Arroyo Shawl from Yarn Shop and More - Day 4

The u-turn of knitting...

A well-shaped shawl is a thing of beauty.  Shaping is where the designer gets to strut her stuff.  Anyone can knit a rectangle--and I do have several lovely wraps that are simply that--but the crescents and triangles seem to be the foundations for the real “ahh” pieces.  

All knitters who hope to shape their pieces must make friends with the short row.  It is exactly that--a row shorter than the full garment.  It’s the u-turn of knitting: you stop and go back the other way, often zig-zagging your way across the piece much like a sailboat tacking into the wind.  Short rows are a crucial element of that central magic of knitting that is the turned sock heel.  Short rows make curves out of straight lines.

One of the biggest drawbacks of u-turning mid-row is that it often leaves a hole.  Holes are nice, we like them; holes make lace lacey.  But no one wants holes popping up in your garter stitch like mushrooms.  The solution then, is a little trick known as the wrap-and-turn:  

• Knit to the place where you need to turn
• Keeping the yarn in back (if you’re knitting, which in this case we are) slip the next stitch to your right hand needle without knitting it.  
• Turn your work and slip your yarn (which is now in front because you’ve turned around) to the back in between your needles.  
• Slip the stitch (which is now on your left needle because you’ve turned around) to the right
• Your working yarn will have done a little wrap around that slipped stitch, snuggling your short row up to the unknit stitches next to it and preventing a hole.
• Knit away on your new row, going back the way you came

Go ahead, try it.  If my description befuddles you, there are a number of fine videos on the internet that may explain it--or a version of that technique--in a way that suits you better.

This pattern uses progressive short rows to create the triangular shape.  The direction “knit to last stitch before turn” is the key here.  A dark yarn like this makes it hard to see that “last stitch before turn” in a sea of purple garter stitch.  In this case, I forgo my subtle stitch markers and use big, bright ones to guide my way.

So far, I’m really enjoying this shawl.  I’ve found myself plotting which yarn to use next--something dk or larger to see what the more substantial version looks like--and that’s always the sign of a great pattern. 

Arroyo Shawl from Yarn Shop and More - Day 3

The "Want to"s vs. the "Have to"s

Lace never seems to look right at the time you’re knitting it.  It hasn’t yet achieved the open, lightweight clarity I know it will gain when it is blocked.  That’s not to say it isn’t pretty, but it isn’t yet beautiful.  Knit-but-unblocked lace is the middle school girl of knitting; all the bones and shapes are there, but they haven’t yet settled in the right places.

I tackle my lace knitting with the potent strategy I use to tackle life:  small steps lauched by the next right thing.  

Some days a whole project like this looms too large for my mood or looks too demanding for my current energy.  I gaze at a whole shawl and wonder where I’ll find the time to get all that knitting in.  Or, other days, I’m swamped by the opposite--I see all that knitting and don’t want any of life to get in the way.  What’s a DestiKNITter to do?

At times like these I break the whole shebang down into small segments with mini-goals.  I set a goal of getting to the middle of this lace section, then set another to get to the end.  I break every pattern row into stitch markers noting the repeats, etc.

Since deadlines are a part of my everyday writing existence, I have only one test for how fast or far to go in my knitting goals:  If it feels like work, stop.

Sure, I write about my knitting here, and I do set schedules and deadlines for myself, but I will blow off those deadlines if the sheer pleasure of yarn between my fingers starts to fade.  The way I see it, if I’m not having any fun, you won’t have any fun.

Keep in mind that hard can still be fun.  Challenging can still be pleasing.  I just want to make sure the “want to”s of my knitting never collide with the “have to”s that rule the rest of my life.

Arroyo Shawl from Yarn Shop and More - Day 2

"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept my stitch markers..."

Dramatic personality that I am, I’ve always loved the show-off qualities of lace and cable knitting.  They look like you’ve got ninja-level skills (and in some cases that’s exactly what you need), but they don’t always require huge doses of concentration to get a great result.  Oh, I enjoy a challenge, but I love a lace pattern that makes good use of a do-able repeat.  A pattern that won't force me to have my eyes glued to the chart, living in fear of my next botched yarn-over.  I also like having every other row being all purls--even though I hate purling--so I can catch my breath.

