my travels…Western NY in July. Just one of the benefits of my Dream Job!

Abstract Fiber

andreamarquis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:25:27 +0000

Abstract Fiber is an Indie dyer of yarn and spinning fiber in Portland, Oregon. Susan Stambaugh’s color’s are ridiculously gorgeous, and her genius is revealed in the fact that there is no pooling or striping. Check out the projects on Ravelry. I did my own test project in the Twilight colorway of her Supersock and even with a changing stitch count in Ysolda Teague’s Ishbel triangular lace shawl, I found the results miraculous. I am not a fan or handpaints that pool, although it doesn’t drive me completely insane, either. Once I get better at spinning, I will buy some of her roving and (hopefully) make some tremendous yarn of my own.

I carry Abstract Fiber everywhere I go–PA, OH, MI, IN, KY, NY, NJ, DE, MD, DC.

Vendors I Represent

andreamarquis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:55:13 +0000

I cover a large geographic sales territory and sometimes it is difficult to keep it all straight! Here is a list of all of the vendors I currently represent, and links to their sites. I don’t take all of my products with me everywhere I go, so please check other entries or ask me if I carry a certain product in your area.

Yarn: Abstract Fiber, The Alpaca Yarn Company, Bijou Basin Ranch, The Fibre Company, Himalaya Yarn, Karabella Yarns, Mountain Meadow Wool, Schaefer Yarn. All of my yarns have free or for-sale pattern support.

Designers: CiD Graphics, Momogus Knits, Laura Nelkin, Tonia Barry Original Designs, Woolen Collectibles.

Buttons: Durango Button Company, Nature Buttons.

Other: Bully Woolies Kits, Ja Ja Ja Purses , Unicorn Fibre Products.

here’s my new newsletter logo, featuring Rooney.

Unicorn Fibre Products Fall Dealer Specials

andreamarquis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:39:15 +0000

Coming Soon--small sample packettes and coupons for Unicorn Fibre Products!

Here’s something to set your shop apart from the rest, and it’s a great time to give a new product a try with these offers!

Unicorn Fibre Wash, Fibre Rinse and Power Scour are environmentally friendly and economical. A little goes a long way–users not only spend less on product in the long run, but the energy and water usage is much less.

There are many advantages to Unicorn’s 2-step rinse-out process, compared to the leave-in washes:

No residue left behind–think about it–do you leave the soap in when you wash your hair, your regular laundry, your dishes? Nothing extra lingers on the fine garments which touch your family’s skin.

Fluffier fabrics and fiber, since the soap is rinsed out.

No strong scents for the sensitive nose–Unicorn has just a hint of fragrance, and since you rinse it, all you smell is clean.

FALL SPECIAL DEALER PACKAGES – (Orders shipped Oct-Dec 2009 – Excludes Shipping)

PACKAGE #1** Order one full case of 12 of the 16 oz. size and get 12 of the same product in the 2 oz. size free:

PACKAGE #2** Order one full case of 12 of the 4 oz. size and get 12 of the same product in the 4 oz. size at one half off wholesale:

PACKAGE #3 Order any 2 – 1 GALLON size and we’ll pick up one half of the freight:

PACKAGE #4 Order packages 1, 2, & 3 and get free freight on entire shipment:

**24 Brochures included in Packages 1 & 2

Call or email me to learn about these great deals!

Learn more at the Unicorn Fibre website.

First Timer in Indiana (the State)

andreamarquis — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:54:10 +0000

I used to go up to Indiana, PA every Tuesday. I always get a kick out of the signs that towns and states put up for you to read as you arrive. Whereas Indiana, PA is the Christmas Tree Capital of the world, Indiana the state is Lincoln’s boyhood home. If I ever knew that, I had forgotten it, so nice of Indiana to remind me that Illinois is not to get all the props for Lincoln.

Indiana is no different from anywhere else I have been lately, in that it is difficult to find independently owned businesses, especially restaurants. I pass by at least 10 per day that are closed down, boarded up. Sad. I have thought about counting how many Wallgreens or Tim Horton’s I see, but it would be too depressing, and I don’t want to give those places any of my energy or my money.

Did have a wonderful meal at Casa Grill off of Dupont in Ft Wayne. A family restaurant with 5 locations, that has been in business 30 years. Amen! Ate at the bar, super delicious, alot of regulars, wonderful, caring bartender who is not afraid to make recommendations…my kind of place.

In general, my impressions of Indiana after a couple days….lots of corn, courteous drivers, friendly people who aren’t afraid to talk to strangers who dye their own hair (new development), surprisingly cute and trendy hairstyles on the natives, can buy hooch at the grocery store until 3 am (I heard) but never on Sunday, neat looking clouds, overall attractiveness of people, the best, although most painful, eyebrow wax I have ever received, cute small towns like in Ohio, flat, straight roads.

Lesson learned–ALWAYS read the reviews!

andreamarquis — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:43:46 +0000

Ok, so I am trying to do this whole yarn rep thing on the cheap to start out. That means choosing hotels (okay, motels) by price most of the time. So since I lived in Columbus 10 years ago, I thought it would be fine to stay in the cheapest place near where I planned to be. Yuck! I should have known I needed to turn right around when I saw the sign at check in that said “No refunds after 25 minutes.” Actually, when I drove up and saw that the place conveniently shared a parking lot with a “gentleman’s club,” that should have been it. But I stayed. It wasn’t the worst place I have been, but for $10 a night more, I could have significantly improved my experience. Having said that, it was not terrifying, but when I read the reviews (at least their wireless worked!) I found it funny that people complained about the thinness of the towels, and did not seem to notice, like I did, the crack-torch burn marks on the ceiling in a non-smoking room! I don’t mind learning the hard way, in fact if I knew any better, most of the stuff I am doing now for this new job I might not do, but I vow I will never book a room without checking with tripadvisor first!