YarnCon

YarnCon has been on my list for a bit, since my younger sister lives in Chicago. Easy place to stay, no classes to save for, and a bunch of cool national vendors; really what’s taken me so long?

The general vibes of YarnCon are immaculate. Even with two floors of vendors, it was crowded at times which was a little stressful (how dare other people come to enjoy something I also wanted to come enjoy, right?), but that was my only dislike about the whole event.

My mom, sister, and I spotted the entrance from a flock of people in handknits waiting in line for a food truck. I saw no less than nine granny square hexicardigans (and over heard at least two conversations taking about Jason Momoa’s new go-to cardigans). The “partner waiting area” was the bar of the union hall, and it had local coffee! Also lots of room to sit and chat (or play on your phone, as the case was for most!). You could get everything from yarn (duh), roving, yarn-related pottery, jewelry, even plants.

There was also one vendor there that basically sold only needles and hooks, which I thought was genius. It was always a dream to go to a yarn show, find the most beautiful yarn, the perfect pattern, and cast it on right there. The issue with that is almost no one sells needles or hooks at a yarn show. This year, I was able to do just that!

Mochimochi Land, who I knew first from cute, yarny stop-action videos on the internet, had a booth right at the front of the main hall. My sister helped me pick out a couple of their kits: one for her and one for her bestie, who I also love. I cast on the bestie’s little cat and finished it that night! Talk about instant gratification.

Of course, those weren’t the only purchases made of the day! I got a spider diz (been looking for one for ages) from Handmade Hollows, pencil roving from Up North Yarns, assigned pooling yarn from Created4U by Laura, and a gorgeous combed top from RMR Yarn Co., in Chicago proper. It took two laps looking at everything, but I got all my favorites without going overboard!

This was for sure a top fiber trip for me. If you’re in Chicago the next time it’s on, I highly recommend!