CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE: Winnetka Illinois

Winnetka

I’ll admit it...I was operating on the stereotype.  Here I was thinking I’d landed in the realm of the popped polo shirt collar (hey, I grew up in Connecticut, I can say that) and the luxury SUV.  And I did--no doubt Winnetka is among the north shore’s prettiest communities especially on a sunny fall day.  But I hadn’t counted on it being so wonderfully artistic.

Start your day with an outstanding breakfast at the universal local favorite:

Caffe Buon Giorno

566 Chestnut St

Winnetka, IL 60093

847-784-8899

Sure, it’s cash only.  Yes, it can be crowded.  It’s totally worth it.  Breakfast all day places are my absolute favorite, and this one is wonderful.  My genuinely friendly waiter made an outstanding recommendation for the crab cake eggs benedict--the place makes their own hollandaise sauce.  Wow.  Hands down the best meal of this trip.  Chestnut street and the surrounding area are a wonderful little suburban downtown so feel free to wander off all those calories when you’re done.  

Make sure you turn the corner and catch one of the great independent bookstores of our day:

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court 

811 Elm Street 

Winnetka Illinois 60093 

847-446-888

http://www.thebookstall.com/

Jam packed with great stock and a loaded events schedule, this is one of the national A-list stops for book tours so your bound to catch someone truly interesting.  Check out their selection of autographed books (cookbooks, too!) for yourself or someone on your gift list.  

When you’re ready, travel up Green Bay Road to the little neighborhood known as Hubbard Woods and our fiber fix for the day:

Stitch(es) 

1054 Gage Street 

Winnetka,IL. 60093

847-441-0677

www.stitcheswinnetka.com

The neat thing about Stitch(es) is that it’s as much a boutique as it is a yarn shop.  You feel stylish just for walking in the door.  The little storefront establishment opened just last year, and it couldn’t be more charming tucked on a short side street alongside a park.  

Run by knitwear designer Sue Peterson of Sue P. Knits, the store boasts wonderful samples of what we all wish our knitwear looked like.  I had fun watching Sue engage her constant flow of customers from the calm, focused expert looking for a specific fiber to the near-hysterical novice who yelped “Help!” and thrust her ribbing into Sue’s helpful hands.  Sue wants you to succeed, wants to introduce you to new techniques and projects, and you feel sure her artistic twist will somehow rub off on your boring old scarf.  

Her very inventive stock is organized by weight with the likely needle size posted alongside (a nice helpful touch).  The store offers loads of interesting kits and a selection of riotously colored Hadaki bags which I’d never seen before.

While a load of projects caught my eye, here’s a few to look for:

Churchmouse Baby Wrap Sweater

Done up in two skeins (1 striped, one solid) of Shibui Staccato or Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace, this pattern makes the perfect first time Grandma sweater--basic but with oodles of style.  

Vintage Mohair Sweater

A quick Ravelry search will bring up several Sue P Knits patterns, but this fluffy, cozy cardigan was a favorite.  Six skeins of Classic Elite La Gran will most definitely knit up to keep you warm this winter.  People will probably come up and ask to pet your sleeve.

Mohair Bias Looop

If you need something a little more basic, these loop scarves are this year’s rage.  Two skeins of Kidsilk Haze--one of my most favorite snuggle-worthy yarn choices--whip up into a versatile accessory that won’t tax your brain cells.  Go with a angelic white, or pop for color in Kidsilk’s new striped version.

Shibui Baby Albaca Cowl

Chicago is cowl country, and this winter is supposed to be a killer, so I’m glad the Knit Along from Stitch(es) is a cozy cowl.  No photo yet--I'm among the first to try out one of Sue's brand new patterns.  Done up in super soft, super warm Shibui Baby Alpaca, it’ll be a blast of color to brighten up my dreary winter.

Now that we’ve gotten our daily dose of fiber, it’s time for a little shopping.  

