Thursday, April 05, 2007

A Yarn

As I've already mentioned, I thought I would try my hand at doing some knitting over the weekend, so I was keen to get my hands on some new yarn. Something a little less acrylic than the purple yarn if been playing with recently. Even though I kind of dig the purple colour, I'd be more inclined to wear something a bit more subtle, like a much darker purple maybe. (It may not translate well in the photo I posted the other day, but the colour is kind of over-the-top vibrant.)

I didn't know of any specialist shops near where I work in Parramatta, and I was rushing frantically to get to Borders for a book and then buy some yarn before the shops shut last night. This meant only one thing, stealing myself, gritting my teeth and going into Lincraft. I used to love Lincraft, back when it was owned by the original owners and had a fabulous range and pretty good service for a mega-chain. Then they sold, the good fabrics were ripped out and the cheap tat brought in, the staff levels cut, and it all went to Hell in a hand-basket. I didn't renew my loyalty card. It was sold again and the new(ish) owners have clawed back some of the lost ground, but not by much.

The yarn range was crap. Weird novelty yarns and acrylic mixes for days. I had spoilt myself by looking at lots of fantastic yarns and projects on The Internetz, so I was kind of crestfallen. Anyhoo. I dug around and found a couple of balls of a nice darkish olive green pure wool that I would actually consider wearing, and made my way to the register. A queue, with one staff member serving. Welcome to Lincraft!

I paid with a $50 (all I had on me sadly because I'm mega rich and would never consider to carry anything smaller) and got handed back a huge fistfull of $5 notes, without any acknowledgement that this might be an inconvenience for me, or even without being told how much I was being given back. I worked in retail for many years and would always count back the change to customers. I understand it was the end of the day and that Lincraft might be a soul sucking place to work, but lady come on for goodness sakes. It's not that hard.

So I counted them all out in front of her. Oh yeah, you can believe that I showed her. In your face bad service lady!

Anyhoo, diatribe over. My friend Judy (sock knitting demon) then made me an offer too good to refuse, swinging by a specialist store near home tonight with her in tow to provide technical support. Then afterwards maybe even the chance of checking out her stash... So inferior Lincraft yarn, you may yet end up somewhere at the back of the cupboard after all.

9 comments:

moody judy said...

I like being called your friend!

The Other Andrew said...

I love your nom-de-plume! Moody Judy, ha ha! :)

M-H said...

You are entering the dark side, Mister. ::insert cackle:: Welcome!

The Other Andrew said...

Oh, don't I know it.

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

oooh, I didn't know Lincraft had been sold again. I haven't been back since the first time I went to the Castle Hill store after the first sell-off. it was full of fake flowers and foul cheap shite. and as you say, no more lovely quality material.

it was worse than Spotlight, but you expect crap at Spotlight, and that's fine. they're honest about the poo they sell. you always expected something better at Lincraft.

Fran Carleton said...

I saw the purple sample and think you're ready for some 100% alpaca.

You want grey, dark brown or mid brown? Sorry I don't have anything brighter, but I'm having trouble getting them to grow funky colours. ;-)

Call me!

The Other Andrew said...

Speedy, it's not much improved - just a bit. The 'other shite' aspect is what is marginally improved, but the fabrics still aren't what they once were.

Jodie, you could be on there but I think I'll wait a little while until I can do it justice. What sort of $$$s are we talking?

Fran Carleton said...

I have discussed it with Wispa and she says you can have some for free because you are who you are ;-)

Unknown said...

one of us! one of us!