*Picture heavy post*
I never really thought about the whole colorful, messy business of dyeing and distributing yarn. I learned a thing or two during the Hyde Park Knitting Guild’s behind the scenes glimpse into life at Lorna’s Laces. It was exciting for me to see how yarn moves from color concept
to realization
to a yarn scavenging frenzy. We got our pick of mill-ends, one-of-a-kind and the occasional oops dyed yarns – some as low as $1 per skein. Believe it or not, I left empty-handed, merely chronicling the event.
I think I was most surprised that the operation (and the people) behind this now-famous brand is nothing fancy or pretentious. Owner Beth Casey and her sweet Great Dane Pearl welcomed us as we reached the 2nd floor landing at the door of their space in this sprawling warehouse.
Pearl roams around the main rooms beneath the high ceilings and suspended PVC poles holding freshly dyed and drying yarns. Bare yarn lies in wait next to dye pots and utility sinks. The walls are lined with yarn-filled wire baskets fronted by handwritten signs bearing the names of a yarn shop near you.
Perhaps that is part of the appeal of our crafting adventures. It is humble. It is imperfect. It is one REAL thing in a culture often consumed with artifice. It is the work of our hands.
Great post! Thank you so much for taking us behind the scenes at Lorna’s Laces.
What a fun day! I love Lorna’s Laces yarns. I can’t believe you came home empty-handed.
What a great day! I can’t believe you only took pictures!
Great pictures and I too can’t beleive you came home empty handed.
“Perhaps that is part of the appeal of our crafting adventures. It is humble. It is imperfect. It is one REAL thing in a culture often consumed with artifice. It is the work of our hands.”
That’s beautiful, Karen. I keep trying to think of something else to say, but you said it perfectly. I am going to get away from the computer now and make something.
Perfect sentiment hunny
Glad you had fun!
Wow. Just. Wow.
And I love Lorna’s Laces even more now that I know it’s doggy friendly. How awesome that Beth has her 4-legged friend with her every day!
Wow, that was an intersting post, thanks for letting us in on your day at the source of our pleasure!
)
Such a nice photologue. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your photos. Wow, what self control – you came home with no yarn?!?!?!
Once again, you live a much cooler city than I do. You have food, museums, events, and Lorna’s Laces. I on the other hand have BBQ, and that is pretty much it…
thanks for taking us on the tour with you. i’m so impressed that you didn’t buy any yarn.
do you meet with the Hyde Park group on sundays? let me know. i just got an invitation from someone on Ravelry.
What a wonderful glimpse inside such a fascinating operation. Thanks so much for the virtual tour! Can’t believe you didn’t pick up at least *one* skein of yarn.
What fun! Looks like you had a marvelous time. How in the world did you leave without any yarn? I don’t think I could have managed it, myself.
Me too! I’m surprised you didn’t buy anything! Thank you for the glimpse of LL – it’s sure interesting! I’d love to take the tour too sometime. Terry
You showed great restraint! I’m not sure I could’ve walked out of there with empty hands. Her Great Dane looks so friendly. I probably would’ve spent more time with the dog than the yarn.
love the colours in your photos, it must have been so fascinating to see how they are made!
hope you are keeping well.
Somehow I always imagined Lorna’s Laces who’s name is always said with a certain reverence was a large and impersonally commercial operation. How absolutely wonderful to see the reality.
Beautiful. I love your conclusion!No yarn though? Stupefying self control!
Wonderful post and photos! It’s nice to see it’s such a “real” operation. You have a will or iron not to buy any yarn.
what a fabulous day karen!!
how many were there? i know someone else that went, perhaps you met her.?
ahhhh. the life of pearl. it sounds like a dream.