Tis the season to begin bundling up. At least thinking about it. Fall is (almost) here. And when the needles do drop on thermometers across Portland this year, an entirely different type of needle will spring up around town.
Knitting isn’t anything new in our city; knitters have been calling Portland home for decades, bringing their crafts and needles into pubs, coffee shops and staff meetings. The trend this season isn’t a revival of the craft itself, it’s the product of the craft that is weaving its way into the hearts of Portlanders and finding its place on fashion runways and in magazines around the globe.
On everyone’s must-have list for fall 2010? Cable knits—the perfect trend for Portland's DIY culture.
“There is usually a special spot in every knitter’s heart for chunky knits,” says Jenny Konopinski, store manager at Dublin Bay Knitting Co in the Pearl District, who has been knitting since her Oma taught her the skill when she was a child growing up in Germany. “With the arrival of a few cooler days here and there, many people have been stopping by with plans for bigger projects such as cardigans and sweaters.”
Konopinski notes that while she sees people coming in looking for chunky yarns to start their sweaters (like their new Spud & Chloe Outer yarn that’s perfect for knitting cables), she has also seen a demand for locally-designed patterns ranging from dog sweaters to fingerless gloves.
Jo Hartman of the Yarn Garden in Buckman loves seeing the twists this fun trend brings, and is excited to see Portlanders tackling bigger projects with confidence this season. “Like migrating birds, knitters have this inherent need to go where they can see, touch and smell the possibilities,” she says, adding that “the PDX hot list for this fall appears to be cowls, fingerless gloves, socks, lace shawls and sweaters.”
This chunky and warm style will look fabulous this fall as a sweater, hat or mitten set, but the best thing about this trend is that you can do it yourself. Goodbye Macy’s. So long Banana Republic. You’ve got someone else making your stylish knits now. You! And lucky for you, Portland is brimming with local resources to fulfill all your deepest cable knit desires.
Perfect Patterns for Fall in Portland: Knit Purl
We're smitten with Welly Warmers and fingerless cable mitts from Knit Purl in Downtown. Both patterns are fairly straight forward and would be great for a slightly more experienced knitting-newbie. The Welly Warmers ($8.25) come in two patterns that will have you creating “socks,” with a decorative trim, to keep the inside of your rain boots warm and dry this season. The cable mitts ($5) are great for keeping your hands warm without making your fingers claustrophobic. They’re also great to wear for cold weather knitting projects!
1101 SW Alder
Portland, OR 97205
503.227.2999
http://www.knit-purl.com
Best Private Class: Dublin Bay Knitting Co.
Not only does Dublin Bay offer great one-on-one classes but they also carry their own line of hand-dyed yarns and patterns, designed in-house. The staff here operates like a close-knit family... pun intended. Private lessons are only $10 per hour, giving you the undivided attention of one of their friendly instructors who provide tips catered to your specific needs and goals.
1227 NW 11th Avenue
Portland OR 97209
503.223.3229
http://www.dublinbay.net
Best Stock of Locally Made Yarn: Twisted
It's almost unbelievable how many brands this Sullivan's Gulch store carries. Twisted's amazing selection of yarns is sure to land you with the exact style and brand you’ve been dreaming about; but the best part of their selection is the sheer amount of local brands they stock, allowing you to support local suppliers. Brands include Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Knitted Wit and Black Trillium. Twisted also carries a collection of patterns by Portland designers like Sivia Harding, Chrissy Gardiner, Star Athena, Alex Tinsley and Zephyr Style.
Best Hospitality While You Knit: Twisted
Whether you're choosing from the ever-expanding menu of creative classes or just stopping in to peruse the patterns, Twisted’s tea and jumbo cookies (ranging from shortbread to chocolate chip) will make you feel right at home. This store has warmed its way into the hearts of the city as Portland’s special knitting and tea shop. One dollar and fifty cents will buy you a cup of loose leaf tea (60 varieties to choose from).
2310 NE Broadway Street
Portland OR 97232
503.922.1150
http://www.twistedpdx.com
Most Unique Communal Knitting Group: Yarn Garden
The third Friday of every month the Yarn Garden holds Pub Knitting at the Barley Mill on 17th and Hawthorne from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Most knitting groups meet around a fire or in someone’s living room; not Yarn Gardeners. They say the best way to knit is with friends and a pint of beer. Not into drinking beer with knitting buddies? Check out their schedule of in-store classes through Yarn Garden University.
Most Unusual Pattern: Yarn Garden
Yarn Garden’s hazelnut scarf is made with real Oregon hazelnuts! This great fall scarf is knit with a very fine mohair yarn but is contrasted with cable-like thickness by felting around the hazelnuts. Yarn Garden stocks all the materials and patterns for this unique design... including the nuts!
1413 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland OR 97214
503.239.7950
http://www.yarngarden.net
Most Coveted Design: Naked Sheep Knit Shop
The Celtic Cable Neckwarmer—intricately twisted cables wind their way into adorable little button holes, making the perfect neckwarmer that will stay in place for whatever this fall may bring. Also worth checking out is Naked Sheep’s Fall Knit-A-Long series that will have you working on the same project alongside other knitting enthusiasts (check the web site for special deals on this series!).
2142 N Killingsworth Street
Portland OR 97217
503.283.2004
www.thenakedsheepknitshop.com
This knit work is really good..these designs are really looking great..these items were looks great in all fall fashion trends 2010..