SistahCraft

The London Chronicles: Happy Anniversary To I Knit, London!

The Little BIG shop

Originating as a stall in the Spitalfields Market, I Knit, London has grown into an organization that's leading the way in bringing knitters together through its events and the weekly knitting group, that's putting the "pub" in public knitting. The shop bills itself as a sanctuary for knitters, and indeed, its location is just far enough from the madding crowds. I was happy to find refuge there when I visited the city for the first of what will be many visits.

Whenever I travel to a new city, one of the first things I do, is to find a yarn shop. By meeting others through shared interest (if they are cool), I can find alternatives to the tourist track; for me, it's the equivalent of a community center.

After having a bite in Covent Garden, near our hotel, Mr. K and I perused a local bookstore, where good 'ole Time Out, London, hipped me to I Knit, London––the name, a bold statement in comparison to shops  with names like "A Good Yawn Yarn," or "Me and Ewe." I was down to investigate.

Voyage to Vauxhall, South London 

I was knitting away on the Tube, seated next to two American tourists. How'd I know? Well, after fixating on me for a minute, the woman turned to her partner and said in a pronounced nasal twang "you know, knitting is popular for them over here." What!? As opposed to who, where? I faced her, smiled, and replied  in my pronounced northeastern accent, "yes, and it's quite popular among African-Americans like myself." Watching her turn the color of the Circle Line was priceless, but simultaneously disappointing. The seditious assumptions of Americans about ethnic cultures, have never been surprising to me; I'm only sad, because it's hastening our slide into global isolation.

But, aside from them, I still feel that needlework––in the rest of the world––is a Great Equalizer, and the reception I received at I Knit was a confirmation of this. It's instantly relaxing to enter a shop where a black knitter isn't seen as an unwelcome oddity. After all, the Brits did contribute to the expansion of the art throughout their former colonies––of which we were one, once.

I'll Be Off This Ride Soon

What My Life Has Been Like, Since My Last Post

(The Zipper at Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York)

Aww man!

I'm sorry I haven't been posting of late. Sometimes, I feel as if there's a conspiracy to keep me from my computer. In reality, I've had some intense days and evenings at the Magazine; we're literally putting out an issue every 1-1/2 weeks, with a day schedule that is totally unpredictable, making it impossible to meet anyone at a reasonable hour; if you get off work at the same time everyday, be grateful. On top of that, I've boosted my gym time to three times a week minimum (trust me, it is very difficult to negotiate this city every day, especially if you're middle-aged and not in shape; so far, I've lost 15 unecessary pounds). That said, when I get home, usually late, my eyes and brain are too tired to stare at another computer for two hours, to blog. I've perused old blog posts and thought that y'all must be a forgiving bunch, for letting me get away with all those omissions and typos––geez.

Weekends have been either catch up at home, or go to: you gotta support the endeavors of your creative friends, if you want to stay on their radar screen––that's what networking is about. However, this part of my life––thank the ancestors––doesn't involve my fingers. I do manage to get in some knitting time, even though some days, it's only to and fro, on the subway.  Labor Day weekend was when Mr. K's birthday occurred, so no real relaxation happened there, although I did get some spinning in (yes! it's what you think; more on that later).

So everybody please bear with me, there's been so much happening, and I'll have a series of posts and pics up soon.

Love and Yarn,

Sahara