Once Upon a Sock goes analogue.

Yes, today is sock day.  I've had this post brewing for a while; I'm going to post it separately to the regular sock post, as I think it deserves an entry of its own. 

Last month, I was lucky enough to meet up with Kat, Paula and Meg - all from once upon a sock.  I'd had a couple of days previously feeling bad, so nearly flaked out on this, but I'm so pleased that I didn't.

Saturdays in my part of London are usually troubled with rail replacement services, and this Saturday was no different.  Combined with me over sleeping, I ended up running slightly late.  We were all meeting at Loop in Islington; Meg reassured me that they were going to be there for some time because "the yarn isn't going to squish itself"

I on the plus side, the bus turned up quite quickly, and I didn't have to wait too long for a train.  On the downside, the girl in front of me was sick all over the floor of the bus and I had to move so that I wasn't paddling in it.

I've heard lots about Loop, but I've never been there before.  I've lost count of the number of times I've walked down the street, but I've never, ever gone down Camden passage.  It's a beautiful little road, and in some ways doesn't even feel like London.  I have no idea why I didn't take a photo of the front, but hey ho - it gives me an excuse to go back at some point. 

The yarn that won't squish itself - upstairs

The yarn that won't squish itself - downstairs

The yarn that won't squish itself - in the window 

We met upstairs, chatted and then went to lunch at Wagamama.  We explained to Paula the concept of a 'cheeky Nando's' and then went to find Nando's on Upper Street, so that she could take a picture.  I found out that Meg is also a leader with Guiding, we discussed the differences in attitudes to tipping and we may have tried to persuade Paula to watch the Eurovision Song Contest. 

I don't normally Instagram my lunch - but this was delicious! 

After lunch, we went back to Loop for purchases.  I managed to be fairly restrained.  I started off with 'I'm not buying anything' and compromised with 'I'm not buying everything'.  

More yarn that just won't squish itself! 

In the end, I bought a skein of Tosh Merino Light  in the colourway Rainbow.  It's 100% merino wool, so won't be used for socks.  Initially, I thought it was red and green sock yarn, but once Kat had got it out of its cubby, it turned out to be far better!  In light of the recent discussions about diversity and inclusion in the knitting community, I know concerns have been raised about Madelinetosh.  In the beauty of the yarn, I will admit that these didn't cross my mind.  I'll try to remember next time. 

I also got a copy of the Mini Yarn Guide London mostly for the Skeindeer mittens.  The bag was complementary. 

As the till was busy, I took my yarn upstairs and nearly lost it!  I'd put it on a stool whilst we waited for the till to become free - and another lady picked it up without realising.  I felt a little bad, as that was the last skein in the shop, but not bad enough to let her take it home with her! 

Once we left Loop for the second time, we went for a coffee.  Whilst we were there, Paula's husband texted her to say he was having a beer.  We explained that, actually, he was having a cheeky pint! 

Meg and I went to London Bridge train station together, and ended up on platforms next to each other.  I started browsing through my book ..... 

... and when I looked up ...

... she'd gone!