ASHEVILLE, NC

Adoring an Asheville adventure...

I’m setting a series of books in western North Carolina, so this August I made the first of what will be several trips to the area.  I only had time to visit one yarn shop in the midst of all my book research, but it was a welcome addition to the DestiKNITions family.  Come along on my first exploration of Asheville!

A few purely travel-related notes to begin: 

—No matter how you got here, try to make sure your visit includes a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Even if you only manage it for a small portion, this ranks as one of America’s great drives. The scenery, even on a cloudy day, can take your breath away.

—If you’ve got time to spare, WNCyarntrail.com has got your back! My eyes popped when I noticed our hotel brochure rack had a yarn-crawl type guide of area fiber finds! The area’s dozen+ yarn shops host an annual Yarn Crawl every May, and in late October Asheville hosts the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair.  This is yarn-friendly country, DestiKNITters!

Every DestiKNITions adventure starts with coffee, and this one’s no different.  Head on in to:

Rejavanation Cafe

909 Smoky Park Hwy

Asheville, NC 28715

828-670-5595

rejavanationcafe.com

Go beyond the caffeine fix and grab a tasty breakfast from their specials board. Sweet potato grits? Yes, please! Indoor and outdoor seating, wifi, plus a warm and friendly staff make this an ideal place to wake up, meet up, or tackle your to-do (or even to-knit) list.

Properly caffeinated, you’ll only have to travel across the parking lot for today’s fiber find:

Friends & Fiberworks

19 Westridge Marketplace

Candler, NC 28715

828-633-2500

friendsandfiberworks.com

That's Lisa on the left with yours truly

Why did owner Lisa Mackey open a yarn shop?  The answer will charm you: “My husband wanted the house back!” Who among us can’t relate to that??  

Lisa had been gathering knitters and yarn in her house for a while until she made the leap to open this huge 4,000 square foot yarn wonderland.  “It’s epic,” she (and the shop sign) boasts. “We place a high value in welcoming places to sit and knit.” The shop not only features loads of fibers for knitting and crochet, but for spinning, weaving, and felting as well.  This is also the first shop I’ve seen that a sells clothing, too—ones cleverly designed to enhance a knitter’s treasured wardrobe of accessories. Epic, indeed!

Friends & Fiberworks lives up to its name with lots of places to make fiber friends. Shop manager Sandy keeps the place hopping: knitting nights, knit-alongs, generous help from staff, open instruction sessions to bolster your skills on whatever project you’ve taken on, trips and cruises (sign me up!) connect you in lots of ways. 

A healthy calendar of yarn show event participation also means the store is full of enticing kits. Always a hit with the tourist crowd, the shop’s many kits mean you’ll always have exactly what you need to achieve success. The store’s remarkably deep stock means you’ll finally have the chance to get your hands on—literally—that yarn you’ve heard so much about. We know knitters need to touch what we’re craving to buy.  

Quick to support local fibers and designers, Mackey’s husband Robert even creates the store’s own line of hand-dyed yarns. I’ll be using it in my knit-along from Friends & Fiberworks:

Asheville Scarf

When you’ve got a great fiber like Friends & Fiberwork’s Hand dyed superwash merino/nylon blend, you don’t need much fancy stitch work to show it off. This store-exclusive pattern makes great use of garter stitch and simple yarn-over increases to create a generous top-down triangular shawl sure to please.  I love the touch of knotting the ends—why didn’t I ever think of that for those long and skinny pieces? If you crave some nice-and-easy knitting with fab results, this is the way to go.

Uneek Shawl

Take a skein of Malabrigo’s richly colored Mechita, match it with a skein of Uneek merino, and you get this eye-catching cross between shawl and scarf.  The store-exclusive pattern creates a super-elongated skinny triangle that boasts a load of wearing options. If you’re looking for a “uneek” piece that is all about how color and texture combine, I’d start right here.

