SistahCraft

Charmed! In San Francisco

 Golden Moments

 

(Mr. K's pic of the Golden Gate Bridge, on his last visit; all pics enlarge).

Hey there everybody!

Checking the date of my last post, I was a bit shocked––where did the time go? I Thank the ancestors for photo aps, while sorting through the blur of events pics that your life becomes when you're on the move.

Right now my butt's stationary, having had to cancel my standing date to spin in the park with the spinderella of Harlem herself, my sistahfriend Chanté, due to the iffy-looking weather. But disappointment has led to a welcome opportunity to catch up, and share with y'all a few things I felt could make a needleworker's life more joyful.

San Francisco, Coming And Going

On a stopover, you don't have time to take in all the sights, so Mr. K and I had to concentrate on what was important––knitting, eating, drinking, and shopping. A delicious lunch at Kuleto's, which included some spicy, sensual bloody marys, fortified us for walking around (and occasionally up and downhill) the downtown section of the city. We ended our day at Heaven's Dog in SOMA. I let the bartender chose to make a cocktail for me, and it was transcendental, as was the food––light and lovely on the palate.

(The area shown, is fab in summer evenings for knitting friends to sit and get some rows in while having a cocktail and their divine dumplings. 

Reveal Your Charms

(And the flyer whorl on the spinning wheel turns!).

Whether you knit or crochet, stitch markers not only fulfill their intended purpose, but like shoes and cars, speak hanks about your personality. Sarit Simäyof's World of Charms on Powell Street, abetted my lust to re-purpose a more than a few of their trinkets. With over 9,000 charms that represent the who, what and where (the Michael Jackson charms are in, ba-by), everyone's needlework can give a clue. I also want to send a shout to their gracious and patient sales associates––you're the best! Prices range from under $20 to over $1000.

(She's as sweet as the candy she's holding. Thanks to thedailygrommet.com, for this photo).

Claudia Schwartz  is the seraphic owner of Bell'occhio, an absolutely recherché treasure chest, that's worth a trip to on its own. Mr. K  bought the vert vapeur shoe box, which was perfect to hold the wine goblets he hand blew for his father's 80th birthday. Now, go to her website post haste!

The Littlest San Franciscan

But not yet. Before you go, here is a pic of the city's most charming new resident, who arrived into the world in March.

Finn Liang, is the nephew of Ursula Liang, my co-worker. His arrival was inspiring for me, in that I could knit something that wasn't  a "baby color", and was meaningful.

In Chinese culture, red and gold symbolize prosperity and good fortune, and I believe that babies born into today's world should have as much as possible! The number 8 additionally symbolizes good luck, and this pattern called for 8 buttons. See, the ancestors know, 'cause that detail wasn't conscious in my choice––they will guide you every time.

Finished in spring, the large (18 month) size, will fit just when it's cold enough to need it. The pattern from Lion Brand Yarns, took about 4 skeins of Universal Yarns "Eden Silk", a merino/silk combo, for the body, and one skein of a  gold wool/silk from my stash. The needle size was a 4 (3.5mm).

Aren't these frog buttons the best?

Ursula and I went to Tender Buttons at 143 E 62nd St (212- 758-7004), where she chose them. All blessings to the family!

This Time, The Moose Tried To Run!

Should I Have Left It Alone?

(Lola's* okay, but it could have been worse; all pics enlarge.)

I revisited this Moose Lace stole a week ago, after abandoning it last summer. A distraction, and it ran from my fingers! The yarn is Berroco's Boho, and the pattern is Star Rib Mesh, (using a vertical double decrease). The first stole, knitted in white, turned out fabulously, and I gifted it to my friend, the fabulous Yvonne Alvarez (happy Puerto Rico Day 'sis)! Seeing it on her, produced a bit of envy of my own knitting––talk about narcissism––so I decided that I needed one in red. Well, don't you just hate it when the same project you knit for other folks…anyway, it became a UFO. So, when my memory of it was revived while meditating upon completion, I figured I had the pattern tamed enough to finish––but you can see what happened.

What The Hell Am I Talking About

Moose Lace, is a description (derogatorily used, by some), for the knitting of lace patterns using very large needles. I became aware of this technique a few years ago, at a knitting circle. An older, experienced knitter who seemed slightly off her gauge, remarked on a stole that a young woman was working on. I thought it was rather pretty.