Long-time DestiKNITters will know I’ve made friends with stitch markers to fill the gaps in my questionable attention span.  My favorite are these small black ones made especially for lace and sock knitting.  They discretely mark my repeats without feeling like brightly colored training wheels on my needles.  Sure, I could eyeball it and risk a host of mistakes, but I’m more interested in fun than integrity where my knitting is concerned.  I do the same with high-volume cast-ons; I could count in my head, but we all know it’s a risky business.  

After all, I have had amnesia.

Arroyo Shawl from Yarn Shop and More - Day 1

Scaling down the fun...

After the large-scale outrageousness of the Udderly Divine Bag, this delicate and elegant Arroyo shawl feels like a refreshing change.    The project tucks perfectly in my handbag, despite the 241 stitches in width.  

Yeah, about those 241 stitches.  Why is it that, even with all my experience, I never seem to give myself enough yarn to do a high-volume long-tail cast on with projects like these?  At least this time I only had to re-do it once.  I think when I did the Peony Scarf it took three attempts--and that was 400 stitches per row!  With lots of stitches like this, I’m always happy when designers give me a cable cast on instead.  Still, I do understand that different cast-ons have different qualities, so I’m willing to trust the designer and eat a little humble pie on this one.

The pattern is one that scales up or down with the fiber you use.  While the model I saw in Yarn Shop and More (here at the right) was in Malabrigo Rios, they’ve given me Malabrigo’s Sock. This yarn has a lovely drape and a nice sheen without being too slippery.  It moves nicely through my fingers without snagging, and I’m pleased with the rich deep color of Violetta Africana.  Like most purples or blues, the camera has trouble capturing the hue, sorry.

I'm having fun imagining what the finished product will look like--and isn't that one of the entertainments of knitting?

August Authors Who Knit: Deborah Cooke and Claire Delacroix

Like many in the publishing biz, this month's author writes under more than one name: Deborah Cooke also writes as Claire Delacroix.   When you see what she's working on, you'll wonder if she isn't actually two people--that's a lot of knitting going on!

Deborah--and Claire, what’s on your needles right now?

Wow. What’s NOT on my needles right now might be a better question! I have a bad case of start-itis, although I’m trying to get that under control. By the time this is posted, I should be finished my Irtfa’a shawl  - there are only a few repeats of the border left. I should also be finished my Hebrides cardigan in Kidsilk Haze Stripe. (Fingers crossed on that one.) I won’t be done the socks I just cast on for knitting on trains, planes and automobiles (and if I am, I will have cast on another pair. There must always be a pair of socks on my needles.) Next up will be finishing my Knit, Swirl cardigan, which had long skinny sleeves when it was completed the first time. Sadly (or maybe it’s not so sad) I don’t have such long arms, so I had to frog it back and reknit that part.  Sleeves seem to be an issue - I need to knit the sleeves on a circular jacket in KSH (design by Brooke Nico) that was in Vogue Knitting a few years back I have a bag destined to be felted which needs its handle knit - the pattern is the Sipalu bag from Knitpicks but I substituted Patons SWS and am knitting it at a larger gauge. Then I have three fair isle cardigans on the needles - Bute from Rowan 52, a variation of Anatolia from Rowan 54, and an improvised cardigan with reclaimed yarn using the chart from Eunny Jang’s Venezia Pullover. 

Phew. Looks like I should be knitting instead of blogging! LOL.

What feels like your favorite/greatest knitting accomplishment?

I like knitting lace, but I tend to knit lace patterns I can memorize, like Fiddlesticks patterns. Flirty Ruffles was the first lace shawl I ever knit, and I’ve also knit the Peacock Feathers shawl. Funny that mine are both red! Once I get my needles cleared, I have two more challenging lace projects lined up: Urdr and Fire Dance Circle. Both are round shawls using Unique Sheep Gradiance colourways, which are dyed sequentially so that the colour changes over the course of knitting the shawl and both have beads. I’m pretty excited about both projects and the timing is working out well: I tend to knit lace in the winter.

