My husband and I spent the last two weeks in France. I brought a knitting project and a spinning project along to keep me entertained, but it was the spinning that got the most attention. I brought a sturdy little Akerworks spindle in the smallest size they offer. It was easy to tuck into my purse or backpack for a day of sight seeing. Easy to take apart and put together again.
We took a moment on one of our days in Paris to get together with Cathy, a new friend and fellow knitting blogger from Paris. She guided us to a local yarn store, where I spent a happy few minutes browsing. They display their yarn very differently than I am used to. All of the yarn is displayed as samples hanging from the walls. Once you have identified what you want, the shop assistant will wind off the amount you want (by weight) from large cones kept in the back of the shop.
While touring chateaux and palaces I took time to appreciate the tapestries and other fibery wonders on display.
Tapestries and needlework at Versailles:
Musee D’Orsay – paintings of women spinning or doing needlework, as well as a work of art in fiber.
A very, very old spindle and whorls at the Musee de Prehistoire in Carnac.
Astounding samples of tapestry from various chateaux in the Loire Valley.
An amazing, fiberrific trip.
All She Wants To Do Is Knit 
Gorgeous! Also, I’m jealous that you can spindle. My spindles and I are not friends. I prefer Viktor (my wheel)….but he’s quite the PITA to travel with. ::sigh::
Up until now, I’ve preferred my wheels too. But after this trip,my little spindle and I are becoming very close.
What a wonderful trip. Lots of spinning done. Each time to knit with that spun yarn, it will bring back the most pleasant memories. 🙂
Thanks for all the beautiful pictures of the trip, I loved seeing them through your eyes.
So did you get any yarn? Some lovely sights, at any rate!
I did get some yarn, but just a little bit as luggage space was limited.
So happy you saw the old spindle in Carnac Museum ! It was fun meeting with you, thanks for trying to teach me spinning ! It makes me realize I still haven’t posted the pictures of the Paris visits on my blog, but I did knit a goth lace scarf thinking about our talk !
It was wonderful to meet you too. I hope you find a knitting group that works for you soon.
What makes your scarf “goth.” Is it simply black? Or is there something else “gothy” about it?
It’s dark plum, and has a nice but simple lace pattern, basic feather and fan, but it does the job.
[…] eu l’occasion de rencontrer une sympathique blogueuse américaine, et j’en ai profité pour lui montrer quelques merceries parisiennes. J’avais prévu […]
Very cool! Looks like you definitely caught the highlights. Very interesting about the yarn shop too. I’d love to find a shop like that here.
I am so jealous. What a great trip…and so much good kniting/spinning. So many memories in each yarn and stitch.
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Thank you for sharing your trip and spinning. Lovely!
Great pics… they really put a nice spin on your trip! 🙂 ♥ ❤