"Hmmph. It's moose lace," the older knitter said.

"What the hell is moose lace?" I asked, "I didn't know moose could knit."

You don't even wanna know, the look this woman gave me. But her attitude towards the young knitter's lace was worse than toward my smart mouth, so she stiffly explained why she thought the stole so horrible, heightening my interest in this technique; a lace that's a time saver as well––why not?

If It Looks Good, Knit It

Now, I love lace and small needles, but why the narrow definition? Is this a generational thing? Can you achieve a good looking article from a blown up lace pattern? I chose a stole for its simplicity. Keeping in mind the big picture, I considered the optimum effect. First, I wanted a lace that would repair easily if snagged. It also had to compress to be conveniently carried, yet expand enough to wrap cozily, on a cool summer night. The mesh rib won out, and I went to town using size––gasp––11, 24" circular needles. Six balls later––success! What happened the second time?

If You Stick Your Hand in A Moose's Mouth, Have Nice Fingers, and Other Lessons

One: Boho contains 3 types of yarns, two of which will produce visible snags from your fingers; make sure your manicure stays on point. Two: stay focused––don't get caught up in the beauty of the yarn. Star Rib Mesh is a simple, 2 row pattern, but one that can trip you up big time, as there are no obvious clues that you're messing it up; check often to see that you are indeed knitting a star shaped mesh, because, you can't hide a mistake on a moose. Three: please use needle guards!  One of the yarns is rayon, which will fall apart with lightening speed if you drop a stitch. If you do make a mistake, rip back slowly to either the nylon or the cotton section, preferably on a purl row.

Moose Lace Rescue Plan

Notwithstanding the aftermath of the fracas in the photo, the stole is on my needles again. It won't be a constant travel project––too dangerous to get jostled around in my bag, but I should be able to let it out in another week or two at most. Moose lace, using a suitable yarn and pattern, really is a time saver––and beautiful! Just be gentle, and take the proper precautions.

*Lola, is the name of my dress form.

Get Your Sydney On! Row 1-My FavoriteTravel Companion

No Dorothy, It's Not The Atlantic

(Give me a break! Strong waves at a slice of Turimetta Beach in the Narrabeen Head Aquatic Reserve. All pics enlarge)

Hey there!

I'm back from Oz (nicknamed by Sydneysiders, for their "Emerald City"), and still adjusting to the time change, climate change (similar now, thank the ancestors), and the ability to communicate again. Mr. K spent the better part of our 2-1/2 week trip upgrading his dad's internet service to broadband from dial up, as part of his birthday present. When your mind is still sharp at 80, your MacBook––the computer of choice for seniors on the go––and internet service should be too. But, more on that later.

You Can Get There, From Here

When considering a trip to Australia, the first thought on folks minds is the distance. No doubt, it is a long flight––from New York non stop, it's almost 22 hours. But for us, it's all about the stopover. Breaking the trip up helps enormously in terms of time and price, unless you're a knitter or stitcher––then you have a greater concern. 

If you can't use your hands, any distance can be too long. And if either your needles or accessories are confiscated by airport security––you don't want to think about that do you? Here's a suggestion, so you won't be stopped before the stopover.

Check With Your Carrier First––Then Fly Jet Blue!

(No worries, mate; my new traveling companion)

I'm giving a big shout out to my girl Fiona! Jet Blue is the knitter's friend. They allow needlework on their flights, but you'll still have to deal with security clearance; and being herded through, in a crowded, uncaring airport like JFK International, you don't want to have your accessories spilling out of your bag onto the floor. Make it a point to get the Knit Kit from Dreamworks Yarns ($19.99). This little T.S.A. compliant gadget is 'da bomb––whoops, sorry––the shizznit, to travel with. The tape measure pulls out to 58-3/4" (53.7m), and I had enough room in the back to include a blunt point plastic needle, 4 locking plastic stitch markers, and a pretty little stitch marker charm. 

I like Bryspun circular needles when I travel. They're plastic, which security understands and they're easy on my hands. And the bag? Namaste's Laguna. It's fabulous for carry on; large enough to hold a sweater project, yarn, and other essentials––like an iPhone to look up the local yarn shop at your destination––but flexible enough to fit under an economy seat.