Drum Circle Cowl

Did you know that from April through October downtown Asheville has a famous Friday night drum circle in Pritchard Park? Celebrate this fascinating local tradition with a cowl kit that comes in as many varieties as there are yarn. Diverse—like the crazy-wonderful variety of the city.  It's the perfect souvenir knitting to capture Asheville’s artistic flavor.

Liesl top

More than one DestiKNITion has featured this simple-yet-stylish tank top. Glitz it up with Glitter linen cotton blend by Universal.  You may need up to 6 balls depending on the size you choose. Another piece that can take on different characteristics depending on the fiber you choose, you can’t beat this top for sleek style!

All that shopping just might work up an appetite. Good thing we’ve got a nearby recommendation for lunch!

Papas & Beer

1000 Brevard Rd

Asheville, NC 28806

818-687-9869

papasandbeerasheville.net

My sources cite the Chicken fajita as the delicious option, but I also give high marks for the guacamole made tableside (always my favorite). Really good (and warm) tortilla chips hit your table as soon as you are seated, along with a unique bean dip.  Ah, but if you’re into salsa, this place has an entire salsa bar. Lunch is a great option as the dinner crowd often has a wait. Still, there’s a reason the place is packed—the food is outstanding. But don’t order dessert…we’ve got plans for that:

Frostbite Ice Cream

1475 Patton Ave

Asheville, NC 28806

828-774-5245

frostbiteicecream.com

Delicious soft serve dolled out by super-happy people in tie-dye shirts—can you get any more cheerful? Get anything that ups your happiness quotient, but I was glad I took Lisa’s recommendation and sampled the salted caramel dipped in chocolate. It’s been so long since I’ve had a dipped cone—I went right back to my childhood.

For the next portion of your adventures, travel into downtown Asheville. There are loads of interesting little shops along Haywood Street, but make sure your adventures include:

Malaprop’s Book Store/Cafe

55 Haywood St

Asheville, NC 28801

828-254-6734

malaprops.com

As an author, this is the kind of bookstore we all dream about. The store has a delightful independent personality, right down to the checkerboard floors, endless nooks for exploring, a shelf of “staff picks,” and a great children’s section. They even have a signed first edition book club. And I LOVE that they deliver! The other thing I loved was the sign that said: “Be here now. Kindly take calls outside.” Advice we should all heed, isn’t it?

Spend the rest of the afternoon discovering downtown Asheville.

If you’re like me, afternoons always require a second dose of caffeine.  You could have grabbed a cup in Malaprops, but consider venturing to one final stop to score really good cuppa at:

Biltmore Coffee Roasters

518 Hendersonville Rd

Asheville, NC 28803

828-277-9227

biltmorecoffeeroasters.com

The roaster is right out in back—and you can smell the beauty of the brew as you sit and sip. This funky indie spot features gorgeous rustic wooden stools and a garden out back where you can watch the roasting taking place.  Daily specials feature different brews. I had a very good latte and a near-perfect scone—who could ask for a better afternoon snack break?

Brevard

If you have time—and especially if waterfalls are your thing (I had to visit some for book research), I’d recommend venturing out to Brevard. It’s a delightful community with great shops, delicious restaurants, outfitters for fishing and other river sports, and several stunning waterfalls in the immediate vicinity (western North Carolina boasts no less than 19!). Be on the lookout for the town’s legendary white squirrels, too.

I could have easily spent a few days instead of the day-and-a-half I had. Honestly, it’s practically a crime to be in Asheville and miss the Biltmore Estate! You can bet your stash I’ll be back for more…and soon.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT--Day Three

Brews, blazing, baked goods, and beautiful views...

For our final day in  Salt Lake City, we’ll take in an inventive yarn shop as well as some of the city’s iconic sites.

