SistahCraft

We Are Fam-i-ly…The Second Annual Sistahfriends Harlem Knitta'-Que

…I Got All My Sistahs With Me!

(And these were just the folks in the frame; all pics enlarge).

WHOOOWEE! The Second Annual Sistahfriends Harlem Knitta'-Que was a resounding success! Given by myself (which is part of why I haven't posted), and my girl Chante´of Harlem Purls, we turned a small patch of St. Nicholas Park into the place to be, for a coupla' hours of folks, food, fun and fiber.

The Family

I'm delighted to say––all of our sistahfriends turned it out! Everyone who RSVP'd came and then some, bringing their wonderful spirit, guests, and some fabulous food. Necia, we missed you (but I hope you had an equally fabulous time). Veronica, you were asked for; Saun, we were there till dark––next year, we're gonna have torch-lights, so you can join us after work!

My New Peeps

 I was particularly excited to finally meet Iris ("Who you takin' a picture of?") of Unfurnished Brooklyn fame (yes Iris, you're famous); blessings to you for making the hike and bringing the corn.

Visiting from Toronto, Canada, was Sharon, whose blog is Scheherazaade. In addition to possessing a copious sense of humor and a sharp wit, she brought marinated veggies that we didn't need to be reminded to eat.

From left; my acquaintance Trina, Vivian, Sharon's friend in NY, and Sharon.

The Food

It was a soulful feast that we chowed down on, between stitches, rows, and treadling. Ready? In addition to what I already mentioned, there was: curried salmon, Jamaican mini-chicken and mini-beef patties, peas and rice Trinidadian style, a macaroni and cheese dish that woulda' made my mom return from the grave to eat, pasta salad, shrimp salad, tomato and cucumber salad, fruit salad, corn, and the prerequisite burgers, veggie burgers, ribs and chicken (I'm glad I made enough). For the vegetarians, we kept it respectful, using a separate grill. Dessert was cheesecake, carrot cake and fruit. There was plenty to eat and plenty to take home––one of the things, a  good BBQ is about.

Turn Down The Furnace, My Needles Are Hot!

Isn't Hell Filled Already? Why More Heat?

(Courtesy of Weather.com; It was 5º cooler, when I started to post. All pics enlarge)

Now, Where Were We?

August has blazingly arrived! Is it hot enough for ya'? Are you're needles too hot to hold? I'm on a break, in my sweathshop feeling studio, envying Della, the Wonder Pit(bull terrier), who's napping, while I embroider bulge bead stems, for the flowers of a silk ribbon evening dress––gosh, I'll be glad when it's finished.

Wassu-u-u-u-p?

It's been a minute folks. I returned to the Magazine, for fall, starting with the women's fashion issue. In a word––headache-y. And, I've finally adjusted to working in Renzo Piano's building, our new headquarters. Check it out! It's a far cry from "The Gray Lady," whose interior reminded me of my old high school. People, we've joined the 21 century! The best part of being here, besides the cafeteria, where the groovy mezzanine lounge is the perfect place to knit––is that I'm closer to the Garment District.

This Old Dog, Learned A New Technique

My small sample, is the result of a class I took last Saturday, in silk ribbon embroidery at The City Quilter. They are an excellent shop, for classes in surface embellishments, and they're nice to knitters! A huge shout out goes to my instructor, Polly Whitehorn, whose patience, demos, and clarity of explanation, helped me learn, in three hours, a technique I had wanted to do, for years. It's astonishingly easy. The keys are patience, a bit of concentration, and a relaxed hand. There was no plan to the arrangement, similar to my gardening style.

Product Placement

A number of you have mentioned to me, of having trouble finding the Simflex Sewing Gauge, from my previous post. The chorus––"it's sold out." All I can say is Google the name, and go from there. I bought mine from Elegant Stitches. I won't supply another link, 'cause when I start looking, I inevitably wind up ordering something. Mr. K thinks I'm having an affair with the UPS brother, he comes around so often.

Make Mine, With A Twist

I used to dislike marled yarn; the effect of twisting two similar shades together was okay. In contrasting colors, it could look down right ugly, as in a cheap red/black marled pullover, I saw in a store. I overcame an urge to grab some scissors. Then, I purchased a Daruma Home Twister, to make bespoke marl combos for private customers, and my attitude changed. Currently, every now and then, I get bored with commercial yarn offerings, but since I can't spin, I twist. Shown, is the beginning of a V-neck pullover I'm enjoying for fall; a thin strand of mohair gives a wonderful purple haze to the soft hand of the fabric. The yarns are composed of 2 strands of 2/18 merino, 2 strands of 2/18 50/50 merino/tussah silk, from Jaggerspun (hi Chuck!),  and one strand of 2/20 mohair, from School Products.

This baby is hard to find, but if you like knitting with several different yarns––get it. Yes, I know you can just hold all the strands together, but you get row areas, with only one color showing. Not nice. This device, twists yarns evenly, for a more harmonious effect, and you can use more than three yarns, currently the limit with stacking yarn twisters.

Let's Face It…

I am currently besieged with announcements, so I am going to devote a page to them, which will be linked in my sidebar. There is just so much happening in New York City, that it's interfering with other posts I want to write––like my time in London, and a commentary on the end of the New York Knit Out. So, the last announcement I'm posting, is for tomorrow––the opening reception for the show of my sistahfriend, the golden-fingered Laura Gadson. A member of The Harlem Girls Quilting Circle, her portraits are quite something to behold, and indeed, are a prominently displayed acquisition, in the homes of prominent collectors of my acquaintence. Entitled Folks and Family, It's taking place at the  Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion, Columbia University, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue at 168th Street New York City, from  5:00 to 7:00p.m. The show will run until September 12th. I am certainly not going to miss getting an eye-bath of inspiration! And, neither should you. For more information, contact harlemneedlearts@verizon.net or 212-491-8581.