Traveling With R-e-s-p-e-c-t

The Knit Kit eliminates what I call knitter's fumble––constantly reaching into your bag to pull out something you forgot. In an era of heightened paranoia and shrinking seat size, you need to limit your movements, so as not to irritate your fellow passengers ("what is she doing? I didn't know they allowed whatever that is, on flights. She needs something to put all that in.) Enough said.

Next Stop––San Francisco! Later, y'all.

The Home Twister is Back!

Go, Go Gadget––Twist!

(You can even twist outdoors; all pics enlarge.)

A New Generation

Originally named the Daruma Home Twister, I sold beaucoup of these in the eighties, as a sales associate at School Products Co. Its popularity spawned a mélange yarn fad, prompting a few shops to even offer a twisting service for their customers.

Then a decade later, the capriciousness of fashion precipitated a decline in the home knitting market, and the Daruma was cast off by its original producers, the Yokata Co., Ltd..

Hey, nothing lasts forever.

(Mélange magnifique; twisted balls)

Or does it? When my own appliance started approaching its end last year (its housing now glued together), I started searching for a replacement. Ancestors! I learned that interest in this device had attained cult status among fiberphiles. Sightings on Craigslist and Ebay were but a blink of an eye, being snatched up. Vintage sewing and needlework sites, who knew the value of this doohicky, listed prices as high as $100 (for serious collectors, the Daruma in it's original red housing, can be purchased at the fabulous site for vintage housewares,  Pinky LaRue. )

Well, I posted about my own, in the hope that the laws of attraction would bring one to me––and it did. Now, I bring it to you!

KrisKrafter To The Rescue

(It's jim dandy; the new Home Twister)

My girl Kris is now manufacturing and selling the Home Twister! It's a fraternal twin to the second iteration, the only difference is the casing's coloring. It still holds several strands of yarn in a slit in the cone's top, enabling you to create marls and mélange's in weights from lace to bulky. Simple to assemble (just 2 parts), it stores easily.

Now, some of you may find the price of $70.00 not very frugally fabulous. Check this out.

If you're a machine knitter with cones of yarn that are too thin to hand knit with, the twister can extend your creative range. Ply together small amounts and knit mini swatches until you arrive at a pleasing color combo; it's how I came to knit my V neck. I wanted to hand knit a sweater, looked at all of the cones of yarn I had, then said "Gee' maybe I'll twist some strands together and see what happens"; it's like painting!

(Happily twisted; for details see my projects on Raverly; there's a tutorial in the sidebar too.)

Now, if you're not inclined to spin yarn, this is the next best thing; experiment, throwing in lengths of yarn to catch in with ones being twisted. Ply together different weights and textures. You can create blends just as nice as many handspuns; this super device, is designed to ply your yarns together evenly, no matter what weight or type.

The Home Twister is a great way to extend your stash, and to create new fabrics. And it won't fall apart on you. There aren't any parts to break, and trust me––mine has lasted 23 years. How frugally fabulous is that?

Ready everbody? Let's twist with Kris!

Bouyed By Benevolence

The Seamen's Church Institute

(A scale model of a Gloucester fisherman; unidentified American schooner from late 19th-century to early 20th-century; weight, 50 tons or more. Property of the institute. All pics enlarge)

The One That Got Away

Recently one evening, weaving through the homeward bound Financial District's worker bees, en route to a Sit n' Knit meetup, at the Seamen's Church Institute, I was shook by a memory. I was a little girl, sitting in the kitchen, my mom telling me about her relationship with Frezel, an African merchant seaman who was in love with her, before she met her husband, my father. Back in the day the myth was, that seamen were prized marriage prospects. They made good money, accumulated from long voyages (if not disposed to gambling), and they brought back beautiful gifts. Indeed, I loved visiting my aunt C.'s house; it was a museum of Oceania, filled with the souvenirs of her former marriage to one. My mom however, surface dweller that she was, went for my father's looks instead. Frezel it seemed, bowed out with dignity, returned to the sea, and later married.

Suddenly, I considered Frezel's reality––spending weeks, months even out to sea, it's actually a hard and dangerous life. Did he come here? 

