Portland's Super Bowl

When you think of "bowls" a few things come to mind. The big Super Bowl game, the Hollywood Bowl, maybe even Grandma's crystal punch bowl. But here in downtown Portland, a champion reigns among the food cart community.

The Whole Bowl is an exciting meal option and the SW Portland location is just a block from our Knit Purl store. This food cart features healthy vegetarian fare and is an employee favorite for fast and yummy takeout. I asked our staffer Oleya a few questions about why this is her adored Portland food cart.

W: "Why do you like visiting The Whole Bowl?"

O: "The orders come out quick. Sometimes there's a line but the food always arrives delicious and fresh."

W: "Tell me exactly what's in a Whole Bowl serving."

O: "It's layers of yummy taste: brown rice, red and black beans, fresh avocado, salsa, black olives, sour cream, Tillamook cheddar, cilantro, and the famous Tali sauce. It's served in two sizes priced at $5.00 and $5.50 (the better deal)."

W: "Tell me about this famous sauce that everyone is talking about"

O: "Well, the Tali sauce is the best part. It's a lemony-garlic creation that makes the whole dish taste wonderful. It has other mysterious ingredients that make the sauce unique and truly addictive."

W: "Anything else you want to tell us about The Whole Bowl?"

O: "I like the cart not only for the food but the friendly service and consistent meals. The owner knows the customers by their names and they will make the bowls to order in case you want to delete some items. The bowls are very filling and the food keeps me going for the rest of the workday."

The Whole Bowl has three locations:

SW 9th and Alder (near the Knit Purl storefront), 4411 SE Hawthorne (this location features indoor seating), and 1100 NW Glisan Street in the Pearl District. All locations open for lunch and the Hawthorne location is open until 7pm.

The meals served at The Whole Bowl contain no meat yet meat-eaters often say they don't miss it. Healthy and 100% vegetarian, it's not hard to understand why this is such a popular lunch destination. Try it the next time you are in the neighborhood. But watch out... that sauce is addictive!

What's New on Ravelry: Sock Edition

Welcome back to "What's New on Ravelry"! This week, I am going to focus my pattern selections on socks. Why socks, you ask? Well, here in Portland, in conjunction with Sock Summit, this week has been declared Sock Knitting Week by the mayor of Portland.

Even if you're not local to Portland, why not cast on a pair of socks in spirit with us? Summer is the perfect time to knit socks. They're small, so you don't have to deal with a lap full of wool, and they're portable, so they're small enough to tuck away in your overnight bag. If you're new to knitting socks, Knit Purl has a variety of patterns for even the newest of knitters, from baby socks (perfect for getting the technique down on a smaller, quicker size) to simple adult socks (a good pattern full of clear diagrams and photos). Now, on to the new patterns!



Flocked Socks, by Sara Morris/Rose City Knits

First off, I'd like to share a new pattern we have here at Knit Purl, Flocked Socks.
Designed by prolific knitter/designer Sara Morris of Rose City Knits, these socks include attractive details like garter stitch 'seams', and a cute flocked stitch pattern. I really love how Sara takes something traditional, in this case, a traditional Norwegian stitch pattern, and makes it her own. She is so clever! Best of all, the pattern includes a range of sizes, from child to adult male! You can knit matching socks for the entire family, if they are all knit-worthy, that is.

While her original design used Malabrigo Sock, I would love to see some of the new Tactile BFL sock yarn knit up in this pattern. Those natural dyes just glow!

My picks:

Pomegranate / Graphite / Denim



Sock Knitting Master Class, by Ann Budd. Available here.


We just got a really cool book in called Sock Knitting Master Class. It has a lot of great sock patterns by well-known sock designers like Nancy Bush, Cookie A, Anne Hanson, Cat Bordhi, and so many more. If the designers aren't enough to draw you in, there's much more in here for sock novices and sock aficionadi alike. With topics like sock design, toe up and top down construction, and the best bind offs for toe-up socks, this book will take you from zero to sock in no time. It also includes a bonus DVD, perfect for learning new techniques and a bit of extra explanation.



