The DH and I have returned safe and sound from our trip to California. There was lots of driving, visiting, and shopping. Did you say shopping? Why yes! Photos will be next but for now here's a short low down on the shops:
Three Dog Knit - Tahoe City
Small but nice selection of yarn. The staff was very nice and helpful. Price, well, it's a resort town so prices are high IMO.
Ball & Skein, and more - Cambria
Very sweet and helpful staff! A great selection of yarn, small but easy to find. Again prices were not the best. I did see Rachel's beautiful creations! In fact, I picked up some of the molash b/c of one of your gorgeous shawls.
Wildfiber - Santa Monica
http://www.wildfiber.com/
By far, the best yarn store I visited. Awesome selection of great yarns!! Prices were ok, but best of all is there sale room. Everything in this back room was 50% off. They had Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Colinette, Debbie Bliss and others at great prices in the back room. Again the staff was very nice. I just loved this place. Great vibe.
Yarns Unlimited - Santa Monica
Cheaper prices for a very diverse inventory. They had all the cheapo brands as well as some more expensive items. The place is cramped and feels very messy. I would go back for bargain hunting.
Travel Knitting
My travel knitting was quite ambitious but that's ok. I took w/ me the poncho, Klaralund swatch and socks. The poncho was the only thing I knitted. I tried the socks but being a first timer I just couldn't get the circular needle thing. I think I'll buy the Magic Loop book and go from there. The good thing is that I got a lot done on the poncho. Up next: photos.
I learned the two circular method from Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. A few years later (this March), I taught myself the magic loop method from this site. http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/mloop.html I think it's pretty straightforward. It's so fast and the only method I've used since then.