Vogue Knitting Live New York (and a little makeup!)

Rockefeller Center

Warning:  this is a long and picture-heavy post!

Click on photos to enlarge.

 

I attended Vogue Knitting Live New York on MLK weekend.  Vogue Knitting Live (VKL) is a knitters' event with a little something for everyone:  classes at every level; fashion shows; a yarn market where major vendors and yarn shops sold yarn, needles and other related items; a Gala dinner; and a cocktail reception.

I went the yarn market as soon as it opened Friday evening and went directly to the Habu booth, of course! I knew I had to pace myself and not buy everything that evening, but I did buy a kit for a four-arm sweater.  The two additional arms are attached to the lower back and front, then tied on the side.  The mauve-colored yarn I wanted was already sold out in the first few hours, so it was mailed to me later.   I also bought two skeins of Shosenshi paper linen in a beautiful, new indigo color and one cone of red silk stainless steel yarn to play with on the train home.   I also succumbed to two skeins of yarn with feathers attached, which I will use to border the black cardi I'm making, and a leopard-print knitting bag.  I think that was a fair amount of restraint for me! 



Habu Four-Arm Sweater Kit, Habu Silk Stainless Steel Yarn in Red, Habu Shosenshi Paper Linen Yarn in Indigo, U-Knitted Nations Plumes in Black

Kinokuniya Bookstore had several tables of Japanese pattern books and I was surprised to see that they had Setsuko Torii's Hand-Knit Works (pictured below right), which many of us went crazy over a few years ago. It was so hard to get copies of this book, so I was amazed to see a stack of them there. I still love the amazing patterns in this book.

Habu Booth, Setsuko Torii's Hand-Knit Works

My friend Diane Bloomer introduced me to jeweler Cara Romano who had a booth next to Habu.  She makes the most sophisticated felted jewelery I've ever seen: pins, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings among other things. My photos don't do her jewelry justice. Check out her site for better photos and lists of places where she sells and exhibits her beautiful objects.

Check out the photo of the bib necklace in the background behind Cara!

The fashion shows were fun too.  The professional runway models and elegant styling were inspiring.

 

Vogue Knitting Live Fashion Show

There were many panels, some free, others not, on a variety of topics including lace, knitting trends, design, color, and the business of knitting.  I attended "When Knitting Becomes a Career," moderated by Melanie Falick. 

Panelists were, from left to right, Debbie Stoller of Stitch-n-Bitch, now Editor in Chief of Bust Magazine; Norah Gaughan, Creative Director, Berroco; Kristy McGowan, Designer and Author; Erin Slonaker, Editor in Chief, Yarn Market News and "Mintyfresh" to us Ravelers!); Betsy Perry, President, Classic Elite Yarns; Trisha Malcolm, Editor in Chief, Vogue Knitting; Kirsten Kapur, Designer; and Laura Zander, Owner, Jimmy Beans Wool.

Melanie asked the panelists a number of questions, most which I've forgotten, unfortunately.  I do remember that most of them came to knitting as a hobby - Mintyfresh was studying nuclear physics - and made a conscious decision to go into the knitting business.  They just, in the spirit of Tim Gunn, made it work.

I took two classes, one on short rows, and another on knitting sideways. I know how to do short rows - I use them to turn sock heels, but I wanted to learn how to use them to shape garments.  Math and formulas were involved, as in Shirley Paden's design class, but using them is not nearly as complicated as I had thought! The teacher, Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns, was very good and brought lots of knitted garments to show how short rows can be used.  The ruffled peblum on the cardi she's holding below is made with short rows.  I'm sorry I didn't get a better photo - it's gorgeous cardi.  The pattern is available on Patternfish.

Laura Bryant, Short-Row Savvy

The knitting sideways class was good too, mostly for what I learned in the first few minutes of class.   Teacher Leslye Solomon took a few minutes to talk about yarn choice for side-to-side constructed knits.  It's critical to use yarn that does not stretch too much.   She used my current project to show how a garment knit from bottom-to-top stretches when hanging: she asked me to measure the left front, which I did by laying it on the table and applying the tape measure - 29." Then she held it up from the top allowing it to hang free, and asked me to re-measure - 32." This 3" difference isn't that big a deal my bottom-to-top wool project, but could be disasterous in a garment constructed sideways. She showed us how to manipulate a swatch on short blocking wires to determine how a yarn might behave. 

Leslye Solomon, Knitting Sideways Class

I can't recount exactly how she did it - fortunately, she owns a yarn shop in nearby Baltimore, where hopefully she can show me again. 