DestiKNITters are a flexible breed.  We like tea just as much as coffee, so today’s adventures launch from:

Tea Zaanti

1324 S 1100 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

801-906-8132

teazaanti.com

The owner knits—what’s not to love? This isn’t an early morning place—they open at 10am—but this very sit-and-knit-friendly establishment combines a high quality tea experience with a laid back, homey atmosphere.  Small but well-done food choices round out the menu so you can nibble while you sip and stitch. My sources recommend the cucumber sandwich (of course—how can you have tea without a cucumber sandwich?).

Just down the street you’ll find today’s yarn shop adventure.

Blazing Needles

1365 S 1100 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

801-487-5648

blazing-needles.com

Look for the house-like structure with the large metal yarn-and-needles sculpture in the front yard.  Yes, they’re needles, and yes—wait for it—they do indeed blaze:

Blazing Needles is a boisterous, friendly store packed with stock and one of those back tables continually filled with chatting knitters. Owner Cynthia Mills’ love for connecting people shows up all over every welcoming, artistically stuffed room.  

Cynthia (left) and yours truly

“Best friends meet here,” Cynthia boasts, and it’s easy to see why.  “It’s a safe place for community to gather.”  Cynthia cares about how companies do business and fosters good relationships with vendors.  “It’s really all about the people, not selling yarn.”  

Blazing Needles is a flagship store—meaning they carry every yarn in every color—for Shibui, Brooklyn Tweed, and Quince and Co, with more to come.

Fun, creative launches, impromptu parties in the back garden, and community projects like teaching local 4th graders to knit are part of the Blazing Needles experience.  There’s simply no way anyone would leave this shop without something new and wonderful—with the encouragement you need to tackle a new artistic challenge.

Projects, pottery, and yarn seem to spill from every corner. Here’s what caught my eye:

Spearheads Sweater

The stunning yoke on this sweater by Jarod Flood makes a dynamic statement for either men or women. You’ll need six skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Quary in your base color, plus one skein in a contrasting color.

Easy Folded Poncho

There seem to be a million ways to knit this popular pattern, but Cynthia recommends holding strands of Habu Silk N85 and Tsumugi together on a size 6 needle to make this contemporary and elegant version.

Ingeborg Slippers

Who doesn’t adore hand-knit slippers?  Especially when they’re as beautiful as these by local designer Kristin Drysdale. A perfect project to step up (pun intended) your color work, these use 1 ball each of two colors of Rauma Strikkengarn wool.  You’ll have the toastiest toes around, or they also make a great gift for someone who travels frequently.

Knit Along: On the Spice Market Shawl

Melanie Berg’s standout design gets a new kit version with every season—and who wouldn’t want to own several of these gorgeous accessories?  Shibui Stacatto silk and wool blend combine in a palette of colors—you could pick your own, but if you’re like me you’ll know you could never outdo the brilliant kits for color combinations.

Once you’ve stuffed your adorable Blazing Needles tote with yarn and patterns, it’s time to stuff your brain with good books.  That means heading to:

The King’s English Bookshop

1511 S 1500 E

Salt Lake Cty, UT 84105

801-484-9100 

kingsenglish.com 

DestiKNITters know independent bookstores are essential to life!  This wonderful shop entices you with nooks and crannies just begging to be explored.  There’s a little bit of everything here.  We especially love stores committed to supporting local authors with signings and such.  Volumes upon volumes are complimented by just the right amount of gifty things and a truly splendid children’s section.  Go!  Buy!  Save the independent bookstores!

Ready for lunch?  We’re heading downtown to spend the rest of the day in Salt Lake City’s unique city center.

Les Madeleines

216 E 500th S

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801-355-2294

lesmadeleines.com

Another owner who knits—hooray!  Chef Romina offers a nice variety of soups, sandwiches, and cafe fare for your lunch, but you’re mostly here for the star attraction:  the buttery, flaky pastry known as a Kouing Amann (pronounced “queen-a-mon").  There’s a debate as to whether it’s best heated or not—so get two and conduct your own test.  In fact, get a dozen to go—this place has the most adorable take-out containers I have ever seen. And not just gingerbread men, but Ginger Dudes.  Love.