What feels like the worst knitting mistake/foible/wrong choice you’ve ever made?

I make a lot of knitting mistakes, but they don’t feel so terrible. The thing with yarn is that you can unravel it and start again - it’s seldom wasted. It’s pretty common for me to mismatch pattern and yarn, then because I’m picky, unravel the whole thing, especially if I really like the yarn. The first time I bought some Noro, I bought about 15 balls of Silk Garden. My husband couldn’t believe the price of it. But then, I knit it and frogged it about ten times over as many years before it finally remained a cardigan. He decided that the Noro was the best value yarn ever, because I had so many years of knitting from it. In that way, yarn is like words - you can keep revising and reworking until you get just the right sweater or story. 

Straight or circular needles?

Usually circular, but it depends on the project.

Metal or wood needles?

Usually metal, but it depends on the yarn.

White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate?

Do I have to choose?

Coffee or tea?

Tea, please—with lemon.

Have you written a knitting character?

I’ve written several. In my Dragonfire series of paranormal romances, Eileen Grosvenor is an enthusiastic knitter. She’s the heroine of the third book, Kiss of Fate, and a continuing character in the series. Eileen knits furiously and there’s a sense that knitting is an outlet for her energy. She also has a role in my Dragon Diaries paranormal YA series, as she’s the mother of Zoë, the protagonist. 

In my contemporary romance series, The Coxwells, Jennifer Maitland, the heroine of book #4, All or Nothing, is a passionate knitter. Jen is also a cancer survivor and taking one stitch at a time has helped her to get through the challenge of treatment. She’s a bit obsessive about her sticks and string as a result, but playful too. I love the scene in which the hero finds her knitting an avocado. 

Hmm. None of my medieval heroines in my Claire Delacroix books have ever been knitters. Maybe I should fix that!

Give a shout out to your favorite local yarn store:

This LYS isn’t that local to me, but it’s truly wonderful. It’s my pilgrimage store - I make the trek in once or twice a year:

The Needle Emporium

420 Wilson Street East
Ancaster, ONTARIO L9G 2C3

Phone: (905) 648-1994

Toll Free: (800) 667-9167

www.needleemporium.com

If you’d like to be friends with our guest on Ravelry, her name is DCDKnits, and she tells me she has a couple of free patterns posted there, too.

As always, show our guest some DestiKNITions love by stopping by her blog. 

KANSAS CITY - Day 3

A little bit of everything...

Start today at a bit of retail history:  Country Club Plaza.  This upscale shopping mecca is not only beautiful to look at, but was the first shopping center ever designed for the automobile-driving consumer.  Ever, like ever in the whole world.  Opened in the 1920’s and boasting a strong Spanish feel from fountains, mural, and mosaics, it’s visually lovely.  It was ridiculously cold there for a May day on my visit, but I still had a great time wandering the fifteen blocks of posh upscale stores as well as the standard retail establishments.  Many people told me the place is decked out beyond compare for the holidays, and I can believe it.  While you can pursue whatever retail urges you may have, I found a few snack pursuits worth noting thanks to some great tips from locals:

Christopher Elbow Chocolates in Halls department store

elbowchocolates.com

Chocolate as art.  Incredible chocolate as art.  I had the counter clerk pick out her four favorites and then spent the next ten minutes in chocolate heaven.  Oh, and the rest of the store is nice, too.

Natasha's Mulberry & Mott

natashasmulberryandmott.com

I’m serious about French macarons, and I’d heard of Natasha’s even before heading into this charming little bakery.  Splendid macarons and a bunch of other things, but I was only there for macarons.

When you’re ready for lunch, head to a KC favorite:

Classic Cup Cafe

301 W. 47th Street

Kansas City, MO 64112

www.classiccup.com

While this was certainly not the day for it, my sources laud this place as one of the nicest (but not particularly kid-friendly) outdoor dining experiences in the city.  It’s an acknowledged power lunch or snazzy brunch spot, so eating at prime times can involve a wait, but it was quietly bustling and casually elegant during my mid-afternoon visit.  I especially appreciated the fireplace on this frigid day.  Everyone has their favorite meals, but make sure you have the bread pudding.  It’s hard for a non-chocolate desert to catch my fancy, but this one sure did.

