Honey Cowl from Cream City Yarn - Day 4

Knit yourself some life juice...

Small projects are portable.  My handbag (always, always chosen for its ability to carry my life AND my knitting) was bulging with the addition of the Multi-Textured Vest.  I’m delighting in how easily this cowl slips into my purse without making me feel like a Chicago Suburban Mary Poppins.  Like socks or mittens, or hats, cowls tuck nicely into our everyday existence.

More than their portability, however, is their progress.  The sense of accomplishment I feel, the excited “almost done” feeling you get when you’re sure you’ll have the thing finished by the week end--doesn’t that fuel your energy?  I think it’s the sense of finishing that makes such a counterbalance to the endless stress of mothering--or any other caretaking for that matter.  Face it: some things in life feel endless.  Marathons of effort with no clear finish line.  Often, life hands us “ends” to such endurance races--elder parents pass away, children grow up and move off--but they don’t often feel like “finishes.”

The control freak in me likes finishing.  Especially when I can do it on my terms.  There’s an old publishing saying, “I don’t much like writing, but I love having written.”  That’s me.  I’m the kind of gal who makes lists because she loves checking tasks off.  Don’t get me wrong, I adore the process of knitting from start to finish.  It’s just that I get an extra boost of "life juice" when I can see the finish coming toward me.

Like lots of knitting truths, this one applies to life as well.  If you’re facing a marathon of sorts--and life seems all to ready to hand us one these days--where in your knitting can you fuel your sense of accomplishment?  What’s near finishing that you can take that final mile (or is it yard)?   Stitch yourself up a boost of life juice this week and watch what happens.

Honey Cowl from Cream City Yarn - Day 3

The progress panacea...

Nothing soothes like progress.  It feels lovely to be halfway done with this cowl as life settles down a bit.  I never cease to be amazed at how life hands me the knitting project I need exactly when I need it.  Some of my more demanding projects would have given me fits right now, and this is perfect.  Interesting, but not taxing.  Blissful to touch, easy to work with, pleasing to look at...everything I want in “therapy knitting.”

I have one spot where I’m wondering if I’ve done it right, or if it’s an unavoidable fact of knitting patterns in the round.  While there’s no technical seam, it’s clearly visible where my rounds end.  My guess is that given the stitch pattern alternates every row, there’s no way to avoid this line.  Have any of you had this experience?

A short detour for a little promotion:

If you’ll be attending the upcoming Stitches Midwest, the lovely folks at Ohio’s Knitter’s Mercantile (you’ll be meeting them in a future episode) will be hosting a giveaway of my World War I knitting novel, HOMEFRONT HERO.  Free copies of the book will be available at noon Saturday August 11 to the first 50 guests at the Knitter’s Mercantile booth.  Free books at a yarn show?  Sounds like heaven to me.  Come by and say hello.

Honey Cowl from Cream City Yarn - Day 2

“You knit to save your life.”  Ann Hood, The Knitting Circle

Non-knitters would find this statement hyperbole, but we know better.  

There are days--weeks, months, even entire years--where the act of knitting becomes the only candle holding the darkness at bay.  Times where everything else feels too complex, too ineffectual, too demanding...and we hide behind our needles.

I have known the life-and-death moments of knitting, mostly done on cold vinyl hospital chairs and scratchy “family conference room” couches.  I have also known the less dire curveballs of life, the ones that pummel you with random frequency.  Both bring hours where I must knit, because it’s all I can do.

These are the places were the graces of texture and rhythm show their kind faces.  The softness of yarn slides between my fingers to accomplish small beauties when everything else in my day feels sharp and tangled.  

Oh, how I have loved my knitting these last few days.  I am not knitting to save my life (or someone else’s), thank goodness,  but our family is facing yet another medical challenge, and I am knitting to find my footing.  Again.  Weaving the three-ply strand of yarn and prayer and the tiniest of accomplishments so that row by row, peace is restored.

I know you know what I mean.

Honey Cowl from Cream City Yarn - Day 1

A lovely start...

Products--and designers--usually earn their fine reputations for a reason.  Being a long-time knitter, I’d come across the Madelinetosh name more than once.  As such, I was giddy when the fine folks at Cream City Yarn gave me a skein of Madelinetosh ToshDK--I chose the color “Margeaux” but I love all their color names--with which to knit up the Honey Cowl pattern.  

Ann Maria’s deceptively simple pattern lets the fiber do the talking, but gives it something really interesting to say.  Texture is the mother tongue of knitters, it speaks directly to the soul.  Still, I like a piece to be functional--too much pizzaz, and I end up wondering if I’m wearing the scarf or if the scarf is wearing me.  This one hits the right balance.

