Wall of yarn organized by color invites you to touch and see.

If you visit McCall, Idaho, during the winter, you’re likely to encounter all-white scenery — deep snow, frozen lake, gray/white skies, and lingering ice sculptures from Winter Carnival.  It’s white.  Really white.

Until you open the door to Keep Me In Stitches where floor-to-ceiling colorful yarns get your attention! With multiple textures, knitted samples, and beautifully organized fibers, you’ll think spring has come to Idaho!

Color is at every turn.  A wall of cubbies shows off skeins of yarns organized by color ways, a photographer’s delight: varying textures, neatly stacked balls, and color, color, color.

If you face left and look up, you’ll see  a banister draped with throws and afghans designed with eye-catching patterns and textures.

Colorful creations hang from above at Keep Me In Stitches

Little nooks show off other creations.  Like the wall of knitted socks hung from a line.

Cute: A clothesline of knitted socks

Or shelving in the center of the shop where caps and scarves and fingerless gloves gather neatly, ready for purchase.

Knitted eggplant cap is now in Tennessee ready for a friend’s new baby on the way!

Just as colorful as the yarns of Keep Me In Stitches is its gregarious owner Lynda Vrgora (who asked not to be photographed).  She talked excitedly of her shop and the people who frequent it — like the ladies gathered that day in a side alcove to share patterns, ask questions, and enjoy the laughter that comes when people with like interests get together.

The Gathering Spot

Right before Lynda (who could work for the Chamber of Commerce, by the way) showed us a map of McCall and pointed out not-to-be-missed points of interest, she moved toward a basket display of fuzzy-looking wool that I admired for its soft feel and texture.  What is this? I asked.  And she answered, Wool merino rovings ready for spinning.  And I loved the watercolor look of soft fibers gathered in twists and turns.

So soft — merino wool rovings

A place like this just begs to be touched, and we didn’t let the shop down!  It’s worthwhile to stand back and take it in as a whole and then move up close for a kaleidoscope-kinda look.

Color in cubbies

But before we left, we asked about the baskets of knitted animals sitting cheerfully in the window.  They’re knitted by my mom, Lynda told us.  And I thought immediately of grandchildren who would love to curl up with a monkey, giraffe, or bear from this creative place.

Cute monkey knitted by the owner’s mom

If winter has you down, and you’re anywhere near McCall, stop in at Keep Me in Stitches.  You may not even knit.  Or crochet.

Colorful skeins all lined up

But here’s where you can get your color fix.  And meet one of McCall’s most colorful advocates to boot!

Keep Me In Stitches

136 E. Lake Street

McCall ID 83638

208-634-2906

www.kmismccall.com

For more on our travels through the Inland Northwest, be sure to check out the Page called Inland Northwest at the top of this blog.

And we’d love to hear from you:  Is there a knitting shop you like visiting?