Yarn Crawl: The Needle in a Haystack

It’s funny what sometimes lays right beneath one’s nose. This little gem, The Needle in a Haystack, is located right on Main Street in Picton. It is often overlooked it because it’s a little farther up the street beyond the regular beat. It’s a great little shop owned by a very popular knitter, Lisa, and stocks some unexpected goodies.

For one thing, there is a full spectrum of the Canadian workhorse, Briggs & Little. Every good Canadian knitter I know has a soft <and somewhat nostalgically scratchy> spot for the good ol’ B&L, and many were taught to knit with the homey, wooly yarn by their mothers and grandmothers. Briggs & Little still produces the traditionally Canadian yarns that have been milled, carded, spun and dyed in York Mills, New Brunswick for over 150 years. Their sock yarns, Tuffy and Durasport, are legendary for their ability to keep out cold, repel moisture and last for years. I know people who have inherited socks knitted with B&L! Recently, Briggs & Little have responded to the knitting community’s love of softer yarns and have begun to offer Softspun, Softspun Hand Painted and Softspun Lite & Fancy which is a single ply. Needle in a Haystack carries a wide range of colors.

Needle in a Haystack is full of surprises, too. When I stopped in to visit with Lisa on Friday, I was shocked to find an entire wall of Lopi in the work room! Who knew??

I  like to stop in at Needle in a Haystack frequently because Lisa stocks a good selection of that rarest of yarns, the coveted SOCK SOLID(!) as well as Paton’s Kroy (which I love) and interesting sock blends for those who cannot wear wool. She’s also got some really unusual gradients and gradual stripes. A favorite of mine, originally purchased last year, is the really lovely and under-sung SMC Tahiti, the silky cotton fingering weight I’m using in a new shawl pattern.

So, if you’re in Picton this summer, do yourself a favor. Park at the Metro store as close as possible to the cross walk. It will take you safely almost right to Lisa’s door. You won’t find the shop otherwise because it is literally a needle in a haystack. You won’t find her online and you won’t find her in the shop on weekends. Lisa is very committed to her family and is only open during the week. Bring cash or your debit card. She doesn’t take credit cards.

( I love finding shops like this…the little gems, the ‘sleepers’. I feel like I’m in an extra special club…kind of like finding a great dive bar! 😉