Driving along the southern shore of Bonne Bay near Woody Point, we were eating cinnamon buns, knitting in the car and watching for moose. (I take back the knitting thing. Mostly in Newfoundland I just hold my knitting. The views are so stunning that I don’t seem able to look away long enough to move my hands, although I’ve started to ration the Dublin Bay socks. I’m only allowing myself a row here and there or they will be finished long before I show them Prince Edward Island.) The mountains looming over the bay were so spectacular that I decided that it was time for another rousing game of “torture the children by making them all get out of the car and stand at another scenic view while I take their picture”. (They love this game, Joe too.) I lined them up, threatened to “pants” Joe to make them smile, snapped the shot and turned around, and there it was. A big sign by the side of the road.
“Aunt Maggie’s Homespun”
We followed the sign, (no choice really) and found a charming house in Woody Point, with fleeces drying in the sun all over the backyard and the wonderful Margaret King (Aunt Maggie herself) smiling and welcoming us. She’s a charming hostess, and her knitting is to die for. Maggie confirmed that I’ve been doing thrums right (She’s a thrummed knitting expert.) and Joe admired her beautiful gloves and mittens. Turns out that Maggie doesn’t spin the yarn herself, but ships off her fleeces to Briggs and Little, then they spin it, dye it and ship it back. Lovely stuff, and seems softer than other B&L that I’ve had.
Swooning, I chose yarn and made a big pile. I got enough of “Quoddy Blue” for a sweater (with buttons made from moose antlers), two skeins of a Salt and pepper ragg for Meg to knit a scarf, two more skeins for mittens….and handed over my credit card to take the hit. Did it really matte what it cost? When am I coming back to Newfoundland? Souvenir Yarn makes total sense. I brace myself.
$30.50
I love Newfoundland.
(PS, Kathy, I bought you a present, but it’s not yarn)
Yarn Harlot
Can I just tell you how much I’m anticipating the pictures, when they come? It all sounds amazing.
Can we put in an order thru you so you have a reason to go back and score some more of what sounds like gorgeous yarn for not-so-much money? The trip sounds VERY cool.
The only reason I’m not seething with envy at this point is the anticipation of the pics you’ll post for us to devour! You insanely lucky harlot!
Sigh. You lucky Harlot, is right.
I’m laughing with Joe about the cilantro. I’m not a Newf, but I know exactly why that’s so funny.
I just started to knit thrum socks, what I’d give to meet Aunt Maggie and get some expert help on thrums.
Add me to the people that can’t wait to see pics! 🙂
wow! cheap yarn find! i am fairly jealous. i can’t wait for all the forthcoming pictures.
Be still my heart.
Oh, Steph, my lovely friend in heart’s desire Newfoundland (there’s a town of that amazing name on the colony of unrequited dreams, I know), did you mean ME?
Holy Jeez, how will I wait patiently?
Well, okay, then, have you seen the lovely green-eyed man yet?
Or maybe heard him singing as you stroll around the grocery store or the local watering hole?
Oh dear… $30 and you didn’t go back for three times as much???? Silly harlot.
If you buy me moose antler buttons, I will not only love you forever, but will also pay you handsomely.
I guess Aunt Maggie does not have a fleece stealing squirrel… Can’t wait to see pics.
Wow, I have paid more then that for one skein of yarn. It must be nice to be away from Toronto prices. I am looking forward to my east cost holiday this fall….I hope I can discover some finds like that!
Dang!
Just got back from a trek across the Adirondacks taking the daughter back to college, and just checking in. what a marvelous adventure you are having, and thanks SO MUCH for bringing us all along. I laughed about the cilantro, too, coz it reminded me of the time the silver-spoon sister-in-law came to visit us in Vermont and announced that she wanted to go to a Vietnamese restaurant. (course, now that would not be unheard of, but this was the early ’80s, we’re talkin’.) What a moron. I’m not saying YOU’RE a moron for looking for cilantro, but I join Joe in laughing his arse off, coz, yeah, I get it!!!
I went on a similar journey as you did a year ago for my honeymoon. It is so nice to hear about your descriptions of the landscape. I’m so jealous that you got to stop and take a look at yarn stores!!!