Harlem Knitter-que

I have finally got a chance to sit down and post some NYC photos. I had an absolutely fabulous time at the Knitter-que in St. Nicholas Park, Harlem, and I remembered to take photos too. Everyone was working on a project or two that covered a diversity of techniques.


Sherrin was working on a crochet commission in Jamaican flag colours: a giant Jamaican granny square afghan.


Iris knitted, frogged and knitted again Pomotomus magic-loop style. Actually there was a lot of magic-loop happening that day, including my own toe-up sock project.


Chante one of our hosts, was spinning merino sock yarn. When I spotted the spinning wheel in the park I immediatly knew that I had arrived at the right BBQ.


Dr. Donna was knitting away at her own pattern for a cotton head scarf


Yvonne was crocheting a hobo bag. Accessories of all kinds have become popular traveling projects.


Marva was knitting a green bag. Marva was accompanied by her young industriously knitting granddaughter who was proof that the next generation can carry the knitting torch.


The cutest project had to be Tawana's Koigu baby socks. Not only cute but also obviously happy-making.


Kim is my new magic-loop hero knitting simultaneously two socks that rock.


Shameka shared her source for British knitting magazines while knitting a snuggle sweater. Shameka also makes the most soul satisfying rice and peas I have ever had (sorry Mom, but it is true). I definitely took some home with me. Shameka I need the recipe. Please! Please! Please!


Our other host Sahara is knitting her own lace pattern shawl in two colors. She makes it all look so easy but I am sure it is not. She is just amazing.

More later on yarn and books bought in NYC.

I love New York!! I had a great time at the Sistah Friends Knitter-que. Approximately twenty knitters gathered in St Nicholas Park. We talked, ate, drank, and knit from noon until sunset. It became too dark to knit so we had to stop. A good time was had by all. Not only is this a group of accomplished knitters but also talented cooks. The BBQs were literally and enthusiastically manned by faithful "friends of knitters". Thank you Harlempurl and SistahCraft for planning a great event and bringing together a wonderful group of people. I will post more details and photos next week after I return to Toronto.

I travelled to New York by bus on Wednesday. The original plan was for my husband and me to drive, but on Tuesday evening he injured his shoulder in a cycling accident. He was left too sore and stiff to drive or sit through a 10 hour drive. I did a lot of sock knitting on a bus ride that stretched into 12 hours because of delays at the border. The good side to this is I totally missed the subway chaos that resulted from a tornado, and flooding in Brooklyn. Yes a tornado in Brooklyn. The roofs of several houses were torn off, and parts of the subway flooded. By the time I arrived the subway was running normally.

Probably because of the torrrential rain that accompanied the tornado the weather cooled down and the next day was sunny and pleasant. My meetings were finished in the morning and I went off to meet the talented Sahara of Sistahcraft. We talked knitting for hours, then she pointed me in the direction of School Products. There I bought some beautiful mauve cashmere/silk (photos next week). I walked on to a Japanese book store to browse the craft books. The choice was so overwhelming that I became indecisive. The books and their designs were so elegant and beautiful that I even wanted books on crafts that I don't make: children's soft accessories, lunch bags, crochet motifs to applique etc...

By nightfall I was still walking and my legs ached. I love walking in New York but I think I over did it. Fortunatly the next day was rainy and I traveled less and used the transit more.