It dawned on me that the cardigan I designed using the formulas I learned in Shirley Paden's class may have turned out too large not because I miscalculated, but possibly because I used bamboo yarn. Apparently bamboo is notoriously stretchy. This could be useful for some patterns, just not for the cardigan I designed.

I had a wonderful brunch at Norma's at Le Parker Meridien Hotel on Saturday morning with Brooklyn friends Sauniell and Tammi, knitters both.   We talked so much that I didn't think to take photos of the three of us!  Thanks Sauniell and Tammi for joining me.  I'm looking forward to that Brooklyn foray you promised! 

Thanks Diane, for inviting me to share a room!  I enjoyed our late night discussions about knitting, your knitting commune (hi, Nancy!), and other stuff.  It was good to catch up.

VKL was held at the Hilton on the Avenue of the Americas within walking distance Bergdorfs and Barneys where I did a bit of cosmetic shopping. 

I picked up a Tom Ford brow sculptor, Shape and Illuminate contour cream, and couple nail polishes, Kanebo Sensei and Edward Bess lipsticks at Bergdorfs; some Sunday Riley and Beauty is Life products at Barneys; and Dolce and Gabbana powder foundation and nail polishes at Saks.  Reviews to come!

Churchmouse Yarn and Teas, Seattle

I never fail to visit Churchmouse Yarn and Teas, on Bainbridge Island, whenever I'm in Seattle.  Visiting yarn shops is particularly soothing, as we knitting types, know, but it was particularly so this time.  As I said in my previous post, the professional part of the trip was not a breeze, so being met at the door of Churchmouse with a glass of champagne brought an instant smile to my face!  The occasion was the celebration of the annual Puget Sound Yarn Crawl.  Had I done my research before hand, I would have found time to visit the other shops, and there are many in the area.  Each customer received a "passport" which each store stamped, and a free pattern.  

The store is beautiful.  The white paint and installations really bring out the beauty of the yarn they sell, as you can see below.  The photos are a combination of those taken on this trip and from a few years ago.  I particularly appreciate their collection of Habu, Socks that Rock, Koigu, Malabrigo, and Marianne Isager, which I've never seen anywhere else.  I'm sure you know her books, Knitting Out of Africa, Classic Knits, and Japanese Inspired Knits.

The vestiges of  Olga's trunk show were also there, making the shop seem even more familiar.

Next time I'll take photos of their button selection, needlepoint and tea sections.

I bought Churchmouse "Classics" Mohair Bias Loop for my travel project home, which one of the staff was wearing across her shoulders as in the picture at the top of the pattern below.

The pattern requires two skeins of Rowan Kidsilk Haze, but she had made hers by knitting the Kidsilk Haze with strand of Charles "Crystal."  The sequins are subtle, making the shawl particularly beautiful.

It requires a provisional cast on. One of the staff thoughtfully started it for me since she knew I was traveling and put it into my shopping bag. Nice, nice, nice!

And I couldn't resist these purple beauties:

The champagne, ambiance, and warm, welcoming staff humored me out of my snarly mood. I had a peaceful ferry ride back to the main land.  With interesting company I might add.  As at Nordstrom (see previous post), a perfect stranger sat down next to me to chat about my knitting project, and life in general.

Artfibers, San Francisco

I'm back from a week-long business trip to San Francisco.  Though I seemed to have worked more on this trip than I do when I'm in the office, i.e. meetings all day and working through State's remote system at night, I got to see more of San Francisco than I usually do.  I managed to eek out some time to visit the newly re-opened Artfibers on Sutter Street.  You may recall that under new ownership Artfibers was moved to cheaper real estate in Pinole, 22 miles from San Francisco, but its customer base didn't follow it there, so they moved back to Sutter Street, thank goodness. 

ETA:  Artfibers never changed ownership.  Roxanne only moved it to a new location.  Sorry about the error.

Here's the owner, Roxanne on the right, with a customer.

I was happy to see that they still have the Yarntasting Lounge and they will help you develop custom patterns.  They also still carry some of their old favorite yarns like Golden Chai, Tantra, Kyoto, and Ming, among many others.

Bucket of needles in the center of the table.

I bought a cone of Golden Chai though I haven't knit up the cone Golden Siam I bought last time I was there.  It's beautiful and couldn't resist!

If you like vintage, there's a beautiful store, Torso, just next door to Artfibers.  I was astonished -  they carry real vintage, not just clothing and accessories a couple of years old.  I should have taken photos, but I was too busy looking.  Check out the site, it'll give a good sense of what they carry.