When you’ve scratched all your retail and sugar itches, it’s time to head just a little bit west for today’s yarn fix:

The Studio Knitting and Needlepoint

1121 W. 47th St.

Kansas City, MO 64112 United States

(816) 531-4466

http://www.thestudiokc.com

Manager Cindy Craig’s reputation, vision, and knitting skill give this place it’s unique charm.  A true craft evangelist, Cindy works hard to make every customer feel welcome.  She strives to “give no one a reason to quit knitting,” removing barriers and pouring on the encouragement.  A customer in the store while I was there boasted, “There’s nothing Cindy can’t solve!”  The store is a series of homey rooms, each one stocked with projects and fibers that make for enticing wandering.  Like all the good yarn shops, there’s a big table filled with customers hanging out and sharing their craft and lives all the time.

As you can imagine, Cindy is big into education, offering “Quarter Master” classes that cover a different topic each quarter.  I love that you can earn discount points for meeting your class goals!  According to those in the know, the Studio’s winter retreat is not to be missed!

Here are some projects you’ll want to consider:

The Reunited Scarf

Designed by staff member Susan Andrews and available on Ravelry, I love the nice balance between lace and substance in this scarf.  I also like the size--I prefer my scarves on the big and wide side.  I’ve not yet tried entrelac lace, but it looks intriguing.  While I’ve got some yarn in my stash just perfect for this, Cindy recommends Anzula Cloud.

Celebrate Color Scarf

By far my favorite in the store, this big, bright garter-stitch scarf of Cindy’s own design does what the name says: celebrates color.  You’ll need 8 different colors of whatever fingering you choose, but Cindy recommends Claudia Handpainted fingering.  “Choose colors that don’t necessarily match, but multi-colored yarns that have a least one color in common with another skein.”  If it were me, I’d get some staff help to select my 8 to make sure I loved the results.

Playful Stripes blanket

Another Ravelry pattern that takes simple stitches to an eye-catching new level, this Meridith Shepherd design utilizes four colors of Berroco Weekend or any worsted weight yarn.  I thought it would make for a great baby gift, a cozy throw for someone you want to comfort, or bit of home for a new college student done up in school colors.

Cabled Feather Cowl

While I love feather and fan for a shawl, I’ve not yet done a cowl with that design, so I'm glad this project will be our knit-along from The Studio.  Another exclusive pattern, this should knit up warm and soft in Missouri-based fiber Alpacas d’Auxvasse suri/merino blend.  Looks like great gift knitting--even if I plan on gifting my own lovely self!

When you’re done here, you’ve got two very different options to finish out your day:

Go upscale and lady-like at:

Andre’s Confiserie Suisse

5018 Main Street

Kansas City, MO  64112

816-561-3440

Andreschocolates.com

Swiss decor.   Chocolate.  Ladies tea.  What’s not to love?  Okay, the cowboy in your life might not appreciate this place, but you sure will.  Folks rave about the quiche and desert is always included--how can you beat that?

Want to get a little more down and dirty?  I’m pretty sure it's against the law to leave Kansas City without eating barbecue, and my choice was

Gates Bar-B-Q

Several locations

www.gatesbbq.com

Folks behind the counter yell (and I do mean yell) “Hi may I help you?” when you enter, and the in-your-face-helpful charm just goes on from there.  Greasy, messy, wonderfulness.  I ate something heavenly called “burnt ends” that probably would have given my cardiologist fits.  Sure, it’s not for everyone--and most locals are loud about their opinion on where to go for BBQ, but I’m glad I went here.

You know what?  If I had the time, I’d do both Andre’s and Gates--just not in the same day.  But that’s what DestiKNITions is for; to send you on an adventure beyond your yarn.

Next up, I cast on the Arroyo shawl from Yarn Shop and More.