Turn the corner and you’ll see a sunny stretch of Green Bay Road dotted with lots of interesting shopping.  There’s a fine selection, but my favorites were:

Creme de la Creme

901-903 Green Bay Road

Winnetka, IL  60093

847-446-2228

www.cremegifts.com

It was the exquisite linens in the window that caught my eye, but there’s so much more to this unique store.  Owner Sandy Freeman says the store has “Nothing you need but everything you’d like,” including my favorite Sarah Oliver Handbags.  Knit by “The Purlette’s”--an adorable gang of seniors hired from Mill Valley California by designer Sarah Oliver--each bag sports grand personality and the signature “O” brooch that marks it as a one-of-a-kind treasure.  Who can resist?

Farther down I wandered into furniture heaven.  Really, I would move in tomorrow and live in the sublime showroom of:

Sawbridge Studios

Handcrafted Furniture and Accessories

1051 Tower Court

Winnetka, IL  60093

847-441-2441

www.sawbridge.com

If, like me, you are a raging fan of prairie style furniture, this place will drop your jaw.  Exquisite just about covers it.   Clocks, beds, bureaus, tables, chairs, each of exceptional quality and full of artistic character.  Were I confined to live out my last days in a rocking chair, it’d most definitely come from here.

Switch gears and indulge your inner child by wandering through:

Beat Street

930 Green Bay Road

Winnetka IL  60093

847-442-8580

It may look like a toy store from the outside--and it’s loaded with cool toys--but there’s a little of everything inside this delightfully stuffed-to-the-gills store.  I love that her business card lists the store hours as “10:58am - 5:28pm.”  This is one of those places where almost everything you see gets you thinking of a friend who would “just love one of those.”  If you want to rock someone’s Christmas stocking this year, head here.

I had a marvelous afternoon indulging some of my very favorite whims--and I suspect you will, too.  See? I told you there was more here than shiny Volvos...

CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE: Northbrook, IL

Northbrook

We’re going to start off a little southeast of this town, launching our adventure from a small retail nook known as The Shops of Northfield Village Square.  Tucked onto Happ Road just south of Willow Road you’ll find a little collection of shops and eateries that are the kind of places DestiKNITters love best...really good but just off the main path.  Start your day at

Three Tarts Bakery and Cafe

301 South Happ Road

Northfield 60093

847.446.5444 phone

http://www.threetartsbakery.com

Their advertisements claim “everything’s good here,”--and I found it to be true--but their real claim to fame are their decorated sugar cookies.  You can order these moist and tasty works of art in dozens of styles and shapes for a special occasion, or just munch on what’s out for the day (ghosts, in my case).  Half the fun is watching the tutu-clad little girls from the nearby dance studio come in and get a post-class cookie.  Partial to cake as I am, I was impressed by the display and the coconut cake I ordered lived up to its hype.  Good coffee, some actual food should you want nutrition (but why?), and nice seating.

A stroll down the collection of stores will land you some very charming shopping in a nice variety of stores, but don’t forget to look to the north where you can explore a whole different kind of stitch-work:

The Canvasback

1747 Orchard Lane 

Northfield, IL 60093

847-446-4244

http://www.canvasback-needlepoint.com/

I’ve come across many knitters who dabble in needlepoint, or want to. I found this friendly store a welcome place to consider the craft.  A nice selection of classes and a truly helpful staff mean you get excellent service--this store hasn’t been in business for 37 years for nothing.  

When asked for a good first-timer’s project, the staff pointed me toward this lovely small handbag with a removable/changable stitched flap.

When you’re done, keep with our “three” theme and make the 15 minute-or-so drive to today’s fiber stop:

Three Bags Full Knitting Studio

1927 Cherry

Northbrook, Il 60062

847-291-9933

www.threebagsfullknittingstudio.com

Don’t go looking for a big sign--there isn’t one.  I had to call the store even though I discovered I was sitting in the parking lot right in front of it.  Despite its huge size and deceiving retail-ish location, this store manages a homey feel, right down to the couch in front of the fireplace hearth.  

