This Is Me, Trying to be a Writer (and failing miserably): Shout Outs

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Shout Outs! Springtree Road

Springtree Roads was my first foray into Independent Dyers. By the time I had discovered it (through Ravelry's USEFUL advertisements), I had only used commercial yarns like Patons, Knitpicks etc. And like every new knitter, I thpight the prices were way too high; "Like seriously! $11 for 100g of yarn?" I honestly think the only reason I tried Springtree Road was because of the banner advertising for 15% off. I chose the Red Delicious colourway in the Muscadine line, because it was the cheapest...I sound like such a cheapskate.

I was excited when it came to my house. Upon opening the package, I stared at it and petted it like there was no tomorrow. I FINALLY understood why people were willing to pay more for the yarn (in reality and with comparison shopping, it's a really reasonable cost). It felt so much nicer than the big box store brands. Heck! This merino felt much nicer than the merino I had gotten before. Of course I couldn't do a full assessment until I knit with it.

The project I decided on was the BFF Socks by Cookie A. there was so much preparation just to use this yarn. I even signed up for a class at The Purple Purl in Toronto to learn how to cable (the YouTube videos were just not working for me...and I wanted to feel the Tanis Fibre Arts Yarn for myself). I was determined to get my full monies worth for this yarn.

Let's just say, the BFF Socks are still my absolute favourtie socks and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I even learned to embrace my mistakes (ie: the 5th cable on each foot is missing).

But it's not just the one skein of yarn that complete sold me. It was also the little things like the hand written "Thank-You!" notes, the willingness to answer an inquiry about the base yarn (which resulted in me purchasing a base skein of Muscadine aka: the Nekkid Skein).

At this point, I don't even know how many skeins I have off the top of my head but I'm trying not to use them up too quickly until I can purchase some more. One day, I hope to be able to purchase a sweater quantity's worth.

So Thank You to Maya at Springtree Road! Please continue with making your beautiful yarns.

Website: Springtree Road | Yarn on Ravelry: HERE | Group on Ravelry: HERE

Thursday, 18 April 2013

Shout Outs! ACME fibres

I've decided to implement a new type of entry on my blog. It is a pleasure to introduce to you Shout Outs.

The main premise of shout outs is to give my thanks and appreciation for a company and/or a person for something that has positively affected me.

What inspired the creation of this is the wonderful customer service I have received from Cheri at ACME Fibres, a Canadian-owned undyed yarn supplier (who also sells Malabrigo yarn, Hiya Hiya Needles, Spindles, soaks, etc). This is as of yet my favourite company to buy undyed yarns from.

I heard about ACME Fibres from an advertisement on Ravelry; you know the ones on the bottom of the forum pages that are actually useful. I ordered a couple of skeins of sock yarn and smaller Hiya Hiya circular needles. I was shocked at how quickly it arrived to my house. It could be a bonus of being in the same province but with Canada Post, you never know (it took a week and a half to get a skein of yarn from another Ravelry user and we live in the same city). I dyed the skins of sock yarns I received and was very pleased with the results. I ordered a couple more sets of needles and a skein of BFL sock yarn (which became the Peacock Fury) and they all arrived with the same speed and quality of service.

The big appreciation came after I found myself in need of a DK weigh yarn for the 'What a Kool Way to Dye' April Challenge - Dye to Knit. The first place I thought to purchase it was ACME Fibres. There was none to be found. I sent an email to Cheri just to make sure I wasn't missing it on the page. She emailed me back quite quickly to inform me that there wasn't any on the site (me: phewf! I'm not as blind as I thought). She offered me some of her own undyed sports/DK weight yarn, 100% superwash merino. She put them up on the site for me. I ordered two skeins and dyed Carol's eyes for my Hermione's Flip Top Mittens.

So thank you Cheri at ACME Fibres! From now on, you're my go to for undyed yarn :D