CLEVELAND, OH SUBURBS - Day 1: Chagrin Falls

Falling for Chagrin Falls...

When I was little, we had family friends who lived in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  I still remember my visits there.  Life was kind enough to afford me a return visit earlier this summer, and I was delighted to discover an excellent yarn shop among the ice cream, popcorn, and other treats I remember getting as a kid.  This chock-full-of-charming town is a nicely contained day trip while you’re in Cleveland on business, or a lovely day away all on its own.  You can do the whole town in a matter of hours if you’re expedient; all day if you really take the time to explore.

Let’s start with breakfast:

Lemon Falls Cafe

95 North Main Street

Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

440-247-8000

lemonfalls.com

Tucked onto a street corner, this tiny, friendly restaurant is the perfect place to start your day.  If it’s lunch, my sources say go straight for the lobster roll.  If it’s breakfast, there are several egg plates and a very good breakfast wrap.  Excellent coffee, tea, and espresso drinks round out the menu.  If you’ve got vegan or gluten free dietary needs, this place is perfect for you.  Skip the sweets, though, because we’ve got other plans to satisfy your sweet tooth:

Jeni’s Ice Cream

67 N Main Street

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

440-247-2064

jenis.com

I discovered this yummy stuff on my last venture in Ohio, and I couldn’t get back to my salted caramel ice cream sandwich fast enough.  You could try any of the truly inventive flavors of ice cream, but this will always be my favorite. Splendid!

or, you could try:

Sugar Me Desserterie

45 West Orange Street #5

In CoachHouse Square

Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

440-247-7228

sugarmedesserterie.com

Any bakery with a frequent buyer program and french macarons is a hit with me!  Cupcakes, a decadent-looking German Chocolate Cake, and other yummy baked goods round out the scrumptious menu.  It might take a little effort to find down there at the end of River Street, but it’s well worth it.

First shopping stop for any DestiKNITter is, of course, the yarn.

The Artful Yarn

Step North

100 North Main Street, Suite 230

Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022

440-321-9754 

http://www.theartfulyarn.com

Find your way off the street into the little set of shops at Main and Orange Streets, and you’ll discover a lively, friendly yarn shop that’s built on “killer customer service.”  Owner Cathy Hougan exudes a “let me help you” energy that clearly launches the many “fiber friendships” at the store. “It’s a meeting space—we’re your yarn concierge,” Hougan says, and it’s easy to see why.  With events like “K@12—“Knitting at Noon” that offer a fiber-friendly take on the old office “lunch and learn” model, this store builds a loyal, adventuresome customer base.  

Color and texture abound in the bright, clean-lined store, and the atmosphere has a definite “have fun and play with yarn” personality.  There’s a customer loyalty purchase program, and you get a discount on your birthday!  Cathy vets her fibers carefully, offering only organic, fair trade products that meet her high standards for integrity.  Like all good DestiKNITions, this is the kind of store where you could hang out for hours and not only leave with great yarn, but gain a few new friends in the process.

Looking for some project inspiration?  The Artful Yarn has lots to choose from:

The Alsace Cardigan

This lovey design from Knit 1 Crochet 2 gets worked up from only four skeins of Soie et Lin —that’s a selling feature in my book!  I love the open, scooped neck and the delicate trim at the bottom and sleeves.

Felted Clogs

Need to keep some toes warm this fall?  These colorful felted clogs from Fiber Trends will do the trick.  The left one in this photo is before felting, the right after.  Perhaps in school colors of a new collegiate you know?

Knit Happy Club Slouch Hat

Slouch hats are all the rage, and they are much kinder to a hairstyle than a watch cap.  This one knits up from Shepherd’s Wool Crazies.The trim on the headband adds a nice detail.

Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole

Entrelac is one of my favorite knitting tricks—once you grasp the essentials, you always get dramatic results with a minimal amount of technical fuss.  The trick is always to use a great self striping yarn, and Cathy will gladly guide you to a successful choice.  I especially like the snazzy fringe on this one.

Holden Shawlette

Our Knit Along from The Artful Yarn pays homage to the area’s Holden Arboretum.  Designer Mindy Wilkes says The Holden shawlette draws its name from Holden Beach, South Carolina, but I can easily see the ripply lace evoking an arboretum’s leafy treasures as well—especially if you use one of Malabrigo Sock’s botanical color-ways like Lettuce or Arbol.  

I went for the ocean vibe myself.  With a yarn like this, it’s great that you only need one skein, as dye lots can vary widely.

