Art Fiber opened in San Francisco

  They decided to come back to the City, and I am so glad that I've gone to the opening! It's a such a incredible store!

 Yen from Fog City Knitter was always knitting with Ming from ArtFibers, and while it was nice to touch that yarn, I never understood why she was so into it. Well, now I know! Ming is blend of silk and fine wool, and it's such a joy to knit with. Silk give that wool sheen and color, and fine, soft wool just fly of the needles. Colors are amazing and I am in love with Ming, like 80% of our group :) They were sold out with Ming by the time I finally decided which color I wanted, so I've placed an order for next dying batch.

 But, about the store: it's absolutely great place to go for yarn. They manage to make it spacious by using Elfa shelvings undenath the benches, and putting all knitted swatches on the top. Such a brilliant idea! You can actually see how yarn looks like knitted, in different stitches, and since they have big windows on both sides of the place, you can see real colors properly.

  Selection of yarn is awesome - I've spent about 3 hours just looking for a yarn for my mom's scarf (and looking and testing everything!). They dye their own yarn, so everything in the store was new to me. Best thing is that you can swatch any yarn right there, and keep the sample :) I've tried :

1) Phyz - very interested yarn, feels cottony, it will be great for a lacy scarf.

2) Yaqui - YAK yarn. Yup, yak yarn. That thing is rarer than cashmire, and usually more expensive, but they sell it for 10c per yard, what is similar to all other yarns there (there are some more expensive ones, but I don't remember them :) It's thin yarn, I think fingering weight, and I've tried just a tiny swatch, and I liked it. I can see making a scarf or maybe socks, something that will be very warm. It feels very airy and soft.

3) Ming, color 21 of course - such a beautiful yarn! I've decided to make next sweater of it, even if this is not bulky yarn, meaning it will take me forever to make it. But I will do it!

4) Kyoto  color  23-  lovely blend of mohair, silk and wool - it's I think heavy worsted, and blue color is incredible rich and yarn is so soft. I've made a scarf for my mom in 4 days with it! I wish I have a picture, but I was in hurry to send it to her, so I do hope she will take a picture and send it to me.

 Cool thing is that they have us on their website now: