Chicago Itinerary - Day 1 and Day 2

My Kind of Town

We're going to experiment with dividing up the travel days into two blogs to cut down on the large amount of information delivered in these installments. So, with no further ado, here's your first two days in the Windy City, my hometown.

DAY ONE - THURSDAY:

First Stop - Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
http://www.artic.edu/


There’s probably two things you should never visit Chicago without doing, so let’s get those done right off the bat. No matter where you’re staying (more on that later), spend your first afternoon in Chicago taking in the city’s visual and culinary masterpieces: The Art Institute of Chicago and deep dish pizza. What order you indulge your senses in is entirely up to you, depending on your arrival time and your ability to digest high-density foods. Me? I’d do the museum first, because no way are you going to be able to finish your pizza and the take-home bag just won’t sit nicely in the baggage check at the museum. Be warned, they are rather severe about the size and scope of bags you can take into the museum, so be ready to fork over some time and money ($1 per item) to check your accessories. Sadly, one of the vital galleries to us fiber fanatics is currently closed. Admission is $12, and you can purchase your tickets on line by visiting the museum’s website at www.artic.edu. If you’re visiting in May, you’ll have access to the museum’s outstanding Textile gallery, when it reopens in an expanded space. Until then, we’ll have to cool our heels in the other world-class galleries and perhaps with a few inspirations from the museum bookstore. The point here is to saturate your imagination in color and pattern. Take notes (but not photos) of what appeals to you; colors, combinations, shades, textures. Chicago is a tapestry of neighborhoods, and your fiber finds from this trip should be no less diverse. Lucky for you, the museum is open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, so you can get a full day’s visual gluttony in despite travel.

Next stop: Dinner at Pizzeria Uno
29 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
312-321-1000

Speaking of gluttony, no city on the planet does pizza like Chicago does pizza, and it’d be a crime to leave the city without tasting the real deal. While locals may debate endlessly on personal preferences, for sheer first-guy-to-invent-the-thing-superiority, Uno is the place to go. I’m a fan of the Spinnoccoli (a spinach, broccoli and cheese extravaganza), which according to the restaurant’s website Pizzanality preference test says my “outlook on life is all about happiness and fun.” Pretty accurate. But seriously, there’s no bad choice on the deep dish menu--they’re all great. The closest location is less than a mile away on Ohio Street. They’re open until 1 a.m., for crying out loud, but I can’t imagine what kind of nightmares you’d risk going to sleep with a gut-full of that stuff.

Waddle on back to your lodgings and complete the knitting you didn’t finish off in the car or on the plane, and rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.

DAY TWO - FRIDAY:

They don’t call it the Magnificent Mile for nothing. Today we’ll take Michigan Avenue from top to bottom, with a yarn-based finale because that’s why we’re here, right?

First Stop – Watertower Place
835 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 255-0693
http://www.shopwatertower.com/

From wherever you’ve decided to stay, get yourself to Chicago’s shopping epicenter, Watertower Place. Spend your morning wandering the seven floors of retail splendor. If you have any 9-12 year-old girls in your life, the American Girl Place is not to be missed. Lindt has a chocolate shop here on the top floor, and my personal favorite, WaoBao steamed dumplings in the lobby. You don’t need my help here—this place has everything.

Next Stop: Cheesecake Factory for lunch
875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-1101
http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

Chicagoans take their cheesecake very seriously. Eli’s Cheesecake, the quintessential local brand, is available in a variety of retail stores but doesn’t have its own restaurant, so be Windy City-ish in spirit by lunching in this restaurant in the bottom of the Hancock Center just across the street. They have a gazillion varieties of the desert in addition to good food.

Next Stop:
Millennium Park and “The Bean”
http://www.millenniumpark.org/

Granted, it’s winter, but this spectacular 24-acre park could make anyone love cold weather. It’s even got an ice skating rink. The park really shines in the summer with its outdoor cafes, fountains designed for even grown-ups to play in, and outdoor free concerts; but it’s pleasant enough in any season. You owe it to yourself to stop and admire Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture—what locals call “The Bean.” On paper, it sounds uninviting, but the interaction of people with their curvy reflections is just plain mesmerizing—you won’t be able to explain it, but you won’t care.

