SistahCraft

The Aliens Have Returned Me!

Where I Was Seen Last During The Summer…

 

(I only got up for a moment; The Silver Spinner, my Ashford Kiwi wheel, custom painted and tricked out to be portable, by the handsome Dave Paul of The Merlin Tree. All pics enlarge.)

Hey there everybody!!!

I want to thank all of you who expressed concern for me. And since I do care about your feelings, I'm not gonna lie––I was not a candidate for the visitors; I was right here on earth.

Honestly? I just didn't have the time to spend online, so I had to take a break. Fall/winter became very busy, between work at the magazine, and my work in knit product development. With the hours I had left, I directed my energies to living, because I am not under the self-help book inspired illusion that one can have or do it all––that's for the deities. And maybe the aliens.

I finished some intense design commitments, then acquired skill in a new medium––hand spinning––in order to refocus my eyes, and find new inspiration. I'm now feeling renewed and refreshed,  just in time for the return of spring! 

But, as the daffodils are moving up, some things have moved on. Here are two announcements, so you won't be unpleasantly surprised when you visit NYC.

Last Stitches

The start of this year has seen the closing of two yarn shops. The first, Yarn Connection (218 Madison Avenue at 36th Street), was a favorite haunt of mine for over 20 years. Arriving at the top of the stairs to Jane Young's jewel box of a shop on the second floor, you were often greeted by boxes of the latest yarns stacked in the hallway; my heart would immediately start to palpitate with cupidity. Her staff was the nicest, both patient and helpful to everyone, and they had the best sale bins for designer yarn in the city. Yes folks, this was where a frugal gal could look good. I admit I didn't go to the final sale. I would've started to cry, embarrassing everyone. For a last look at the shop, go to Heidi Cohen's  Knitted Yarns. Jane, I wish you  the best!

The second to cast off, was Stitches East (55 East 52nd Street, lobby 3). This elusive but spacious boutique, discretely called bitches east by disgruntled patrons, catered to well dressed, advanced knitters and needle pointers who lunched. Indeed, on the rare occasion I stopped in, I was actually treated decently––probably owing to wearing a not-too-vintage designer suit, and running off to meet friends for a sweet lunch at that venerated New York institution, Serendipity.  But, regardless of the mixed reviews, it's still a loss for midtown center––where will the swells stitch now? Perhaps Knitting 321 (321 East 75th Street), will pick up the ball. It's expensive, caters to knitches (from what I've heard), and you can lunch at Swifty's!

Yes y'all, the knitting magpie is back!!

Knits And News

And The Knits Just Keep On Coming

(The Purple Haze Tweed; All pics enlarge)

Occasionally, I like to make my own tweed combinations. For me it's like painting, combining different yarns in order to achieve an amalgam of luminosity, texture, and color. It also uses up some of my machine knitting yarn stash––that I have pounds of.

The sweater Lola's wearing, is made up of one end of 2/32 Linea PIU mohair (the haze) and the remainder: 2 ends of 2/18  wool/silk, 1 end of 2/24 wool/alpaca and 1 end of 2/18 merino, from my all time favorite supplier,   JaggerSpun! Here's a huge shout out to Chuck! The tweed effect, was made using the amazing accessory shown.

The Daruma Yarn Twister, has been around since the eighties (in my memory). I don't t know when the company ceased to make this gadget, but it was a damn shame, that they did. The twister allows for the the threads or yarns to wrap around each other evenly; you don't get "runs" of one color or another, as when you either knit or crochet, slipping the strands through your fingers. And the twist doesn't bias when worked. Valerie, I'll have the full instructions for assembly and use under the Project Working Notes in the sidebar tomorrow.

I've put up the first part of the blocking tutorial in the sidebar  for Twist, speaking on the why and what of blocking; The how is next. Stay tuned.

Big Up Time

My sistahfriend Trina Michelle Robinson, knits together phenomenal occurrences throughout the African Diaspora and presents them on her blog The Passage Project. It's my go to for an aggregation of awareness and consciousness lifting news and events; check it out. It'll become yours.

It Hasn't Unraveled Me

Yes, I'm finally on Ravelry! Now I can see what all the fun is about. I very excited to be a part of this sub-universe, and maybe that's what's motivating me towards completion. I can't wait until I'm finished with the spring publishing cycle at work, and I get some time off; then I'll time to revel!