Yarn purchases safely in hand, you might want to pamper those stitching hands by walking next door to: 

The Village Herb Shop

17 East Orange Street

Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

440-247-5029 or 1-800-836-9120

villageherbshop.com

This charming store is one of those great shopping experiences you can’t get in a chain retail establishment.  These people are passionate about their products!  I took a wonderful tour with owner LeeAnn Halley and was delighted to hear all the stories about the partnerships she’s established with artisans and product lines.  Gifts, decor, classes, trinkets, culinary goodies—this store has a little bit of everything.  You won’t leave without a few “oh, this is just perfect” purchases!

Can’t wait to cast on?  Just steps down the street is a perfect place to knit outside, listening to the soothing sounds of the picturesque Chagrin Falls.  Walk down off the sidewalk level by the bridge to the gorgeous falls that give the town its name.  Even on a warm afternoon, the little parks beside the falls stay cool and calming.  

Don’t linger too long, however, because some other fun shopping awaits.  In the main triangle and surrounding streets you’ll find a nice variety of specialty shops and boutiques.  Make sure and look up, though, to take in the town’s famous flower baskets hanging from light poles.  It makes the whole area look post-card perfect.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Hedges

13 North Franklin St.

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

440-247-2344

hedgeschagrinfalls.com

I’m into Pandora bracelets, but I have plenty of friends who crave Alex and Ani bracelets.  We’d all be happy at this boutique, which showcases an impressive selection of both lines.  Lots of other goodies catch your eye here, too.

Fireside Books

29 North Franklin Street

Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

440-247-4050

www.firesidebookshop.com

Okay, DestiKNITters, you know the drill: patronize good local independent book stores!  We need them in our world.  And for them to stay, you need to get off the internet (later, of course) and get yourself in their doors to shop.  ‘Nuff said.

Nola True

15 South Franklin Street

Chagrin Falls OH  44022

440-247-8980

While I love boutique shopping, sometimes the price tags can be too steep for me.  I was pleased to find several items that I not only wanted, but that I could afford without remorse.  The styles easily suited a woman of my “seasoned” age, not just a younger, hipper shopper like some boutiques I’ve visited.  The place was stylish, friendly and accessible.

YARNY BONUS!  If you visit on a Saturday, are very lucky, or have called ahead, you may get a visit to the Alpaca Fiber Studio and get to meet fiber artist and educator Robbie Grodin.  It’s on Bell Street next to the Valley Arts Center.  More luscious fiber goodies!

Once you’ve shopped your way around town, consider ending your day with a meal at:

Gamekeeper’s Taverne

87 West Street

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

440-247-7744

www.gamekeepers.com

If the weather’s fine, take in the award-winning outdoor courtyard of this longtime Chagrin Falls fancy favorite.  If the weather’s not friendly, the place boasts cozy fireplaces as well.  The exceptional menus change with the seasons, so you know the cuisine is fresh and locally-sourced.  Game lovers will especially like this place (hence the name), but there is a wide enough menu to suit any taste.  Sources say the salads are first-rate.

Especially on a warm summer evening, it’s hard to bid goodbye the picturesque falls of this little Ohio town.  Even if I can’t get back soon, I know I’ll soon have a lovely shawl as a keepsake and a reminder to return.

Next episode, we’ll visit another Cleveland suburb, Aurora.

Knit-Along: Entrelac Scarf from A Tangled Skein - Final Day!

This is addict behavior.

I suppose it’s my own fault for not checking my inventory carefully enough, but I thought I had size 19 needles--I didn’t realize they were only size 17.

Ahem...I’m getting ahead of myself.

I’m wrapping up the final few inches of my lovely entrelac scarf, feeling so proud of myself and envisioning all the compliments I’ll get once this masterpiece graces my neck. And you all have been so patient while I rant and rave and learn to knit backwards and all. I was ready to reward you tonight with the first few rows of our final DC project, the happy Mega Cable Scarf in such a cheerful turquoise. Such energy after I’ve doused you in earth tones for the last two projects.

I had such high hopes for our evening.

So at 8:30pm I went to my stash with a smile on my face, ready to do that wondrous, magical, hopeful task of casting on. Ready to fire up the camera to take a first photo for you to add to this finished photo of my entrelac scarf.

I wasn’t ready to pull out my needle supply and see that I did not, in fact, own size 19 needles as the pattern called for. They’re 17s. Can you feel the panic creeping up my spine? It’s 8:36...all the local craft stores close at 8 or 9pm (I googled their hours instantaneously). See my eyes dart back and forth and I am tempted to cheat and cast on my 17s. “I can knit loosely,” I coo to myself.

But I owe you better than that.

