Thursday, December 06, 2007

San Francisco Notebook, Part Two

Needless to say I wasn't just staring at bridges and statuary during the trip to San Francisco. There are knitters and yarn sprinkled liberally about the area, and I managed to visit a few of them.

Of the knitters, I met one. Here he is, delightful Stephen aka Hizknits, in his office with the inimitable Miss Janie Sparkles.

Man Bites Dog

I had met Stephen on this trip to California, when he was taping an episode of "Knitty Gritty." Stephen lives in San Francisco and works in Berkeley in the marketing department of Clif Bar. We had a fantastic Mexican lunch and he gave me a tour of the Clif Bar premises, which I can describe only as the Office Environment of My Dreams.

Imagine: cheerful people doing rewarding work in attractive, exciting surroundings. So different, so very different from my own, dear employer, which takes as its model the workhouse from Oliver Twist (minus the free food).

(Personal to Stephen: have already eaten most of my samples. What the hell do you put in those things? Hashish?)

Then, oh then, there were the yarn shops. I made it to three.

Artfibers (124 Sutter Street, San Francisco • Web site)

When I asked y'all where I ought to go and about half of you mentioned this place, I knew it had to be good. I wasn't disappointed.

If you go, don't look for a flashy storefront. Look up. You'll see this.

Artfibers

Doesn't seem like much, I know. But climb the stairs to the second floor and you'll enjoy an intimate encounter with some of the most seductive yarn you'll ever fondle. Artfibers sells online but they don't wholesale. If you want to touch it before you buy it, you gotta visit in person.

Happily, they are prepared to make you very comfortable during your stay. The showroom is small, but seating is ample and they have samples of what appears to be the entire line ready for you to play with. Just tell them what you want, and they'll put it into you eager hands for a test knit.

Art Fibers

The yarn–which includes a lot of ingenious fiber combinations and striking textures–is neatly arranged and clearly labeled. There are patterns and books for sale, plus a reference library and lots of swatches to wake up your muse. The service was impeccably friendly. In spite of a multitude of customers, the sole salesperson (who was, as I recall, also the manager) kept everybody happy. No mean feat, that.

ImagiKnit (3897 18th Street, San Francisco • Web site)

One of the benefits of being a knitter is that even in a strange city, if you have the good fortune to encounter a shop like ImagiKnit you will feel instantly at home.

I made two visits to ImagiKnit. The first was unplanned. We were on our way to the Castro and I spotted the sign,

Imaginknits

and my non-knitting companions graciously agreed to stop and let me do a bit of shopping. I liked it so much I went back again on the last day of the trip.

ImagiKnit has two large, beautiful rooms absolutely crammed to the rafters with yarn. The lighting is excellent and there are voluptuous sofas for parking yourself or any non-knitters who may be with you. (If you happen to be gay, you can also send your boyfriend up the street two blocks to Castro, where he can sip a drink and admire the passing show while you cruise the Malabrigo.)

Everybody here, on both visits, treated me with great cordiality. Even the regulars knitting on the sofa gave a cheery nod and a smile. The salespeople were friendly without being pushy, and two of them even posed for me.

Imaginiknits Duo

Since I was so twitterpated with the place that I forgot to take a shot of the interior, you'll have to extrapolate from those two smiles what sort of experience to expect at ImagiKnit.

Lacis (2982 Adeline Street, Berkeley • Web site)

Lacis is not, strictly speaking, a yarn store. However, if you have even the slightest interest in lace knitting or lace making you need to visit. Seriously. I've been to Brussels and to Bruges, both touted as epicenters of the art, and in neither place did the sheer joy of lace come through as it does at Lacis.

If you've no car, no problem. Hop on the BART and get off at the Ashby stop. It's a short trip, and Lacis is steps from the station.

There are two parts to the establishment: the retail shop and the museum. If you get there and the museum's not open, just ask. They'll open it up for you and even take you around the exhibits. Admission is free, and they allow photographs.

As of this writing, the exhibit in the museum is needle laces–lace made with a single needle and thread. I have only a rudimentary understanding of non-knitted laces, but you don't have to know anything to be dazzled by what's on display.

To give you a tiny sample–there's tons more on the Lacis museum Web site–I was very taken with the relative simplicity of the edging on this shawl from the end of the 19th century; it's the perfect foil to the simple, sprigged center.

Needle Lace

And there are two mannequins, one male and one female, decked out in period finery with lace actually made in-house, by lacers who are regulars at Lacis.

Modern Lace, Lacis

To cap it all off, there is a piece of point à Venise, one small part of which is shown here at roughly actual size, which is worked at–are you ready?–10,000 stitches to the inch.

Point a Venise

I almost wet my pants.

The only complaint I have about the museum is that after visiting it, all of my lace knitting now looks to me like macramé.

The retail half of Lacis is equally dazzling, albeit in a different way. There are more displays of incredible work–including a case of knitted laces I unfortunately couldn't photograph because of reflections on the glass–mixed into the selection of...everything.

Truly, I didn't know where to begin. The book section alone was staggering; more books on general knitting than I've seen anywhere else except Halcyon Yarn. Books on lace, of course; and books on costuming, fashion, corsetry, crochet, doll making, millinery.

And there are supplies for all of it. A corsetry section, a millinery section, knitting supplies, embroidery supplies, pillows and bobbins for bobbin lace, vintage linens and laces, patterns, notions, crinolines (with hoops) suspended from the ceiling. And, among the cases of jewelry and other bric-a-brac, a selection of silver chatelaines that made me realize if I don't get one, I shall expire.

Were it not for energetic help of Erin, the manager, who took time out from sorting stock to guide me through the selection of antique knitting patterns, I might well still be sitting on the floor in a daze with drool running from one corner of my mouth.

