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. 

SAN ANTONIO, TX--Day Two

More Texas treats...

San Antonio has a lot of fun things to do. You don’t want to spend your entire day having DestiKNITions adventures, but you don’t want to miss out on some local treasures, either.  Here’s a second day schedule that will still leave you a nice block of time to take in the River Walk (a very nice place to knit in public, by the way), the Alamo, or other San Antonio goodies.

Start your day at:

Sol Y Luna Baking Company

4421 De Zavala Rd

San Antonio, TX 78249

(210) 492-5777

They are known for their breads—especially the delicious Monkey Bread—but there are a variety of mouth-watering cupcakes, muffins, bars, and cookies to choose from.   There are even sandwiches if you don’t do “morning food.”  I had the massive, scrumptious bread pudding and got nearly three meals out of it!  A sweet little place (pun intended) with a friendly staff.

After that, head the short drive to:

Yarnivore

2357 NW Military Hwy

San Antonio, TX 78231

(210) 979-8255

yarnivoresa.com

Caryn on the left with yours truly

Longtime customer turned owner Caryn Moir took over the store with her husband Martin roughly a year ago, and her passion for inspiring people shows up strong. 

 “I was crocheting before I could read,” Caryn shares, which makes this not only a great knit shop, but a truly crochet and weaving-friendly establishment.  “We’re fiber obsessed,” she confesses—and aren’t we all?

The store boasts both a strong female and male customer base, as well as an enthusiastic staff.  “We strive to create a judgement-free zone where friends of fiber can come try anything they want.”  A regular core of classes is offered year-round while other classes rotate by season or demand.  There’s also a six-month intensive class for students seeking a comprehensive education in the craft.  

It’s an organized, welcoming space.  “I don’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed.  This place should feel like a refuge for fiber fans—we’re investing in each other,” Caryn says.  One of the store’s unique features is providing customers with a yarn’s price per yard.  “Customers looking for value love that information” she relates.

Make sure you take a look at these when you visit:

Weaving Scarves

If you’ve ever wanted to take up weaving, here’s the perfect project to get you started.  A solid warp combined with a color-changing weft teaches you not only the skill of weaving, but the basics of color theory as well.  A very fine bamboo fiber makes for a luscious accessory that feels as good as it looks.

Dawn’s One Ball Shawlette

Who wouldn’t like to crochet a rainbow for their shoulders?  Of course, it could be anything depending on whatever ball of yarn you choose, but a self-striping will give you the most cheerful results.  Crochet always makes great little trims possible, and this shawlette is no exception.

Crocodile Stitch Cowl

How much fun is this?  For best effect, grab one skein of Manos de Uruguay Fino sock weight in  a reptilian color and stitch up this eye-catching crochet piece.  Or go for a marine color and mimic fish scales?  Floral to look like petals?  Brown for a pine cone? Brightly colored mariachi ruffles? The possibilities are endless!

Yellow Rose Mitts

We are in Texas, after all, so why not join me in this knit-along project of Yellow Rose Mitts?  Any sock weight yarn (no, it doesn’t have to be yellow) will produce pretty-yet-substantial fingerless mitts guaranteed to help you embrace cooler temperatures but still text and dial (or knit?).  If you want a nice, dense fabric, make sure you use 00 needles.

Malabrigo Rasta Brioche Hat

The favorite chunky fiber of many knitters, Rasta knits up fast to create this cleverly ribbed beanie.  Go for solid, a multi-color, or school-color stripes to keep your favorite noggin toasty.

Gadget Recommendation

I’ve got pins, I’ve got blocking wires, but these Knitter's Pride Knit Blockers beauties are something in between.  Each “blocker” has a stretch of pins—either 8 or 4 pins—to keep points from showing up where you don’t want and reduce tension to any single spot on your garment.  A great tool!

Not too far away is the perfect spot for lunch:

Green Vegetarian Cuisine

10003 Nw Military Hwy, Ste 2115

San Antonio, TX 78230

(210) 233-1249

eatatgreen.com

Now, I am not a vegetarian, and I confess to a bit of skepticism before I ate here.  I’d heard the dessert tray was worth the trip, but I wanted good, healthy veggie-rich food after all the meat I’d been eating. I love orange chicken from my favorite Chinese restaurant, so I took the server’s word that I’d enjoy the Sesame Chik-N meatless entree—and I did!  

