I met Gabby in the fall of 2024 when she was a vendor at SoCal Fiber Fair. Her delightful crochet patterns and unique and colorful bags caught my eye so I had to follow her on social media. It was there that I found out that she went on an incredible fiber cruise to Alaska and Canada. So I knew I had to ask her to write about her experiences! - Alexis
A Crochet Adventure
My Alaskan Cruise that Unveiled Extraordinary Yarn Treasures
By Gabby A. of Hello Gabby
Quilting at Sea!
I cast off on my cruise with Quilting Adventures, an organization that helps quilters stitch and build community as they adventure.
They thoughtfully pre-select and pre-cut fabric so you can spend your days at sea in the a beautiful conference room at the front of the ship that was lined with windows. The sewing machines are provided so the quilters really just show up and create!
Stop # 1 - Juneau: A Yarn Lover’s Paradise
Our first port of call was Juneau, where I unearthed a true gem: Changing Tides
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This delightful store welcomed me with open arms and shelves brimming with an incredible array of fabrics and hand-dyed yarns. As soon as I stepped inside, it felt like I had wandered into a rainbow-hued wonderland!
Stop # 2 - Skagway: A Touch of Luxury with Qiviut
Next up was Skagway, where I visited Aurora Yarn.
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Now, let me tell you, fellow crafters, this stop was an absolute highlight! They boasted a unique treasure: **Qiviut**.
For those unfamiliar, Qiviut comes from the undercoat of musk ox and is known as the softest, lightest, and warmest natural fiber on the planet.
The warm and inviting atmosphere was only rivaled by the stunning yarns they offered. I couldn’t resist the allure of their beautifully dyed skeins, each one with promises of cozy creations to come. I spent the afternoon browsing through the collection, imagining all the crochet projects these dreamy yarns could inspire!
At $100 per ounce, it’s a splurge that feels utterly worth it. I’ll never forget the luxurious sensation of this fiber gliding through my fingers—it felt like wrapping myself in clouds! My mind raced with ideas for a project worthy of such an exquisite yarn!
"Qiviut (Ki-vee-oot) is an Inuit word describing the finest and warmest layer of fur or down on Arctic animals, including muskox, Arctic Hare and Arctic Fox. Muskox qiviut fibres are long enough to be spun into pure qiviut yarn or blended with other fibres such as superfine merino and silk to complement the rare qualities of muskox qiviut. Qiviut is an ultra-fine hair and not like sheep wool that has microscopic barbs."
-Nunavut Qiviut
Stop # 3 - British Columbia: A Yarn Wonderland Awaits
The cruise then took us to my final adventure, Beehive Wool Shop in British Columbia, Canada, and let me tell you, I was in fiber heaven! This charming shop had the most diverse selection of yarn I encountered during my trip. From a kaleidoscope of hand-dyed wonders to unique fibers I hadn’t seen before, my heart sang with joy.
The shop owners were incredibly friendly and even offered to ship my yarn home since I had limited space in my luggage. I took full advantage of their generous offer, carefully picking out a few special skeins to add to my stash. The prospect of receiving a delightful yarn parcel in the mail was just the cherry on top of this whimsical adventure!
The Journey Continues
Reflecting on my Alaskan yarn expedition, I can’t help but feel overjoyed. Each store brought its own unique vibe and exceptional yarns that I will cherish forever. While I haven’t yet decided what I’ll create with my precious finds, I know they’ll soon be part of something truly special. Perhaps a luxurious shawl, or a colorful blanket stitched from the beautiful hand-dyed yarns I discovered along the way—the possibilities are endless!
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My Alaskan cruise was more than just a vacation; it was an adventure that rekindled my passion for crochet and introduced me to some amazing fibers. I encourage all of you yarn lovers to seek out local shops wherever your adventures lead you—they hold treasures that can’t be found anywhere else. Until my next yarn-filled journey, happy crocheting!
Thank you for coming along with us on Gabby's journey!
Gabby of Hello Gabby is an exceptionally talented crochet designer. Her patterns are creative and size inclusive. They have been featured on the premier episode of Stitches! Even beginners would find it easy to craft beautiful personalized pieces following any of her designs. Follow her on social media to see what and where she stitches next!