YPF: MSWF Loot

I was intrigued by this roving. it's 100% wool. Most people told me that it needs to be combed, but I ran into a woman who told me that she spins it as is. As usual, the colors drew me to it.

Before Deb, Debbie, and I left for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Sunday morning, I told Deb that I absolutely did not need any more sock yarn since I have plenty, and my sock knitting mojo seems to have left. What did I buy? Sock Yarn! What was I thinking? It was predictable, I guess.

I couldn't resist these lovelies. From left to right:
Pagewood Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn (purple and red, how could resist?); STR Lightweight "Scum Bubbles;" more Pagewood Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn; STR Lightweight "Pond Scum;" Creatively Dyed Yarn "Ocean;" Sock Hop by Dancing Leaf Farm, no colorway specified.

Here's Dianne, owner of Creatively Dyed Yarn, doing a brisk business. We had to wade through lots of mud to get to her tent. I guess I haven't mentioned that it never stopped raining the whole time we were there.

Not for one freakin' moment.

Entering the Main Building.

The Fold. I can't believe I actually got into the booth!

Sock Hop by Dancing Leaf Farm

I bought more roving too.

Corriedale, by Grafton Fibers

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Handpainted Roving

100% Merino Wool

Though I love what I bought, I thought the roving selection was small, and few of the colors appealed to me (maybe it was all sold Saturday?) So I bought this too:

Non-toxic yarn dye. Doubly, what was I thinking??? Well, actually, I was thinking about that beautiful over-dyed Sundara yarn that I was hardly ever able to acquire. It sold out in seconds. Anyway, I already dread the mess. And I have to learn how to get the colors I want.

Finally, a new spindle was at the top of wish list. Here's my new Bosworth drop spindle.

I almost bought a Golding too, but decided that I'd get one later. Maybe at Rhinebeck, if I go, or next year. Look at this big Golding wheel. It was beautiful.

Chakra Cotton Spinning Contraption, seen at the Bosworth booth.

The most amazing thing about the day is that I passed this up

Habu!

I've never passed Habu without buying some.

"Unikat" Yarn Shop, Frankfurt

Loved Unikat. Another very small shop, only slightly larger than Lana. It's a few blocks away from the Opera, in the other direction from Lana in a tony little neighborhood.

Michelle and I went there 5 times, the first 3 times it was closed. Don't ask why we didn't call first! We finally got our German friend, Beate, to call to find out what the hours were. We were intrigued by what we could see in the windows, particularly a dark gray tank top.

We were delighted when we finally made it when it was open. Unikat is not affiliated with Unikat yarn, made by Zitron. The owner, Claudia Wende, was warm and welcoming and eager to show us what she had. She is one of the friendliest yarn store owners I've ever met. I'd spend a lot time at her shop if I lived in Frankfurt.

Claudia carried lots of brands we recognized, Including some sock yarn and a variety of yarn that we have here, but again I was intrigued by the lines we can't find here. We had to make some painful choices. I took pictures while I procrastinated. I was delighted with that tank made from Lang "Aura," a new release for spring and summer. It's deep gray with a purplish cast. But she only accepted European Union credit cards, so we had to go back when we had cash. That led to visit number five.

We got there an hour early. (I really don't know what was wrong with us!) We knit that hour away at a place called the Liquid Lounge.

I love that name. It was late afternoon and there were only a handful of people there. I ordered a capuccino and Michelle got a cup of mint tea.

I bought one skein of Schulana "Trevari." Claudia knits up lots of samples from the yarn she carries so that you can see what they look like. She had a shawl made from Schulana "Trevari," which doesn't like much in the ball, but looks great knit up. I bought one skein, hoping that I could find it somewhere here. No luck yet.

She also had a garment made up from this Katia "Glaciar," but it's a winter yarn and she only had three balls left. I bought them all, perhaps for an obi - just the thing to dress up a work outfit for evening. It's black with a bit of silver running through.

She also had a body-skimming dress made up from this Gedifra "Possible." It's a thin black ribbon yarn. She had also worked in a bit of fun fur (yes, Del!) and edged part of it with Katia "Galaxy." It was so elegant. And no, I didn't think to take a picture! Claudia is about 6 feet tall and very slender, so I'm certain it looks fabulous on her.

I was fascinated by this little fastener. Have you all seen any here? I should look at M & J Trimming when I'm in New York again. Or look on line.

I bought this Schulana book that has some beautiful patterns and English translations.

It also contains some stitch patterns new to me, and Claudia showed us a few new ones too.

She’d ask how to say something in English, then when she’d say it again in German, I knew what she was talking about. Wouldn't that be a novel way to learn German!