On the Spice Market Shawl from Blazing Needles - Day 5

Earning my stripes…

In the final section of this dramatic shawl, the color does all the talking.  Wide stretches of each of the contrasting colors, separated by a line of alternating main color stitches, cascade out to the edge. In essence, you end where you began—just on a larger scale.  I like the poetry of that.

It comes, however, at the cost of very long garter stitch rows. Not so bad if you’re sitting listening to a presentation, a bit more challenging if you’re trying to get two stripes done so you can put up your next blog post.  It took me longer than expected (no true surprise for a sneaky side-to-side version of a top down shawl), but I’m certainly enjoying the payoff.  One more strip of gray, and then on to the vibrant colors.

I’ve had people stop me and ask me what I’m knitting.  It’s the rich colors and the bold graphic design, I think, that catch their eye.  That makes me happy, because I know that if it’s that appealing on the needles, it will be even more so once it graces my shoulders.  I know I’ll be thrilled whenever someone asks me “Did you make that?” because I’ll get to smile and say “Yes!”

On the Spice Market Shawl from Blazing Needles - Day 4

Half or half-not...

Sometimes, you have to back up your feelings with some hard facts.  It makes you feel validated, helps you understand exactly why it feels like this middle section is taking forever.

So, as I groaned at the prospect of devoting yet another post to the pretty-but-lengthy middle section of this shawl, I sat down with the pattern and my calculator.  I wanted to be able to convince myself that I was more than halfway done with the shawl. That would ease my anxiety about being more than halfway done with the posts.  

Yes, I know, anxiety about knitting isn’t the goal here, and I don’t fool myself that any of you are sitting around thinking “Where’s Allie with that fourth post—it should have been here by now.” I am a woman of plans and schedules, and it makes me crazy when I can’t adhere to my schedule, even for fun reasons.  

And don’t get on me about scheduled fun. This is my chosen neurosis, let me own it.

Back to facts.

I sat down and calculated how many rows were involved in this long section. There are 192 rows—and ever-elongating rows at that. This high number made me feel better about the length of time it’s taken me to accomplish this section.

Then I calculated how many rows were involved in the next final portion, an alternation between sections 4 and 5.  It’s only 94 rows.   Still a sizable number, but much less that the current portion.  Yes, math can indeed be a source of encouragement!  I do understand that the rows continue to get longer, and by the end of this section I’ll be slogging through 243-stitch rows instead of 184-stitch rows, but that feels acceptable.  

I am more than halfway through this shawl, and that makes all the difference. Yea for math, and yea for me!

On the Spice Market Shawl from Blazing Needles - Day 3

I'll be the first to ask...

This next section is big.  It comprises the lion’s share of the piece, actually.  The spectrum of little starry-polkadots is charming, but also daunting. I’ve been at this sectin for over a week and I’m still not done.  And of course—say it with me now—the rows just get longer…

Still, it’s satisfying knitting.  Shibui makes such touch-worthy fibers in such luscious colors, it’s a pleasure to knit even rows upon rows of small stitches.

I’ve been contemplating attending a seminar later this year that is known for its long days.  It’s an intensive weekend of 11-hour sessions (with breaks granted, but that’s a lot of time for this middle-aged backside to spend in a seminar chair!).  The content sounds intriguing, but I have to admit, my knee-jerk reaction was reluctance on account of the format. I have never done well in lecture settings. I’m too fidgety. Just the thought of folding chairs makes me ache all over.

So what was my first question to the person inviting me?  It shouldn’t surprise you.  It was “Will they let me bring my knitting?”

She gave a slight laugh and said, “You know, no one’s ever asked that.”

I’m happy to be the first to ask.  I’ve been in more than one conference where someone came up to me and whispered, “I’m so glad you pulled out your knitting.  I’ve been wanting to, but wasn’t sure it was okay.”

I admit, there are places where it’s not okay.  But almost every time I have walked up to a seminar presenter and said, “Please know, I’m not knitting because you bore me or I think you’re wasting my time.  I’m knitting so I can pay my best attention to you,” the presenter has smiled and said, “By all means, knit away.”

So, DestiKNITters, by all means, knit away.

