A Gem in the Ghetto

Greetings from Vancouver!

Yesterday, I was in Gastown and ended up in the ghetto DTES (downtown eastside). It's not a very nice area and although the area is supposedly getting revitalized, it's still sketchy in most parts. Luckily, I was only roaming near the border of this not very nice area, and in the corner of my eye, I saw a fabric store called Dress Sew. The store window featured dressforms and lots of fabric.

Curious, I stepped into the store (which is HUGE), and right into the yarn section. Every skein of yarn was $1.99. I thought I would only find Bernat, Patons, Red Heart and other unknown fibres, but I hit the jackpot!!

I found Regia sock yarn for $1.99 per skein (Kaffe Fassett too!), random Rowan for $1.99 per skein (I.LOVE.ROWAN), Nashua for $1.99 per skein and some other European yarn... all at $1.99!!

I didn't need any more yarn but I would regret it if I didn't buy any. I really couldn't help myself and bought 19 skeins of yarn. 14 skeins of sock yarn (below) and 5 skeins of Rowan Chunky Print. The hoarder in me came out.

I almost didn't want to share this with other knitters...but it's too good. The shop is on 337 Hastings St W.

And for quilters... they stock Michael Miller fabrics. Not a wide selection and not necessarily cheap ($12.99 per metre? yard?) but I usually buy my fabrics online and it was nice to see and touch the prints.