My favorite pattern from the book is probably the cover socks, Thigh High Stripes. I know they are a bit wild, but they remind me of socks I wore as a child - I guess I am a bit nostalgic. It seems like a great way to use up scraps, practice my stranded technique, and keep things interesting with the different colors.

If these aren't quite your style, don't worry! There are plenty of other dazzling patterns to choose from, like Stranded Socks from Nancy Bush, Mock Cables by Chrissy Gardiner, and Intarsia bloomed socks, to name a few (all shown below). This book is a perfect way to either get starting knitting socks, keep your sock momentum going, dipping a toe into the waters of designing, or somewhere in between.

Lastly, I would like to share a free pattern with you.

Bosnian Slipper Socks, by Donna Druchunas, Knitty First Fall 2011

In the most recent issue of Knitty, the Bosnian Slipper Socks caught my eye. The bold, graphic colors , vikkel braid, and Bosnian toe-shaping called my name. There's even an article about how to tension yarn using your neck! Seriously, check it out.

As I learn more about knitting, I find myself becoming more interested in wordly techniques, and learning just how many different ways there are of knitting and designing things. This Bosnian Sock could be just the thing to take your sock knitting in a different direction.

If you want to find out more about sock knitting techniques from different cultures, please read Around the World in Knitted Socks. It is truly an inspiring read, with gorgeous photography and fascinating information about all sorts of techniques for knitting socks. It's a must-read for any knitter!

Whether you are attending Sock Summit or not, I hope this post has you inspired and ready to cast on a pair of socks for the summer! Please let me know if there are any sock patterns you are wild about. Thanks for reading!

Swatch Watch: Pashmina Parade

Today's focus is another of my very favorite yarns, the delightful Madelinetosh Pashmina. This sport-weight blend of 75% Merino, 15% Silk and 10% Cashmere is surprisingly versatile. It handles lace, cables and texture stitches with ease, and makes any project more delectable to knit - somehow, those Pashmina projects always finish so quickly compared to the others.

In fact, I will assert that if I had to knit with just one yarn for the rest of my life, it would be Madelinetosh Pashmina. A bold statement indeed!

The many faces of Pashmina, all knitted on a US 4/3.5 mm needle.

Madelinetosh Pashmina in Lepidoptera, knitted in a simple lace pattern from Barbara Walker's Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns

Gauge: 4.25 sts/inch in lace pattern, knit with size US 4/3.5 mm needles

This vibrant shade shows off a fun little lace stitch. I think this stitch pattern would make a great lace detail on a garment or even a little headband. Pashmina also takes the dye so differently than the other tosh yarns - the silk content in the yarn makes those skeins glow, beckoning knitters from across the room. Semisolid colors like this Lepidoptera look great in Pashmina, as the margins between shades are very soft and blended. I cannot resist these elegant colorways and I often find myself adopting the last orphaned skein from a lot. Since the yardage is a generous 360 yards, it is possible to make a complete project from one skein. The above swatch was knit with my ample leftovers from a Scroll Lace Scarf and I knit an Ishbel from one skein, with 90 yards to spare!

For a project using a stitch pattern similar to these playful dots, check out OlgaJazzy's new Mizutama Shawl. It would be so dreamy in Pashmina!

Madelinetosh Pashmina in Smokestack, knitted in a textured, reversible rib

Gauge: 7 sts/inch in rib pattern, knit with size US 4/3.5 mm needles

I made this swatch to try out my latest stitchionary acquisition. The light silver Smokestack colorway shows off the textured rib beautifully. I have been dreaming of making a tailored, textured vest for some time, and I think this may be the perfect stitch for it. It is soft and silky but the wool content gives it structure. A textured stitch like this one gives the already luxurious Pashmina a refined edge.