On the Spice Market Shawl from Blazing Needles - Day 2

Flying colors...

Ah, the colors!  For someone who can’t put colors together, I sure love to watch how brilliantly other people do it.  The interplay of hue and design in this piece is nothing short of stunning—even at this early stage.

The construction is no slouch, either.  German short rows are a technique I’d heard of, but never tried.  The unique treatment of the pivot stitch gets rid of that pesky space that always shows up in other short rows.  It’s nearly invisible in this shawl.  

It’s a technique worth learning, but one that is best acquired in video.  I’d read the written instructions twice, but couldn’t quite picture how the pivot stitch was “pulled up” on top of the needle…until I managed to find a video.  After that “Aha! So that’s what they mean” moment, it was smooth sailing, and I grinned with satisfaction of having added another tool to my knitter’s toolbox.

There are a lot of colors involved, but the nice thing about this project is that you’re only really working with two colors at a time, so the project—at least for now—is still nicely portable.  That’s good, because I’m traveling this week.  You don’t want to be near me if I have to travel without my knitting, but I don’t want to be lugging a big bag of yarn around, either.

Yes, the rows are getting longer, but I don’t yet mind.  The stripes and nifty little starry polkadots of this section are too delightful to let me care.

On the Spice Market Shawl from Blazing Needles - Day 1

Checking all the boxes...

I love kits.

Especially on projects where color—or more exactly color combinations—are crucial. God has given me many skills in life, but putting colors together has never been one of them.  

Pick out a yarn, a single yarn, and I’m great.  I know exactly what I want when I see it.  Tell me I have to combine that yarn with others, and it’s a crime to leave me unsupervised.  It will not end well, I assure you.

So when you take a shawl that dramatically combines six different colors, you can bet I’m not going into that alone.  I drooled over this shawl when I saw it on the wall at Blazing Needles. I was near giddy when owner Cynthia Mills said I could have the kit as my Knit-Along project.  A stunning array of Shibui Stacatto in colors perfect for me, eye-catching in the way I love shawls to be, a generous size, funky and artistic but not fussy. This shawl pretty much embodies my check-list for the perfect knitted accessory.

It has only one flaw—if you can even call it a flaw.  A full-sized shawl on size 2.5 needles means a lot of stitches. Sure, most of them are garter, but there are some luscious color changes and ingenious German short rows to entertain me. And yes...the rows get longer as you go.  You already know how I don't deal with that well. 

Still, I'm absolutely in love the interplay of colors so far.

Happy Easter and Passover, DestiKNITters!

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--Day Three

Brews, blazing, baked goods, and beautiful views...

For our final day in  Salt Lake City, we’ll take in an inventive yarn shop as well as some of the city’s iconic sites.

DestiKNITters are a flexible breed.  We like tea just as much as coffee, so today’s adventures launch from:

Tea Zaanti

1324 S 1100 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

801-906-8132

teazaanti.com

The owner knits—what’s not to love? This isn’t an early morning place—they open at 10am—but this very sit-and-knit-friendly establishment combines a high quality tea experience with a laid back, homey atmosphere.  Small but well-done food choices round out the menu so you can nibble while you sip and stitch. My sources recommend the cucumber sandwich (of course—how can you have tea without a cucumber sandwich?).

Just down the street you’ll find today’s yarn shop adventure.

Blazing Needles

1365 S 1100 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

801-487-5648

blazing-needles.com

Look for the house-like structure with the large metal yarn-and-needles sculpture in the front yard.  Yes, they’re needles, and yes—wait for it—they do indeed blaze:

Blazing Needles is a boisterous, friendly store packed with stock and one of those back tables continually filled with chatting knitters. Owner Cynthia Mills’ love for connecting people shows up all over every welcoming, artistically stuffed room.  

Cynthia (left) and yours truly

“Best friends meet here,” Cynthia boasts, and it’s easy to see why.  “It’s a safe place for community to gather.”  Cynthia cares about how companies do business and fosters good relationships with vendors.  “It’s really all about the people, not selling yarn.”  

Blazing Needles is a flagship store—meaning they carry every yarn in every color—for Shibui, Brooklyn Tweed, and Quince and Co, with more to come.

