The Rosebud ShawlCclass

Today was the second class in the 3 class series, for the rosebud shawl. My students are doing amazing, considering this is almost advanced knitting. I am having a blast teaching I sure hope they are enjoying it as much as I am. It is funny , but I think I am learning more than they are. This Shawl was inspired by my next door neighbor, Maureen, and her rose garden. I love knitting that tells a story. This shawl is the story of a beautiful person and her rose garden.

I will have the pattern available soon in the A Traveling Knitters store. If you happen to be in Scottsdale It is available at Knit Happens.

Snowing again in Philadelphia

Ok not much to post. I was going to go to the museum,but got snowed out. found a great tea shop though just off 4th and South st called House of Tea.

Also check out this link this is really funny it is a art exhibit on knitting! I see myself in several of the photos. then i thought someone had to knit that stuff wow that is seriouse committment for an photo. I think you will love it

Compulsive Knitting

Dinner with Good Friends in Philadelphia

I am in Philadelphia again....guess what they are expecting another snow storm. They say not as bad as the last one.My friends Tom and Randy, found a great restaurant around the corner from our hotel in the historic old city.

Chole is a small intimate restaurant that has a byob policy. It is warm and friendly, the service is outstanding, Tony took very good care of us. We decided to have the Fennel and mozzarella appetizer with a tomato sherry sauce. We all agreed that it was one of the best appetizers we ever had. The combination of flavors was sublime. I had the lamb that was just out of this world. We brought our own wine . In Honor of my friends trip to Buenos Aries. I picked two Argentinian wines both from Rio Diamante vineyards a malbec and a Chardonnay. Both were surprisingly good. Now I will probably dream about the banana bread pudding for months... oh well I will have to go back. So if your in Philadelphia give it a try

Chloe 232 Arch street

chloebyob.com

Tell them A Traveling knitter sent you

Tomorrow we are off to the Philadelphia Art Museum

Dinner with Granny D

Tonight we had a wonderful dinner with our good friends Dennis and Maureen. They have been entertaining a celebrity guest for a couple of weeks that we are lucky to call our friend. Granny D also known as Doris Haddock. Granny D is famous for walking across the country(3,200 miles in 14 months). To raise awareness of the issue of campaign finance reform. Surprising since she was 90 years old. Granny D has not rested. When she was 94 she ran for a senate seat in New Hampshire, against Judd Greg. She is still moving At 100 years old, and is still walking two miles every morning. She is as lively and brilliant as ever. She and Dennis are working on a new book. You can get her first book Granny D: You're Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0812966910/002-1521289-8672832?SubscriptionId=0JEKXTWNECEXBJGY7RR2

You can also check her documentary out Run Granny Run by HBO pictures.

http://grannyd.com/

We had a wonderful dinner as well as a lively conversation. In the picture, she is showing off on of the 57 hook rugs she has made over the years. Made with cut strips of wool cloth she would find in thrift stores.( This woman experienced the depression) the rug is titled The Night Dancer. Another highlight of our dinner was her recital of the Gettysburg address. Still just as powerful today as when it was spoken so long ago.

She is an inspiration and it is an honor to call her friend. I will cherish our dinner together. Thanks to Maureen and Dennis for planning it.
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Queit Foggy Day in San Francisco

I know a lot has been said about the weird weather in San Francisco. Mark Twain said " The coldest summer he ever spent was in San Fransisco". We arrived Wednesday night and I kid you not it was clear sultery evening. We where wearing short sleeves on the roof of the hotel.( there is a beautiful observation deck on the eleventh floor of our hotel)

That is why it was so surprising to wake up to a cold and fogy day. Don't think I am complaining, after I went back to my room and added some layers, I was off. The weather matched my mood completely, I find San Francisco often does. I was in a quiet contipaltive mood. I decided to do some spirit renewal and balancing.

My friends on the ravelry, the bay city knitters and the men who knit group, had recommended the Yerba Buena Gardens. These gardens are just beautiful in the middle of a crowded urban landscape. The San Francisco museum of modern art SFMOMA is right next door( I am going to do that another time I didn't want to much stimulation) Also, surrounding the gardens is the Museum of Craft and Folk Art. http://www.mocfa.org/

My destination was Samovar Tea Lounge http://samovarlife.com/

It sits overlooking the gardens and is a nice place for quiet contemplation. It wasnt crowded so I tucked into a nice corner spot loaded with pillows. I ordered a nice pot of soothing tea and let the knitting fly!!! Ahhhhhh....

after enjoying my pot of tea and my meditative knitting(there is something to say about quiet knitting in surrounded by people yet still anonymous)I decided to head off to what I consider one of the most sacred spots in the country. Grace cathedral
Wait! wait! Oh well I guess I am walking......


It is quiet a hike, since Grace Cathedral sits at the top of Nob hill. It is so worth the effort. The church itself is beautiful and awe inspiring. The rose window, the stained glass, and the soaring ceilings, but it has two other things that make it a destination site for me.


First, I am an avid fan of Labyrinths. The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in cultures around the world in many different forms. Similar to a maze,but without any dead ends. the oldest known examples date back five thousand years. Grace Cathedral has two copied after the labyrinth at Chartes Cathedral.

