On the leg of our journey from Harrisonburg, VA to Martinsburg, WV, things really started to heat up. In Harrisonburg, I visited Ragtime Fabrics and had to choose between whether to get some clear clogs to show off my handknit socks or some handpainted superwash wool. The yarn was 30% off, so it won. Isn’t it pretty?

I love the blue “dot” highlights the dyer got into the yarn. I am going to try to duplicate this method at some point. It was done by The Blue Ridge Silk Works. Oh, and by the way, for all of my Twisted Friends, if you click on Knitting and Spinning Retreat on the Silk Works site and scroll down to the bottom to the group picture, you will see one of our own number among the group. Don’t we all just get around?

After leaving Ragtime Fabrics, we went to an antique store in Harrisonburg, where I found a charming set of mini-handcards (sample cards) made in England. I forgot to take a picture of them, and don’t have access to my camera at this moment, but take my word, they are cute and in perfectly functioning order.

Then, we went to Strasburg, VA, home of The Heirloom Emporium where I outfitted myself with suitable clothing for doing spinning demonstrations.

Yes, I finally obtained my own dress and apron. Bill suggested the hat likewise. I usually shy away from hats, since they make me look more gorky than usual, but this one did okay. We had a ball looking at all the costumes. I also bought a small book of knitting patterns from the Godey’s Ladies’ Book. Of course, this is a simple working outfit. I really fell in love with the afternoon dresses (considerably more expensive, but really awesomely lovely), and later, the ball gowns on display in Gettysburg, PA. But, now I digress – I would never have a need for one, but they certainly are beautiful.

My last fiber stop for the day was Frog Eye Fiber Emporium in Winchester, VA. She was a little hard to find, but once there, I had a rewarding visit. Sue has a charming little shop. I just knew I was going to love it when she had an antique spinning wheel on her porch adorned with twinkling white lights. There, I bought some of the new Lantern Moon Destiny Circular Rosewood Needles, sizes 5 and 7 and 1 lb. of her beautiful fiber, from her own Romney/Corriedale cross sheep. It was blended with mohair and spins up like a dream:

I almost have 2 bobbins filled and cannot wait to see how it looks plied.

Then, Sue graciously suggested, when she found out that we were on our way to Gettysburg, that we travel to East Berlin, PA and visit The Mannings. OH MY GOODNESS!! But we will get to that later as my trip journal progresses. (Yup, I know, I’m a tease.)

Winchester has the largest cold storage for apples in the world. I know, because we passed by it. They also have numerous decorated apples spread all around town. Cool, but I will have to add a picture of one later, as it is on my home computer, and I can’t access it just now.

And, the best part, there is still more to come…