KANSAS CITY - Day 2

I’m in Missouri.  No, I’m in Kansas.  No, wait, I’m in Missouri again.  It’s not KCMO, it’s OPKS.  Huh?  It’s hard to get my Chicago head around a city that spans two states and so many initials like this.

Spend the morning of your second day wandering whatever classic tourist attractions catch your fancy, but save the afternoon for a nifty little Kansas neighborhood called Overland Park (“OP” for locals).  Tucked away in a standard-looking suburban grid landscape is a collection of curvy streets and parks with charm to spare. The intersection of Santa Fe Drive and streets with 80’s in their names creates the Overland Park downtown that’s highly walkable, even in the nasty weather than accompanied my visit.

Begin with a fabulous casual lunch at:

The Peanut

7938 Santa Fe Drive

Overland Park, KS 66204

913-499-8565

http://www.peanutkc.com/santafe.html

Kansas City’s oldest bar and grill has five locations, but this one on Santa Fe is your destination today.  I’m a big fan of BLT’s and the one from here ranks among my top sandwiches ever.  The homemade potato chips are simply amazing. It’s a true neighborhood place, just like the web site states--business lunches, families, buddies catching up, friends out to lunch; everyone’s here.  Delicious.

Now that you’re fed, head for fiber at:

Yarn Shop and More

7212 W. 80th Street

Overland Park, KS  66204

913-649-YARN (9276)

http://www.yarnshopandmore.com

The first thing you’ll notice about this shop is the way it’s arranged: by color.  It’s like standing in a really big, really complicated rainbow.  Owner Denise Kelley--a spirited, personable gal who feels like she could be your best friend by this afternoon--says this layout either excites customers or confuses them.  Me, I loved it.

Denise loves her customers, and they love her.  She--and her store--strike the perfect balance between great art and good business.  The store has a fun, “you’ll feel right at home” atmosphere that still fosters a vibe of high artistic quality.  The stock is nothing short of breathtaking--you’re bound to find something new and intriguing.  Offering lots of classes both at the store and through the local community college, Denise wants you to move forward in your craft but still have tons of fun while you’re at it.

They mean the “and More” of their name, too.  Fiber comes in lots of forms here.  Do not leave the store without asking to see store expert and stunning artisan Marilyn Schmidt’s hooked rugs.  I was starstruck at the beauty of her early American primitive style needlework.  You owe it to yourself to take a look, you really do.

Here’s a few projects that caught my eye:

Arroyo Shawl

Our knit along from this store showcases Yarn Shop and More’s position as the area’s only Malabrigo retailer.  This Arroyo Shawl pattern, available on Ravelry, can go larger with 400 yards (2 skeins) of Malabrigo Rios superwash, or scale down to lacy like I will with a lighter weight yarn like Malabrigo Sock superwash marino.  With part solid fabric and a lovely lacy border, it’s a versatile piece that will dress up or down--my favorite kind of shawl.

Abalone Sweater

Made according to your measurements through a highly personalized Ravelry pattern, smart tailoring gives this simple design its dramatic shape.  Utilizing roughly 3 skeins of Malabrigo’s lovely Rios yarn, this is sure to be a go-to garment for your wardrobe.  With all the colors and colorways Rios comes in, you could make a dozen of these and no two would look the same.

Baby Tunic

Hearing the pitter-patter of tiny feet but not up for bitty socks?  Opt for Knitting Pure and Simple’s Baby Tunic (#211).  Two hanks of Knit One Crochet Too’s TyDy gives this small-scale hoodie a cute color splash.  The long shape means your baby’s bottom stays cozy, too.

Prudence Mapstone Freeform Handbag forms

Prudence Mapstone’s free-form handbags are the stuff of legend.  Made famous by her book “Never Too Many Handbags” and other works, the master of free-form knitting and crochet works with forms like this to take the purse to an art level I drool over.  I’ve never seen anything like them--and every one will be unique!  This mesh form can be covered in yarn for a stunning handbag.  Go to http://www.knotjustknitting.com and see the possibilities!

Denise’s favorite gadget?  The Clover mini Kacha-Kacha knitting counter.  It LOCKS!  Mine always gets messed up from traveling around.

