The Dogwood Fiber Trail and a new pair of socks

 For those who aren't already aware, what was formerly referred to as the James River Yarn Crawl has been transformed into the Dogwood Fiber Trail.  There are now more stores across central and eastern VA included in this event than in previous years and Yarn Club is no longer a participant.  Multiple shops wanted Yarn Club kicked out of the Crawl after Andrea bootlegged the JRYC exclusive colorways and offered all of them in a kit to customers cheaper than the real ones (in essence so they could conveniently buy everything at her shop without having to travel elsewhere), sold the exclusive promo stitch markers for $5/each that were supposed to be free, etc.  From a business standpoint, I can only assume that she was trying to boost profits but from a team player POV, it seems idiotic to try to do that shit on the low and not expect the other shops to find out and get ticked off, really.  I don't have the time or energy to visit all of the shops along the trail this year.  After all of the BS that transpired at DWW last year, I really questioned why I should even bother supporting this event at all.

But, my knit buddy, Stephanie, wanted to check out Center of the Yarniverse in Ashland because she had never been there before and I am always stoked to see what FXBG Fibers has to offer to so I went along for the ride.

I instantly fell in love with their DFT exclusive Spring Green colorway!

I also had the most bizarre conversation with Laura's husband because was wearing a Clutch t-shirt.  When I did zines in HS, I chilled with Clutch and the Deftones on their first US tour together and got some amazing pix.  Anyway, it turns out that her hubby plays guitar and is totally into HC and metal and even recently went to Erie, PA and hung out with my old Lake Effect HC bro, EMS!  Small world!

Haha, this is a photo of EMS and I most likely at a Brother's Keeper show in Erie in 1996.

There was also a Keenan Hand Dyed Yarn trunk show happening with some lovely colorways.

Now that the NCAAMB tournament is in full swing, I have been enjoying my favorite spring routine!

I got this hank of  VA-based Skein Cocaine from Athena's stash via Misti's yarn swap 2 swaps ago.

 

I have always wanted to try Gina's yarn but never made it to Cakepalooza during Rhinebeck where she usually vends.  Now that I've had a chance to knit with her Hot Sock (80% SWM/20% nylon) sock yarn, I am hooked!

I haven't even blocked these socks and just look at the stitch definition!

I am so pleased with how these socks turned out. 

Now I have to take a short break from knitting socks for myself to knit a few gifts but hopefully I'll be back to selfish knitting soon.  I can't wait to get home from work and watch the National Championship game later on tonight!