Next Stop: Garrett’s Popcorn
4 E Madison St
Chicago, IL 60602-4401
http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/

Another Chicago must-have snack is this terrific-smelling, terrific-selling popcorn. It’s a brief walk off Michigan Avenue—you might just be able to follow your nose. Locals all have their favorite combos of the three flavors, but I’m a CaramelCrisp purist. Be warned: sticky fingers are unavoidable, no matter which flavor you choose.

Next Stop: State Street
Like the song says, “That Great Street” is arguably, and geographically the center of Chicago. All the N, S, E, and W, directions start here at the intersection of State and Madison. Again, loads of retail options abound, so wander down State street until you hit Jackson, then cut over to Wabash.

Next Stop: Canady Le Chocolatier
824 S Wabash Ave
(between 8th St & 9th St)
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 212-1270
http://www.canadylechocolatierchicago.com/
Walk down Wabash, with Chicago’s trademark elevated trains overhead, to today’s sugar fix recommended by our yarn store, Loopy Yarns: Canady Le Chocolatier. Immerse yourself in a world that speaks the language of “ganache” and “fondant.” Whether you’re indulging in chocolates, gelato, or any of the other outstanding goodies available, this place is top-notch foodie-quality sweets. According to locals, the “Death by Chocolate” gelato lives up to its name, as do many of the other unique gelato flavors. You’re quite likely to run into the shop’s personable owner, Michael Canady, who will happily steer you to your own personal chocoholic bliss. The express train to non-nutrition never tasted so good.

Next Stop: Loopy Yarns
47 West Polk Street
Chicago, IL 60605
312-583-YARN (9276)
http://www.loopyyarns.com/

Now, while the sugar high is still kicking in, is the time to head on over to Loopy Yarns. Downtown yarn stores aren’t always around in big cities, but this one’s a dream. Tourist friendly, Loopy Yarns gets a lot of convention-spouse and visitor traffic, so they’ll happily welcome you. It has one of the largest book selections I’ve seen in a long time. With several art-oriented colleges within walking distances, you might even see teachers bringing students in for lessons on color, texture, and fiber. The owner Vicki Sayre is generous with her time and passionate about her craft, flitting from customer to customer to make suggestions, answer questions, or go digging for that last ball of chunky weight navy you just have to have. If you’re into sock knitting, this place is for you. They also have a huge selection of Cascade Superwash.

Friday night is Knit Night here, so pick your project and settle in to stitch with the locals. If you still need dinner (you might not), you can pop next door to Bar Louie and come back for more. I was delighted to find a great mix of folks—master knitters, beginners, young, old, men and women, even a charming dog--gathered for this weekly twilight fiber fest that goes strong until 9 p.m. It’s the perfect way to end a very full day.

Here are some project suggestions from Vicki at Loopy Yarns:

The Little Can of Pain kit from Chicago-based Lorna’s Laces.
For just over $20 you can make yourself the most darling pair of socks from this delectable hand-died yarn made right here in Chicago. The colorways are sumptuous and with the addition of a pair of size 0 sock needles (and, funny enough, a screwdriver/paintkey/quarter to get the thing open), you are good to go. If you’re a beginner just itching to dip your toes into the hand-knit sock pool, this is an excellent diving board.



Cascade Superwash Hat
Let the staff guide you to a hat pattern of your choice while you pick any of the dozens of colors of this stash-staple yarn. No matter if you prefer a pattern that uses straight needles or circulars, you’ll come away with a quick, comfy hat to ward off that Chicago wind.





Urban Beats Scarf
From a pattern by Malabrigo Yarn, but you'll have to wait to see my version for an image. But trust me, this is a showstopper of an accessory, guaranteed to make you look uber-cool and a master of your craft. It’ll be our knit-long project, so watch for more in later installments.

Stay tuned for the next two days of your Chi-town Fiber Fest.

Knit-Along II: knit's Feather and Fan Shawl - Part 5

See you at the bind-off!

This’ll be our adieu to this stunning project, because I’m not sure how I can make endless rows of repeats entertaining. Don’t get me wrong, this project doesn’t make for bad knitting at all—it just makes for dull reading. I’ve come up with everything useful, insightful, or remotely clever that I can say until I wrap myself in the elegant drape of this shawl and ask you to bask in my fabulousness. Which is difficult to do online anyway. But I promise, you’ll get a photo of both projects on me (no, not at the same time) once the finishing and blocking has been done.

Which leads us to the only possible conclusion: WHAT NEXT?

