Portland Craft Shopping

We went to Portland this past weekend and I did a little research so I could pick up a thing or two for my crocheting. It turns out there are quite a few knitting stores in Portland, and although I do not know how to knit (yet), those stores are still valuable to me since crocheting and knitting are often linked together. The first store that I had the pleasure of going to was actually the ever-so-famous Powell's Books. I have been there before, but the last time I went I paid no mind to the crochet section which happened to be much larger than I ever would have imagined! Of the many books I wanted to buy...I managed to limit myself to just two which seemed to me to be the most useful for my skill level, interests, etc. The first book was The Crochet Stitch Bible; this is going to be great when I start trying to create my own patterns or when I'm just winging a blanket and need to add a fancy edge or something. There is so much you can do with crochet! The second book I got was The Encyclopedia of Crochet Techniques; this one will be valuable in teaching me the basics and helping me get through patterns. There were some books that were more specialized and specific to certain types of crochet interests that I would have also loved to have picked up...maybe next time! Powell's was the first stop along my plotted out shopping trip even though I got some good deals on books, I still spent quite a bit! I happen to love books. I cannot go into a book store and not buy something.




Stop #2 was Knit Purl, which is conveniently on the tourist maps that the hotels pass out. This store, I could have spent hours in if it wasn't for the look on my boyfriend's face when I said I wanted to go in there. He was truly a champ though and went into all kinds of girly, crafty stores for me. He even bought me a few things that I myself was not willing to splurge on. One of those things was this BEAUTIFUL Pendleton knitting needle/crochet hook case:

I absolutely love the case and I was actually about to make myself one based off the Alli Crafts Free Star Hook Case Pattern (which I still may do) but now I have been officially spoiled by my man because this is truly a treat to have! Leaving Oregon with something Pendleton is also always a plus. Knit Purl had so many yarns that I honestly could not decide. I would have taken one of everything. They were so soft and better than the yarns that I had been working with. I couldn't even believe it. I decided to get two skeins of yarn by Debbie Bliss and after grabbing those two skeins there is no doubt in my mind that I will be ordering from their website in the near future. As for now, the plan for these two skeins of yarn is to make a hat of some sort. Not sure if the photo does the top one justice. It's color is Rialto Burgandy and it is just gorgeous. Definitely a color that I am drawn to, along with greens and browns. I have yet to work with the yarn, but I will be sure to report back. I can only imagine that it is amazing! They were $9.50/skein at Knit Purl.

The last stop on my craft shopping list was the Button Emporium & Ribbonry. I have been eying a certain pattern for "soccasins" that I want to try and I think buttons would be a great accessory to them when I do finally make them. Who knows, they may end up being something I truly enjoy making. Anyway, I bought the buttons in hopes that it would inspire me to get going on that wonderful pattern! I selected just a few unique buttons but there were so many to choose from and some like I had never seen before.

The whole trip was a success and it was great to be able to check out the knitting/crocheting/crafting community of an entirely different city while I was away. The three hour drive there and back also allowed me some time to work on my current project which is nearly 3/4 of the way done!