Meet me at The Ryman Wrap from Haus of Yarn - Done!

Worth all the work...

Like all things worked hard for, this result is particularly satisfying.  I wish that you could really see the beauty of the design, but the dark yarn makes it hard to capture in a photo.  The texture—the thing that drew me to the piece in the first place—is a marvelous combination of warm loft and light drape.  Perfect for the Nashville climate, or any other southern town.

And no, it doesn’t curl.  It blocks out flat and behaves exactly like I’d want a shawl to behave.  I’m grateful I went through the trouble of that extra length—it wouldn’t quite wrap the way I like without those additional inches.

It’s got the warmth of wool, but it isn’t bulky.  Just a touch of cover, which is what I look for in a shawl.  This is a versatile piece: the garter stitch middle has a casual air to pair with a pair of jeans, while the lacework edges add enough elegance to top a dress or slacks.  I think it just begs to pair with a creamy fall turtleneck and boots.

You presented a challenge, Haus of Yarn, and I’m glad I was up to it!  Thanks for the experience.

Next up, we meet November’s Reader Who Knits, then it’s on to Northwest Indiana.

Meet me at The Ryman Wrap from Haus of Yarn - Day 3

It’s dawning on me exactly how much stockinette is called for in the middle of this shawl.  I’m wondering if the occasional rows of garter are for design interest, or just to save the poor knitter from three-odd feet of monotony.  In either case, I’ll take it.  I’m a big believer in subgoals—breaking down a larger project into mini-goals along the way—and those garter ribs serve that purpose nicely.

At first I thought the middle was just a steady rhythm of stockinette and garter, but there’s a bit of design in there.  It took me a few minutes to work out what the actual middle of the shawl was so I’d know where and how to expand it for my height.  Of course, that was unnerving in itself, because expanding it just means more stockinette.  We’re talking a serious volume of knitting here.  Like a whole season of something binge-watched on Netflix volume of knitting.  I’m not sure my life has the capacity to take that kind of hiatus in the next week or so.

Still, texture continues to be my consolation and motivator.  Wool has this amazing ability to be light and substantial at the same time.  Warm, yet still able to drape.  Somehow, the large swaths of stockinette show this off in a way the lace sections cannot.  And so I am encouraged to press on.

And maybe check to see what’s on Netflix.

PS:  Live near San Antonio TX?  Want to meet me at a great book & knitting event? Check out my November 13 appearance here. 

ANOTHER VISIT TO NASHVILLE, TN

Nashville has grown far beyond it’s country music fame to become one of the country’s hottest cities.  Food, fashion, art…and yes, yarn can be found with a vibrancy that enamored me even if I think of myself as a far cry from a southern twang or a cowboy hat.  This is a hip, sophisticated town—and you owe it to yourself to check it out.  Here's where to start:

Pancake Pantry

1796 21st Ave S

Nashville, TN 37212

615-383-9333

thepancakepantry.com

Everyone I talked to had only one recommendation for breakfast—and it was this place.  Lots of pancakes come with their own special syrup, and the line outside tells you why everyone loves their food.  This place is old school—not fancy, just delicious.  My choice:  sweet potato pancakes.  Go ahead and lie to yourself that they are nutritious.

Fox’s Donut Den

3900 Hillsboro Pike

Ste 2

Nashville, TN 37215

615-385-1021

If a full breakfast isn’t your thing—and, quite frankly, even if it is—here’s another Nashville icon.  Again, nothing fancy, just a wide variety of donuts and fritters done exceptionally well.  Of course, if you want to pull out all the stops, pre-order the Texas Donut.  It comes in a pizza-sized box.  Need I say more?

Parnassus Books 

3900 Hillsboro Pike Suite 14 

Nashville, TN 37215 

(615) 953-2243

parnassusbooks.net

This is no ordinary bookstore.  This is a noble cause disguised as a bookstore.  Bestselling author Ann Patchett didn’t just talk about the necessity of the independent bookstore, she up and launched her own.  The store is stunning, right down to the children’s reading room, the shop dog, the many events, and the staff recommendations.  Go here and buy something because you ought to, and you’ll want to.

Haus of Yarn

265 White Bridge Road

Nashville TN 37209

615-354-1007

hausofyarn.com

Taking over from the shop’s original owner who passed away in 2015, Meg Strong stepped up to the plate because “I really, really wanted to keep the place open.”  We’re glad she did. Having moved to this new location to gain more space five years ago, this shop fills three rooms with a mix of big brands and beloved locals.  Trunk shows showcase smaller, local stock and happen nearly every month.  Products flow in and out of stock, so there’s always reason to come back and find some new fiber obsession.  