Three Bags Full has grown in each of its three moves, achieving a wide selection for an adventurous clientele.  “I’m out to create more knitters,” owner Lynette Swanson says, and her enormous schedule of classes and the loads of enticing project samples in her store are there to back up that claim.  If you’re looking for what’s new, chances are she’s got it.  Her long pre-store career as a knitting teacher is evident everywhere you look--there are incentives to enhance your skills in every nook and cranny of this store.  

Oh, and did I mention there’s a Starbuck’s only yards away?  Ah, the salted caramel hot chocolate is heavenly this time of year.  Also heavenly are these projects that caught my eye:

Thrum Mitten

It’s hard to come up with a mitten I’d call original, but this one does it.  The kit, which features a knit mitten stuffed with toasty roving that molds to your hand, is available in a riot of colors at the store.  

It looks like it’d never be comfortable, but after poking my hands into one of these, I was hooked.  Or is that needled...

Cool Hemp Ponchette

This asymmetrical garment pairs simple and complex stitch patterns to make a statement beyond the standard scarf.  A versatile pattern, it can be done up in 4 skeins of any DK weight cotton-type yarn.  Not every pattern like this translates as nicely with variegated yarn as with a solid, but this one will, so you can go luxe or casual.  I loved the drape.

Cotton Classic Jumper

How much cuter can you get than this little girl’s dress of Lynette’s own design?  Think of the fun you could have with colors--all it takes is 3 balls of any cotton dk-weight yarn.  Make the little girl in your life one of these, and you could win Grandma of the Year.

Our Knit Along from Three Bags Full:

Lovikka Swedish Thick Wool Mittens

Any dog-owner will tell you a good pair of mittens means the world when you’re out strolling Fido (or Fidette in my case) on a frigid morning.  This pattern by Linda Lutz pairs a sturdy mitten--from Cascade’s “Ecological Wool” 100% Undyed Peruvian Highland Wool--with an artsy cuff by overstitching with Zitron’s Trekking.  If color combining isn’t your strength, get help like I did from a member of the staff so you’re assured a spiffy result.  Lynette advises checking out U-Tube for a video on gusset instructions if you’re new to that technique.  I can’t wait to get started on these.

Lynette’s vote for favorite gadget?  Clover’s Kacha-Kacha stitch counter.  It’s so much fun to say, how you not want to own one?

Now that you’ve fed your fiber appetite, it’s time to meet your gastronomic cravings.  You’ve got three meal choices just outside your door:

Marcello’s

1911 Cherry Lane, Northbrook, IL, 60062

847-498-1500

www.marcellos.com

You can see Marcello’s from Three Bags Full’s window, and the store staff claim their broasted chicken--which you can get six different ways--is “absolutely to die for.”  I love family establishments, and this one’s been pleasing customers since 1947 so I suspect they know their stuff.  If you’ve needing a gluten free pizza, head here.

A quick jump across the street (look for Sunset Foods) will land you at two other options:

Georgie V’s

1139 Church St

(between Cherry Ln & Keystone Ave) 

Northbrook, IL 60062

847-753-9638

Good breakfast and lunch places are always worth finding.  If you managed to miss the apple pancake in Highland Park, this spot boasts a pretty good one, too.  The California Wrap was the Three Bags Full staff recommendation, although several on-line reviews cited outstanding omelettes as well.  No frills and friendly, this is just a good honest neighborhood eatery.

just steps away you’ll find:

Francesca’s North

1145 Church St

(between Cherry Ln & Keystone Ave) 

Northbrook, IL 60062

847-559-0260

More of a dinner spot to Georgie V’s breakfast vibe, we were told the fish of the day is the way to go here.  The menu--mostly classic Italian--changes daily and keeps it’s regular customers coming back.  I met people who said they’d been coming here every week for five and six years--you can’t create that kind of loyalty without hitting the right notes.   