Madelinetosh Pashmina in Terrarium, knitted in an all over cable stitch

Gauge: 7 sts/inch in all-over cable pattern, knit with size US 4/3.5 mm needles

This stitch pattern reminds me of stylized tree bark, and the gorgeous Terrarium colorway really plays up the natural effect. The plump stitches make great cables, subtle and smooth on the stockinette background. A stitch like this could inspire a splendid pullover - soft and warm, but not too heavy. I'm pretty sure I could live in a sweater like that!

Madelinetosh Pashmina in Smokestack, Charcoal and Composition Book Grey, knitted in garter stitch with applied i-cord edging

Gauge: 6.5 sts/inch in garter stitch, knit with size US 4/3.5 mm needles

This swatch is a color study for what will become possibly the most posh Baby Surprise Jacket of all time. I discovered all these gorgeous shades of grey in my stash (surprise!) and I think they are so interesting together. The Composition Book Grey, used here in the applied i-cord edging, becomes more lavender/purple when juxtaposed with the cooler tones of Smokestack and Charcoal. The stitches are bouncy and stretchy, perfect for warm yet elegant baby winterwear. Even better, Pashmina is machine washable!

Pashmina is truly a dream to work with. If you haven't tried it before, treat yourself to a skein! You won't be disappointed. But watch out- you might become hopelessly obsessed, like me!

I hope you enjoyed my enthusiastic ravings about Madelinetosh Pashmina. Next week, we will explore some yarn combinations for a mysterious 4-armed sweater from Habu Textiles!

Happy Swatching,
Eva

Chocolate Standard

I met a chocolatier today. Everyone else in the world has the wrong job.  He goes by the name of Jesse, and he co-owns the chocolate bar Cacao, named after the cocoa bean producing tree. Located on SW 13th just off of Burnside, Cacao sets the standard for gourmet chocolate. Step inside and you enter a different sort of world. A world where brown explodes in to hundreds of delicious hues, where chocolate comes in bars, beans, butter, and nibs.

An eager employee walked us through the store, pointing out his favorite confections. Asked about the price range of Cacao's products, he gestures towards a towering gift box, but then passes on some candied wisdom: "You can buy a bottle of wine for three dollars or three-hundred, and they both might suck, but an eight dollar bar of chocolate will blow your mind."

Our minds were in fact blown shortly thereafter by a flight of three drinking chocolate shots. Dark, cinnamon, and smoky chili-infused one-ounce drinks slid across the table on a tiny tray after we made liberal use of the corporate card. Lilliputian yet lavish, each shot served up decadent sips weighty in substance and silky in texture.

I forget sometimes, in days defined by commutes and convenience stores, to ask myself: "What is delicious?" Today I remember that love exists not just as an idea, but can be imbued in the product of one's labor. And if I ever need a reminder, I need only stroll over to Cacao, a mere four blocks from Knit Purl.

Cacao
414 Southwest 13th Avenue, Portland
(503) 241-0656
www.cacaodrinkchocolate.com

Eat = Portland Food Carts

Why would people stand in the rain for yellow chicken curry? Or endure a 90 degree summer swelter for a salad roll?

The answer is the amazing world of Portland food carts. For those who aren't familiar with this "food on the street" scene that is sweeping cities across the country, here's a brief history. Several years ago, a few tiny converted travel trailer kitchens started popping up in the downtown core area of Portland, Oregon. These tiny restaurants occupied empty spots in parking lots. It took a few years for people to figure them out, but once diners sampled the cheap, amazing food, the wave of food carts began.

In the city of Portland, there are several "pods" of popular food carts in the core downtown area. In recent years, carts have sprung up on the east side of the city as well as some neighborhoods. There have been several national news stories on the Portland cart community and this has inspired the food cart phenomenon across the US.