People use Labyrinths for quiet contemplation, meditation, finding balance. I find they help me focus my meditation and prayer.
If you are interested in Labyrinths check out this site and find one in your neighborhood
http://labyrinthlocator.com/



http://www.gracecathedral.org/

The other thing I find so inspiring at Grace Cathedral is The AIDS Interfaith Chapel
It is a little chapel just to the right of the main cathedral. It is a place of mediation and remembrance for all who have suffered, or are fighting, and thankfully surviving this disease.


I spent another good hour and half walking the labyrinths and sitting and meditating (with knitting of course)

From there it was back towards the Hotel and Chinatown.


Now I am going to give away one of my favorite things. Every time I am in Chinatown I have to pick up my organza knitting bags. They make the greatest project bags. You can color code the projects you can see though them and they are as Strong as iron (needles poke holes and the things self heal)The best part is they are cheep!!! Three bucks a bag. They make great gifts for your knitting buddies.

While in China town I had to stop at my favorite Vietnamese pho shop. Yum Yum noodle soup!!

back at the hotel I had to snap this picture of the Trans America building

Thanks for spending a quiet foggy day in San Francisco with me...

Knitting Class

I finally dug my way out of Philadelphia! I spent the whole weekend catching up on errands and sleep.
Monday was the French market bag class at Knit Happens it was a success. The class had sold out and had a waiting list of 5.
Everyone showed up and seemed to have a great time I know I did! I think we are going to have another class next month due to the popularity.

*********************** FREE PATTERN**************************************

this pattern is now available in A traveling knitters store at www.atravelingknitter.com or just hit the link at the top right of the blog
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Burrrr Snow and lots of It

Well I am in Philadelphia and there is a lot of snow on its way. We got almost a half a foot last night. Who knows if we will be going out today. They are saying, 18 more inches this afternoon.
Yesterday I met a delightful woman, Maria in the last 10 min of the flight. I wish I had met her earlier. She was knitting a beautiful scarf with Berrocco luster. I could have talked with her the whole flight she was from LA and had some great recommendations for that part of the country!
I went walking in the snow last night and took the picture of Independence Hall(the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed) It was magical!
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San Francisco ...... Open your golden gates.........

The great thing about exploring a city is finding its hidden treasures! San Francisco has many and I just keep finding more and more.
Today my buddies and I were off to Dotties True Blue for Breakfast/Brunch(just off the corner of Jones St and Geary St). Dotties has been touted as one of the best breakfast restaurants in the country (per usa today). It is very small and there is a usually a line. We got in pretty quick. It is defiantly worth the wait.




After Dotties it was off to find Urban Knitting. (http://www.urbanknitting.com/)






I have had a ton of recomendations to check out urban knitting from friends on Ravelry. It is located in a area called Hayes Valley. Hayes Valley is one of those hidden treasures I was mentioning earlier. They have passed an ordinance in the district to ban chains from coming in. It is a great way to support small local business. Urban Knitting is one of the crown Jewels of the neighborhood( from a knitters point of view). The store is big and airy and has a very urban loft feel. Loaded with beautiful yarn. Check out the wall of Malibrigo. The best part of Urban Knitting is the owner Helen. She is a no nonsense wonderful vibrant woman who's style and taste are reflected in her beautiful shop. The samples and patterns in the shop are sure to inspire( they did me.....) My only regret was that I didn't have time to sit and knit... Oh but I plan on returning. While in the area make sure you have time to shop Fell St and Hayes St. Urban Knitting is back to back with an other highly recommended spot The Blue Bottle coffee stand. I also really enjoyed Polanco A Gallery of Mexican Arts (http://www.polancogallery.com/)
The owners Aldo and John are warm and inviting with a beautiful selection of mexican art.
Give yourself some time when coming to the Hayes Valley area you will want to spend some time!
I want to think the men who knit and bay area knitters groups on ravelry who were so generous in there recommendations.
Stayed tuned I have more trips to San Francisco in February ..... More treaures to uncover.....
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Philadelphia to San Francisco

Last night I finally broke my dry spell. I was beginning to wonder where all the knitters had gone? Well I was blessed by Phylis. ( I may have sacred her a little with my exuberance.... Its been awhile) not only was she knitting a beautiful pair of socks. She showed me a pair of half gloves she made with New Zealand possum. It was so soft and a good color don't you think? Not only is she a knitter, but that beautiful scarf around her neck she wove! (Cashmere and silk) that's not all she raises sheep and spins. ( Now do you see why I was so excited)
Thanks Phylis I need that!
Well now I am out the door. To explore San Francisco ...... Stay tuned
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A day in Philadelphia

We arrived in Philadelphia last night. My friend Troy,Tom and I went out to a great dinner and a not so great movie. I have been kind of excited about this months Philly overnights. We have been moved back to our old downtown hotel for the month. It is located in the historic district. I get to explore old haunts and new ones. So back to dinner we ate at the marathon grill. I would give it a b. However, happy hour prices on appetizers put it firmly at an A. The movie we saw was Dr Parnissiums imaginarium. It was Heath Ledger last movie. And should have been shelved it was too long and pointless. Just my opinion.
This morning I got out walking and remembering how much glorious history this town has to offer. It just happened to be Wednesday. Free concert day at Holy Trinity Cathedral. We saw a Duet Flutist and harpsichordist.
Good knitting for an hour. Then off to the Continental for lunch. One of my favorite places ( 17th and Chestnut refer to Philly posts for review)
Now it is off to San Francisco for more adventures( I got to work some time)
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