If you’re up here during the summer, I’d top of either your Highland Park or Northbrook adventures with an evening at Ravinia.  In my humble opinion, it is quite simply one of the nation’s most outstanding outdoor concert venues.  Hosting every kind of music, Ravinia takes the cultural picnic dinner to an art form you can barely imagine if you’ve never seen it. Click here to see photos from their most recent “ultimate picnic contest” to see what I mean http://backstage.ravinia.org/ravinia-gallery/rutherford-hill-ultimate-picnic-contest/ One of this area’s prime knitting in public spots...that is until the sun goes down.

Two down, two to go.  Stay tuned, the North Shore treasures just keep on coming.

CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE: Highland Park, IL

Chicago’s North Shore might be the first place you’d wander if you were looking for fancy houses, but it also houses some lovely yarn shops.  As a graduate of Northwestern University, I spent a lot of time on Lake Michigan’s spiffy suburban shores, but hadn’t yet had the chance to wander back in search of yarn.

Once a year I try to feature stores close to home, so this summer’s Chicago Yarn Crawl pointed out a quartet of North Shore stores that just begged further exploration.  As such, we’ll start out way up top and work our way back toward the NU campus.  Day one will feature Highland Park and the charming MiaBella, Day Two takes us a bit farther south to Northbrook’s Three Bags Full, Day three tucks us a bit east to Winnetka’s inventive Stitch(es), and our final day lands us in Evanston for CloseKnit.  Each store offers a unique neighborhood and some exquisite non-fiber finds, so come along.

The neat thing about our Highland Park store is that can make this a rail excursion if you so choose (actually, that’s true of three of our stores--head to Metrarail.com for details).

There’s really only one way to start your day, and that’s at this iconic breakfast place:

Walker Bros. Pancake House

620 Central Ave.

Highland Park, IL

847-432-0660

www.walkerbros.net

Yes, there are those who will tell you the famous Apple Pancake is the only way to go here, and it would be good advice.  This thing is as yummy as it is massive.  Me, I’m rather fond of their omelets--I’ve never had fluffier ones--and their excellent coffee.  Added to the beloved franchise in 1992, this place has breakfast down to an art form.  Most locals consider this the “must eat” morning meal, so a mid-week visit is recommended as the weekend wait (albeit worth it) can be daunting.  And yes, they’re open in the evenings, so you can eat breakfast for dinner here (hooray!).

Central Ave has some lovely shopping if you’re inclined to walk off your carbo-coma, otherwise, turn south onto a charming block of St. Johns Avenue that will comprise the rest of our adventure.  If you still need some time to digest, pop into

Titles, Inc.

1821 St. Johns Avenue

Highland Park, IL  60035

847-432-3690

A real, honest to goodness independent bookstore is an endangered species, and this is one of the area’s finest.  Owner Florence Shay has as much character as a shelf-full of adventure novels, but her stock is what sells the establishment.  Thanks to her photographer husband (equally notable, it bears saying), the store boasts a strong collection of art and photo-related titles, but I had fun browsing through the impressive collection of signed and first-edition volumes.  Yes, I know the likelihood of any of my romance novels ending up in here is infinitesimal, but it’s fun to dream anyway.

Just for now, skip over the yummy sights and smells from ArrivaDolce, we’re saving that for later.  A few doors down you’ll find our featured yarn store:

MiaBella Yarn and Accessories

1815 St. Johns Avenue

Highland Park, IL  60035

847-748-8419

http://www.miabellayarn.com/

You’d think an “insanely organized” yarn shop would feel stark, but MiaBella achieves such a sense of quiet calm that you wish you lived here.  

Owner Sarah Iosue, who left a corporate marketing career to meet the community’s need for a yarn shop, creates a soothing space with calming colors, cushy couches, and delicate music.  

It has that community feel DestiKNITters crave, the “sit a spell” quality that lets you know the customer next to you is just as likely to help you find your dropped stitch as a member of the staff would come to your rescue.  Highland Park hosts its share of doting grandmothers, so you’ll find loads of inventive and stylish baby gifts as well as the new discoveries Sarah loves to showcase.

  

Spinning has found a home here, too.  When asked for her favorite gadget,  Sarah crowed about her Louet Victoria Spinning Wheel.  Sara is implementing a new shop section devoted to the much-loved close-cousin to knitting, and the store hosts a spinning night on Tuesdays.