A Vision On Land

(Beyond macramé; a homage to the old church)

The institute, now inhabiting a new building is awesome! Designed inside and out to resemble an ocean liner, it sports a collection of old and new marine artifacts that are marvelously juxtaposed.* The upper floor, which make up the roof deck are perfect for a fab event (hear that, Florence?), but provides unpretentious comfort to the visiting mariners––its primary purpose.

(A wall of warmth; and this is just the scarves)

 I ogled my way up the stairs at the  collection,  then entered the expansive yarn room. Folks, my photos would do it no justice; believe me, this room should be made a knitting heritage site. Nonetheless, the intimate group seated around the table were chatting and knitting away, with the nonchalance of––been there, felt that. Me? I was busy taking pics. Suddenly I felt bemused; Sahara, you're acting like a damn fool. Okay now. Regaining my cool, I joined the group to a cordial, but friendly reception, warming up considerably, as the evening progressed.

(L to R; Jeanette, Angela, and Vicky) 

 (Our host; Jeanette, with her lighthouse smile).

Guiding Light

Jeanette Devita is the manager for the institute's Christmas At Sea program. The yarn room (swoon) may be her office, but I can see why it wouldn't faze her; this sister works assiduously, coordinating the efforts of  thousands of volunteer knitters and crocheters across the country, who produce what looks like an ocean of accessories that are distributed to close to 20,000 seamen. Ancestors!

 (You are here; the volunteers)

But hey, it's not about the yarn. "I'm really fortunate to be able to reach out and connect with the knitters and seamen," she says. I ask her about the tallying of all those goods. There are volunteers who come in once a week to assist, but ultimately? The connection's in the touch for Jeanette. "Every stitch of every scarf I handle connects a knitter to a seaman." Damn. Damn. I wonder if the woman Frezel eventually married, knew how to knit or crochet. I hope so.

To learn more about this extraordinary organization, and get involved, click on the the link.

*Album pics of this beautiful building, are in the side bar.

  

Franklin Habit At Knitty City––The Itch Scratcher Book Tour!

You Know You've Hit The Big Time When…

(You Have Your Own Colorway! Companion yarn to the book, by Lorna's Laces; all pics enlarge.)

Franklin Habit's appearance at Knitty City last Sunday was definitely the place to be, as  you can see from the looks of this pic. In the midst of this crowd, the Lord of Lace himself was giving a presentation of the Print o' the Wave stole, that he knitted in a color so sexy––I wanted to stop any current knitting to completely devote all my attention to it, finishing in time to wear at a cool, summer latin jazz night at Willie's Steak House. I can't believe Franklin uses this stole as the project for his Intro to Lace class! But hey, once you can knit this, a night of dancing salsa Eddie Torres style in the back yard of Willie's, will be easy!

 (Franklin flossing the sexy stole; below, lace detail.)

The Hullaballoo, and The Hoi Polloi

Now you know what makes an event like this so much fun, are the knitters who come out. So let me not continue this post, without paying homage to the knitterati! Kisses and hugs to eternally fabulous Phyllis Howe, producer of the events at New York City's nicest yarn shop; yes this was definitely a biggie!

The ever-bouyant Pearl Chin  proprietor, holding it down. I heard on the Q.T.*, that books earmarked for Franklin's appearance, sold out 20 minutes before he arrived––talk about fabness! Many thanks to Annie & Co., the chic shop on the Upper East, for supplying more books.

(Right, a rouge spinner.) I always find it so––rad––when you see the one person at a knitting event, spinning.

Now Here's Where I Insert The Plug

Friends, do get this little tome, and then kick back with a cup or glass.  I tell you, Franklin had to be a fly on the wall, to create these cartoons. You'll know why they're funny––or you don't knit enough. And his essay on immortality as it pertains to knitting alone, is worth the book.

Almost Famous

Before I sign off to comptemplate whether to have Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Dominican, Pakistani, or Middle-Eastern take out (Mr. K complains about the lack of food choices in our neighborhood––talk about jaded), I'll leave y'all with this frightening pic of myself, in the company of the illustrious illustrator.  Maybe some of his fabulousness will rub off on me! LOL!

* Q.T. means Quiet Time, for those of you too young to remember.