Knitterly Saturday

What a happy-knitter kind of day today.

First, there was meeting Wendy, shown here holding MY sock (it's honored).

I got to Montclair about 10:00--half an hour earlier than I'd planned, and sat on a nice little bench waiting for Risa and the twins. While sitting there, knitting my sock, I saw a limo stop at the wrong end of the one-way street and back down the road until it got to the front of Modern Yarn. It stopped, the driver got out and opened the door, and . . . there was Wendy. Quite an entrance, huh?

Anyway, she went inside the shop, while I waited for Risa--who ended up pulling up in front of me and inviting me for a lift. So I hopped in and rode to the parking garage with her. (Yes, I know, I was excited, too.) Then we went into the shop, and  . . . what a nice time we had. It was still early, so we were the only ones there, and so had a chance to chat about yarn colors, spinning, knitting--all sorts of things. It was so nice to meet Wendy in person--and not just for a "I love your blog; thanks for signing my book" kind of meeting, but a real conversation.

Did I mention the yarn colors? Because, of course, I bought yarn. Two skeins of Diakeito Diamusee Fine in color 112. (This, of course, is meant to be socks.) I had no choice about this yarn--it literally jumped from the shelf into my arms (No, I mean, it really did--I caught it as it fell. Wendy should be able to vouch for this.) A skein of Trekking in color 102 because--nice as the yarn that arrived this week was (and it was color 100, not 105), it's a little too "rainbow" for me. These soft grays are really lovely, though. And then five skeins of Noro Iroho--three in green (color 100), two in teal (color 99), because I loved both, but couldn't decide which I liked better. Wendy liked the green best, and I really loved it, but it's almost identical to the green I made my Flower Basket Shawl last July, so . . . this way there are options.

Then, we went across to Stix-n-Stitches, which was having a sale. I ended up buying 8 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color 23 Plum--a really lovely, deep purple. And then two skeins of Artyarns Unltramerino 4 in color 114. Not only are the purple-golds lovely, but boy, it looked just fabulous with the Silky Wool. They were meant to be together, don't you think?

Afterward, the twins were starting to drag, verging on tired-hungry-cranky, and so we went to a cute little place called Soda Pops, with a fun 50's decor and a very kid-friendly menu. (PB&J sandwiches, chicken fingers, ice cream, BLTs and so on). That helped, although they were still tired by the time we got back to the parking garage.

A good day, though. Chappy got a walk after I got home, and I actually took a nap--rare for me. And, look! More good mail. A trio of Japanese knitting books, two of patterns, and one stitch dictionary of 250 very lovely knit-stitches. I wish I could remember whose blog I saw this on--it's her fault I ordered it, but also to her credit. There are some really great stitches in there--some, I've seen before, but some are new (to me) and lovely.

Actually, that's one of the things Wendy and I were talking about. (And now I'm starting to feel like I'm name-dropping.) We were talking about Fiona Ellis' book,
Inspired Cable Knits, and how I loved some of those designs, while she loves the traditional styles more. I have a slew of traditional-knit books in my library, but I also enjoy seeing new twists on the classics, and this stitch dictionary does that--there are some interesting combinations in there that I don't remember seeing anywhere else . . . now all I have to do is figure out how to read Japanese. (grin)

The only negative to the day? One of the workers at Modern Knits, a college student who I met a couple of years ago at a local S&B meeting, lives in my home town, graduated from my high school, and with whom I've exchanged blog comments (but, come to think of it, has not answered any of them in months) . . . she was there today. She even took a picture of Risa, Wendy, and me--with our socks--when Wendy asked. But when I went over to her to say hello before we left? Barely turned her head toward me, muttered hello, and then turned her back and walked away. I cannot remember the last time I was snubbed so rudely for no reason whatsoever. Risa's jaw hit the floor--which helped reassure me that I was not imagining things. Well--all I can say is that I hope she's more helpful to the other customers. I mean, I had just made a very nice purchase, and while I was on my way out the door, still, she was at work. What kind of behavior is that? If the owners of the store weren't so darn nice (which they really are), that's definitely the kind of behavior that would make me say, "I'm never shopping there again." Is she nicer to the other customers? If I hadn't paid yet, would she have at least tried to be civil? Heaven forbid I should ever go and have her be the only salesperson in the shop. I just couldn't believe it. She deserves to be Lady Catherine. (Edited to add: Apparently she wasn't officially working, just there as a customer who stepped up to help out a few times--which I did, in fact, see her do. Maybe she just doesn't like me, personally?? Because, really, I was flabbergasted, and it's not like there were other customers to be helped right that moment.)
 