The outdoor seating at this location (and also at a sister location at yesterday’s Pearl) makes the experience especially pleasant.  Dog friendly, too.  And oh, the cupcakes—my sources tell me really good vegan cupcakes are a rare find, and these were outstanding.

Travel Channel photo

Spend your afternoon taking in the River Walk or any other classic  San Antonio sites.  There are a hundred great places to eat right there on the River Walk.

If you need a shot of energy once you head away from the river, get a great one at:

CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

118 Davis Ct

San Antonio, TX 78209

(210) 560-2955

commonwealthcoffeehouse.com

A really lovely little place with lots of charm and a great assortment of indoor and outdoor seating.  I had lunch there—the delicious CommonWealth salad with the Fondant au Chocolat cake for desert.  A great atmosphere for a chat or for getting some work done.

One last recommendation for dinner:

Max’s Wine Dive

340 E. Basse Rd Ste 101

San Antonio, TX 78209

(210) 444-9547

maxswinedive.com

Okay, it’s not really a “dive,”—it’s actually in the snazzy Quarry Village shopping center—but my sources tell me this is THE place to get fried chicken.  I needed to eat bison burgers for some book research, too.  Thankfully, my helpful server arranged for me to get a bit of both—and each was tasty.  The fried chicken is perfectly crispy but not greasy, and the slightly crispy, buttery brioche buns on the bison sliders were nothing short of heaven.  What sounded like the most fun was “Bunch Before Bed,” served 10pm - 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

These stops wrap up two days in a terrific city I look forward to revisiting as soon as I can.  San Antonio serves up some tasty adventures, charming shopping, and a pair of fabulous fiber finds.  

Next up, we meet this month’s Reader Who Knits, then cast on the Linen Stitch Bag from Unraveled.

SAN ANTONIO, TX--Day One

I’m happy every time a conference I attend gets booked into San Antonio—whether I’m escaping Chicago’s nasty winters or braving the dog days of a Texas summer.  No doubt, the city offers loads of touristy gems, but I also discovered a pair of great local yarn shops as well.  If you find yourself in the Alamo City, here’s where to launch your yarn adventures:

The Pearl

Bordered by Avenue B, Isleta, Grayson and Newell Streets

San Antonio TX

(210) 212-7200

atpearl.com

What once was the Pearl Brewery has now become an charming selection of restaurants, shops, residences, and outdoor space.  Even the old stable has become an event venue. Spend your morning wandering around the place, making sure you take in:

Bakery Lorraine

306 Pearl Pkwy

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 862-5582

bakerylorraine.com

Desert for breakfast is a DestiKNITions tradition, and the Snickers Tart or croissant paired with an excellent coffee and a few splendid French macarons was the perfect way to launch my day.  The Turtle Tart is just as yummy—and I won’t tell if you get both.

Properly inspired to culinary greatness, head to:

Melissa Guerra Latin Kitchen Market

303 Pearl Pkwy Ste 104

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 293-3983

melissaguerra.com

All manner of creative cookware and gift items await you, most with a distinctive ethnic flare.  For some unusual fun, ask to see the Big Chill retro refrigerator and fantasizing about out which of the fun selection of custom colors you’d order for your own kitchen.

The Twig Book Shop

306 Pearl Pkwy Ste 106

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 826-6411

thetwig.com

Be a loyal destiKNITter and patronize the cozy little book shop for a thoughtful selection of local authors, local interest books, children’s literature, and an impressive schedule of events.   “Yea Local!”—I heartily agree.

Hotel Emma

136 E Grayson

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 448-8300

thehotelemma.com

I love to walk around gorgeous hotels, and this one is not only stunning, it’s an outstanding repurposing of a “neo-industrialized” space.  The library made me drool (but it’s only open to guests, so I just pressed my nose against the glass).  The bar, with its tables tucked inside old brewery tanks, offers an inventive place to share a cocktail.  I probably could only afford to stay five minutes in a swanky place like this, but it sure is fun to visit.

When you’re hungry, head here: 

Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden

312 Pearl Pkwy

Bldg. 3

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 354-4644

boilerhousesa.com

Another gorgeously re-purposed building!  They’re known for great burgers, but I was in the mood for something different, so my friendly server talked me into the Hudspeth Ranch Lamb & Wild Boar Bolognese.  Really, how could I turn down a chance like that?  (No “knitter eating lamb” jabs, please).  It was delicious—a perfect taste combination for the unusual meats.  

