SistahCraft

Wish I Was Back Here.

 (Rockaway Beach, immortalized by the Kings of Punk, The Ramones.   Mr. K and I were here, the day the temperature hit 104º F / 40º C; all pics enlarge).

 

I won't embark on an explanation regarding my lassitude in posting; suffice to stay, I staggered around in the heat most of July, while preparing for a project that would take me from the urban postcard above––

To this:

(Thanks to the ancestors for Pandora, and Audible. I also want to thank my neighbor and friend, Valerie L., all the neighborhood dog owners, Rawal Ravail Restaurant, Pizza Express, No. 8 Chinese Restaurant,  Go Green Light Cuisine, the vendors of Arthur Avenue, in particular Cerrini Coffee, ––I'll see you tomorrow––who have been keeping me going).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  NO JOKE!

On the paper taped to the wall is the diagram of a very large stage, 9' x 12' (2.7m x 3.6m) defined by a hallucinogenic stripe layout.  I have to achieve this by machine knitting in the Intarsia or Tapestry method. If you don't understand the aformentioned link site, this is what came from my machine. I have to knit a damn lot of some huge sections! I don't want to tell you what the deadline is. Or how my yarn order got caught up in the Mercury retrograde, and arrived very late!

(Section 1)

The yarn is Brown Sheep Wool's Bulky. The mat is Wondermat!

Now, I have taken a long enough break. See you soon, and if you need to get in touch with me, you know where I am––for a while. Will post again shortly––for real!

Peace and Sheep Fleece,

Sahara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now this, is blocking! Right Nicole?

 

 

 

Space Is The Place

(Can you spot the spinners? The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, NYC. All pics enlarge)

 

Whorling around town on Monday evenings with the super-swell Spin City Meet-up has made me emphatically aware of the value of decent public space––woefully lacking in this city.  What constitutes decency? Well, I reckon we've met in a space with nightclub lighting (the SONY atrium), an abandoned performance space (the former Altria branch of the Whitney Museum), a colossal palm preserve (the World Financial Center's Winter Garden), and a sub-basement (30 Rockefeller Center), among others. In the sparingly grandiose atrium lobby of the latter, your subterranean descent is brilliantly camouflaged by Joie – Crystal Waterfall, a mind-bogglingly breathtaking chandelier. A HUGE shout out to Hanna Birmans, the young woman who planned out and with another woman tied the knots––talk about interlacement! That is craft.

An Unassuming Surprise

If you're looking for a sophisticated, but pleasant needlework respite, the above photo speaks for itself. Claudy Jongstra's  fiber wall, and the vertical gardens both soothed and wowed me entering this superb atrium, artfully housing the day-of-discount ticket center for the Lincoln Center campus; it also duplifies as a performance space. Comfortable furniture, appropriate lighting and free wi-fi (in case you forgot your pattern and need to look it up).  The  'Witchcraft Cafe has fine food and a small bar––totally adult. The overall effect the space seemingly has on visitors besides enjoyment, is one of respect; the unisex bathroom was extraordinarily clean without the constant presence of a custodian. I was duly impressed. This is the place to be. Catch a free performance, knit a few rows, sip a few drinks, spin a yarn.

A big shot out to my fellow spinners, especially Jody, who I hadn't seen since our annual holiday party. We helped her learn to spin; now she turned up with a Louet Victoria––you GO girl! And a huge hug to Donna, a spectacular spinner, Tech Designer to the Marc Ecko Empire, and our intrepid organizer, guiding our caravan throughout the city.

 

URGENT! Help Repair The Thread...

(... that binds US ALL! Photo courtesy of AP/ BBC World Service; all pics enlarge)

Ancestors! If this child has transited... Yesterday, on 1010WINS, the news radio for  information in NYC, I heard about the earthquake in Yushu County, in Quinghai Province, Western China. At that point, 400 had been killed and thousands more made homeless. Bad, bad, news. Today, it's much, much, worse.

From Their Farms To Your Fingers

OK, so what does this have to do with the fabulous yak fiber you bought to spin some fingerless gloves? If it's coming from Jade Tree Yarns, then your purchase has assisted the families inhabiting this tibetan plateau feed their families––the majority, are sheep and yak farmers. But, now that's gone. There is a huge rip in the fabric of their lives.

So, Lets Repair It. Now!

To get further news on the continuing aftershocks, and other rescue efforts––go to BBC World News. As of right now, however––here is a way you can help mend the intense fissure that has decimated the lives and livelihoods of our brothers and sisters.Linda Cortright, Editor of Wild Fibers Magazine, the only fiber mag to bring awareness of the importance of fiber, land and people to the economic global conversation, has listed a link where you can send donations for earthquake relief: The Jade Tree Project.

Who And Why?

These folks work with their sister non-profit, First Asia Development to improve the lives of poor communities in the Tibetan Plateau of China. They connect their artisan made products to the global market––such as the yarn you're knitting or crocheting right now. Your monies, have built a school and gave families yaks; a little luxe for you, but a major source of clothing and food for them. 

Love Saves The Day

I've sent off my donation, and a prayer to the ancestors who link these folks to me. I beseech everyone reading this blog post to do the same. We all needed help at one time to get back on our feet; please contribute to help the families of this province get back up on their earth!

Charmed! In San Francisco

 Golden Moments

 

(Mr. K's pic of the Golden Gate Bridge, on his last visit; all pics enlarge).

Hey there everybody!

Checking the date of my last post, I was a bit shocked––where did the time go? I Thank the ancestors for photo aps, while sorting through the blur of events pics that your life becomes when you're on the move.