I chose the shorter option--I’ve a closet-full of long, draping scarves.  This pattern gives you a satisfying menu of long, short, or two versions of “inbetween.”   Considering this pattern would lend itself to a multitude of yarns, that’s a smart value.

I found myself racing impatiently through the cast-on and first four rows of stockinette so that I could get to the honeycomb pattern.  Well, wouldn’t you?

MILWAUKEE, WI - Day 2: Around Wauwatosa

The locals call it "'Tosa," and today we're going to explore like a local.

Start your day with a caffein boost at the nearby location of Milwaukee’s spot-on small chain of coffee shops:

Alterra 

9125 W. North Avenue

Wauwatosa, WI  53226

414-259-7948

www.alterracoffee.com

As my contact puts it, “this is what a coffeeshop should be.”  Just the right funky, non-corporate vibe, an atmosphere that makes it fine to stay an hour and chat or work, and really good coffee.  I love that you order the sizes in simple numbers (“1,2,3,or 4”) rather than having to mouth off in a foreign language when your brain is already fuzzy. I gotta admit, however, I’m not sure even I could handle a three-shot extra large.  I had the minty-chocolate “Bull Frog,” and it was awesome.  Rumor has it the curried chicken salad is truly yummy, if you end up here for lunch instead of your morning kick-off.

Travel a few blocks north to this morning’s fiber fix:

Fiberwood Studio

2709 92nd Street

Milwaukee, WI  53222

414-302-1849

fiberwoodstudio.com

Designer/weaver Barbara Chappell has created a true arts studio for “fiber aficionados” in this clean-lined, full-of-style store.  One of those people just born to teach, Barbara utilizes her masters degree in textiles and clothing not only to serve on the faculty of a nearby college, but to inspire her customers.  “I want my customers to move beyond merely following a pattern to becoming fiber artists.”  Hearing her talk, you want to do just that.  

A first for DestiKNITions, this store clearly focuses on the weaving craft, but you’ll find fibers here you won’t anywhere else.  Barbara’s on a mission to help ball-and-hank-minded knitters to make friends with the “cone,” and you’ll see enough yarn on cones here to pull you in.  

“I buy what I like,” and I like her style, to be sure.  Machine knitters, this store has special goodies for you, as well as roving in yummy colors for the felters among us.  I found this to be a truly unique store that expanded my fiber horizons.  Here are a few projects to consider:

Knit Necklace

Stainless steel fine wire and beads create this stunning piece that reminded me of pussy willows.  Talk about work that demands a closer look!  If you want to wear a conversation starter, this is just the ticket, especially on days too hot for scarves or shawls.

Wet Felting pieces

I’m not a big fan of felting, but even I loved the lush artistry of these pieces.  You’d be best served by taking the class rather than tackling these on your own, but what results!  The mittens felt surprisingly soft and lush on, and the bowl is a unique piece that would make a most welcome gift.  Barbara has a set of slippers in her felting repertoire, too.

Knit Along:

The Feza Vest

This pattern, exclusive to Fiberwood Studio, knits up two hanks of Feza Alp Natural into a free-form yet drapey vest that’s just perfect for summer wear.  This is one of those brilliant patterns that lets the fiber do the talking--simple garter stitches combine into an artsy, versatile accessory.

One of the niftiest things I’ve seen yet is Barbara’s favorite gadget:

LeClerc Fringe Twister

Does exactly what it says it does.  How?  I'm not so sure but it's amazing to watch.  Ask her for a demonstration of this simple yet ingenious little machine.

Once you’ve scored your fiber finds for the day, travel back down 92nd Street to pick up the picturesque Menomenee River Parkway.  This scenic road winds along the river until it deposits you out in the charming town of Wauwatosa, known as “‘Tosa” to locals.  Straight out of a postcard and highly walkable, this town has everything I look for in an afternoon escape.  While http://villageofwauwatosa.com can list the dozens of choices to tempt you, here are the spots I most enjoyed:

I admit, too often I find that where boutiques are concerned, artsy and friendly don’t often combine.  Ah, so not the case here:

Salamander

7532 West State Street

Wauwatosa, WI  53213

414-259-0970

The staff here was as friendly as could be, making me feel like I could manage the artisan style showcased in the window.  The clothes--really unique stuff--were actually reasonable even before the great sale I found.  The top I bought here has become an instant favorite and garnered me many compliments.