Chef Jeff White also sent over his signature house chicharones & hot sauce when I mentioned I’d never had such a thing.  Yummy, but WAY too spicy for my weak northern tastebuds.  A great place for lunch or dinner, or a stand-out Sunday brunch.

Save room for desert, because we’re off to:

Lick Honest Ice Creams

312 Pearl Pkwy

Ste 2101

San Antonio, TX 78215

(210) 314-8166

ilikelick.com

Artisan ice creams are always a fun place for adventure, and this shop is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind treat.  My sources sent me in for the  “goat cheese and candied nut” flavor, but I confess it wasn’t really my thing.  The server let me taste a bunch of suggestions until we hit on “grapefruit with champagne marshmallows”—fabulous!  An inventive combination of sweet and tang.  The menu of available flavors rotates constantly, so who knows what new favorite you’ll discover?

Ready for yarn?  Make the drive to:

Unraveled - The Chic Yarn Boutique

815 E Rector Suite 104

San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 951-4891

unraveledsa.com

Husband-and-wife owner Kellie Lewis and Rob Thompson—both knitters—let their passion for the craft launch this newest addition to the Texas yarn shop scene.  

“We only carry fibers we’re 100% passionate about,” says Kellie.  Rob’s big on alpaca, Kellie’s a fan of cottons, so you can imagine that their selection of both (as well as linen, silk, and other warm-weather fibers) is outstanding.  Their fun, inventive style comes through all over the store and extends to the friendly, go-the-extra-mile staff as well.  

The store offers a strong selection of stock displayed by weight, and as Rob and Kellie love gift-giving projects, there are tons of great samples all over the store to inspire your generosity (or self-indulgence).

Open form classes—where you can come with any project and any skill level—are kept to a nice, intimate size.  Open knitting night happens each Thursday from 6-8.  Unraveled offers a few technique classes as well, and has joined the growing number of stores offering tatting instruction.  It’s gratifying to see this once-dying art form enjoying such a resurgence.

The shop is just the right size to be both comfy and still provide a robust selection.  With a warm atmosphere and friendly staff—as well as friendly customers—you’re sure to make new yarn buddies on your visit.

Here are a few projects I wouldn't mind casting on:

Alma Lou Shawl

All you need is one ball of self-striping yarn such as Noro Taiyo Sock or Manos De Uruguay sock to whip up this colorful wrap.  Not too lacy, not too basic, the interplay of garter and eyelet lets the yarn do most of the talking here.  The picot border adds a touch of delicacy.  A great choice for your first shawl.

Summer Escape Wrap

Crave something with a contemporary, dramatic touch that still won’t tax your summer brain cells?  Stitch up this color-blocked shawl with three balls of Berroco Modern Cotton in the colors of your choice.  If you’re like me, you’ll need some guidance for color combos, but the staff will surely lend a hand.  Perfect to keep any blasting AC from ruining your evening.

Bob’s Extra Large Stockings

Talk about unique!  Who wouldn't enjoy stuffing a stocking this size?  The photo doesn’t do justice to the fact that they’re several feet long (no pun intended)!  Felting chunky weight yarn sounds like a hefty task, but the results are clearly worth it.  You’ll need 4 balls of Borroco Peruvia Quick or 4-5 Balls of Debbie Bliss Roma and some king-size needles if you take on Bob's super-sized design.

Linen Stitch Bag

True to Unraveled’s gift-knitting specialty, our knit-along from this shop is a bag designed by Rob.  Three skeins of chunky yarn—in this case Araucania Huasco Chunky merino hand dyed—combine to make this colorful drawstring carry-all.  I’m looking forward to a quick, clever, and useful project.

When you’re done for the day, I recommend for dinner:

Beto’s Alt-Mex

8142 Broadway

San Antonio, TX 78209

(210) 930-9393

betosaltmex.com

Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this place offers “Alt-Mex,” a self-proclaimed fusion of Mexican street food and Latin American Soul Food.  

Guy favors the Chalupa Cabra, but I went for the duo of a grilled fish and grilled veggie taco and didn’t regret it. The real star of the evening was the amazing sweet empanadas in a variety of mouthwatering flavors.

All in all, a great day in San Antonio.  Next post I’ll give you a shorter day visiting another SA store—so you’ll still have time to get in all your sightseeing.