I have to come back. Soon. If this is what I saw in only five days, I can't imagine what I missed.

26 comments:

Emy said...

FTR, you're right that Artfibers doesn't wholesale, but they will send you samples of the yarn for $2.50 each. You don't HAVE to come to SF to fondle it in person, but you're absolutely right, why wouldn't you? ;)

Anonymous said...

antique patterns at Lacis? ok, what did you get?


marie in florida

SoapDoc said...
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aj said...

Oh, I'm so jealous of the trip to Lacis! I'm new to California and when I made my first (well, and only) trip to San Francisco I tried to find it, but to no avail. You're so lucky! I'm so glad you liked it here - I go up to San Francisco regularly now and I just love it to bits and pieces. I'm glad your trip was so rewarding!

Mel said...

OMG, you actually got to meet Janie Sparkles?! Color me so jealous.

Anonymous said...

Man, sounds like One Perfect Vacation. The closest I've ever gotten is a night in Santa Cruz and driving over Golden Gate; that is not Seeing San Francisco. Looks like you had a wonderful time. And they may be only 'vacation photos', but they looked great to me!

SoapDoc said...
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Joanna said...

What a fun place Franklin, how wonderful of you to share it with us. And your news .... are you moving there? Going to work there? Give it up! (As if we all think we have a right to know all the secrets you hold...) Sorry we are SO darn nosey. And, since this is about knitting, any chance the snowman pattern will appear BEFORE the holidays?

Sean said...

sounds like a wonderful trip!

Stephen is such a nice guy, I'm so glad two of my favorite bloggers get on so well!

Unknown said...

I always wonder if you're treated with some level of celebrity based on your wide readership, or do most folks not even know who you are?

But in San Francisco, I'd doubt it would make much difference...with your looks and personality, you'd be treated well.

Anonymous said...

I'm envious. I grew up in Berkeley but I wasn't a knitter. My mother took me to Lacis once over 20 years ago and I wasn't impressed. Now, being a knitter and far away from my beloved Berkeley I regret not being more impressed or getting home to CA more often. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

heh.

I live in Oakland, and work in Berkeley, and am *still* in awe of the people and things at Lacis. Erin (the Glamazon) is a wonder.

I'm a regular blog-reader, and I know you would love Lacis. I wrote a blog entry about that needle lace show a while back:

http://howsrobb.blogspot.com/search?q=lacis

Did you notice the struwwelpeter-esque signs admonishing people not to touch the antique textiles? Grisly and hilarious!

http://www.fln.vcu.edu/struwwel/daumen3.gif

Kira at ArtFibers is wonderful, too!

Becky C said...

You've given me another reason to start planning a visit to San Francisco. And am I not mistaken or is one of those salespersons from ImagiKnits not a good candidate for the Dolores look-alike contest?

dale-harriet said...

I was in SF years ago (in my profligate-hippie-chick period); I wasn't a knitter in those days (well, I was BETWEEN knitting times); tell me are there still those delightful orange-robed monks dancing down the street blessing everyone with finger cymbals? Loved it! If I ever get there again, Lacis will be my first stop.

Alwen said...

You went to Lacis? In the flesh?

I hate you.

dpaste said...

Stephen and his partner are quite the amorous couple.

You didn't happen to pack that fellow standing outside Imagiknit and bring him home with you, did you?

Anonymous said...

Did you see the Mona Lisa when you were there? She's there until Dec 31. I'm going to go see her. Thanks for the yarn store love! I will stop in at those places too!

Nancy said...

Trust me, those of you who don't live here are far wealthier than those of us who can drive to Lacis in under 30 minutes.

(Lucky thing for me they're closed on Sundays, when our spinning guild meets on that side of the bay, otherwise, I'd be in debt up to my eyeballs!)

Anonymous said...

I was in SF last April and did my own yarn crawl, but did not make Artfibers. I LOVED Imagiknit, tho, and could have moved in! I still take out my picture(a double of yours) and remember it fondly, as well as reminding everyone I show it to that it was my favorite! I also visited a very cool needlepoint place in Union Sq., and a cool fabric and ribbon store, whose name now escapes me. I love san fran!

Anonymous said...

Alright Franklin, you hit some very good shops but there are still more in the Bay Area! On your next trip I hope you can stop at Urban Knitting Studio (Hayes Valley), Noe Knits (Noe Valley), and ArticlePract (Oakland). And men are welcome at the very fun Chicks with Sticks group on Monday nights at Bliss Bar in Noe Valley.

Paul

hizKNITS said...

it was so lovely to see you and share a bowl of beans. if only I had more time to take 'round more purveyors of yarn.

Janie Sparkles wants to know when your next trip will be.

Renee said...

Just discovered your blog, only to find that you've actually been in Marin Co, where I live. Love all the photos.

And I can't believe I haven't been to Lacis. Will totally agree that the two other places are totally fantastic stores!

And yes, it isn't that cold here. Daffodils in February, that says it all!

Romi said...

I loved the SF pics. I used to live in the Castro (and other places in the City). Even though I'm not that far away now I haven't gotten down there in ages! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. It's a great city, isn't it? :)

Anonymous said...

Oh LORD, Franklin. Normally, I don't hate, but, you went to the LACIS MUSEUM?! I'm gritting my teeth. Right now I'm in love with Battenburg Lace––maybe the ribbon part can be knitted tubing? Imagine!

Next stops are France and Belgium, for you!

Anonymous said...

Sorry Franklin, it's Sahara. You can see I've been out of the loop with the ID.

Free Range Chick said...

I haven't been to San Francisco in 15 years and I certainly wasn't a knitter then. I just came up to visit my sister who moved here two years ago. I had to go and see ImagiKnit. That place is really awesome. We are going to check out some of the other places today. Thanks for the great recommendations.