Haus of Yarn boasts a long-time and loyal customer base.  “We have fantastic customers who’ve been with us from the beginning.”  But Meg also meets the needs of the expected tourist base, being close to downtown and to area hospitals (I think yarn should be sold in hospital gift shops  myself—where do you need the peace knitting brings more than a hospital?) Meg selects projects and products to appeal to each audience—and that’s no small feat.  “You want a lot of affordable and interesting new stuff for our regulars, but you also need enough stock to let someone get all the skeins they’ll need to finish their project.  It’s a balance.”

The super-friendly staff—all of whom have been with Haus of Yarn for multiple years—stands ready to assist.  “We’ll help you try any project,” Meg boasts.  The staff will often brainstorm multiple substitutions at a variety of price points for projects.

Just want to come in and stitch?   Social knitting takes place Thursday afternoons and all day Sunday.  You can connect digitally, too—the shop is active on Ravelry, Instagram, and Facebook.

Here are some of the projects that caught my eye:

Easy Folded Poncho  

I’ve seen this clever Churchmouse Yarns pattern in many stores, and it’s a fan favorite everywhere.  “Nashville is a poncho town,” Meg remarks, and who wouldn’t want to join in with this accessory?  The varieties are endless, depending on yarn and stitch.  Grab 980 yards of whatever strikes your fancy if you want the cowl version, or 840 yards without.  There’s no way you can make just one of these—the options are obsessive!

CrochetWorks Crochet Projects 

Under her CrochetWorks moniker on Ravelry, Julie Blagojevich (yes, she’s the sister-in-law of that governor) has dozens of stunning patterns. Meg’s favorites include  Vicki’s Scarf, the Leslie Shawl, and Lisa’s Bag.  One of these is bound to hook your imagination.

Josephine Shawl

This free Ravelry pattern is as simple as it gets.  Use two balls of any self striping yarn—Meg recommends Noro Taiyo sock—and zen out.  The mindless, soothing knitting is the perfect project for a stressful season.  Look here at all the myriad of possibilities and cast on.

Knit Along:  Meet me at the Ryman Shawl/Stole

Our Knit-Along from Haus of Yarn made its debut at Stitches, and takes its design from the famous architectural details of Nashville’s home of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium.  The pattern comes in a shawl version utilizing 3 balls of Geilsk wool cotton blend, and a stole version (which I chose), kniting up with two balls of Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal wool cashmere blend.  Gauge is critical, so if there’s any doubt, go ahead and get a third ball.  I sure did.

Time for lunch?  I know where to send you:

Picnic Cafe

4320 Harding Pike

Nashville, TN 37205

615-297-5398

thepicniccafe.com

There are so many plates decorating the walls, it’s like eating in a blue china garden. Every member of the wait staff dons a different cheerful apron.  The chicken salad was everything Meg said it would be, and the frozen fruit salad was like a dessert in itself.  The coconut cake—a personal favorite—was top-notch, as were the little “Kathy’s Crescents” cookies.  The perfect “ladies who lunch” spot. 

From here, head on down towards one of Nashville’s trendiest neighborhood, “12 South.”  The best route is to drive down Woodlawn Avenue, taking note of all the fancy houses and imagining which stars or executives might live inside.

Tackle the challenging 12 south parking (side streets offer the best bet), and start your afternoon adventures with a dose of caffeine at: 

Frothy Monkey

509 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-292-1808

frothymonkey.com

This inventive, friendly java joint has all the markers of a good gathering spot—small tables, comfy chairs, memorable name, good brews. You can eat here too, with full menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It’s often crowded, and it’s not hard to see why.

Craft South

2516 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-928-8766

craft-south.com

Even though I’m a one-craft gal—knitting only—I like the new trend of multi-craft establishments like this one.  Knitting, sewing, crochet, quilting, embroidery, cross-stitch—it’s all here.  The shop lists itself as “an expertly curated supply shop of fabrics yarns, embroidery supply, tools and a Janome Sewing Machine dealership.” Owner and craft maven Anna Maria Horner of the popular Anna Maria brand runs the place, and her trademark love of color is seen everywhere.  She even designs quilt fabrics.  Just standing in the store revs up your creative juices.

