Arctic Lace Book Launch

Day 6

I'm home. So it's not really day 6, but that's what I'm going to write about now. Did I really spend a week in Alaska? I left on September 27th and came back on October 3rd (well, I left Anchorage on the 3rd and arrived in Denver on the 4th). So that's Wednesday to Tuesday or Wednesday to Wednesday, depending on how you figure it. Too long to be away from home. Sometimes I feel like a little kid at a slumber party when I'm away from home. I want to go home, but it's too far to call my mother to come and pick me up. Next week I'm off to two more knitting retreats in Boise, Idaho and Allenspark, Colorado. I'm sure I'll have fun but I know I'll be very ready to stay home for a long time after that next trip is over. I really do not like to travel much at all.

But back to day 6. Yarn shops galore. Well, we only went to two shops, but they were both worth the trip to Alaska! The two shops we visited had both been vendors at the market, and we wanted to see more.

Yarn Store Stop 1: Far North Yarn Company

I don't know anything about getting around in Anchorage. I don't remember enough from my trip in 2004, and I didn't drive anywhere on this trip. So I can't tell you how to get to this shop. But here's the address & phone number if you'd like to visit: Far North Yarn Co 2636 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; 907-258-5648.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the shop was this gorgeous lace shawl. I was hoping I could find the pattern so I could get a copy for my collection. I don't knit a lot of lace from other people's patterns, but I like to collect them for inspiration. It turns out that this is not a published pattern. The shawl, called "A Winter's Daydream of Spring" was knitted by Michael Galante, a veteran who lives out in the bush somewhere. He also does gorgeous embroidery, and I saw some samples of his embrodery work in the class I'd taken on Friday morning. The shawl won first place and best of show in the Veterans Creative Arts state competition last March. I hear it is only the third or fourth thing Michael has knitted, which is completely amazing. This is the type of thing you expect from a life-long knitter, not from a newbie. Wow!

The rest of the shop is full of equally beautiful samples to help show off all of the different yarns. Kaye, the owner, has done a fantastic job of creating an environment that is cozy and warm, and at the same time filled with energy. In one corner of the shop is a table for knitters to gather around and for classes, right in the middle is a couch and a few comfy chairs, and all around are the beautiful yarns and samples. It's the kind of place that feels just like grandma's kitchen. The only thing missing is the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

My grandmother always made little knitted and crocheted toys in between bigger projects, so I had fun discovering the knitted stuffed animals around the shop. The samples were of a wide variety of projects, however, showing something for everyone. From kid's clothes and adult sweaters, to winter accessories and felted bags. The store was so well designed, you can find what you want in just a few minutes, but you'll want to allow more time to explore and just to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Yarn Store Stop 2: Knitting Grounds

The second shop we visited was Knitting Grounds (401 E 92nd Ave # 4, Anchorage, AK 99515; 907-336-5648). Like its owner, Zaynab, Knitting Grounds is upbeat, hip, and funky. The shop is in an industrial warehouse, and the architecture suits it perfectly. You can easily imagine groups of knitters sitting here drinking margaritas and knitting a fiesta of color. (In fact, Zaynab did tell us a few stories about rowdy knitting parties that have taken place in the back section where there are couches and tables just inviting you to stop in for a drink and a stitch.)

I suspect a lot of young customers pop in here. If not for the yarn itself, to check out the latest incarnation of this local knitting poster boy.....

I've fogotten this young hunk's name, but apparently he's quite the knitting celeb in Anchorage. Although some customers have inquired, he is not available in different ages! He has his own line of products and is a knitter and designer. I heard that he's quite talented, but still needs some polishing on the technical skills. I'm sure none of his fans are too worried about that right now.... the pecs and biceps make up for any lack in knitting acumen.

We didn't stay too long at this shop, because we got there just a bit before closing and because Zaynab was planning to come to my book signing at Borders later in the evening. We did stay long enough for me to find some beautiful green extra fine laceweight merino yarn and a pale mint kid mohair to trim it with. I keep buying these extra fine lace yarns, but I haven't knitted anything with them yet. Maybe in December or Jan I'll have some time!

After we left Knitting Grounds, we headed over to Borders. It was pretty quiet there. During the actual time of the book signing, no-one showed bought any books, but several people came up to chat a bit and to pet the qiviut! But afterwards, Catherine came to knit, Zaynab came to get a second copy of the book for a friend, and I did get to sign one book for someone who had not heard of Arctic Lace yet. She was very excited to make the discover while I was there to chat and sign her book. It was just as well that it was kindof quiet, because the shop had sold almost all of the books they'd had (about 30) during the past week. I signed the 3 that were left, and we went back to the hotel to crash.

There was a day 7. Mostly just waiting around for the time to come to go to the airport. I know there was one thing I wanted to write about that day, but I'm so tired right now I can't think of it. If it does ever come back to my mind, I'll add a late note to this blog. Otherwise, Adieu! I had a great time in Anchorage and I hope you've enjoyed reading about my trip.

P.S. Both of the shops listed above also had charity knitting sections, but I'll write more about that later on Knitting for Change.