Some featured projects include:

The holidays are coming, so prime season for this adorable Sock Candy Bag is on its way.  Designer Adriene Ku’s creation takes two balls of Louisa Harding Aimee dk weight.  I love the stitch texture and the squat base that gives it such a marvelous shape.

There’s nothing utilitarian about Sublime’s Vintage Utility Vest when you knit it up in KFI’s adorable Indulgence.  You only need one ball to make the 6-12 month size.  Anyone who’s tried to wrestle a baby into a sweater will appreciate the generous neck buttons on this sweet garment.  If you’re looking to achieve Most Favored Grandma status, this one’s a shoe-in to keep you at the top of baby’s list.

Knitters love shawls.  I love shawls.  Our Knit-Along from MiaBella also comes from designer Adriene Ku.  Her Schmetterling Shawl (“butterfly” in German) takes full advantage of Ella Rae’s lace merino’s stunning colors and drape.  I’ve become very fond of mid-sized lace shawls for their sheer versatility, and this one promises to be enticing.

They’re saying it’ll be a killer of a winter here in Chicago, so this Afghan may be in dire need.  Done up in five skeins of Thick and Quick Merino by Eruo, it won’t kill your fingers in yards of tiny stitches, either.

Blown your yarn budget but not your craft budget?  No worries, this really is the block to get your craft fix.  Right next door you’ll find:

Fired Works

1813 Saint Johns Avenue

Highland Park IL  60035

847-266-1255

www.hpfiredworks.com

No, you don’t need to make reservations, you really can just walk in and paint your way to pottery happiness (I asked).  While they don’t yet stock yarn bowls, I bet we could convince them.  I loved the tiled mirror.  I had a dozen friends make me a set of mugs for my 40th that I still use daily.  Since I’m turning 50 next year, this mirror seems like an ideal encore.

Still not satisfied?  wander a little further down and say hello to Bob at

Chelsea’s Beads

1799 St. Johns Avenue

Highland Park IL  60035

847-433-3451

www.chelseasbeads.com

How can you not love a guy who’s card reads “Division of Smart Creations?”  This super-friendly store has been in the family for three generations.  The “chain room” alone is worth a look, but be brave and ask to “go down the dungeon (the basement)” for a really fun experience.  Like most yarn shops, the crowd is as fun as the merchandise. 

If you’re ready to consider the prospect of lunch now, wander just a bit farther down the block to:

City Park Grill

1783 St. Johns Avenue

Highland Park, IL  60035

847-432-9111

www.thecityparkgrill.com

I love places like this, where the front table features a bunch of grandfather-types hotly debating movies or politics.  Ted the owner ushered me in like I was one of the family, as friendly as the spot’s welcoming messages on the bottom of the menu.  This place is balances the dual atmospheres of post-shopping lunch and go-for-drinks with delightful ease.  The Sesame Ahi Tuna seared salad, served on pad tai noodles, lived up to Sarah’s recommendation--outstanding.  Enjoy the wonderful, attentive service, but don’t linger for desert. We’ve got plans.

Back up the block, walk your sweet tooth into:

Arriva Dolce Gelato and Coffee Bar

1823 St. Johns Avenue

Highland Park, IL  60035

847-433-3103

arrivadolce.com

Yes, you could eat food here, but why would you when there’s coffee and gelato??  Even before my server revealed she’s a relative of famed knitting author Sally Melville, I liked this place.  I tasted five flavors and loved them all:  Cappuccino with Chocolate Espresso Beans, PIstachio, Dulce de Luche, Tripple Dark Chocolate, and Mango Sorbet.  Wow.  I went to Rome & Florence’s best gelato spots this summer and this stuff is just as good.  They make a wickedly good hot chocolate, too.  The absolute perfect way to top off a great day.

Sugar, yarn, art, books, coffee--we hit all the buttons on this adventure.  And guess what?  Next episode there’s more....