It was trolley for the best
Sunday August 15th 2010, 10:56 pm
Filed under: Family,Knit,LYS

I got a package in the mail on Friday from my childhood friend Karen of the Water Turtles Shawl.  It turns out Richard was in on what was a total surprise: a kilogram of fawn superfine alpaca on a cone from a place she’d stopped in while visiting her daughter in Maine–a place where local producers sell their output.  Cool!  She thought I might be able to figure out something to do with it.

And you know? I just might. (Thank you, Karen!)

Then that evening Michelle talked about some plans with some friends for the next day, and the easiest way to make it happen was to drop her off in San Francisco and then pick her up from the local train station later.

Note that I mapquested where she wanted to go to Imagiknit and only then back to home again.  My ulterior motives were cheered on by the others.

But I dislike deep-city driving enough that after she got out I decided to bag it after all and just get on the freeway and go. However, while avoiding jaywalkers I missed my street sign and ended up on Market Street and Market Street is a long straight shot west with a whole lot of No Turns signs. You have to juggle constantly between the trolley only/not trolley lanes and I can see why Mapquest dodged it–but it was actually also the most direct route towards exactly where I wanted to go. Finally allowed to turn left? Right where I wanted to.

And wonder of wonders, despite a hugely popular park nearby on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, there was an actual parking place a half block up the street from the store. I was so surprised and still so ready to bail for fear of a long walk in sun exposure that I missed it and had to circle the block.

It was still open.

Well, then. Clearly it was meant to be.

I really really wanted to do baby knitting in Malabrigo softness.  And so with the help of Kurt at Imagiknit, I got to see (in person!) their superwash Sock in the Solis colorway that was on the very top shelf without even having to hold the tip of my cane while waving its curve hopefully around way up there in the air trying to snag skeins and scaring the bejeebers out of everyone around me.

There–that skein. That one’s perfect. No yellow splotches, just the greens and blues playing perfectly, that’s the one.  Malabrigo’s super soft superwash worsted-weight Rios yarn (it has a name now!) isn’t officially out till next month–the baby blanket I want to make is waiting for the day…

I talked to Karen. She won’t mind if I do a little superwash knitting first. I’ve got a good excuse.

And so I’ve got a soft Malabrigo hat going on tiny needles for my grandson (and yes, Mari, you’re right, the Saartjes booties to match it are the only way to go.)

It and he are nearly halfway here so far.


11 Comments so far
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No coincidences! I’ve always liked that baby bootie pattern, but I haven’t made a pair yet. Can’t wait to see yours.

Comment by Channon 08.16.10 @ 5:35 am

Baby Booties. I gave up on those. Every time I put them on one twin the other twin would pull them off and stick them in her mouth.

People were probably convinced that I was raising barefoot hippie babies. Ah well. They seem healthy. Now they just steal the homemade socks in my sock drawer. I don’t even bother trying to hand them out. I make new ones, drop them in the “drawer of holding” (sorry, D and D reference) and they just poof! disappear! Usually within a week. Amazing, isn’t it? 🙂

Comment by afton 08.16.10 @ 5:43 am

And so the fun begins.

Comment by Sherry in Idaho 08.16.10 @ 7:04 am

I made one attempt at knitting baby booties and declared it a failure — I just don’t seem to be able to knit footwear of that size — I used to whip up crocheted ones that were awesome, but alas, my days being a hooker are long past (my wrist just won’t take it!) there are already 2 striped undershirts, an afghan, a hooded sweater and more on the way!! its fun

Comment by Bev 08.16.10 @ 8:01 am

…not that there’s anything wrong with yellow splotches….

Comment by LynnM 08.16.10 @ 9:04 am

Surprise gifts are always fun. Now where in the City were you? The only park I can think of with a left turn off Market St is the one near Mission Dolores (not that I’ve been there in decades!).

Comment by Don Meyer 08.16.10 @ 9:24 am

Congrats on the Gramma part! And on getting to the shop that day! Yay for you and your family…enjoy the baby knitting, my friend!

Comment by Pam 08.16.10 @ 10:38 am

Joy, joy, happy, happy!

Comment by twinsetellen 08.16.10 @ 7:13 pm

Those are very sweet baby booties – and every new mama needs superwash. Go GG Go! g

Comment by gMarie 08.17.10 @ 9:46 am

Joy, happiness and smiles! I can only imagine how much of these things you are all feeling! 🙂

Comment by Suzanne in Montreal 08.18.10 @ 6:52 am

Imagiknit has been my “local” for the two years we’ve lived in the city. Great place, beautiful test yarns, too.

Comment by Anne 08.21.10 @ 7:37 pm



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