I have just spent 2 weeks in Yokohama in Japan.
I got back last night and slept for 12 hours straight. I think i could sleep for another 12 hours no problem!
Anyway, whilst i was there i managed to get to two great yarn stores. One is called Yuzawaya, and is actually a big department floor. But, at least one thrid of the 5th floor is devoted to yarn!! (the rest of the floor is fabric and other habidashery, crafters heaven!).
The selection was great there was just so much. A lot of it was basic wools and acrylics, but there was some merino, cashmere and lots of cottons too. The thing that struck me most was the colours, particuallry if you like solids rather than variegated, the selction was beautiful!
I then went to a shop called Avril, which like most Japanese stores, was tiny. That didnt stop it haveing pleanty of yarn though! Every available space was covered in yarn, the shelves, he walls the beans, the cieling(!) the tables. just everywhere. IT was glorious. This shop is infamous for its speciality yarns, and had some beautiful cottons, silks wools and things like bamboo, rice, paper, raffia, cotton and maize. It was just fabulous. Colourwise it ran toward more of the pastels and neutral/natural colours although there were some gorgeous blues and greens, and one or two deep purples, colourwise there was nothing overly shocking. Byt the quality of the yarn was to die for! I spent ages just touching everything.
One ineresting point, is that most of the yarn is displayed, stored and sold on cones. You take the cone of yarn you want to the counter tell them how much you want (in grams which takes a little bit of maths) and they wind it onto your own little take home cone! you pay by the gram. It is a great way of buying small amounts of speciality yarn.
Ok there was a lot mroe to my trip than yarn but i thought you guys might like to know that bit!!
Sounds like heaven to me . I hope you had a great time and i am sure we will get to hear all about after the jetlag lol