Fun, creative launches, impromptu parties in the back garden, and community projects like teaching local 4th graders to knit are part of the Blazing Needles experience.  There’s simply no way anyone would leave this shop without something new and wonderful—with the encouragement you need to tackle a new artistic challenge.

Projects, pottery, and yarn seem to spill from every corner. Here’s what caught my eye:

Spearheads Sweater

The stunning yoke on this sweater by Jarod Flood makes a dynamic statement for either men or women. You’ll need six skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Quary in your base color, plus one skein in a contrasting color.

Easy Folded Poncho

There seem to be a million ways to knit this popular pattern, but Cynthia recommends holding strands of Habu Silk N85 and Tsumugi together on a size 6 needle to make this contemporary and elegant version.

Ingeborg Slippers

Who doesn’t adore hand-knit slippers?  Especially when they’re as beautiful as these by local designer Kristin Drysdale. A perfect project to step up (pun intended) your color work, these use 1 ball each of two colors of Rauma Strikkengarn wool.  You’ll have the toastiest toes around, or they also make a great gift for someone who travels frequently.

Knit Along: On the Spice Market Shawl

Melanie Berg’s standout design gets a new kit version with every season—and who wouldn’t want to own several of these gorgeous accessories?  Shibui Stacatto silk and wool blend combine in a palette of colors—you could pick your own, but if you’re like me you’ll know you could never outdo the brilliant kits for color combinations.

Once you’ve stuffed your adorable Blazing Needles tote with yarn and patterns, it’s time to stuff your brain with good books.  That means heading to:

The King’s English Bookshop

1511 S 1500 E

Salt Lake Cty, UT 84105

801-484-9100 

kingsenglish.com 

DestiKNITters know independent bookstores are essential to life!  This wonderful shop entices you with nooks and crannies just begging to be explored.  There’s a little bit of everything here.  We especially love stores committed to supporting local authors with signings and such.  Volumes upon volumes are complimented by just the right amount of gifty things and a truly splendid children’s section.  Go!  Buy!  Save the independent bookstores!

Ready for lunch?  We’re heading downtown to spend the rest of the day in Salt Lake City’s unique city center.

Les Madeleines

216 E 500th S

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801-355-2294

lesmadeleines.com

Another owner who knits—hooray!  Chef Romina offers a nice variety of soups, sandwiches, and cafe fare for your lunch, but you’re mostly here for the star attraction:  the buttery, flaky pastry known as a Kouing Amann (pronounced “queen-a-mon").  There’s a debate as to whether it’s best heated or not—so get two and conduct your own test.  In fact, get a dozen to go—this place has the most adorable take-out containers I have ever seen. And not just gingerbread men, but Ginger Dudes.  Love.

Next, walk over a few blocks and explore:

Salt Lake City Public Library

210 E 400 S

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801-524-8200

www.slcpl.org

Safdie Architects photo

Yes, a library.  One look at this place and you’ll see why this Moshe Safdie design is worth a visit.  Visually stunning, the building is worth a good long wander through the cozy sitting areas, or a ride on the a snazzy glass elevator to the rooftop for a city-wide view. If you have kiddos in tow, the children’s area is great fun.

Next, no visit to Salt Lake City would be complete without taking in:

Temple Square

50 W S Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

801-240-2534

templesquare.com

The view from the top 

The 35-acre site serves as the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often known as the LDS Church or the Mormons.  It’s also home to the celebrated Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  No matter what your theology, you can marvel at the near-perfect acoustics of the Tabernacle, enjoy the gardens (especially beautiful at Christmas or in the Spring), and maybe even catch sight of a new bride. While the temple itself is not open to those outside the faith, the Visitor’s Center has an intriguing scale model and other information. 

For dinner, head up to the top floors of the luxurious Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  There you’ll find two restaurants—the casual Garden Restaurant and the more upscale Roof Restaurant—both of which offer unparalleled views of the temple, the complex, and often all the way to Salt Lake.  It’s the perfect way to cap off your adventures in Salt Lake City.

Up next, we cast on the ingeniously constructed Fili Mitts from Unraveled Sheep.