Local yarn shops come to the rescue

When I learned to knit, the only store in our very small town that sold yarn was Ben Franklin. If a pattern called for any yarn other than six colors of Red Heart worsted-weight, I was out of luck.

I had no idea how to substitute one yarn for another. I also had no concept of the yarn called for in a pattern, so I didn't know if worsted-weight would even knit up the same. I admit that I knew little about knitting at that time anyway, but I had no clue whom to ask for help. The outcome of that limited selection and the type of store where I shopped was many unhappy results.

Today is a different day for lovers of yarn. Many more companies are competing for the dollars you have to spend on yarn and supplies. Some of these companies have added their own labels, and most have added new types of yarn to their collections. The choices are numerous, and this can become overwhelming. I often hear knitters say they feel overwhelmed by a yarn store.

Here are a few pointers about where to shop for yarn.

First, consider your skill level. I find that if you are very familiar with knitting you can shop for yarn most anywhere. You might even know how to read the label and use the international symbols to help make substitutions for the yarn specified in your pattern. You have only to determine what type of yarn, which color to buy and how many skeins, and you are on your way.

If your skill level is beginner or new-intermediate, you may want to think about cultivating a relationship with a local yarn shop. Salespeople at local shops are experts at knitting and crocheting. If they cannot answer your questions, they will know whom to ask.

I might add at this point that no question is a dumb question. Each of the very good knitters or crocheters has started from a beginner level and probably has asked the same questions you have. I have heard a few claiming to have learned to knit in the womb, but the rest of us learned the same way you did. We ask questions a lot. In fact, the more I know about knitting, the more I ask questions.

Second, consider your project. I often shop for yarn at one of the big discount stores. Several yarn brands they sell are from long-standing companies with good products. The price is often right in my budget, and since some discount stores offer coupons, I can save too.

My experience with these yarns has allowed me to know when I can count on them to result in a good product, and I won't hesitate to knit up a small child's sweater with them. If I am ready to start an adult sweater, I will go to a local yarn store. A quality sweater requires lots of hours of knitting. I want a finished product that wears well for years. Often, I want yarns that are high-end just to achieve the look I want. Cashmere yarn, for example, isn't often sold in a warehouse store.

Third, what happens if you have a problem? You might run out of yarn. The yarn might have a flaw that you cannot work with. The dye lots might be wrongly labeled. It happens!

A smaller local yarn store will be there to help you with your problems. The bigger store might not be able to respond to individual customers. I knitted a sweater for a client last year. Having already knitted the fronts and the back, I was almost finished with the second sleeve when I ran out of yarn.

Now, in my defense, I had thankfully not been involved with the yarn purchase. My motto is always -- and I mean always -- buy extra yarn. I called my customer about the shortage and was aghast to learn the yarn was purchased more than a year earlier. Wow! How would we find that yarn in that dye lot?

The shop owner happened to have a skein of the very same yarn in her personal stash. She happily brought it in for us. The helpful shop owner saved that project! I am happy to report that the sweater is finished and the owner has had many nice compliments on it.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitter, has lived in Alaska for 17 years. A past president of Knitters of the North, she currently designs knitwear patterns for publication. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com.

5-HOUR YARN EVENT will run from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Michaels Arts & Crafts, Old Seward Highway and Dimond Boulevard. The Fastest Knit and Crochet Contest will be at 2 p.m. The free event includes demonstrations and giveaways, including yarn. For more information, call 336-8600.