Tomorrow, without further delay, I will scamper to our local yarn store and buy those size 19 needles. I am crestfallen. I’m really, really bad at this delayed gratification stuff. I actually considered phoning a knitting neighbor and asking her if she can lend me a pair of 19’s for a few hours until I can get my own tomorrow--but I am too embarrassed to do it.

Because this really is addict behavior. I’m hopeless.

Here, to hold you over, is a photo from Marie’s own website.

If there’s anyone out there considering opening an all-night yarn shop, my guess is you’d have some pretty loyal customers.

Knit-Along: Entrelac Scarf from A Tangled Skein - Day 3

Fear my bidirectional knitting!

I did it!

I figured out how to knit backwards. All by myself, just me and my brain cells.

Now, I admit anyone watching me on the airplane might have wondered why it was that I stared≈ repeatedly at the front and then the back of my knitting, stuck a needle in here, stuck a needle in there, looked at it some more, tried a different direction, etc. It was sort of like writing your name in a mirror or the first time you tried to parallel park--all do and do-over.

And, quite frankly, it’s anybody’s guess if I’m actually faster doing this than turning so many times in a row, but it’s certainly more peaceful. And less poky, if I’m sitting next to you on an airplane (or, given my last entry, in church). I think I’ll need another six inches or so before I can say that for sure. Stay tuned...

Knit-Along: Entrelac Scarf from A Tangled Skein - Day 1

Just keep rowing...

This is a nice segue from the lacework scarf, because it is a new skill for many, and it represents a challenge. Entrelac, like the complex yet workable triple pattern in the last scarf, is a see-it-to-believe-it experience. It’s perfectly natural to stare at the instructions in disbelief. They don’t seem to add up to full rows, let alone straight rows. Which is because, well, they don’t. You’re essentially tacking back and forth like a sailor, veering left and right to eventually get yourself straight ahead. The last time I knit entrelac, I was in a particularly difficult spot in my writing career, and I thought the indirect nature of the progress was the perfect metaphor for what I was feeling. Entrelac is a comforting sort of pretty confusion. Weaving in and out.

Okay, enough esoteric business. I was itching to get this cast on to my new Signature needles. Someone asked me yesterday if they were “worth it.” The answer is YES. But, they were not worth taking on the plane--they are sharp little instruments, and I could just picture of TSA folks having a field day with their evil uses. Plus, I must admit, I’ve found I needed a less slippery needle for this--at least at first. So back onto my trusty Lantern Moons it went.

You make triangles at first--three or four of them depending on your scarf size. Again, the trick here is to simply follow the directions. It won’t seem like it’s working at first. Things will look like they’re heading in the wrong direction. Press on. It will take you four rows (two left leaning and two right leaning, with the tricky side triangles in between), before you’ll grasp the overall nature of this. And yes, if you’re like me, you’ll mess up the second row. This looks like weaving, so you’ll have an intersection of four “corners” when two rows meet up. Unless you second guess the row turn because it doesn’t look right and end up with a five-pointed intersection, which looks more like one of those dastardly circles I found driving in Washington DC than anything you want to wrap around your neck.

The Noro Silk Garden feels a bit scratchy, but I have faith that it will wash up soft and lovely. The colorplay is just divine--each rectangle becomes its own little color block, showing off the pattern to perfection.

PS, I’m currently knitting at a conference, which means I get to knit in public for hours at a time, so you can imagine how much fun I’m having!

Knit-Along: Elemental Changes Scarf from Aylin’s Woolgatherer - Day 6

There will be no impulsive daisy ditching, people...

I’ve enjoyed this project, although I’ll openly admit if I go to my grave without encountering the double daisy motif ever again, it’ll be okay. I botched that thing every single time, and hopefully it won’t show when I block this scarf.

I’ve finished the next-to-final section, but I’m going to set this aside for a bit before I do the bind-off pattern. I have more than enough yarn to go farther, and I want to take some time away from aforementioned dasterdly double daisy before I decide if I want to keep the scarf short or add some more sections to make it longer. I don’t want to opt for short just to ditch the double daisy, which I am in danger of doing if I make that choice now.

I figure I can be more objective after I’ve had the diversion of the entrelac scarf from A Tangled Skein that is our next project. And after some new adventures in the Denver stores I’ll be visiting in a few days to research the next DestiKNITions episode--that’s right folks, we’ll be spending November in Denver! And, yes, there will be cupcakes. You knew there would be. And coffee, because you knew there would be that, too.

