If you’re looking for the Fall Into a QAL, you’ll find my post here. Of course, you’re welcome to stay and read about my adventures on the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop as Tu-Na Helper and I travel the entire state visiting 59 shops or at least we hope to visit them all.
Our first stop for the day would be Country Loft Quilt & Design in Forest Lake. The quilt made from all the shops patterns was displayed here.
Tu-Na Helper and I submitted our entries to win the 59 kits which contain the fabric to make each of the blocks.
Each of the shops gives a free pattern for their block when our passport is stamped.
Before we arrived at our second shop of the day, we made a quick detour to Trader Joes. Luckily, the twin cities area has several stores and our route would go right by one. There are no Trader Joes stores in North Dakota so when we are close to one, we stop and stock up on at least two of our favorite items. As we drove into the parking lot and parked, the conversation between Tu-Na Helper and myself went like this:
Tu-Na Helper: “Let’s divide and conquer. I’ll get the coffee”
Me: “and I’ll pick up the granola and then we’ll meet at the check-out.”
Things didn’t exactly go that way. We surprisingly met at the sample aisle instead.
A bag of coffee and a bag of granola should last us a couple of months until we get back.
We tucked our bags into the car and then headed for Quilter’s Haven in Rosemount. Little Josephine had brought her mommy, Nicole, to the quilt shop to find some fabric and they both found me, too.
It was great to meet this sweet, potential quilter and so fun to talk with her mom, Nicole.
Our daughter, Emily, had texted me her list of fabrics that she wanted me to find. I found one of them at the next shop, Twin Cities Quilting in Roseville and also at the next shop after that. Some of the fabrics were starting to disappear so I was not feeling so comfortable that I’d find all I needed. I set the bolt on the counter and asked for 1 1/2 yards. The happy, young gal stamped our passports first and returned them to us in song. Then I knew I’d found…
Today’s Top Shop on the Hop
Megan, the owner of Knit & Bolt in Minneapolis, bought the shop a little over a year ago in April, 2017.
Knit & Bolt is located at 2833 Johnson Street in Northeast Minneapolis.
Megan decided to rename the shop (it had previously been called Crafty Planet) to more accurately reflect what the store is about and to reduce the number of phone calls from people asking if she carries paint and other craft supplies.
You will find these new fabric display boards right inside the door by the cash register.
Megan sews but mostly identifies herself as a knitter. “I started sewing when I was a wee one, stealing my mom’s embroidery floss and other supplies to turn into creations,” Megan told me.
At Knit & Bolt you will find a bit of everything bright and modern with a touch of retro. Megan has a nice supply of natural fiber yarns. She was involved in the yarn shop hop in April.
You can read more about this shop here as well as find their list of sewing and knitting classes.
Stop on by and meet Megan.
Megan even offers a selection of ric rac by the yard.
If you’re needing to find something new and fun or just want to talk with that happy shop owner, stop in at Knit & Bolt. Oh, and tell her that Tu-Na sent you.
After saying our goodbyes, we grabbed our purchases and off we went as more shops needed to be explored. We stopped by 5 more shops before we called it a day.
Tu-Na Helper’s Top Sights of the Day
Tu-Na Helper found this snack table at Country Loft Quilt & Designs. Thank you for the treats and water!
This quilted-looking barn quilt was on the side of Quarry Quilts & Yarns in Sandstone.
What I Learned Today:
- One is never too young (or old) to learn to sew or develop a love for the needle arts.
- The way to a man’s heart is definitely through his stomach.
- Like mother, like daughter. I taught my daughter, Emily, to sew and now she sews quilts, too. Josephine, who I met today, has a great chance of growing up to be a quilter, too, since her mom is bringing her into fabric shops already.
Question: Do you knit? I tried it once but I never really got good at it. Maybe it was just too repetitious or maybe it was that the stitches were inconsistent from too much and too little tension on the yarn. My scarf looked like an ocean wave.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
At this time I am not affiliated with nor receive compensation for any products, services, companies, or shops that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats. I just happen to really like them.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
I did knit, for many years, in the days when little girls all had hand knitted jumpers, cardigans, hats and more. Now, I sew and quilt, and have the scarf on hand in case of a hospital visit or stay. The hope is going well, Tuna Helper has a good eye for more great photo ops.