Next, walk over a few blocks and explore:

Salt Lake City Public Library

210 E 400 S

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801-524-8200

www.slcpl.org

Safdie Architects photo

Yes, a library.  One look at this place and you’ll see why this Moshe Safdie design is worth a visit.  Visually stunning, the building is worth a good long wander through the cozy sitting areas, or a ride on the a snazzy glass elevator to the rooftop for a city-wide view. If you have kiddos in tow, the children’s area is great fun.

Next, no visit to Salt Lake City would be complete without taking in:

Temple Square

50 W S Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

801-240-2534

templesquare.com

The view from the top 

The 35-acre site serves as the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often known as the LDS Church or the Mormons.  It’s also home to the celebrated Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  No matter what your theology, you can marvel at the near-perfect acoustics of the Tabernacle, enjoy the gardens (especially beautiful at Christmas or in the Spring), and maybe even catch sight of a new bride. While the temple itself is not open to those outside the faith, the Visitor’s Center has an intriguing scale model and other information. 

For dinner, head up to the top floors of the luxurious Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  There you’ll find two restaurants—the casual Garden Restaurant and the more upscale Roof Restaurant—both of which offer unparalleled views of the temple, the complex, and often all the way to Salt Lake.  It’s the perfect way to cap off your adventures in Salt Lake City.

Up next, we cast on the ingeniously constructed Fili Mitts from Unraveled Sheep.

SALT LAKE CITY UT -- Day One

Day 1: Purls, Peaks, and Pudding

Mention that you’re traveling to Salt Lake City, and you are likely to get one of two topics mentioned in response:  Mormons and skiing.  Both are correct, but hardly the whole picture.  As your intrepid host DestiKNITter, this non-skiing Presbyterian spent a handful of days in the city for the first time recently.  I certainly enjoyed myself, and expect you’ll do the same.  This post and the next two will cover my travels between five of the city’s yarn shops—and lots of other delightful eating and shopping establishments—to guide you should you find yourself in Utah’s high elevation capital.

Any DestiKNITions adventure starts with an excellent cup of coffee.  Find yours at:

Beans & Brews

8619 Sandy Pkwy

Sandy, UT 84070

801-561-5241

http://www.beansandbrews.com/

Bigger than in independent, smaller than a national chain, this multi-location coffeehouse gives off an indie vibe while still providing you with a wide range of places to get your caffeine on.  It’s clearly a local favorite with friendly service, wifi, comfy chairs as well as nice booths, and high-quality drinks.  Chai lattes can be an inconsistent breed, but I found mine to be just perfect. There are dozens of locations throughout Utah and a few surrounding states.

Once your brain is awake and ready for stitching, it’s time to head to today’s fiber fix:

Unraveled Sheep

9316 S 700 E

Sandy, UT 84070

801-255-6833

facebook.com/UnraveledSheep

 You know you’re in a community-rich shop when the circle of knitters in the back is having a spirited discussion as you walk in.  The kind of place where sending you somewhere for lunch comes close to an argument because everyone’s got a strong opinion.  A shop where you could sit down and feel at home even before you finished a single row.  

That's Verla on the left

That’s the atmosphere at Unraveled Sheep.  The storefront windows frame a stunning view of local mountains while the ceilings literally drip with enticing project samples.  Owner Verla Younker has become a tireless advocate for local designers and vendors since she “hit her head against the glass ceiling” 13 years ago and bought the business.  Friendly, big-hearted, supportive, and direct, Verla not only runs the shop but a pair of sought-after “Hideaway Retreats” we were told are “not to be missed.”

The knit- and crochet-friendly shop has an extensive collection of local fibers, weaving supplies like Greensleeves drop spindles, and patterns from local designers.  You’d be hard-pressed to find a shop boasting more baby blankets.  “I stock with lots of basics, but a deep selection of those basics.  We’ll have enough of what you need for just about anything.”

