I live in British Columbia, which is a beautiful place to live, but I’ve always wanted to explore more of Canada. Prince Edward Island is a completely different environment from urban Canadian centres; it’s small and rural, a flat island that you can drive around in a day. It’s known for lighthouses and lobster.
My family and I packed a carry on bag each for our two week trip, and it was then when I learned the importance of not overpacking. I like to be prepared for things. I usually bring at least a small bag or backpack with me everywhere I go; you never know when you’ll need a book, or sunscreen, or a water bottle. So naturally I brought most of my summer clothes, enough toiletries to last a few weeks more than we were staying, and three books. By the end of our trip I had collected so much yarn that I had to divide it between mine and my mother’s suitcase, with some extra stuffed into the crevices of my backpack. I needed to sit on my bag to zip it up, but it all fit. Eventually.

The first stop we made was MacAuslands Woolen Mill.
I bought three skeins of 3-ply wool, the thick kind that has flecks of hay buried in its twists. Cream, navy, and light blue yarns that I thought could add to a sweater or be made into thick socks.
It was here that I told my parents to stop me buying anything more. I simply didn’t have room in my suitcase.
Two days into our travels we went for a tour at Green Gable Alpacas. Alpacas themselves are not super keen on being close to humans, but their wool is amazing. Warm and soft, I bought two more skeins, a merlot colour and a mustard colour. The owner of the farm, Janet, even gave us a spinning demonstration.
I also got a pair of hand-knitted mittens at a gift store (unfortunately I’m not sure who made them, but they are lovely.) I believe the mittens are knitted in the same light blue and cream yarn I got at the woolen mill, which I only noticed after we returned home and I unloaded.

The next place we visited was close to the end of our trip. A little store called Knit Pickers, where I got a light green wool yarn. We stopped into a couple other places as well but I’ve forgotten which ones. I know one of them had a little cat running around, making me homesick for my three cats. The PEI Fibre Trail, a map of yarn stores around the island, guided our stops.
Find the PEI Fibre Trail website here
I now have much too large of a stash, and have to figure out the proper use for all these beautiful yarns. Next time I’ll bring a bigger suitcase, as apparently I have no self-control.