This weekend I drove up to San Francisco for a wedding for one of my oldest friends.  Coming from LA we finally arrived after a nice long six hour drive.  We went to the Mission District and had dinner at Malai Thai and then  (yum, yum) and then head to Dalva (a whisky bar a block away) where they make a pretty good Whisky Mule.

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On Saturday we had a little time to kill so we went walking around in the Castro District where I grabbed a coffee and went over to <a href="http://www.imagiknit.com/">ImagiKnit</a>.  It really is a lovely store with a great selection of yarns.  I didn't have much time when I was there but I did manage to do a good amount of damage.  Watch out, here comes the yarn porn.

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These are the four hanks of <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns.html">Madelinetosh</a> Tosh Bulky.  This is a test yarn only available at <a href="http://www.imagiknit.com/">ImagiKnit</a>... for now.  I got two hanks in Winter Wheat and Two in Teddy Bear.  I think they might become some sort of scarfy necky thingy in the near future.

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This yarn immediately caught my attention because I've never seen anything like it before.  The name of the yarn is called Twirl (colors or natural colors).  I got one skein of a gorgeous color "twirling grass green" (love it!)  and the other "wild mint" - dyed with natural wild mint growing in the pastures.  How special!  The yarns are both 100% CVM wool blend.  It's not the softest but it definitely has a place in my stash.  I think it will become a market bag... we'll see.

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Then of course I showed absolutely no restraint and bought a hank of <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/tosh-sock.html">Madelinetosh Tosh Sock</a> in Dried Rose.  This has no plan.... but I'm almost sure it will be knit up very soon.

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And my very last proof of "yes, I have a problem" I bought a hank of a yarn from a local dyer called Elsewhere Fibers - the yarn is hand-dyed with natural fibers using lac, fusticwood and sandalwood. The worsted weight wool that I bought is called Mission St. Merino.

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As we were about to leave I caught a glimpse of a stack of magazines by the door on a table.  And there it was, my cover.  The newest issue from <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Magazines/Interweave-Knits-Holiday-Gifts-2011.html">Interweave Press Knits Holiday Gifts</a> is out and my Peace Tree Hat made it on the cover.  I used a wonderful <a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/Yarn/Detail.php?Yarn=Merino%20Alpaca&amp;Color=Ivory">merino/alpaca</a> blend from <a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/Yarn/Detail.php?Yarn=Merino%20Alpaca&amp;Color=Ivory">ShiBui Knits</a>.

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Then we headed over to Height Street for lunch and ate at <a href="http://www.thegrindcafe.com/">The Grind Cafe</a>.  I'm no food critic (but I do like to eat) and I must say, they make a pretty good chicken Cesar Salad.  Rory got the pulled pork sandwich, I snuck in a bite and that was pretty good too.  AND THE FRIES! YUUUUM!!!!

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After lunch we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding.  We had a lot to drink and a great time.  Then slept it off and drove another six hours to get home.  Whew!  What a ja

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