In this blog, we plan to highlight some of the Knit Purl staff favorite dining destinations. We are fortunate that our retail store location is just steps away from the carts located between 9th and 11th on Alder Street. We highly recommend that if you shop with us, you consider grabbing lunch or dinner at one of these unique little restaurants. Bargain-priced and always delicious, you should visit them and experience something that started right here in Portland.

The carts have an organized website complete with information, cart listings, and maps.

www.foodcartsportland.com

What's New on Ravelry

Howdy, blog readers. I hope summer is treating you well! It is finally starting to feel like summer here in Portland. I have spent the past couple of weeks poring over Ravelry patterns for you, and here is what I would like to share:



© Kirsten Kapur

Abby's Blanket, by Kirsten Kapur, available through Ravelry

Newly released from Kirsten Kapur is this twee baby blanket pattern. I've actually been anticipating this pattern since I saw the striped version on her blog. I have a lot of handspun and odd balls in my stash and I love how the pattern looks striped up. Normally, I wouldn't combine stripes with lace, but somehow Kirsten has made this work wonderfully. The solid-colored version calls for Madelinetosh Vintage, and that is a perfect go-to yarn for baby knits. It's got a nice tight twist to it, it's superwash, and it's super soft merino, perfect for baby snuggles. The blanket takes three skeins of the main color and one skein for the border. My picks?


3 skeins Ink for MC and 1 skein Baltic for a classic baby boy blanket.



3 skeins Charcoal for MC and 1 skein Tart for a gender-neutral blanket.



3 skeins Curiosity and one skein Antler (not pictured, but in stock at Knit Purl) for a very soft, girly blanket.

The lace pattern does not seem too difficult, and it's worked from the center out, a perfect way to make sure to get all your yardage used. It seems like just the thing to whip up in antipation of the next baby shower.

---

© Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Issey Scarf, by Olga Jazzy, available through Ravelry

I am an avid reader of Olgajazzy's blog, and I had been noticing the Issey Scarf on her site for quite some time without a link to a pattern. I was about to email her about it, but then the pattern suddenly appeared with a link to download. It's pretty much got all my favorites here: Madelinetosh Pashmina, pleats, and it looks great in that grey she chose. It looks like it would go with everything! It has options: 4 or 8 inch width, and sharp or blunt tips. I love how a lot of her designs feature unsusual construction. I think it makes knitting boring things like scarves a lot more interesting! The skinner version uses two skeins, and the larger, three.

My color picks: Charcoal or Tart.


I'm sure you'll be seeing more of this (probably on the Work in Progress Page) when I knit mine. :)

---

© Julie Hoover

Decalage, by Julie Hoover, available through Ravelry

Customers are frequently asking me what to make with Habu Textiles' yarns. They are all so beautiful, but often overwhelming when a choice has to be made regarding a project. Well, there is one more pattern choice out there, thanks to JGourmet, also known as Julie Hoover. I have secretly admired Julie's beautiful knitting and stash photos on Ravelry, and I was additionally delighted to see she writes patterns.

Decalage uses Habu Textiles' A-177 Super Fine Merino and A-20/21 Silk Stainless to create a breathtaking gradient of wool and silken steel, resulting in a beautiful piece of art that just happens to be a scarf as well. There are so many combinations you could use, the possibilities are almost endless!

Since I like red so much, here are my picks for a very tonal red/orange version:

color 8 (brick) + color 18 (red) in Habu Textiles Silk/Stainless A20-21

habu fine merino 3044 (brick) + 3040 (deep red) in Habu Textiles Fine Merino

That is all I have for now, but please check back for more new patterns! If there is anything you have seen that is new and inspiring to you, please let me know, and I will mention it here. Until next time!

Stitch N' Pitch 2011

Wondering what's going on in the photo below?

Well... that is a knitter on the "jumbotron" at a Major League Baseball game. This unusual knitting/crocheting/needle-crafts event is being held all over the country at baseball stadiums. Basically, it's just a (LARGE) group of needle-arts addicted people who travel to the ballparks for an exciting game and yes, some knitting.