On the other hand, I've got to say, the staff at Stix-n-Stitches were just marvelous with Risa's twins today. In the middle of a crowded shop full of sales-shoppers, they found some little puppets for Kat to play with, and let Alex help with putting things in bags. Especially considering how busy they were, and how very close to dangerously-cranky the twins were at that point . . . they were wonderful! Paige at M.Y. was great with them, too, and let them move her chairs all around, and provided crayons and coloring books, but the twins weren't so tired at that point. The wrong move at SnS could have led to tired-tantrums. I'm always so impressed by people who can handle kids just right! But really, I'm just as glad to have an adult dog to come home to....

Comments

[Beth]

I've got one of those Japanese books. Let me know when you have them translated.. LOL The black stole in the middle one is beautiful. And lots of other things too, but that one I keep going back to.

[Monica]

I love the colorways of Artyarn especially the one you picked up, yummy. Sorry, we missed each other maybe next time you will stop in the neighborhood.

[jess]

Hooray! what a fantastic day! It sounds like a lot of fun. :)

[and I love that shade of silky wool! ]

[Carole]

Sounds like a fun day - other than the rude yarn shop person. I'll bet you took a nap because you're still in vacation mode, not a bad place to be. THANK YOU for the postcard! I love it!

[Chris]

Look at the gorgeous loot!! Sounds like an overall great day, exception noted...

[sandy]

Yes, but....(you didn't mention) did you happen to see Wendy??
haha!
:)

[Lorette]

Sounds like a really fun day! All the good purchases should take your mind away from the rude salesperson. And Wendy driving up in a limo? How cool is that? Knitters have finally made the big-time!

[Paige Sato]

Hi everyone, just wanted to chime in here as the owner of Modern Yarn in Montclair. We were so happy to have Wendy with us yesterday morning--and Deb and Risa were her first fans to show up! How excellent was that! And we were also lucky to have Risa's children first thing in the morning, too. They colored so nicely for so long--not only staying within the lines (ok, within the book, which is something my 2 year old doesn't have a grasp on yet)--but also asking politely for the brownies we had out.

I must also comment about my staff person. Christina was not "on the clock" on Saturday--it was her day off--and she was a paying customer. Moreover, when the crowd started to get heavy, Christina, while still not on the clock, was trying to help other customers and cleaning up the shelves. I'm sorry if her behavior was taken badly, but I think both she and I were totally caught unaware of the type of crowds we'd be having that day--not just fans of Wendy's but several customers in for help, etc. This does not excuse how both Deb and Risa took Christina's reply, but remember folks, there's always something called "context," which needs to be part of the story.

[--Deb]

I'm glad Paige spoke up for Tina--it's what an employer SHOULD do. And yes, I saw her helping some customers while Paige was busy, and I'm sure she's a perfectly good employee. But she still very distinctly snubbed ME. Maybe it was a personal thing? Maybe 20-year olds have different standards of "politeness?" (Saying which makes me feel about 100 years old.) It bugged me, but doesn't change the fact that we had a great time at the store. The twins were highly amused with store-provided crayons (and easily-movable furniture like chairs)--and weren't yet at the "dangerously tired" stage. Paige was great. The store was great. Maybe Tina just doesn't like me for some reason, though I can't imagine why!

[minnie]

one of my favorite LYS's is wonderful. one day, i walked in with my sons, and sean was having a really bad afternoon. the owner was away, so these 3 ladies were "babysitting" the store. sean, being adhd, was in full pinball imitation mode, and after 5 minutes, i was about to leave without having made a purchase because i was so busy trying to keep sean calm, when one of the ladies asked sean if he wanted to learn to knit (he was 9 1/2 at the time). he said yes, she sat him down, cast on about 10 stitches for him, then showed him waht to do. he knit about 10 rows, and i had peace & quiet to shop. what wonderful ladies. and yes, i told the owner the next time i remembered (it was a few months later, lol). i will & have most definitely gone there again.

[Annie]

Sounds like a fun time, Deb- except for the rude employee. And regardless of what the owner claims, rude is rude, whether she's "on the clock" or not. I can't imagine that happening at my favorite LYS. Totally unacceptable behavior, and the owner should be apologizing to you, Deb- not making excuses. What has happened to customer service?!?