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.

The Fun

Here's "Dr. Donna", working on her latest headscarf, for a friend. Many thanks for coming on through, with your curried salmon and rice; especially after a long week of nights at Harlem Hospital. You Go, sis!

BTW, that's Mr. K's nice legs in the background; him and Chante´'s man Will were again, the grill masters for us; all praises to them both, for their attending to us (I hope that's enough; y'all know how men are). ;-D

Here's Hope of Hopieknits, with her 10 month-old grandson. Those cute little socks on her blog, are for him.

The next photo is Kim of Yarn Hippie, giving a demo for Trina, on her spindle. Trina, I'm happy you came on through! Spinning's fascinating, isn't it?

Chante´, my co-hostess, at the wheel. I took a refresher lesson from her last week. I'm looking forward to her future as a major fiber artist, ala Joyce Scott, as she's finding her voice through craft.

Njoya's enjoyin' her soon-to-be-finished shrug. Walking down the street with her is a trip! She's a teacher/reading specialist, and I've never seen so many parents and kids stop her, to praise, chat, or get/give a hug. Founder of the Harlem Knitting Circle and a former "New Yorker of the Week" on NY1, someone needs to take notice of her efforts!

From left; Shameka, of Shameka Knits, Marva, and Tawana of Rooted In Knit Reality Ancestors, I gotta git' to knittin'––Tawana's little one is due in January.

Sherrin got a commission! She's crocheting a blanket in the colors of the Jamaican flag for a co-worker. Girl, your shrimp salad was no joke!

Veronica's so cool; she's Hope's friend, and a creative crocheter.

My girl Zahraa (in the gren top), an excellent knitter, I tell you, brought her niece along, whose entertaining Njoya; that little girl's a doll-baby.

The Kids Deserve Special Mention

Here's Iris's daughter, the famous Cheb, looking bored…

…until she hooked up with Ami, Marva's granddaughter, and Chase, Sherrin's son. Then the fun began. Now, don't be fooled by Ami's untangling yarn, in the picture; she's an impressive knitter, at her young age––the apple never falls too far from the tree, right Marva?

All in all, we had a fantastic time, and Mr. K is suggesting that we have T-shirts printed for the next one. Hey, how 'bout that?

And finally, a super-duper shout out and thanks to my co-host, Chante´, a sister who is worth her weight in Qiviut! She even managed to get her man behind the wheel. Now, that's love! (pic taken by the man who wants to remain (hmmmph) mysterious, Mr. K. That's alright, we've seen your legs––the rest is yet to come!

Comments

[Deborah]

looked like yall had a blast!

[Latoya]

Every now and again you post something that makes me wished I live in New York - but then I remember how cold it can get there. Smile.

Its good to see all those beautiful people of color knitting and chillin'. One of these days I'll be able to join in the knitting fun.

Knit ya later!

[Patty]

I can see you have a great time.
This is a wonderful site. I am glad that I have discovered it today.

[Hilari]

Looks like you all had a great time! thanks for sharing all the photos!!!

[Wanda]

Oh, it looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Maybe one year I can make it. The Mysterious Mr. K isn't quite so mysterious. I did see your handsome hubby on someone else's blog, HarlemPurls' perhaps.

[Veronica]

I am so sorry that I missed the Knitta-que. I am kicking myself while looking at all these pics on everyone's blogs. I am definitely going to be there next year.

[hope]

Sahara, how can I thank you and Chante for putting on such a fabulous event. You have both put me to shame since you've posting your photos and mine are still sitting in my camera. What great weather and food and especially great people! Can't wait to for next year.

[schrodinger]

What a fun and beautiful day you all looked to have. So much food and knitting - perfection!

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

I just absolutely love it!
I am so jelly!!! :op

[Divineladi]

awwww, it looks like everyone was having fun while I was deep in research. I'm glad you're doing well. I'm way behind on email and everything else not school related.

[Chris]

It looks like so much fun!! I'm glad you had lovely weather for it, too.

[mrspilkington]

Oh, i'm so jealous! :) Looks like it was a wonderful time.

[Anna]

Ah, that looked like so much fun!!! I wish I lived in New York!!!

ROFL @ Mr. K remaining mysterious.

Looks like the sistah knitting circle was in full effect, gotta love that! :-D

[Necia]

No way did I have a good time! I missed my sistahs! The wedding was dramatic to say the least, because yanno they misplaced the rings. Come to find out they were already married, and just doing it again for whatever reason. It was a long and tiring day. I missed ya'll so much, and ya'll look like ya'll had so much fun. Looks like it was even better than last year! Next summer better hurry up and get here! Did Mr. K and Wil play any house?

Necia

[Vera]

Looks like a fabulous time!

[Iris]

Thanks again- I had a great time. And a lot of food.

Oh, and Ami has impressive skills for her age: she was talking and knitting without even looking at her needles. In a few years we'll be buying her designs.

[Miss T]

This makes me wish I lived in NY!

[Carson]

Can you send some of the leftovers over here?
I'm sure they'll re-heat nicely
Maybe not the shrimp ;)