Sprinkles Cupcakes

2606 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-712-6885

sprinkles.com

Now if you want to rev up your blood-sugar, you only need to travel next door.  This shop has a cupcake ATM! How can you not love that level of efficiency?  My sources tout the Red Velvet, Black & White, and Chocolate Marshmallow flavors as the best, but a wide variety of seasonal flavors show up to tempt you as well.  There’s ice cream, too, in just as many clever and yummy flavors.

Draper James

2608 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-997-3601

draperjames.com

I later learned that this charming southern store is owned by actress Reese Witherspoon, and it made total sense.  The store has a stylish, classy whimsy to it.  The kind of place where you find something for the person you can never find anything for.  They even offered me a glass of sweet tea while I shopped—can you get more southern hospitality than that?

White’s Mercantile

2908 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-750-5379

whitesmercantile.com

Another store with a different vibe is in this old gas station with the flower stand out front.  Owned by singer-songwriter Holly Williams (daughter of legend Hank Williams), “ecclectic” is a good word for this place.  Delightfully cluttered, this “hip new twist on the age-old general store” hosts an intriguing assortment of gifts, housewares, and foodie goodies. There’s a second location in nearby Franklin TN.

Las Paletas

2911 12th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37204

615-386-2101

laspaletasnashville.com

Gourmet popsicles?  Why not?  The list of the day’s flavors surprised me.  An avocado popsicle?  I declined that one, but headed straight for Meg’s suggestion of cantaloupe and was not disappointed.  The perfect treat on a hot summer afternoon.

Hattie B’s 

112 19th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37203

615-678-4794

hattieb.com

Speaking of hot, “hot chicken” is one of Nashville’s contributions to civilization, and a fine way to top off your day.  Being a total spice-wimp myself, I can’t speak from personal experience, but the line outside Hattie B’s (my photo is from a different location) should tell you this isn’t to be missed. Their list of “heat levels” will tell you all you need to know:  Southern, Mild or Medium, Hot, Damn Hot, and Shut the Cluck Up.  Totally not my thing, but may surely be yours.

There you have it.  Any guidebook will give you a standard list of things to do in Nashville—all of them worthwhile.  But once you’ve exhausted the standards, spend a fiber-filled day exploring these treasures.  Your day will sure be music to your ears.

TENNESSEE Part 1: Nashville

Tennessee Yarn.

That’s not a instantly vibrant image, is it?  When someone says “Tennessee,” other iconic things come to mind...Elvis, fried things, gee-tars, a lady named Dolly, and a certain unmistakable twang.

All of these things can...and should...be part of your visit to The Volunteer State.  But this blog is devoted to the pursuit of a certain something that can definitely be part of your visit to Tennessee: great yarn shops and great yarn.

These episodes--one for Nashville and one for Chattanooga--are selected by a means no more scientific than my speaking schedule (as if often the case for DestiKNITions).  I will admit, however, to a long-time yearning to set a book at the elephant sanctuary I discovered there (stay tuned...both here and on your bookshelves!).  Be warned, this first episode is all about food and yarn...shopping and culture are up to you.

To start off, let’s grab some lovely breakfast.  Lucky for you, there’s the perfect spot very near our fiber find:

The Perch

117 Franklin Road

Brentwood TN  37027

615-661-9008

www.theperchtn.com

Coffee and crepes...there aren’t many better ways to start your day.  Being the big fan of desert-for-breakfast that I am, I went for the Nutella with Banana and wasn’t a bit sorry.  You can do food crepes in a variety of tasty flavors should you feel the need to be nutritious, but why would you?  And I dare you to turn down a latte entitled “The Best Chocolate Bar, EVER.”  Awesome, truly.

Once you’ve shown your tastebuds such bliss, it’s time to do the same for your knitting needles at:

Bliss Yarns

127 Franklin Road

Brentwood, TN 37027

615-370-8717

www.blissyarns.com

You can tell a lot by the chatter that meets your ears when you walk into a yarn store.  An energetic, friendly vibe always signals a welcoming shop, one where you are sure to feel that southern hospitality everyone always talks about.  I entered to a flurry of happy activity that no doubt is a result of owner Dana Nelm’s cheerful disposition.  I liked that someone on staff said “hello” to every person as they walked in the door, not to mention the rocking chairs out front that just begged you to “sit and knit a spell.”