Speaking of delectable goodies, here’s my haul from the fabulous Stitches Midwest. I decided ahead of my visit that I would splurge on three pairs of Signature needles, indulging my love of luxe knitting tools. I’m a big fan of Lantern Moon wooden needles, but the passing over of slipped stitches required on my Aylin’s scarf was making me cranky on the blunter points of the Lantern Moons. So, looked at my next three projects and bought Signature “stiletto” point needles for each of them. They are, indeed, like jewelry. They feel lovely. I put them to immediate use within hours of coming home, as well as my cool chart markers. Splendid. Absolutely splendid. Now I feel like a true aficionado. Or is that an aficionknitto?

Knit-Along: Elemental Changes Scarf from Aylin’s Woolgatherer - Day 2

Do over...

After my disastrous beginning, I actually found the first section of this scarf to be quite entertaining. The fact that you are working three distinct patterns on each row is a bit tough to get your head around at first. I highly suggest that you do the first twenty rows on some practice yarn or just expect to frog it and start over. Like entrelac, it’s one of those things you can read ten times over and it just won’t make sense until you see it happen before your eyes. I can’t tell you how many times the words, “Oh, now I get it!” left my mouth on this section.

And make no mistake, this pattern requires brainpower. This isn’t the kind of project I’d take to my local knitting night where we all sit around a chat and drink and eat spiffy deserts while we knit. I can’t be distracted while I’m working on this--which is good; it flexes a different kind of knitting muscle in me than something like socks or a baby hat I can practically knit from memory. I’d classify it as “challenging” rather than “daunting” or “pull your hair out and go get some chocolate.” I had toyed with the idea of doing two repeats of the pattern to make a slightly wider scarf, but couldn’t for the life of me calculate how many stitches I needed to cast on to make that happen. And, no, I refused to cave and call Aylin’s for help (even though I knew very well they would happily guide me). I reasoned with myself that it’s better to stick with the basics on a new project than to go off and get all cocky. No hot-dogging, kiddo. Mature of me, don’t you think?

I found it MUCH easier to use the chart directions on this, even though I’m used to lacework where every other row is purled, so it took me a while to realize that all I needed to do was follow the chart exactly as written. Right to left. Every row. I made myself a little cheat sheet with the basic pattern on the front and the two edging patterns on the back. That made for too much flipping of charts. For the next section, I’ll put everything on the front--basic in the middle with edges on respective sides.

I’m feeling secure, because the next section still uses the same three designs, just in a different order. So that tricky row from the third section I almost botched this time doesn’t stand a chance in the next section--I’m a veteran now.

Up next? Section “B”--stay tuned.

WASHINGTON DC - Day Two: Maryland

Beware.  

Tell folks in DC or Virginia that you’re venturing out into Maryland, and they look at you funny.  Nobody seem to cross the river without hesitation around here. For us Midwesterners who drive an hour on a whim, this is a bit odd.  My East Coast roots (I’m a Connecticut native) understand the culture, though.  Things are closer together here, so there’s less reason to venture afar.  

Ah, but DestiKNITions is all about venturing afar.  We’ll get surprisingly exotic today, so get ready. Fire up your GPS and make your way to Hyattsville, Maryland, a suburb with an edgy, up-and-coming kind of charm you’d miss if you weren’t looking.  We’ll spend our time making several stops along Baltimore Avenue, otherwise known as Route 1.

First Stop:  Breakfast at

Shagga Coffee and Restaurant

6040 Baltimore Ave. 

Hyattsville, MD

(240) 296-3030

What’s more adventuresome that breakfast at a converted-donut-shop Ethopian coffee joint?  This place is one of the reasons I started DestiKNITions--I’d have never gone here without the sound recommendation of today’s yarn store, and the modest exterior might not draw you in, but don’t be fooled.  The food, great prices, and outstanding coffee make for a memorable breakfast.

If you’ve gotten a late start and it’s past 11, make another stop and discover:

Next Stop:  The Book Nook

5606 Baltimore Ave,

Hyattsville, MD 20781

www.booknookbookstore.com

Little independents--and this one is adorably “nook”ish--like this deserve all the business we can offer.  If there’s a little person on your gift list, they have a particularly nice selection.
When you’re ready, travel a little farther down Baltimore Avenue to today’s yarn destination:

Next Stop:

A Tangled Skein

5200 Baltimore 

Hyattsville MD

(301) 779-3399

www.atangledskein.com

Business partners Cheryl Hoffman and Larry Paulson--not married even though many people make that assumption and they did finish each other’s sentences during my interview--operate this thoughtful store with a startlingly wide variety of yarn.  It’s a huge but classic collection--you won’t find much in the way of novelty yarn here--designed to give knitters several price options within any given weight or type.  It’s a creative place, designed with community in mind, but not so hip you wouldn’t be caught here in sweats and an old t-shirt if you dropped eleven critical stitches on your day off from work.  It’s thoughtfully friendly, if that phrase makes sense to you.  Right nearby the University of Maryland, you can bet the conversation here is as fascinating as the fibers.  Cheryl refers to her staff as “bright, articulate, educated, and well-rounded,” which sounds like just the person you want guiding you through the dreaded Kitchner stitch on your first sock.    They’re spinner-friendly, too, with a monthly sit-and-spin (not the kiddie toy, the artistic gathering). Sunny windows look in on groupings of comfortable chairs, walls of yarn tempt you at every turn, books and gadgets are there to provide you with new toys for your next project.  Here are a few suggestions from Cheryl and Larry:

