Yarn Crawl Yarn Haul

For the past three years, the fiber enthusiasts of the North Texas area - knitters, crocheters, spinners, all of them! - have banded together to celebrate my birthday in style with the DFW Yarn Crawl!

MadTosh Tosh Merino Light Mini Skeins in Thistle, Vintage Sari, Log Cabin, Jade, Graphite,
Aquitaine, Mirth, and Fathom - Purchased at MadTosh Crafts in Fort Worth, Texas

For over a week, these intrepid tricoteuses trek around the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, visiting as many amazing yarn shops as their schedules and wallets will allow.

Vice Blurred Lines in My Bloody Valentine - Purchased at Fiber Circle in Farmersville, Texas

But it's not just yarn shops. There are also farms, where you can see and pet the animals that produce that fiber.

Top: Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace in color 2462 - Purchased at JenningStreet Yarns in Fort Worth, Texas

Bottom: Cascade Forest Hills in Silver - Purchased at Holley's Yarn Shoppe in Dallas, Texas

There is a knitwear manufacturer, where you can take a tour of the factory and watch the machines at work.

Fiber Lady Superwash Sock in Chocolate Cherries - Purchased at The Fiber Lady in Lewisville, Texas

Many of these savvy stitchers challenge themselves to visit all 15 stores, spanning an almost 100-mile radius.

Dye2Spin Lace in New Mexico Skies - Purchased at Wildflower Studio in McKinney, Texas

These noble men and women throw caution to the wind, abandon all pretense of a yarn diet, and amass considerable stashes beyond the limits of what one person could feasibly knit, crochet, or weave in a lifetime.

Two If By Hand MCN High Twist in Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock

Purchased at Knitting Fairy in Grand Prairie, Texas

Those brave brandishers of hook and needle make such sacrifices and go to such great lengths to honor the anniversary of my birth. It really is quite touching.

Left: Lotus Mimi in color 18- Purchased at JenningStreet Yarns in Fort Worth, Texas

Center: The Barbed Dragon Dragon's Wing in Elba - Purchased at Jacob's Reward Farm in Parker, Texas

Right: Dream in Color Wisp in Absolute Magenta - Purchased at Yarn & Stitches in Dallas, Texas

Okay, so maybe it's not really intended to celebrate my birthday, but the timing is pretty convenient, don't ya think?