Lake Winnepesauke, NH (post #118)

 

view from our bedroom

When my husband and I were looking for a place to escape to for some much needed r&r, we decided on New Hapshire.  After all it is one of our neighboring states and I had never been there.  We found the perfect place, too, with a great view of Lake Winnepesauke and the most friendly host, Sherri.
I think I have fallen in love with the state.  Such beautiful nature and the people seem relaxed and friendly, "on Lake time".  It does not hurt, too, that this state is tax free!!  The state motto caught my curiosity, too, "Live Free or Die", and I will look into that more.
As always I looked for the closest yarn shops and found not one but two lovely local yarn shops! Make sure to click on all the links I am providing for more information :)

Patternworks in Central Harbor 

A huge shop..

..with its separate yarn area

and such warm welcome!

  
was recommended by our Airbnb host, Sherri.  She is a quilter or rather as she puts it "...in theory I quilt, but in practice I buy fabric for quilting!  It's a terrible habit..."  Well, I liked her honesty about accumulating stash; we all know about that!
This is a huge shop with room after room of yarns.
The two ladies who were working there at the time were extra helpful and I talked in length with Kali about Rhinebeck (Sheep and Wool Festival) and my recent interview with Kristi and also her knitting podcast which I highly recommend you check out :  Winnipesauke Woollens.  She is KSMKnits on ravelry.  The better part of our time however we talked about fishing spots for my husband to try.  Kali just got married last year and knows a lot of good spots through her husband and father in law.
I ended up buying a simple cotton yarn in fingering weight from Holland which will be perfect for a recently queued vest by Petra Breakstone ELLO

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My yarn for the ELLO and another cable for my interchangeable set    ( I seem to never have enough)

 

Lamb's Ear Yarns in Gilford  

is a yarn shop I found through google and a great find at that!  This shop is just off Rte 3 on Lily Pond Road, it looks very quaint  from the outside, once you step inside you are amazed at the variety of yarns Sue offers.  Also, she expertly answers any questions and helps you with any quests (including where to eat) and takes her time with you ;she must run on "Lake time".  Sue is the sole person behind Lamb's ear, she owns and runs the shop and makes all of the store samples.  She does work with Donna Kay who offers classes here. Some of you may know Donna from her classes at the NY State Sheep and Wool festival.  Her next retreat for Lamb's Ear will be November 12-15.  Check out the Lamb's Ear Yarns website for more information. I asked Sue for a cotton blend yarn for Tony's next pair of socks, as there will always be a next pair and ended up with two balls of Summer Sox by Classic Elite Yarns and some Beatrix Potter Collection buttons which I could not resist. These buttons are being discontinued, so better hurry if you want some.

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I was not the only one browsing the store.

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Beautiful yarn, buttons and an extra goodie, a free ruler (can't have enough of those, either).

And if you want something to snack on while knitting, you don't have to look far either...

• Kellerhaus

  
  
  
  

  This shop reminded me of Krause's in Saugerties and more recently in Rhinebeck with its large variety of homemade chocolates and candies, but there is a lot more; pottery, jewellery and other gifts galore.

   

• Picnic Rock Farms  

  
  
  

  

  by the time I took the picture I had already eaten half of the plums

  
  

  This is your friendly farm stand on Rte 3 between Laconia and Merredith.  Great fruit and cakes.  You gotta try their baked goods baked daily and sooo good!

   

  And this is how far I got on the two pairs of socks I was working on

  

  One pair for Tony

  
  

  

  and one pair for me

   

  

  ALWAYS knitting