About Ewe

She set her GPS to 407 North Main, Kingston Springs, TN and anxiously watched the display as it searched for satellites. Precious minutes were ticking by. It was 3:35pm. Would she make it in time?

It boiled down to one simple fact. She just couldn’t get gauge. Her size 1 DPNs were too small, and her size 2 DPNs were too big. The elusive size 1.5 (2.50mm) DPN would solve her problem, but that’s a metric needle and this is a non-metric country. The phone calls she made to two other local yarn shops produced the same discouraging results…no 1.5 DPNs.

 

The suggested route finally displayed on her GPS. Arrival time 3:48pm. Should she call the yarn shop first to inquire about their stock? She pondered for a moment. The last two phone calls had been so disappointing. Would this be strike three or a charm? Arrival time 3:49pm. She threw the cell phone down on the car seat next to her and hit the gas.

 

There was little traffic on the interstate that Saturday afternoon, and as soothing voice of the GPS told her to exit at the next ramp, she noticed that she regained the minute she lost while trying to decide whether or not to call. Arrival time 3:48 and only a few miles to go.

 

She expertly maneuvered her Rav4 into a parallel parking spot on Main Street directly across from the entrance to the shop. With cash in hand, she looked both ways before crossing the street (she’s safety minded like that) and entered the store. A delightful jingle of a bell hanging from the door greeted her. She got all tingly inside--for yarn shops have that effect on her. 

 

She hesitated. She took a deep breath. The shop was thick with the intoxicating aroma of wool and fiber. As her eyes were adjusting the shop’s proprietor emerged from behind wall of luxurious fiber and said, “Hi, can I help you find anything?”

She suddenly forgot her quest. Like a deer caught in the glaring headlights of an oncoming car, all she could do was stare blankly—longing to jump headlong into the path of destruction. She spewed one very long word, “I need double pointed needles and you probably don’t have them but it’s a size two point five, I mean it’s a size one point five that’s actually a two point five millimeter, and nobody has them because of the whole metric deal, why didn't the US convert when Thomas Jefferson suggested it, and this is a long shot but I know that Crystal Palace makes them in bamboo and Knitpicks makes them in laminated birch or nickel but I really don’t like birch or nickel for socks because birch breaks and nickel feels cold and I can order them online but I’d rather buy locally.”

The shop owner nodded in understanding as she wound her way to the front corner of the shop. “Like these?” as she handed over a lovely set of size 1.5/2.5mm 6” Chiao Goo bamboo double-pointed needles. It was a moment of magical clarity and she was for once speechless. She couldn’t believe her good fortune. She was wrapped in the warm cloak of victory, and it felt damn good. 

 

The purchase was tallied and paid for with a crisp new ten dollar bill. Change was pocketed, and as she was turning to head for the door, a tabletop display of silk-cashmere yarn caught her eye. Her heart stuttered as it waited for her brain to tell it to continue beating. She could feel the softness of the fiber without even touching it, but touch it she did. She had never felt angels' wings but knew that if she ever got the chance, they would feel as luxurious as this fiber. A quick glance at the dangling price tag jolted her back to earth. She reached into her pocket and felt the soft dollar bill, a quarter, dime and two pennies. Her other hand gripped the prized size 2.5mm bamboo needles a little too tightly. Now was not the time. It was special yarn that deserved more thought than an impulse buy, and truth be told, she just couldn't afford it.

 

Gathering her wits about her and with squared shoulders, she held her head high as she exited the shop. Again, she looked both ways before crossing the street and walked purposefully to her Rav4. She settled into the driver's seat, adjusted the mirror (even though she was the only driver of the vehicle), turned on her audio book and steered the car towards Nashville.

 

She arrived home a few minutes before 5pm. She opened the packet of needles and was treated to an extra bonus. Chiao Goo packs their needles in sets of 6 in case one gets lost or broken. She began casting on...

 

(To be continued) 

 

 

Author's note:

Thanks Ewe & Company for your awesome selection of needles! What a beautiful store. The next time I won't show up moments before you close so I have more time to shop. What a treat that will be!