In Search Of...
Yarn
and food
with friends
but mostly, yarn
I had the chance to spend three yarn-filled days with Rebecca. I'm glad she was able to finally take a break from dyeing her own yarn to visit me in Chicago to, ironically, paw more yarn. A stitcher knows the love of fiber, despite being surrounded by it on a daily basis.
The tour began Thursday at Loopy Yarns, where we inspected a considerable amount of yarn from Cascade to Rowan and every popular brand in between. I made a modest purchase of one skein of tweedy amber-colored yarn for The Harlot's "Unoriginal Hat" pattern (PDF). That is, once I get around to my "me" knitting after the holidays.
If it's Friday, we must be at Knitwerks. Owner Cherrl Harmon welcomed us warmly at her table, which was laden with the latest books and magazines. Since I frequent her establishment, I showed Rebecca a few of the highlights - like Knitwerk's collection of Dream In Color - then left her to her own devices. I bought the last two skeins of plum, green and rust Ironstone Yarns "Bouquet of Colors" mohair loop as well as Louisa Harding's latest "knitting little luxuries." If you're on the fence about this book, don't be. It is a worthy addition to your library.
This past Saturday was, serendipitously, Nina's 3rd anniversary, where everything in store was discounted 20%. Good times. Good times. You may be surprised to learn that I did not go wild, spending a restrained $50 after tax on five skeins of yarn (including Blue Sky Alpaca's Suri Merino) and some Louisa Harding Kimono ribbon.
The only thing that marred this otherwise splendid few days was the casual thoughtlessness and infantalizing condescension shown friend Rebecca. You might not know this, but she is deaf. She also happens to be whip-smart with a Master's degree. She also happens to be funny and snarky and talented. In short, my kind of pal.
I found it galling that people would routinely talk to me about her preferences instead of addressing Rebecca directly. One restaurant employee asked me, "Can she read lips?" I said, "Why don't you ask her! "
Rebecca says it has become the norm for her to feel like a permanent foreigner. What's a thoughtful knitter to do to counteract this perception within his or her own sphere of influence? Wikipedia offers some suggestions with their "Disability Etiquette." Food for thought, at the very least.
Tomorrow: a new finished item to go with an old one.
and food
with friends
but mostly, yarn
I had the chance to spend three yarn-filled days with Rebecca. I'm glad she was able to finally take a break from dyeing her own yarn to visit me in Chicago to, ironically, paw more yarn. A stitcher knows the love of fiber, despite being surrounded by it on a daily basis.
The tour began Thursday at Loopy Yarns, where we inspected a considerable amount of yarn from Cascade to Rowan and every popular brand in between. I made a modest purchase of one skein of tweedy amber-colored yarn for The Harlot's "Unoriginal Hat" pattern (PDF). That is, once I get around to my "me" knitting after the holidays.
If it's Friday, we must be at Knitwerks. Owner Cherrl Harmon welcomed us warmly at her table, which was laden with the latest books and magazines. Since I frequent her establishment, I showed Rebecca a few of the highlights - like Knitwerk's collection of Dream In Color - then left her to her own devices. I bought the last two skeins of plum, green and rust Ironstone Yarns "Bouquet of Colors" mohair loop as well as Louisa Harding's latest "knitting little luxuries." If you're on the fence about this book, don't be. It is a worthy addition to your library.
This past Saturday was, serendipitously, Nina's 3rd anniversary, where everything in store was discounted 20%. Good times. Good times. You may be surprised to learn that I did not go wild, spending a restrained $50 after tax on five skeins of yarn (including Blue Sky Alpaca's Suri Merino) and some Louisa Harding Kimono ribbon.
The only thing that marred this otherwise splendid few days was the casual thoughtlessness and infantalizing condescension shown friend Rebecca. You might not know this, but she is deaf. She also happens to be whip-smart with a Master's degree. She also happens to be funny and snarky and talented. In short, my kind of pal.
I found it galling that people would routinely talk to me about her preferences instead of addressing Rebecca directly. One restaurant employee asked me, "Can she read lips?" I said, "Why don't you ask her! "
Rebecca says it has become the norm for her to feel like a permanent foreigner. What's a thoughtful knitter to do to counteract this perception within his or her own sphere of influence? Wikipedia offers some suggestions with their "Disability Etiquette." Food for thought, at the very least.
Tomorrow: a new finished item to go with an old one.
posted by La Cabeza Grande at 11/19/2007 01:46:00 PM
12 comments
Syndicate Me!
View Knitters Gallery
