Yarn in San Francisco

A trip isn't complete without a yarn shop visit.  This one was just a few blocks from my hotel - that could’ve been dangerous.  Luckily (for my budget), I found it when had a time limit, based on my conference schedule, but what a great little find.

Roxanne and her husband have owned ArtFibers for over 18 years, with their shop in Union Square.  All their yarn is natural fibers – from cotton and linen to alpaca, wool, and even yak – that they design and dye themselves in an off-site garage-turned-workshop.

A wide assortment of yarn

The layout is different than any other yarn shop I've visited.  For each yarn, Roxanne has swatches that show off the colors and textures.  What a concept!  How many times have I considered, or even bought, a yarn because it was pretty in the skein, but it didn't work up the way I thought? Or, on the other hand, didn't get a yarn because I couldn't imagine how it would look once stitched?  She also has a selection of needles so that customers can sit with any yarn in the shop and stitch a swatch of their own, a pretty neat idea.

Sample swatches of 100% linen fiber

The yarn at ArtFiber is also not in pre-measured skeins - everything is wound on cones or in loose loops and Roxanne measures, winds, and cuts as much as you need.  This could come in handy when buying for a particular project or pattern and know the needed yardage – no leftover yards to add to the ever growing stash.  And if you aren’t sure?  She has a little chart on each yarn that estimates the amount needed for a few basic items like a scarf or sweater, and can help you estimate anything not listed.  

Ready to measure and cut as needed

Of course, however, I had no project in mind so I just took a guess at how many yards I wanted - needed.

What'd I get?

Lingo, Tsuki, and Sylph - my yarn selections

I'm just starting to get into knitting, so I picked a few that would make nice scarves, something simple while I learn the difference between knitting and purling.  These are all smooth, lightweight yarns, so I can probably make them look fancy just by putting them on larger needles.

Lingo – 100% Linen - orange and rusty red variegated (600 yards) - skirt

Tsuki - silk & mohair blend - the hot pink for a light, airy scarf (straight or infinity?) or a cowl (300 yards)

Sylph – Silk, mohair, and wool blend; Tsuki – silk and mohair blend - the two gold/rust colored ones - a striped scarf, alternating the two (300 yards total)

The skirt - my inspiration for my last purchase

I've also been wanting a crocheted or knitted skirt for the summer (even though we're coming to the end of the season).  I've tried to convince my mother to make one for me - she's much better skilled at either needlecraft than I am, even without patterns.  Roxanne happened to have a knitted skirt on the mannequin welcoming visitors to the shop.  She convinced me that I could do it, and I convinced myself of the same, with crocheted stitches as a back-up.  She offered the pattern, and explained how the basic design of the skirt is not based on increasing the number of stitches per row, but switching to a large needle.  I have done a crocheted tunic like this, I think I can maybe handle a knitted version.

Roxanne, the Owner

Roxanne was very welcoming and encouraging.  We'll see how my skirt goes - if I get the skills together to get it done, that is.  But I'm sure the scarves will be keeping me warm by the fall.

ArtFiber is located at 266 Sutter Street, 3^rd Floor, San Francisco, CA  www.artfibers.com