What else does a bright and sunny day in Santa Barbara, California require while on vacation to visit some family? A trip to the local yarn shop of course! The local yarn store in Santa Barbara is the cutest little shop called Cardigans Knit Shop. The shop is located on the 3000 block of State street in upper Santa Barbara.
The shop is somewhat small, but there is a very large selection of different fibers and notions from all over.
There was a whole section of the store with knit up items or samples to showcase the various yarns and patterns being sold. And what local yarn store would be complete without a large community table for local knitters, crocheters, and artisans to get together to knit and chat? They happen to be having a meeting at the time of my visit. Although, I didn’t stay to knit and chat, one of the lovely ladies recognized me from a party I had attended with my auntie the evening prior. Funny, huh?
The owner of the shop, Tim Cardy, was just delightful and so nice to chat with. He told me about some of the yarn I was buying and the origin of the yarn and the dyers. It’s those types of encounters and experiences that add to your trip and really make it special.
Yarn Haul:
I purchased a few different items from Cardigans. I like to support local as much as I can and this is just a neat way to get some local fibers as a souvenir while doing that. Here’s my haul from Cardigans:
This skein of yarn is locally sourced and dyed wool from a fiber artist in Santa Barbara where the sheep are raised 100 feet from the ocean side. This is the shops own brand of yarn and it was labeled with the Cardigans brand.
This skein of Araucania Yarn in Huasco Sock in a gorgeous colorway.
One skein of Uneek in Fingering Weight from Urth Yarns. This is the yarn that has a unique (Uneek.. ha) story about how it become a yarn. The family that created this yarn is from Turkey and they make high quality turkish rugs. All of the number 1 fibers are normally discarded because they will not work for the rug construction, so instead of just discarding them, they decided to use the wool to make yarn. What a great way to use up all parts of the wool and not leaving any behind!
One canvas knit bag that says, “Knit it. Knit it good.” which I believe is a play on the lyrics of “Whip it” by Devo! I also just thought it was cute – so can you blame me?
One canvas knit bag from the store’s brand more as a souveniour.
One pattern called Shibui Mix which looks like a beautiful geometric shawl pattern.
One measuring tape keychain with the cardigans brand. Isn’t it so cute?
Cardigans, I love you! I will return the next time I am in Santa Barbara! If any of you find your way to the beautiful Santa Barbara community, you should definitely make a stop at Cardigans!
The pattern you asked about is a drop stitch pattern. I have knit a couple scarves with it. I can bring the pattern next time we get together to knit.
Thank you so much, Ruth! I would love that!