Spoils from Vancouver, Victoria, and (sort of) Whistler

Hi, all. :)  

We just came back from Canada in which we spent a week in Vancouver (downtown mainly), Victoria (downtown as well) and had driven up to Whistler too.  While we had a great relaxing holiday, I had tons to fun going to ever yarn shop I could find (within a reasonable distance - we tried to walk every where we could) as well as was open - apparently, we had gone while it was a holiday for them - Victoria Day, so a lot of places were closed. :(

Here's my top four (4) knitting places in which I bought some yarn (and started (finally) my own stash):

In Downtown Vancouver:
          Granville Island:  Silk Weaving Studio - Sanjo Silk
                www.silkweavingstudio.com
                www.sanjosilk.com
This little shop was split into two in which they sold handmade silk items that they wove in the store and the other half actually sold skeins of silk yarn.  While the staff was often busy with customers who were looking for finished items or were busy actually weaving, it had quite a lot of yarn to pick and choose from.  If you're ever interested in going here, it's literally on the corner of Granville Island, close to the Aquabus pick up and drop off.

Here I bought two (2) hat kits - the yarns was soooo beautiful I just "had" to get something; my pictures doesn't do the yarn justice:

Now, I need to get new needles because the beret needs a size 3 needle.  Thank goodness my Chiagoo Spin Interchangeable set also has a size 3 I can use with it. :D  Yarn Story, here I come (again). ;) lol :)

In Downtown Victoria:
         Beehive Wool Shop
               www.beehivewoolshop.com
This store was HUGE and the staff was ultra-nice.  When you first come up to the store, it doesn't look very large but upon entering it, it was ... overwhelming ... there was yarn on every wall, literally.  The store was very nicely arranged and had a lot of open space as they often hold classes there.  There was even a special section for Canadian made yarn but alas, we live in Hawaii so, getting something that wasn't sock weight or lighter wasn't much of an option (at least this time).

Here's what I bought:  enough yarn for a pair of knee high socks for myself (heck, I figure if I'm gonna make socks for my hubby, why not make some for myself and they would go great with my boots!):

        Button & Needlework Boutique
             www.buttonedup.com
This store was quite small but packed (literally) from top to bottom with all kinds of crafting stuff from buttons, needlework items (like for actual needlework and cross-stitching) and yarn.  I had already planned on coming to this store but, while I was at the Silk Weaving Studio, I bumped into another lady who mentioned this place as well so, I was really excited to see this store. :)

Here's what I bought: another ball for the hubby for more socks! :P

And lastly, on the way to Whistler:
        The Knit & Stitch Shoppe
             www.ingys-itsjustknitting.com
This store doesn't seem like much up from the main street above it but when you go down the stairs, it expands to this gigantic cavern of yarn!  There was yarn literally in every nook and cranny and just enough floor space to walk around but you had to walk around shelves and baskets of yarn!  It was amazing and again, completely overwhelming! :P  The shoppe owner was super nice and very knowledgeable as well. :)  She even helped me unearth just the perfect sock yarn for another pair of knee highs for me! :)

Here's what I bought:  two (2) more pairs for my hubby and one (1) for me too! :)  

Well, looks like I need to hurry up and get my socks going for sure now! :D