Growing Pains––The Autumn of The Matriarch

"Growth Is The Only Evidence Of Life" –– Apologia pro Rita Sua (1864); John Henry, Cardinal Newman

(Leaf photo taken in Rhinebeck, NY; all pics enlarge)

Hey there,

I'm returning after taking some time off. Many thanks my sistahfriends up at the Festival on Saturday, for letting me know they cared, and for shaming me into coming back.

But honestly? Between the mental input required at work, to assist in putting out an entire magazine every two weeks or so, and the input needed to live a full and balanced life––blogging became a highway pile-up of events, projects, and life that I could no longer sort out fast enough to post in real time; hence, all lanes were closed, until the traffic could be cleared.

Besides––the thought of staring at another computer screen for 2 hours or more to blog and read blogs (especially coming home late), wasn't a pleasant one, considering the other people, places, and projects competing for my attention. And I've never been good at keeping a journal––essentially what a blog is. Two-and-half years was enough. I have given up on the diary format, making some adjustments to the portal, this blog was originally designed to be.

I'm adding pages to filter all of the happenings coming in. Categories like announcements, book reviews, and people, will have their own page for you to check at your leisure. My main posts will consist of issues that are compelling, tutorial, or covering a major event (such as the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, this past weekend). Now, I can exhale. When our fall cycle at work finishes up in about 2 weeks or so, I will devote a good chunk of my time to the portal––gosh, there's so much good news to share, like an interview with a copiously creative artist, in a new mag hitting the shops this December!

As for Rhinebeck, I'm sorting out the photos and compiling my notes; folks, this year was a doozy! Revelers are probably still traveling back as we speak; I'll get to you post haste!

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.

Reader Appreciation Post

For You, From Me

(Floribunda "Sexy Rexy"; The Regents Park, London. All pics enlarge)

I gotta take a minute to say a few things, for there are things that one should never be too busy to say.  First, I want to thank all of you for the compliments on my new About photo. I've changed since starting this blog in '05' and I wanted to reflect that. I have taken extensive working notes on the jacket and will soon put them up in the sidebar, if you would like to knit one.

It's Not Personal

I'm sorry if anyone misunderstood what I said about putting down your needles and hooks, and the perception of knitters in my last post. It was meant for NY'ers who, when hearing the words independent film, show the kind of attitude that they would not tolerate for the word craft, and hence, do not support it. While needlework has come a long way in heightening its regard among the populace, there are other stereotypes that remain intractable, perpetuating an emotionally negative impact upon its victims. Entertainment media is fine, but it is important to support films which provide the awareness to raise one's consciousness and compassion. If you do not live in New York, Joy's film will be shown on public television, and I will let y'all know the date.

A Few Shout Outs

I have some new subscribers I want to holla' at. Those of you who aren't public, I'm waving at ya.' Of those who are––hey Nikki of GorgeousKnits, I hope business is good, and let's get together when I hop back over the pond. To Olgajazzy of Knit Creations of A Curious Mind––your blog is phat, and your Habu lanterns even phatter! Hello to Sherri of Adventures of A Stashaholic, how's your top coming along? If you have any balls left you can break your 'holism, by sending them to me, hee, hee! For the rest of my subscribers I say ha-a-a-y, and I'ma check you out, a couple a day. And lurkers, love to you all too!

Down, But Not Out

(Rosa "Atlantic Star")

If some of y'all don't see your names under Much Respect––I'm not dissing you. You haven't posted in a long time, and it's okay; you're saved in my bookmark file. There's many cool folks out there, and I want to keep up with their doings, but I'm still checking you––so come back sometime, as I do get concerned, or email me and let me know you're okay, or what's up. Your blog may be virtual, but you're not––to me.

I.O.U's

Before I jet off to knit––I know I owe patterns, and other stuff. I'm finishing a boutique commitment and I've set aside a week, now that Mr. K won't be putting the snatch on me again, for a while. I don' t have test knitters, so I have to extremely careful to be accurate, especially with sizing, and that takes non-distracted time. So don't worry, I haven't forgot!

The next post will start my London adventure, featuring a sista' who came on through, then a yarn report on the little big shop in Vauxhall––I Knit, London. Kisses to you Gerard, Craig, Sue and Anna. I was too sick with a cold for a bath in Bath last Saturday, and stayed in bed. Feh. Next time.