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I knit but haven’t done much of it since I discovered EPP quilting! I can now quilt and watch the Telly. Lol. I love your shop hop every year!
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I am in love with the way the blocks are set in the quilt with all the blocks from the shop hop! If any of the other shops have all blocks done I would love to see a photo of how they set the blocks. Thanks for taking us along on this journey again.
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I think I have given up on learning to knit but seeing as I know basic crochet have decided to try Tunisian Crochet instead which is supposed to quite often have the look of knitting – we will see about that – I must slow down with the quilting or one day soon my house will look like a quilt museum – I don’t say a store because I do not have room and rooms of fabric
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I tried knitting when I was 3 (seriously) and gave up fairly quickly. I did crochet for years, and I’ve picked up a tiny bit of knitting now. There’s a yarn shop in our town, so I’m considering some classes. However, I don’t think I have room for a yarn stash! Next year, Karen, I will meet you. I am determined. 🙂
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Love the “new fabric display boards” at Knit n Bolt. That’s a fun idea. I knit, but quilting definitely takes top priority. It seems like it’s difficult to spend equal time on two or more textile crafts.
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Karen! I love your adventures! Thanks for the great posts and I am happy Tu-Na Helper is having fun too! I taught myself to crochet from YouTube videos (I figured crochet would be easier since there was just one nedle!) somthat I had something to do on our long 6 hr drives to our hunting camp. It is addictive, but now I love EPP and even Sashiko!!! These are a bit harder to do in a car, but I can manage! Can’t wait to see your day #3 post!!! xox
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I’d love the rick rack in every color and size…I’m a sucker for rick riack! Happy shop hoppin’!
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Another great post and love Tu-an helpers adventures with you! I love the moms and daughters, the purchasing fabric to help your daughter collect and knitting. I can and live to knit but never finish sweaters now. Scarves and comfort blankets are my thing!
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I’ve been to all the shops you featured today, and I agree that Knit and Bolt is wonderful. I like what the new owner has done with the space. It’s so much brighter and easier to navigate. I hope you have luck getting the fabrics you are looking for.
I learned to knit in 5th grade. My teacher taught all her classes to do the garter stitch to make squares to be assembled into afghans for the hospital. I put it aside until college, but then started up again. I always liked the look of knitting over crochet, but crochet is easier. You don’t have to worry about dropping stitches.
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I have tried knitting several times, and my brain and knitting do not do well together! I crochet, but not in a long time because of carpel tunnel issues when I do. The second day looks marvelous! I could have enjoyed more pictures – the shops you left out, maybe. LOL Someday, I’d love to do this hop! Knoxville has a Trader Joe’s. Come on down!
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Did not know there was a shop hop going on till we stopped in Minn at a Quilt store. Sorry we could not participate, but driving across the U.S. and stopping at Quilt stores also.. In N.Y. now and going South next week.. Such fun seeing where you have been and what is new there. but my blog has not caught up with me.. Such fun and wonderful ladies.
vivianhelena-artist.blogspot.com enjoying your blog,, vivian
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When I was a young girl, my grandmother taught me to sew and crochet. A neighbor taught me to knit. I never did really enjoy knitting like I do sewing, quilting, and crocheting!! So I can feel your “pain” with knitting! LOL
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I have tried knitting several times. It’s a no go – just not my thing I guess.
But I have taken up sewing again. I bought a machine and signed up for lessons because I found I could not even remember how to wind a bobbin (yes, it has been that long since I have sewn). The really really fantastic news is that I have my Mom’s sewing machine cabinet. As I sit at it and sew (and open the drawers), I think of her. I used to use this sewing cabinet too – when I was sewing my clothes in high school. I told you it had been years since I had sewn.
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I love your adventures! It’s always interesting to see what others stock up on at Trader Joe’s. We went today (there are some in our area but not really close to us) and inspired by your post, I did get some granola. I have to know–did you buy rick rack?? I loved all the ric rack in your Wish you a merry QAL quilt!
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