Nikoa And Garrett Invites A Knitter To Paradise, With Roses Too!

Congratulations!

You look fabulous! (Garrett Hendricks and Nikoa Evans; her gown, Nicole Miller; his suit, The Men's Wearhouse; all pics enlarge).

Ancestors! There just couldn't have been a better way for Mr. K and I to recoup from the hectic holidaze, than by spending four luscious days in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to attend the wedding of my sistahfriend––and a lovely crocheter––the effervescent Ms. Nikoa Evans to the handsome and mischievously humorous ("we're  movin' on up") Garrett Hendricks. Their comfortably chic ceremony took place on January 5th, at the award-winning Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. With the weather giving a postcard perfect day, all of us, family and guests, basked in the affectionate hug of the sun and the joyfulness radiating from our two lovebirds.

(A truly blessed day; The terrace reception area).

But lest I start to sound staid––we enjoyed some bangin' Caribbean food, and kicked up our heels––and sandals––to the fabulous music Garrett selected; you GO, brother!

(And it tasted as good as it looked; cake, The Marriott).

Deftly adorned with real roses, this cake was beautiful and refreshingly non-trad. We so need to move on from over-done, heavily frosted layer cakes topped with a non-edible wedding party. Hey, I've always wondered how many brides have quietly panicked, when confronted with cutting such a thing.

(Paradise is nice; a view from the reception terrace)

I was honored to attend their wedding! Nikoa and I met a few years ago at the Harlem Knitting Circle, when I was a volunteer instructor. She wanted to advance her skills in crochet, and we became friends, linked to the thread which binds us all.

Nikoa and Garrett, I wish you as much happiness as there are stitches from all of the crocheters and knitters, and needle-workers on the planet! And start stockpiling yarn girlfriend, for those blankets and little sweaters you're gonna make down the road, LOL!

Here is their official announcement in the New York Times.

Seek, and Ye Shall Find

(Having faith pays; Roses Fabric & Craft Shop)

I gotta admit––my obsession didn't stay away for long. Once the happy couple whisked off to their honeymoon, I whisked off to find a yarn and/or fabric store. My inquiry to the sister at the hotel desk yielded little, but despite her discouraging answer, I refused to believe that no one on St. Thomas did any needlework. Say wha'? On an island where the majority of goods are imported and subsequently, very expensive, there has to be ways to compensate; not everyone's a wealthy retiree. And Carnival––where the performer's costumes constitute the ultimate show of self-expression––wouldn't be possible, without skilled hands to construct them.

Well, I let my fingers do the walking in the phone book, and here is who I found. The search was worth it.

(Holding it down; Mgr. Denise Dawson, pictured)

  Rose's Fabric & Craft Shop, (21 Dronningens Gade, St. Thomas, V.I. 304-774-4372), is choc-a-bloc with
needlework crafts of all kinds. Fabric predominates, then there's a smattering of something for everyone: knitting, crochet, cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, doll making jewelry, etc. In business "for a long time," says mgr. Denise Dawson, they're a one stop shopping favorite for locals.

Delightfully, I learned there are three more fabric stores on the island. "We're known for trimming and crafts" says Denise. "There's a bigger fabric shop further in the country, so what we don't have available, we send customers to them."

Surprising to me, was the small role they play at carnival time. But, as a large amount of the materials used in the making of the heavily embellished costumes are theatrical in purpose, they're purchased primarily from off-island vendors.

  (Your sister for crafts; Elaine Nicholas, sales associate)

(Below, lusting for linen; the start of me and Mr. K's summer wardrobe)

I love linen; it is one of the favored fabrics of the tropics, and Rose's huge selection is no joke! The prices here were good, with the added benefit of no tax or duty. So, to be well costumed for the theater of life, I made sure to purchase enough for some skirts, dresses and a shirt for Mr. K. Yarn was not a strong point of the shop (you can order), so I was confined to the obligatory ball. It's Aunt Lydia's cotton, which I'm not mad at, and will turn into a hip dishtowel.

I wish more cotton yarn would have a presence at the shop. Nights here can become a bit chilly, and to crochet cotton isn't as rough on the hands, as knitting can be. Rose's did carry a few light weight acrylics, particularly Red Heart's® Lustersheen®, a soft, cotton-like yarn, that would make for some beautiful lacy stoles.

The Frozen Apple

At this posting I'm back in New York and at work, but you know; part of me is still at the resort. Since I did very little knitting during my stay, I'ma make sure that the rest of me gets back there sometime soon, perhaps with friends for a few days of sand, sun and stitching. Are any of you down? But if you get there before me, make this little gem a stop for your craft jaunt, and don't buy up all of the linen; I'm coming back. Really.

 

Comments

[Divineladi]

It looked beautiful!!!

[Carson]

I love
"comfortably chic" :)

[Wanda]

What a gorgeous couple! The local stunning as well. That's a nice place to get married and for friends and family to relax and enjoy during the holidays, for sure.

Felicitations to the happy couple!

[sappmama]

That is one gorgeous couple. Everything about their wedding seems classy, tasteful, and fun.

I already told you how down I am for the meet-up in paradise. :)

My favorite: "...to be well costumed for the theater of life..." Love that!

[june]

looks beautiful!! congratulations to the happy couple

[hope]

Happy New Year and welcome back. I'm jealous that you were in sunny, beautiful St. Thomas while we were freezing here, but I had my yarn to keep me warm. Congrats too, to the beautiful couple. Wishing them skeins and skeins of happiness.

[Vera]

Looks like a fab trip and beautiful wedding. Best wishes to the couple.

[Chante]

Thanks for the lovely pictures, I could use a change from this dreary NYC weather.

I am most def down for a knitting/stitching getaway. Just give me enough time in advance to save and plan and girl I am so there!

[sahara]

Hey! There was also a shop review…

[Sharon]

St. Thomas is my second home, since my inlaws are there. Seeing your beautiful photos make me homesick! The wedding was simply elegant! I feel a trip to Paradise coming soon...

[Chris]

Wow - what an amazing place to have a wedding! Congrats to your friends. Being somewhere warm and sunny sounds absolutely divine right now.

[Kristen]

What a wonderful and touching wedding announcement. This is a couple who will be together forever.

[Jen da Purse Ho]

what a beautiful wedding! I love the bride's dress! and the locale. my goodness. :)