The store hits the right balance between a spacious, well-lit energy and a cozy, comfy atmosphere.  You feel like you won’t have to hunt to find what you need--and that goes a long way with me.

My favorite detail?  The store has adopted “Liz,” an elephant from the fascinating Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.  I know I often say that an animal mascot is the sign of a great yarn store, but this takes that theory to delightful extremes.  I had a smile on my face the entire afternoon just thinking about Liz and her fiber fan club at Bliss.

Want in on the pachyderm pampering?  Click on over to Ravelry and purchase the “Lizzy Love Hat.”  Not only does your $5 get you a clever pattern that can be done up in any worsted weight yarn, but proceeds from your purchase buys Lizzy the tender care she deserves.

Our Knit Along from Bliss is none other than one of this year’s hottest projects:  the Color Affection Shawl.  To give this national obsession a local twist, I’ll be knitting it up in  “Yet” Lace yarn from Tennessee’s own Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarns and Fibers.  If you are color-impaired like me, the staff will be happy to help you achieve the perfect color triad that makes this shawl the popular stunner so many knitters love.  Not only did I have to have the staff pick the colors for me, but I had to have them number the wound balls in the correct knitting order!  If you have someone in your life who thinks knitted shawl are for grannies, this will surely change their mind!

If you’re not the shawl type (give me an hour with you and I’ll change your mind), another popular Ravelry-sourced project is Larissa Brown’s “Shift Cowl.”  Again, color is the star here, so pick five colors of Classic Elite Vista, grab a hank of each, and you’re good to go.  As with the Color Affection shawl, the staff will help you should color selection be one of those places where you wander off the sensible path (I have a sweater that could make you ill just by looking at its supremely unfortunate color combination...).

Need something a bit more substantial?  Opt for the Hannah Fettig’s “Effortless Cardigan” in Berroco Vintage--again a Ravelry find or available in her book Knitbot Essentials.  Simple enough to feel doable even for just-above-novice knitters, this cardi has enough clever styling details to feel fashionable.

Fiber treasures in hand, spend the afternoon doing whatever classic Nashville tourism attractions appeal to you.  Since I write historical novels, Belle Meade Plantation is high on my list, but the music scene may be more your thing.  I’ve had even non-music friends rave about the fascinating stories told inside the Country Music Hall of Fame.  The city is thick with art galleries, or the Cheekwood Mansion and Botanical Gardens combine both arts and natural beauty to feast your eyes.

No one can deny, however, that Nashville is a fine, fine food town.  Folks will tell you never to leave Music City without dining at either: 

Puckett’s

Five different locations

www.puckettsgrocery.com

I felt like just reading the menu sent my cholesterol up a dozen points.  Plan ahead...this place is often packed but well worth the wait.  I’m a huge fan of sweet potato fries and oh, my, heaven sits on that plate.

or

The Loveless Cafe

8400 Tennessee Hwy 100

Nashville, TN 37221

615-646-9700

www.lovelesscafe.com

Biscuits. Big Momma’s Blackberry Jam Cake. Creole Shrimp and Grits.  Really, do I have to say any more?

Based on conversations with other locals and my own experience, I would add two other spots for your consideration:

The Catbird Seat

1711 Division Street

Nashville, TN 37203

www.thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com

A serious foodie’s paradise.  While no small feat to get in (reservations are accepted only online and on a rolling 30 day cycle), the idea of a fine dining experience with only 32 seats arranged around an open kitchen is highly intriguing.  Definitely not a last-minute impulse but at $100 for seven courses I can almost guarantee it’s a memorable night (I couldn’t manage a table during my visit but it was recommended many, many times to me).

Where I did manage to eat was a lovely spot called

The Tin Angel

3201 West End Avenue  Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 298-3444

www.tinangel.net

More accessible but no less delicious, I enjoyed my meal here as well as the attentive service to our large party.  I had an outstanding lobster and shrimp risotto and the very aptly named “Chocolate and Caramel Indulgence” desert.  A good spot if you’re in town for business or with not a lot of time to plan ahead.

I admit, my first Nashville visit several years ago didn’t go much beyond the stereotypes.  With this visit I’ve expanded my vistas and found more to love in the music city even though I’m not a fan of country music.  With a son looking at Vanderbilt, this won’t be my last trip, and I’m looking forward to discovering new facets in the future.

Up next, we cast on the latest craze:  The Color Affection Shawl.  Will I get the tricky top edge right?  Stay tuned.....