Imagine a yarn shop that is a haven for savvy shoppers with discerning taste.
Imagine such a shop belonging to two yarn whisperers who are not only able to match the right yarn to the right project, but who inspire local knitters and crocheters to instinctively know what yarn wants to become through holding, looking, smelling, touching and listening to it.
Imagine being able to purchase top South African produced plant and animal fibers along global brands such as Rowan and Pierrot.
Imagine attending various crochet workshops or joining in for a craft share, a cup of great coffee and a piece of cake that is almost too nice to slice.
This is "I Love Yarn" and imagine my luck as I live less than 2 km away from this shop located in the leafy suburb of Baileys Muckleneuk in Pretoria, South Africa.
Imagine, just imagine Stephni and Elaine decide to hand dye and hand ball their own label.
They did! They imagined a wide range of colours to inspire knitters and crocheters in a fiber that can be used for a plethora of projects. This is IMAGINE, a 70% bamboo-30% cotton yarn that is hand dyed and hand balled with the assistance of previously disadvantaged South African women.
IMAGINE just what will be hanging from my hooks at some point!
I bought 21 skeins in colours Guava, French Affair, Butterscotch, Mustard, Windswept, Abyss and Granite.
But first I am making their heirloom blanket (available as a kit from their shop) in my own preferred shades of coal, cement, mud and milk. I bought the kit a month ago and imagine my patience as I will only start working on it next month.
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| Lovely crocheted items on display in the shop |
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Where can I find I Love Yarn?
Oh, I'm jealous now! I wish we had a shop like that around here. The styling is beautiful and your purchases look delicious :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sabra, I can't wait to use the yarn!
DeleteThat looks gorgeous, that yarn ! I'm curious, I wish I could touch it to "feel how it feels"...
ReplyDeleteIt is as soft as a baby's bottom!!
DeleteThis is brilliant Magda!!!!! I'm so happy to know about this shop, because this summer we are moving in a place not so far from Pretoria…….!!!!!! ;oD
ReplyDeletexxxxxxxxx Ale
Ale that is super news, I was wondering whether you had any indication yet re the new destination. Drop me an e-mail please! I love how we walk similar regions on the face of Mother Earth. PS There is a brand new Gelateria owned by Italians down the road too (not many of those around).
DeleteHi Alessandra - please come visit us when you have moved, we have little community of like minded ladies coming in to the shop all the time and it may be a fun introdction to the area for you!
DeleteRegards Stephni
Girls (Magda and Stephni!) you are both really dear!!!!! I'll give you more informations next week, ok???
DeleteIn the meantime, thank you so much and big hugs, xxxxxxx Ale
Ale, I guess you are in transition madness! Mail me when you are ready ;-)
DeleteCheers!
Magda, how lucky you are! The closest yarn shop to me in Germany is 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus. :( In the US there are several within driving distance. The yarn looks gorgeous, and I can imagine you must have been in heaven looking at all of it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no Mary that would kill me. There are several shops nearby - another one is 15 minutes walking distance away but is not a place to linger in and their stock is not as extensive. In Penang there was only one shop about 15 km away from me but it took longer to find parking than it took to drive there.
DeleteI am so happy to have found your blog Magda! I live in Johannesburg and am now so excited to read about this yard store in Pretoria, hopefully I will get there on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHi Carmen you will fall in love with the shop. They are located in a house which makes for a really tranquil shopping experience. Happy shopping!!
DeleteThe yarn looks great. Beautiful colors. I asked on their website if they ship to the Netherlands...
ReplyDeleteWhooo, that yarn looks really great! I can almost feel it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally I once saved the same picture as the one you have in the moodboard (second on the right, on top: lady with mint green top and mustard vest - fabulous!)
Enjoy your weekend, Haafner
You are very lucky! The colours of that yarn are delightful
ReplyDeleteDear Magda, thank you for a beautiful blog about our store and our yarn. I already met Carmen Isaacs. She visited us on Saturday with a friend! All the best for your endeavours abroad. Elaine
ReplyDeleteStunning collage Magda! Love the yarn you bought
ReplyDeleteStel (van Haak-en-Stekie) verraste me met 3 bollen I love Yarn toen ik in Kaapstad was. Ik was meteen verliefd zeg ;-) Echt geweldige wol. Ik ben echt gek op alle kleuren. Volgende keer als ik naar Zuid-Afrika kom, kom ik langs in Pretoria hoor!
ReplyDeleteAah bly dat Christelle jou so verras het! Jy sal by haar moet gaan koffie drink in Pretoria. Ek woon nou nie meer in Suid Afrika nie, maar gaan online bestel van I love Yarn af - dis 'n baie lekker shop!!
DeleteYou're so lucky. My yarn store is a bit useless so I order all my yarn online. Xx
ReplyDeleteAaahhh, I live 2 hours away .... it has been my dream to have a Yarn/Craft and Coffee Studio where like minded souls can gather for lessons, sharing, parties etc. One day ....
ReplyDelete