The event is called "Stitch N' Pitch." We are happy to announce there's an event coming to the Pacific Northwest! On Thursday July 14th, Stitch N' Pitch will be happening at the Seattle Mariners game at Safeco Field. So here is your chance to experience a major league game and not have to put down your knitting project.

A local group is being organized by Lantern Moon (the knitting needle and accessories company) in Portland. They are taking reservations for a bus trip which includes a ride up and back to the game, tickets, and a goodie bag. Cost is $60.00. Space is limited.

Contact them via the link below.

We think this sounds like an awesome event and we can't wait to hear what it was actually like in the ballpark with hundreds (maybe thousands) of knit and crochet folks in attendance.

-William

www.lanternmoonblog.com

www.stitchnpitch.com

Swatch Watch - Shibui Central

Hello, fellow yarn enthusiasts! This week we have something lovely to look at: a school of swatches in the new Shibui color palette! We have been having lots of fun playing with fresh color combinations within the family of Shibui yarns. Here are some of our favorites:

A happy set of swatches. Aren't they lovely?

2 strands Shibui Silk Cloud in Flaxen, 1 strand of Shibui Staccato in Dijon, worked in pattern for "Eustacia" from the Shibui Luxury Book

Gauge: 5 sts/inch on a size 7 / 4.5mm needle

Because the Silk Cloud in Flaxen is just a touch lighter than the Staccato in Dijon, the Flaxen really glitters and adds some nice visual interest. The texture stitch is really lovely in this fiber combination - the result is warm and dense without being overly heavy. A similar color look could be achieved by pairing Staccato in Artichoke with Silk Cloud in Green Tea.

1 strand Shibui Silk Cloud in Graphite, 1 strand of Shibui Merino Alpaca in Graphite

Gauge: 4 sts/inch on size 9 / 5.5mm needles

The color and feel of this swatch makes me think of December in Portland. It is the color of a heavy rain cloud, but feels much friendlier. Merino Alpaca is one of my favorite yarns on its own, but I really like it paired with Silk Cloud. The mohair halo adds softness to the almost rope-y texture of the Merino Alpaca. This pairing would be great for a warm winter cowl, perfect for keeping out the elements.

1 strand Shibui Silk Cloud in Artichoke, 1 strand of Shibui Silk Cloud in Green Tea.

Gauge: 4 sts/inch on size 9 / 5.5mm needles

By using two similar shades of the same yarn, one light and one dark, plain stockinette takes on a polished glimmer. This pairing would add some elegant interest to a Silk Cloud Pullover!

Other color pairs to try: Graphite/Ash, Fjord/Dragonfly, Bordeaux/Peony

1 strand Shibui Silk Cloud in Fjord, 1 strand of Shibui Heichi in Canal

Gauge: 4.5 sts/inch on size 8 / 5mm needles

Adding a fine strand of Silk Cloud changes the texture of Heichi dramatically. When used by itself, the worsted weight silk has a lovely drape and tends to grow after blocking. By adding a strand of Silk Cloud, the fabric becomes softer and will spring back into shape. This textile would be great for a year-round garment - it is soft, light and warm without being too hot.

2 strands of Shibui Baby Alpaca in Artichoke, 1 strand Shibui Silk Cloud in Artichoke, worked in Mistake Rib

Gauge: 3 sts/inch on size 13 / 9mm needles

In the words of our IT guy, David: it's "like petting a unicorn." I don't have first-hand experience with unicorns, but that does sound quite wonderful. This would be a great fiber combination for a cuddly cowl or other magical winter accessory.

1 strand of Shibui Merino Alpaca in Ivory, worked in stitch pattern from the Nehalem pullover from Shibui Texture, arriving later this summer.

Gauge: 4 sts/inch on size 9 / 5.5mm needles

Merino Alpaca is one of my favorite yarns for cables, and you can see why! It has great stitch definition and really makes those cables "pop".

That's all for now! Until next time, happy swatching!

-Eva