Wander back up 80th Street and Santa Fe, stopping at the many craft- and book-related businesses that are right on your way: 

Ink Paper Rubber 

7218 W 80th St  

Overland Park, KS 66204

913-381-2217

inkpaperrubber.com

Mysteryscape Books

7309 W 80th Street

Overland Park KS 66204

913-649-0000

http://www.mysteryscape.com/

Bedazzler Beads

7315 W 80th St

Overland Park, KS 66204

913-642-3237

Beadazzlerbeads.com

Olive Branch Art Gallery 

& Studios

7915 Santa Fe Dr

Overland Park, KS 66204

913-642-2833

Olivebranchartgallery.com

Make sure your adventures end up right here where something wonderful awaits:

The Upper Crust Pie Bakery

7943 Santa Fe Drive

Overland Park, KS

913-642-2999

Uppercrustpiebakery.com

Pie.  Oh my, but I love pie.  My favorite, hands down (or is that forks up?) is lemon meringue.  The store’s motto is “Pie fixes everything,” and I subscribe to that belief system!  The crust here almost defies description--it’s that good.  I indulged in the lemon meringue “Cutie Pie”--a whole small pie, just for me!  When I opened the box to see “Cake is for Sissies” stamped on the inside, I laughed out loud.  Absolute bliss.  If there were one of these in Chicago, I might camp out on their sidewalk.

Yarn, an outstanding BLT, good new friends, and pie.  Really, it doesn’t get much better than that.

But wait, maybe it does...tune in next post for yet another Kansas City fiber find!

KANSAS CITY - Day One

KCMO, here we go...

I have not returned to Kansas City since my freshman year in college, when I was an entirely-too-wet-behind-the-ears employee of the Bell Road Barn Playhouse in Parkville.  It was my first professional theater job, and I was pretty awful (both as an employee and a performer).  That summer also served as my introduction to 1) tornadoes and 2) chiggers.

My return to KCMO was a MUCH more pleasant experience, despite the alarm of a May snowstorm during my appearance at the RT Booklovers Convention.  Still, like all good DestiKNITters, I did not let freak weather keep me from getting my fiber fix on.  I visited three delightful--and distinct--shops and have lots of goodies to share with you.  We’ll spend the next three posts getting to know some of what Kansas City has to offer the fiber fan.

If you’re driving into town like I was, chances are you don’t want to go too far afield on your first day.  This is what makes Briarcliff Village such a perfect first stop.  You could call it an open air mall, but it really feels like you’ve just stumbled upon a really great shopping neighborhood.  There’s even a farmer’s market every Thursday afternoon.  Start at perhaps the most famous retailer:

Nell Hill’s

4101 N. Mulberry Drive

Kansas City, MO 64116

816-746-4320

http://nellhills.com

Undoubtedly, anyone will advise this store to be your first stop.  Owner Mary Carol Garrity is pretty much a legend in the home decor field.  She’s able to achieve that casual elegant vibe that continually eludes me.  Walking through the place is a one-stop education in what a house could look like were I ever to actually give such pursuits the attention they deserve.  Me, I’m too busy buying yarn to find the perfect wall hanging for that bare spot over the couch, but chances are you’ll love something in here no matter what your taste.

If all that style has you wanting a little substance, head for my very favorite form of substance abuse--the cupcake.  You’ll find awesome ones at:

Sugar Mamma’s

4173 N Mulberry Dr 

Kansas City, MO 64116 

816-437-8044 

SugarMammasBakery.com

I was well-coached to select the “Hostess with the Mostess” and German Chocolate flavors, and they did not disappoint.  Cupcakes tread a thin line--they have to feel like a sugar rush without taking it over the edge to making you feel just a little bit queasy by the time you reach the end of your second (yes, that’s right, I heartily believe in eating more than one per sitting). The Hostess, as its name implies, nods to the iconic Hostess Cupcake.  If I were a factory-produced Hostess Cupcake (and I enjoy them from time to time, I do), I would want to grow up to become the Sugar Mamma’s version.  Perfection.  Still, my favorite was the German Chocolate.  It was a flat-out splendid combination of tastes and textures; exquisitely moist and with just the right amount of everything.  Truly one of the best cupcakes I’ve had this year.