Be advised that this shop, like many Salt Lake City establishments, is closed on Sundays.

Need some inspiration?  Check out these projects:

Manzanilla Cowl

Designer Katy Carroll (“Katinka” on Ravelry) takes 200 yds of Cascade's soft Venezia worsted and transforms it into a delicate, cable-ish confection.  The edges are especially pretty—something I value in a cowl.  Verla says it’s particularly lovely in a tonal hand-dyed yarn.  Just the right balance of snuggly and feminine, wouldn’t you agree?

Bronze Maple Shawl

Crocheters will drool over this stunner from Ryan Hollist, aka Joe d'Arc Crochet. Stitched up with 600 yards of Marianated Yarns’ Scrumptious high twist merino cashmere, this draped delight is one I don’t think I could bring myself to give to someone else.  Were I ever to attempt crochet, this would be the project.

Turn Turn Turn Shawl

At last, a bottom-up shawl I can love!  The pattern by designer Mary Triplett (JustKnits on Ravelry), works from the bottom up in short rows, then turns to add the lacy trim.  Verla suggests local fiber Sublime merino cashmere-nylon blend from Greenwood Fiberworks.  You’ll need one skein each of a tonal and complementing solid.

Knit Along: Fili Top-down Convertible Mitts

These mitt/mitten combos sport a uniquely clever construction I can’t wait to try as our Knit Along from Unraveled Sheep.  Designer Sheila Toy Stromberg works them from the middle down and then back up again.  I’ll be using Elsebeth Lavold’s Silky Wool—a fiber I came to love when I used it in the Celtic Princes Braided Scarf—but Verla also suggests Cascade's Roslyn. Eye-catching cables give these smart-phone friendly hand-warmers an extra dab of style.

Ready for lunch? The opinionated crowd at Unraveled Sheep gave us two fine options:

Olympus Burger

9326 S 700 E

Sandy, UT 84070

801-571-6868

olympusburgers.com

Don’t let the fast-food exterior fool you—this was a highly touted and super-close lunch spot for the Unraveled Sheep crowd.  The namesake burgers and Greek classics are on the menu, but our sources praised the lemon rice soup. Everything is made to order, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if you opt for the drive-through, but it’s worth it.

Tin Roof Grill

9284 S 700th E

Sandy, UT 84070

801-566-5226

tinroofgrill.net

Only slightly farther away than Olympus Burger, this eatery offers Italian, tapas small plates, and  a wide variety of other meals.  They’re also famous for their cheesecakes, so there’s lots to love.  I was there in January, but in warmer weather the patio is a great choice as well.  Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this is a family friendly spot and also a good choice for Sunday Brunch.

After lunch, it’s time to take in a bit of the mountains.  Even if you don’t ski, a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road should not be missed.  I tried in vain to capture the grandeur of the scenery in photos, but it simply can’t be done.  The whole majestic mountain thing will make sense as you ascend.  If there are two of you, switch drivers at the top so each of you can have a chance to press your face against the window and be awed.  I ended up in plaster last time I donned skis, and it still was almost enough to tempt me back.  Almost.

Now it’s time to spend the afternoon at a charming shopping village complete with its own fiber fix—Gardner Village in West Jordan.  Priorities being what they are, the yarn shop is our first stop:

Willow Hill Yarn Company

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088
(801)282-0477

willowhillyarncompany.com

Emily on the right

Nothing cheers the spirit like a brand-spanking new yarn shop!  Young new owner Emily Dern took over the establishment (known as Kamille’s for many years) on January 3.  

“I want to create the kind of shop where you can sit and knit and talk to people” says Emily—exactly what a DestiKNITter wants to hear.  There will be a full-blown open house in March, but the store is definitely up and running now.  She wants "all knitters and crocheters to feel welcome--whether your yarn stash is huge or just starting out."  

