Metaphor yarn in Shelburne Falls, MA

Meta Nesbitt is the proprietor of Metaphor yarns located on Route 2 West of 91 in Shelburne, MA. (623 Mohawk Trail,; Shelburne, MA 01370; 413-625-9191 or 888-876-9191; mnisbet@metaphoryarns.com) This is a great destination on a yarn crawl at any time of year, but Summer and Fall are the BEST as it is located on the Mohawk Trail and just a skip from the Bridge of Flowers in Shelbmurne Village. Shelburne is surrounded by hill farms with sheep, goats, alpaca and llamas. Spinners, dyers, knitters, felters and crocheters also populate the area, many of renown! Fiber is a large part of the landscape.

Metaphor shares a building with a Quilting store which is a wonderful compliment of supplies and hobbies. These are separate stores but they also share an incredible work space for classes. This is a great combination here.

Now, let's focus on what Meta has put together. This is her third shop in as many years and this one is gorgeous and spacious. Walking in the front door, you could be in a New York Boutique, not a yarn store in Western MA.

The simple, crisp elegance is welcoming and inspiring. The front table introduces the next event to come to Metaphore. On my visit she is looking forward to showcasing glamorous pieces from shops all over the country. She was featuring the Luxury Yarn - One Skein Wonders edited by Judith Durant. On here table she features the Baby bunny crocheted cap designed by Renee Barnes done here in Baby Ull (Dale of Norway).



As one wanders back through the store you will find three more rooms full of yarns and supplies. One has a living room setting and the OTTLITES help customers work without eye strain and note true colors for their fibers. Here you can see my friend Claudia taking advantage of the situation!










In another room O-Wool' Balance and Classic yarns (Organic wool and organically dyed from the Vermont Organic Fiber Company) Graces one wall. This 9 square baby blanket has been a very popular item for knitters to create a sampler as well as a beautiful, organically grown and dyed article in the wool/cotton fiber called BALANCE. A truly thoughtful Baby gift.


Meta is a big fan of the Louet company and well she should be. She carries Mooi, a fabulous high end fiber in gorgeous colors. Here she has begun to knit a patterned scarf with Mooi. Note the halo of bison hair that gives it an amazing glow. The Bamboo and Cashmere blended with the bison give and incredibly delicious fiber combination that feel wonderful in the hand.

Classes and conversations have lead many Metaphor customers to appreciate the Euroflax linen from Louet. This fiber is both machine washable and machine dryable. It gets softer over time and washing. It is one of the original GREEN fibers before GREEN was in. Used for Face clothes, as pictured here, they make great gifts for girl friends as the fiber is a bit of a loofah affect - I like to package mine with a wonderfully creamie soap. Look at the variety of colors you can choose from - and a single skein will make TWO face clothes. Start the Christmas projects early!

Also, check out these crocheted hot pads, plant pads, doilies - whatever. I have personally started crocheting some of these finding that they make excellent doilies to put under plants to protect wooden furniture. And I am finding the crocheting very relaxing!





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Gems merino - in beautiful solid colors is a great choice for the discerning knitter and Meta shows it here used for socks, for which it has been used successfully for years. Even though it has no nylon the tight twist offers it good strength. If, in fact, you require a stronger option you should try the MERLIN from LOUET which is a blend of the gems and the linen - the linen giving it all the strength and more than what the nylon would do







JOJOLAND Melody superwash is available at Metaphore - and the spiral scarf, socks, scarves... whatever is your pleasure can be made out of this wonderful, long color variations, sock weight yarn.

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Finally - another great find at Metaphor is the new HIYA HIYA needles. These Circulars and double points come in bamboo or steel in a wide range of sizes including 9 inch circulars. The price and the product will turn you into a believer. Make sure you take a close look.

The Bridge of Flowers in downtown Shelburne is NOT to be missed. This old Trolley bridge was converted into a garden walkway in 1929. Below I will share a few shot of my visit. Enjoy.