Luckily for you, you only have steps to go to reach our fiber find for today:

Urban Arts + Crafts

4165 North Mulberry Drive

Kansas City, MO 64116

816-234-1004

Urbanartsandcrafts.com

I particularly admire yarn shops that can make it work in high retail locations.  It takes no small feat of business prowess, and I feel like knitting gets all kinds of new enthusiasts from stores that can hold their own next to mall shops and boutiques in spots like this.  

Urban Arts + Crafts manages to spread the idea of handcrafts to every consumer--just walking through the store inspires you to try something new.  Owner Karen Roark infuses the store with her own vibrant, energetic attitude, offering a little bit of everything to feed “the universal creative impulse” in all of us.  Jewelry making, sewing, quilting, paper crafts, just about any artistic pursuit can find an outlet here, in projects that range from quality basics to high-skill boutique endeavors.  Karen likes to guide new enthusiasts to smaller projects like accessories, knowing they offer a lot of “bang for the buck.”  Smart gal.

Like lots of great yarn shops, Urban Arts + Crafts hosts a mascot, “Annie” the cat, who showed up as a fluffy kitten clinging to a wall on the store’s first anniversary to earn her name.  Here are a few projects Annie and her owners endorse:

Knit wire bracelet or cuff

Given all those crafts to mix, it’s no surprise that cross-discipline projects are a store specialty.  Our knit-along from Karen combines knitting and jewelry-making.  I’ve never knitted with wire and beads before, but Karen assures me if I’ll just stay with it through the awkward first inch (which I’ll probably have to ditch and start over--thanks for the warning), I’ll love the results.  I’m grateful she guided me through my choice of bead styles and colors, as I usually rot at that sort of thing and she loves to help customers get what they need for the best possible outcome.

Soap Scrubbies

I love artisan soap. I love knitting.  Once again, Karen weaves her cross-craft magic to create hemp accessories to enhance my soap experience.  Since I often give soap as a gift, knitting up a mitt or crocheting a scrubbie would make a perfect little set.  What’s not to love?

Knit for the Girls

Longtime DestiKNITions readers will know our family is entirely too friendly with the nemesis of cancer.  Also a cancer survivor (as is my son), Karen wields yarn for good in a set of patterns she calls “Knit for the Girls.”  Three different hat patterns, as well as a clever scarf or mitts, not only let you show your support for those fighting breast cancer, but funds the battle by supporting the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation of Greater Kansas City.  Best use of worsted weight yarn ever!

Hugs and Kisses Baby Blanket and Hat

Aww.  What mom wouldn’t love a simple, sturdy, stylish blanket like this to wrap her bundle of joy inside?  Basic but with border pizazz, this blanket would let even a beginner knitter show her love for the little arrival in her life.  Knit up with 2nd Time Cotton from Knit1Crochet2, you can whip it up in whatever color suits your fancy.

Looking to whip up a small but clever gadget?  Look no further than Karen's ring pins, an easy to assemble helper for the sewing or quilting enthusiast in your life. Or yourself.

Once you’ve scored all your crafting treasures, wander around the rest of the mall as you see fit, but time it so that you hit right here for dinner:

Trezo Mare

4105 N. Mulberry Drive

Kansas City, MO  64116

816-505-3200

www.trezomare.com

I’ve said it before--I place a lot of stock in how a restaurant treats a lone diner like myself.  When  a friendly wait staff combines with great food for a terrific experience even if I’m on my own, I take notice.  Owner Michael Lee has done it right:  I had a wonderful meal.  The decor is warm and inviting, with just the right amount of music.  

Vintage Beef?  I’d never heard of it before this night, but while everyone seems to rave about the seafood here, my server steered (pun intended) me toward a steak salad that knocked my hand-knit socks off.  And the house specialty chocolate bars dessert?  Outstanding.

All these combined for a superb afternoon of feeding all of my appetites--yarn, shopping, sugar, and supper.  I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Kansas City.

Next, we head to Overland Park for more adventures.