The Little Read Book

7603 West State Street

Wauwatosa, WI 53213

414-774-2665

littlereadbook.com

“Dedicated to the fine art of browsing,” this little store is full of character on and off the page.  The staff made some very good recommendations, and a well-stocked children’s section pairs with just the right amount of giftware make for a pleasant shopping experience.  You know how I feel on this subject: independent bookstores deserve our business!

Ready for lunch?  Head over to:

Pizzeria Piccola

7606 West State Street

Wauwatosa, WI  53213

414-443-0800

www.pizzeriapiccola.com

Since visiting Naples, Italy, the thin-crust Neopolitain pizza style has become my ‘za of choice.  Order up the Piccola (provolone, fennel sausage, red onions, mushrooms and black olives) or the classic Margherita (my fav with mozzarella and fresh basil) and you can’t go wrong.  All of their pizzas are available with traditional dough, wheat dough, or gluten free dough.  Dine outside if it’s a lovely day, but don’t get desert because we’ve got somewhere lined up for that.

Blue Lapin Home and Garden

7600 Harwood Avenue

Wauwatosa, WI

414-443-0977

Looking for a hummingbird feeder?  A whimsical tin pig?  Moss pots?  All those decorative touches and more can be found in this store.  I especially liked the candles and other bath products.

After you’re done shopping, it’s time to for a break at:

Le Reve

Patisserie & Cafe

7010 Harwood Avenue

Wauwatosa, WI  53213

414-778-3333

lerevecafe.com

Yes, the food is good here, but I confess I never got farther than the bakery counter.  A friend recently introduced me to macarons--the rich little French cookie--and I bought one of every flavor they had and sat down to pure bliss.  An inventive menu and a full bar give you a wide variety of options here, not to mention the oh-so-French atmosphere.  

Now that you’ve had your sugar fix, it’s time for another yarn fix.  A little bit of a drive takes you to:

Cream City Yarn

15565 W. North Avenue

Brookfield, WI 

262-923-7014

creamcityyarn.com

Lisa Ruesch and her partner Kristine Porrit opened this innovative store just over a year ago, but don’t let their yearling status fool you:  these two know their stuff.  

While you can easily see the building’s one-room-schoolhouse origins, this is what the world would look like if IKEA opened a yarn store.  Fine quality basics, an array of exclusive patterns, and a technology-friendly atmosphere caters to a young but adventurous customer base.  Ravelry comes out of cyberspace to be put into full action here.  Chock full of projects to inspire you, you’ll also find a friendly staff ready to help you expand your skills.  Here are some of the projects I found particularly inspiring:

Suzanne Vest

This pattern by Jennifer Donze vest uses a smart cable detail to take a basic piece up a notch.  If you follow the recommendation and knit this up in 4 hanks of Madelinetosh DK superwash merino wool, you’ll have just enough left over to make a matching cowl.

Pont Neuf Cowl

This Kollage Yarn pattern works fine in Madelinetosh DK, or the favored basic Cascade 220. I like the balance between cozy and lacy on this piece--its slightly airy nature could take you farther into spring than most cowls.

Celtic Flower Mittens

Designer Jennifer D works one skein of Madelinetosh Worsted Weight Vintage into these retro-feel mittens.  I’m especially fond of the cuff edge--not too fussy, but just enough tailoring to feel special.

Honey Cowl

Our knit-along from Cream City is this inventive basic that wields a simple slip stitch pattern to create a dense but drapey waffle-like texture.  One or two hanks of Madelinetosh superwash merino DK knits up into this excellent gift (or self-splurge).  Good in a neutral basic, or opt instead for bright splash of color to send winter’s bleary skies on the run.

Amy Miller’s LeFleur Clutch

A new customer favorite is this piece from Interweave’s Spring 2102 issue.  Who could resist the eye-catching graphic on this practical pouch?  The color combination options set my mind blooming with possibilities.

How do you end such an amazing day?  With an amazing iconic Wisconsin dish, that’s how.

Take yourself across the street to:

Parkside 23

2300 Pilgrim Square Drive  

Brookfield, WI 53005

262-784-7275

www.parkside23.com

Yes, they grow much of their own produce, but you’re here for one thing:  macaroni and cheese.  Leave the blue box behind forever and step into the world of mac n’ cheese like you’ve never had it before.  I was doubtful that a dish so basic could live up to the hype, but whoa, I was wrong:  this is superb.  Take my advice and do not leave the state without eating this dish.

I know I’ve only dipped my toes into the depths of the Wisconsin fiber world, but these two days were as richly satisfying as the best dark chocolate.  A true perfect adventure!

Up next, a “swiss cheese” of a scarf from Ruhama’s.