"Lana" Yarn Shop, Frankfurt

"Lana" is a tiny shop owned by Katja LeJeune in Frankfurt's upscale shopping area near the Opera. It is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and stores like Prada, Akris, Jaeger, Lalique, Salvatore Ferragamo, and other chic boutiques. Walking space inside is maybe 10x10 feet, yet it is fully stocked with beautiful yarn, knitted garments, knitting booklets, and buttons that Katja has collected over the years. I was intrigued by her storage solutions: lots of drawers, shelves, and built-in cases that show sample yarn on the outside and store stock when pulled out.

We went there at least three times - most of the shops are open until 8 or 8:30 these days - and Katja always wore something she'd made.

In a Noro suit-

In her own design

The last day I saw her, she had on a pair of low slung jeans with boots and mid-calf cardigan. Casual chic.

We would recognize the yarn she carried - Anny Blatt, Lang, Lana Grossa, Gedifra, and Noro, among others - yet I've never seen the selections or lines anywhere in the States. We would call many of them novelty yarns, wool and silk stranded with metallic and/or ribbon yarn, sometimes studded with sequins. When knit up, these yarns are subtle, feminine and glamourous. I will be more open-minded about novelty yarn now.

My colleague and knitting buddy, Michelle, bought Katja's last 11 balls of this:

It's Anny Blatt Odysee in "Lagoon." I love it and can't find it anywhere in the States. Yes, we've Googled it. Gedifra makes a colorway almost exactly like it, and I can't it here either. That it's new for spring might have something to do with it. We'll keep looking.

I bought these to crochet some necklaces like the ones Katja had on display. It's Noro "Daria" and Lang "Lame."

I bought this for a summer shell. Kind of nondescript in the ball, but it knits up beautifully.

It's made like the Anny Blatt above with little pebbles enveloped in mesh.

Finally I bought this Lana Grossa booklet. Click on the link to see the contents.

Next: "Unikat"