Tanged Cables Socks

Want a decidedly local vibe?  Opt for this exclusive design in the “Hyattsville” colorway from just-until-recently-local vendor Neighborhood Fiber Co.  I loved the vibrant colors of this yarn, and the highly-doable mock cables make it an excellent “step up” for new sock knitters.  They go from top down, so you get the mock cables under your belt before the heel flap and gusset rob your confidence.

Entrelac Scarf

Yes, I know entrelac makes some people break out in hives, but I think the effects--particularly with a yarn like Noro Silk Garden--are worth the extra effort.  This will be our Knit-Along from A Tangled Skein, so you’ll get to watch me wrangle diamonds and triangles in front of your eyes (or at least on your computer monitor).  

Cottage Creations Wonderful Wallaby Sweater

How can you resist a project with so charming a name?  If you’re no fan of finishing (like me), the near-seamless sweater with the cute name holds loads of attraction for you.  The pattern comes in a huge selection of sizes so you wan Wallabize your baby cousin right up to your linebacker boyfriend.  Any aran weight yarn will do, but Tangled Skein also recommends Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk or the Cascade Superwash in the new Tweedy Quatro.  Perfect for the knitter craving a bigger project.

If you’re like me, any yarn store visit takes multiple hours, so chances are you’re ready for lunch.  Luckily, lunch is ready for you, just across the street at this longtime neighborhood standard:

Next Stop:

Franklin’s Restaurant

5121 Baltimore Ave

Hyattsville, MD

www.franklinsbrewery.com

301-927-2740

Good food, microwbrewed beer, and a giftshop all in one-stop post-fiber perfection.  Franklin’s  is one of those neighborhood staples that deserves all the business it can get.  Our guide at A Tangled Skein recommend the veggie chili, fish and chips, chicken pot pie, and the meatloaf.  Come on, when was the last time you had really good meatloaf?  And it’s Friday if you follow our Thursday-Sunday model, so you’re just in time for the Friday’s Firkin an old English cask-conditioned ale.  Housed in the old Hyattsville Hardware Co. building, this is a one-of-a-kind place you might never find in the standard guidebooks.

Wander the gift store all you want after lunch, but save desert for our next stop, because we have a little more multi-cultural exploration to do.  Walk just a bit further down the block across the street to the intriguing storefront bakery:

Under the Coconut Tree

5124 Baltimore Ave

Hyattsville, MD 20781

240-764-8301

www.underthecoconuttree.com

Ever been to a Caribbean bakery before?  Now’s your chance.  The pennyloaf buns may be a specialty, but we were particularly fond of the Strawberry Shortcake Cake, a vibrant “velvet cake”-looking desert that had outstanding frosting and a to-die-for moist texture.  

The store boasts a friendly clientele--two customers struck up a conversation with us just to be nice--is as much fun as the unusual atmosphere.  Don’t you dare leave without trying a “Ting,” the grapefruit soda sold here.  My daughter and I loved it, and vowed to see how we could get our hands on some back in good old Chicago.  If you’re inclined to sit a while and cast on whatever fiber marvel your acquired in A Tangled Skein, or just get a few more rows done of anything, this is a colorful, friendly place to hang around.

Next Stop:  

Downtown DC

It’s Friday afternoon, so while the city empties out, you’ve got a good chance to start taking in some of the national monuments or museums you wanted to see while many of the littlest tourists have perhaps gone home to nap.    Ditch your car if you like at the West Hyattsville or Fort Totten Park and Ride stations on the green line, or get uber-brave and take your chances parking downtown (be prepared to hunt and pay dearly but the museums are free I think it evens out).  The city is stunning in the setting sun, no doubt about it.  According to one of our yarn shop owners, sitting on the Capitol steps watching the sun go down over the mall is one of the best free shows in town.  And speaking of Capitol Steps, if you are a fan of political comedy, do a little planning and get tickets for The Capitol Steps, a musical comedy group that performs live every Friday and Saturday night at the Ronald Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW).

Tonight should have given you a first taste of downtown.  Tomorrow we do more!