Next, folks, is “The Hometown Edition.” My personal guide for you to Chicago. Yes, that’s right, I’m promoting a visit to Chicago in winter. When it’s cold. Actually, really cold. But then again, isn’t that the best knitting weather of all? And trust me, I’m going to set you up with some delicious goodies, great stores, and the delectable diversity that is my home city.

Now, I need to draw a distinction here, these aren’t my “home” yarn stores—they’ll get their own special episode later in the year. The DestiKNITions that comes next week will be a Chicago fibertourism extravaganza—four perfect days in Chicago that will introduce you to everything that’s wonderful about our city. Well, in my opinion.

But, now, I actually need YOUR opinion.

As someone recently pointed out to me, the full-scale itinerary blog entry (see the Charleston entry if you don’t know what I’m talking about) is “a whopping lot of information.” Either you think that’s a good thing, or it’s like drinking from a fire-hose. Blogs are supposed to be brief, pithy things by nature. I hand your four days worth of detailed information, which may or may not be what you were looking for.

So here’s your chance to vote: leave a comment with your answer to the following question:
Do you want your Chicago itinerary:
1) All at once in one installment? OR
2) One travel day at a time (i.e. one blog for your Thursday visit suggestions, another for your Friday visit suggestions, etc.)

Yes, knitters, this is a full service operation and I’ll post the Chicago itinerary according to your wishes!

Knit-Along II: knit's Feather and Fan Shawl - Part 4

Two feet in...

...and the charm is wearing off. Not that I don’t think the final product will be absolutely lovely, but after the non-stop drama of the sampler scarf this is, well, less drama.

And you know, that’s not a bad thing. I have more than enough drama in my life at the moment.

Which brings me to a salient point: quality materials. Sitting and knitting on this shawl the other night, I was struck again with how satisfying I find the experience of working with this yarn and needles. The yarn is smooth yet with enough texture to really be noticed under your fingers. I find myself running my hands down the knitted piece, taking in the paradox of smooth bumps. It drapes fabulously. And the more material I produce, the more weight is added to the piece so that the stitch pattern and drape come out more and more. Yummy. You just can’t get to that place with a ball of acrylic sport weight. Not that such yarns don’t have their place, but some days you just need the “luxe” vibe.

Which brings me to another salient point (I’m a professional writer, I’m supposed to have lots of these): good needles. I am a huge fan of Lantern Moon needles, particularly the ebony ones which I am using now.
There is just something amazing in the way they feel to me. I own metal needles—I even own a pair of the ones with light-up ends which I used often until my son thought it would be cute to stuck them up his nostrils so I could watch his nose glow (can you say antiseptic wipes?). I love addi turbo circulars. But there is a romance for me in the Lantern Moon straight needles. They feel indulgent, and face it; I’m in knitting for the indulgence. It’s a tactile pleasure for me.

So, when faced with a project that is a looooong stretch of basic repeats like this, I take my inspiration and endurance from my materials. Plainly put, I’ll keep going because it feels so good.

If only I could say the same about a treadmill….

Knit-Along II: knit's Feather and Fan Shawl - Part 3

Keep on Keeping On...

A good part of this pattern is full rows of knit or near-full rows of purl, so this can get a bit tedious. The luscious color-way helps with that—I’d go cross-eyed doing this in a solid color yarn. I keep stitching through the waves of pastels, thinking how stunning I’ll look on Easter Sunday draped in my fabulous shawl.

For ease, I put a stitch marker at the end of each 16-stitch repeat, but that’s had its share of problems, too. Because you’re putting yarn-overs on one side of these markers, they have a nasty habit of migrating a stitch over a few rows. It’s not hard to compensate for once you realize your marker has simply wandered under a yarn-over when you weren’t looking, but you’ll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out where you dropped a stitch before you realize what’s really happened. I solved this by counting out my stitches before I started each of the more complicated rows--namely rows 1 and 7--and putting my markers back in their rightful places before moving on.

It is really beautiful, though, and I’ve had the delightful experience of people stopping me when I knit in public and asking me what I’m making, touching the piece, and generally making me feel artistic and fascinating. Gotta love that. No one ever seems to stop me when I’m making complicated mittens or fluffy scarves, no matter how impressive the pattern might be. This, though, seems to be a real show-stopper. So do yourself a favor—go take your knitting out in public and bask in the glow of your own fabulousness. You deserve it.

