Foraging For Fiber - WildKnits Salem

 There is something beautiful about getting to work alongside family. 

Personally I had the privilege to work alongside my Ama, tia/os and primo/as as a housekeeper. I look back at that time fondly. It was a time when I could work every weekend and still have the energy to do stuff. And even if I had to clean vomit off of the porcelain thrones on occasions, I wouldn't be who I am had it not been for those darn hotel guests. 

The folks at WildKnits understand this vibe, this mother daughter duo are out there doing the Yarn lords work. They are providing the escape that we swear we don't need...but then again we kind of do. With a location that is smack dab in the middle of Salem, OR this modern store front is contains some of the friendliest folks I have come across. 

When I walked in the lady on the sales floor was helping a customer with a pattern. When their conversation arrived to a natural pause the sales lady excused herself for a brief moment to greet us. She explained the layout and once she felt that I had my questions answered she went back at it with the pattern. This woman, come to find out, was the owner. 

Her action at this moment changed my experience completely. As a Latinx female I often feel left out of the yarn conversation because I just don't fit the old school knitter mold. I used to avoid yarn shops because I didn't feel welcome and I felt damn right uncomfortable. But this time, this woman who I have never met before made me feel right at home. So thank you, I will gladly return to escape my reality. -_-

Now let's talk about the products! 

I ended up getting some stickers that caught my eye, there was no company listed but they have all sorts of fiber animals. I ended up getting the rabbit, because my bunnies would be mad if I didn't and a yak because I thought, 'Yak-gotta be kidding me this is so cute!' 

Before I walked in I said to myself, 'you will not buy yarn.' But like the owner suggested, we all suffer from this condition so I went on a squishing spree. I got my hands on some Mad-Tosh because the glazed pecan was too perfect to resist! Seriously, if you haven't seen this colorway you have got to see it! I also ventured over to the Boss Kitty section. In a non-creepy way I have kept my eye on this dyer and I finally decided to go for it because they have some fall colors and I fuck with fall colors. If you haven't check them out please do. 

 To get a complete idea of what WildKnits carry please visit their website: https://wildknitssalem.com/collections/all

Now, on to the non-yarn stuff!

As I was checking out I also saw these cute little felt sheep. Having been disappointed in the past I was too afraid to ask if they were for sale, but I did it anyway. And SURPRISE, they were!!! For 8 bucks I was able to add this round boii to my flock. Side bar, these felted sheep are also part of a series of classes where you can sign up to make felted sheep and felted jelly fish. 

And finally let's talk about the biggest find, a JamPDX "I dissent" mug. They were fresh out of the box, no price tags on them just yet and this gal got one! 

So there you have it folks, if you want to find a sweet shop to visit where you can find goodies that have been cart jacked from you multiple times, head over to WildKnits. I promise you won't regret it.