Offering free beginner classes, Emily is out to lure new enthusiasts to the craft with fun events like movie nights in the homey upstairs gathering space. You can’t help but feel cozy in the historic log cabin packed with yummy yarn.  Alpaca is quite popular, but she has a healthy selection of many fibers for a small-sized shop.

Some projects that caught my eye:

Crazy Cowl

Double knitting makes this one seriously warm accessory.  While any self-striping yarn will work, Emily recommends Shepherd’s Wool Crazy—hence the name.  A perfect gift to show the teen or millennial in your life that knitting is most definitely cool—or, in this case, warm.

The Man Hat

That's the Man Hat on the left

I could not get over how soft and “non-acrylic” feeling this hat was when stitched up in Berroco Comfort Chunky.  I’d never guess this to be a synthetic.  One-by-one ribbing ensures a snug fit and good shaping, and it only takes one skein.  Plymouth’s Chunky Alpaca works well for this one, too.

Lisa Knits Stockings

What’s a log cabin without hand-knit stockings by the fire (or in this case, in the window)? One skein of Berroco Comfort Chunky knits up for a holiday heirloom with this Ravelry pattern by Lisa Knits.  Worsted weight or chunky yarn will yield different sizes and textures, but you can’t  go wrong with these cheery designs.

Knit A Long:  Little Cotton Rabbit Doll and Dress

Way up there on the “aww” scale, this adorable stuffed bunny gets her own hand-knit jumper and matching striped tights with Julie Williams’s pattern.  Willow Hill will offer a Little Cotton Rabbits club, with classes and monthly selection of outfits!  Constructed from HiKoo's SimpliCria Super Baby Alpaca and Simplicity cotton (both from Skacel-HiKoo), this is a irresistible project for advanced-beginner to intermediate knitters.

Now that you’ve scored your requisite yarn, spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the many shops of Gardner Village.  Here were a few of my favorites:

Aunt Elsie’s Trinkets & Treasures

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088

801-561-5557

auntelsiestreasures.com

The sachet scents that surround you upon entering evoke a more refined place and time as you wander this shop filled with antiques, consignments, specialty linens, and other vintage finds.

Celebrations by Modern Display

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088

801-569-0323

moderndisplay.com

Sure, Christmas and Halloween take center stage at this shop, but there were other collectibles and gift items to be had.  My favorites were the enormous holiday villages as well as the Mark Roberts Santa Fairies.

Chocolate Covered Wagon

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088

801-938-1963

chocolatecoveredwagon.com

Gourmet hot chocolate is a big deal in this city, and this is the place to get some of the best.  It was the salt water taffy and the to-die-for sea salt caramel fudge, however, that I’ll remember.  Our friendly clerk was kind enough to turn on the taffy pulling machine and give us a demo!

Upon the Shelf

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088

801-256-9955

gardnervillage.com/upon-the-shelf

A wide, surprising variety of gifts, home decor, and handmade creations, this packed little store held all kinds of things I wished my suitcase was big enough to hold.

There’s also The Bead Farm, Layers Beautiful Bedding for luxurious linens and stunning quilts, the Naborhood Bakery Cafe with with killer tarts and an inventive kids “Cookie College” program, and dozens of other shops.  

When you’re shopped out and ready for dinner, look for the water wheel and head to: 

Archibald’s

1100 W 7800th S

West Jordan, UT 84088

801-566-6940

gardnervillage.com/archibalds-restaurant

I had very good chicken pot pie, but it was what I had before and after that marks this as a great eatery.  The fried green tomatoes appetizer is a house speciality, as is the scrumptious white chocolate bread pudding.  Both are big enough that you’ll definitely need to share (but be warned…you may not want to.)

A delicious end to your first day in Salt Lake City.  Kick back, knit a few rows, and rest up, because tomorrow holds even more adventures.