Knit-Along II: knit's Feather and Fan Shawl - Part 2

Just say “yes”

There will be no photos with today’s entry. It’s not the kind of carnage I’d willingly showcase. Today’s installment is an ugly tale of entanglements, a saga of stupidity, the age-old drama of woman vs. hank and what happens when you give the wrong answer to “would you like us to wind that into balls for you?”

When some nice yarn store staff member asks the considerate question, “would you like me to wind that into a ball for you now?” YOU SAY YES. You don’t think, “Oh, I’m a perfectly capable human being. I have opposable thumbs and a college degree from a well-respected institution of higher learning. I can wind string into a ball.” No, you smile, nod, and say “Why, thank you so very much. I’d be delighted if you could wind that for me.” Why? Because…

1) Balls of yarn pack better than hanks
2) Hanks can untwist in your suitcase, which is very bad indeed
3) Even if you make it home with your pretty hank intact, chances are you don’t own the nifty gadgets for winding yarn into balls, which means you’ll foolishly consider doing it the old fashioned way—two people, one with the hank around their two hands, the other person winding. Not fun, time consuming, only looks good in paintings of Amish people and 18th century domestic scenes
4) You might be me, in which case you do the dumbest thing of all

And what--because I KNOW you’re asking--is the dumbest thing of all? It would be to decide to unwind your hank on your own, using your two feet propped up against the coffee table (because your children are smart enough not to want to get involved), beginning at 10pm. Because, really, that’s when the good TV starts, right? And this is the perfect TV-watching activity.

It’s like childbirth—your brain blocks out the torture of the last time you did it. You think, “this time will be different, it won’t get tangled.” It’s funny how that thought doesn’t occur to you at 2:00am when you’re hacking at your beautiful yarn with needles and scissors trying to get the last twelve yards of the splendid stuff from looking like a very unfortunate, very colorful sea urchin. You forget that it takes HOURS to wind five balls of yarn by hand. You forget that you just can’t stay up past 1:00 am like you used to when you were younger. You forget that at some point during those hours, if you’re a woman past thirty (or even if you’re not), you’re going to have to put the yarn down to go to the bathroom. And you can never put the yarn down…

I won’t go into details. I’ve set your imagination off in the darkest of directions. It wasn’t pretty. I’ll never, ever do it again….

Knit-Along II: knit's Feather and Fan Shawl

My next project: the Feather and Fan Shawl from knit

First off, if this is your first trip to DestiKNITions, do yourself a favor and go back to read the first CHARLESTON, SC installment. It will put everything in context…although be warned, it may have you booking a flight by sundown.

Now that I’ve finished both sides of my sampler scarf, I’ll turn my attention to the Feather and Fan shawl from “knit.”
Knit is definitely a cool store, and this is cool fiber. It’s a deliciously silky hand-died confection of a yarn called “Rick Rack” from Interlacements. It’s rayon, so it’s hand-washable —I don’t like to knit things that will end up sending me to the dry cleaners—but with a rich, elegant feel that will undoubtedly give me an artful looking product. The yarn takes its “rick rack” name from its squiggly nature, like the “rick rack” trim you’d find in a fabric store. While providing great texture, it also makes it a struggle to take out if you’ve missed a stitch or made some other mistake. While it’s smooth and silky, it’s not quite slippery enough to undo easily. That’s good, though, because it also won’t stray off your needles like some of the other shiny rayons I’ve used. Still, I chose to cast this onto wood needles just to make sure nothing goes wandering off my needles when I’m not looking.

I’ve done feather and fan stitches before, and hadn’t realized there are variations on the theme. This one is a bit more complicated than my previous attempts, but I like the shape of the wave it produces. The repeat is just long enough to forget, so use a stitch counter. Of course, that means you have to remember to advance the stitch counter when you finish a row (I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve messed myself up on that front). If only they made needle-pedometers that counted for you based on how you moved. Oh, I’d probably confound a device like that with all my fidgeting anyway.

This is an endurance pattern. Master the repeat, then repeat it all for about six feet. Good “watching tv” or “attending a meeting” knitting—provided you pay attention on the complicated rows and keep count.

Next installment I’ll tell you the sorry story of how I unwound this thing….it will help us get through the mileage of this project with a smile on our collective faces. Or it may take your opinion of me down a few notches. Stay tuned, DestiKNITers, the adventure continues.