Right now my butt's stationary, having had to cancel my standing date to spin in the park with the spinderella of Harlem herself, my sistahfriend Chanté, due to the iffy-looking weather. But disappointment has led to a welcome opportunity to catch up, and share with y'all a few things I felt could make a needleworker's life more joyful.

San Francisco, Coming And Going

On a stopover, you don't have time to take in all the sights, so Mr. K and I had to concentrate on what was important––knitting, eating, drinking, and shopping. A delicious lunch at Kuleto's, which included some spicy, sensual bloody marys, fortified us for walking around (and occasionally up and downhill) the downtown section of the city. We ended our day at Heaven's Dog in SOMA. I let the bartender chose to make a cocktail for me, and it was transcendental, as was the food––light and lovely on the palate.

(The area shown, is fab in summer evenings for knitting friends to sit and get some rows in while having a cocktail and their divine dumplings. 

Reveal Your Charms

(And the flyer whorl on the spinning wheel turns!).

Whether you knit or crochet, stitch markers not only fulfill their intended purpose, but like shoes and cars, speak hanks about your personality. Sarit Simäyof's World of Charms on Powell Street, abetted my lust to re-purpose a more than a few of their trinkets. With over 9,000 charms that represent the who, what and where (the Michael Jackson charms are in, ba-by), everyone's needlework can give a clue. I also want to send a shout to their gracious and patient sales associates––you're the best! Prices range from under $20 to over $1000.

(She's as sweet as the candy she's holding. Thanks to thedailygrommet.com, for this photo).

Claudia Schwartz  is the seraphic owner of Bell'occhio, an absolutely recherché treasure chest, that's worth a trip to on its own. Mr. K  bought the vert vapeur shoe box, which was perfect to hold the wine goblets he hand blew for his father's 80th birthday. Now, go to her website post haste!

The Littlest San Franciscan

But not yet. Before you go, here is a pic of the city's most charming new resident, who arrived into the world in March.

Finn Liang, is the nephew of Ursula Liang, my co-worker. His arrival was inspiring for me, in that I could knit something that wasn't  a "baby color", and was meaningful.

In Chinese culture, red and gold symbolize prosperity and good fortune, and I believe that babies born into today's world should have as much as possible! The number 8 additionally symbolizes good luck, and this pattern called for 8 buttons. See, the ancestors know, 'cause that detail wasn't conscious in my choice––they will guide you every time.

Finished in spring, the large (18 month) size, will fit just when it's cold enough to need it. The pattern from Lion Brand Yarns, took about 4 skeins of Universal Yarns "Eden Silk", a merino/silk combo, for the body, and one skein of a  gold wool/silk from my stash. The needle size was a 4 (3.5mm).

Aren't these frog buttons the best?

Ursula and I went to Tender Buttons at 143 E 62nd St (212- 758-7004), where she chose them. All blessings to the family!

Get Your Sydney On! Row 1-My FavoriteTravel Companion

No Dorothy, It's Not The Atlantic

(Give me a break! Strong waves at a slice of Turimetta Beach in the Narrabeen Head Aquatic Reserve. All pics enlarge)

Hey there!

I'm back from Oz (nicknamed by Sydneysiders, for their "Emerald City"), and still adjusting to the time change, climate change (similar now, thank the ancestors), and the ability to communicate again. Mr. K spent the better part of our 2-1/2 week trip upgrading his dad's internet service to broadband from dial up, as part of his birthday present. When your mind is still sharp at 80, your MacBook––the computer of choice for seniors on the go––and internet service should be too. But, more on that later.

You Can Get There, From Here

When considering a trip to Australia, the first thought on folks minds is the distance. No doubt, it is a long flight––from New York non stop, it's almost 22 hours. But for us, it's all about the stopover. Breaking the trip up helps enormously in terms of time and price, unless you're a knitter or stitcher––then you have a greater concern. 

If you can't use your hands, any distance can be too long. And if either your needles or accessories are confiscated by airport security––you don't want to think about that do you? Here's a suggestion, so you won't be stopped before the stopover.

Check With Your Carrier First––Then Fly Jet Blue!

(No worries, mate; my new traveling companion)

I'm giving a big shout out to my girl Fiona! Jet Blue is the knitter's friend. They allow needlework on their flights, but you'll still have to deal with security clearance; and being herded through, in a crowded, uncaring airport like JFK International, you don't want to have your accessories spilling out of your bag onto the floor. Make it a point to get the Knit Kit from Dreamworks Yarns ($19.99). This little T.S.A. compliant gadget is 'da bomb––whoops, sorry––the shizznit, to travel with. The tape measure pulls out to 58-3/4" (53.7m), and I had enough room in the back to include a blunt point plastic needle, 4 locking plastic stitch markers, and a pretty little stitch marker charm. 

I like Bryspun circular needles when I travel. They're plastic, which security understands and they're easy on my hands. And the bag? Namaste's Laguna. It's fabulous for carry on; large enough to hold a sweater project, yarn, and other essentials––like an iPhone to look up the local yarn shop at your destination––but flexible enough to fit under an economy seat.

Traveling With R-e-s-p-e-c-t

The Knit Kit eliminates what I call knitter's fumble––constantly reaching into your bag to pull out something you forgot. In an era of heightened paranoia and shrinking seat size, you need to limit your movements, so as not to irritate your fellow passengers ("what is she doing? I didn't know they allowed whatever that is, on flights. She needs something to put all that in.) Enough said.

Next Stop––San Francisco! Later, y'all.