Knitting in Alaska -a pleasant hour and a half

http://www.alaska.net/~birchtre.

Kathleen has run the Birch tree gallery on Funny River Road for 20 years .It started off as a fine arts gallery but when postal rates changed it was extended to include the sale of knitting yarns and the paraphernalia associated with both knitting and crochet.This was done  in order to diversify the business and attract a broader range of customers.Today Keith delivered me to the gallery and then went home to read a Farley Mowat book whilst I joined Kathleen, Matty and Karen to experience and discover knitting the American way . It was a wonderful means of getting to know each other and to compare ideas.


Kathleen opens the shop to those who "Want to come knit" from 4 pm until 6pm when the shop closes each week. This happens each Thursday throughout the year . She goes about selling , meeting the needs and queries of all customers from those beginners to experienced knitters and also teaches knitting .I think we call that multi tasking !Anyway it all made for an easy relaxed atmosphere .

 

While I was there a new first- time- grandma, who had just learned to knit, came in. Kathleen advised her as to pattern,needles and yarn so that she could knit her 6 month old grandson a easy-to-knit jacket .This all took place in an  unhurried way as we sat on stools around the counter knitting and crocheting together.I bought a simple pattern, yarn and needles to make a purse and so the conversation began .

American knitting patterns use different abbreviations to our own. Needles are mainly two pointed ends of bamboo joined with plastic and reference to sizes  is in standardised numbers as well as millimetres . However you can buy needles in pairs . Yarn is not referred to in ply 3 ply ,4ply ,double knitting etc but rather to worsted or not and the tension the yarn would knit to  .Crafts are big in America !That's why I love it so.

Conversation was not just about  knitting but ranged from fishing events ,to a boat that Kathleen's husband was selling.It then moved onto marvellous news  of the health of a friend of Karen's in the lower 48 who had had a successful double lung transplant 10 months ago.

Meanwhile the first time Grandmom paid for her yarn needles and pattern joined in our conversation and then left a very happy lady eager to begin knitting for the new member of her family .She left with a warm smile and said "I'll be back again when I have finished this.Your shop was recommended for good quality yarn."

Keith drew up in the jeep outside shortly afterwards  and I went home after a wonderful hour and a half with friendly welcoming people and was full of the opportunity we had to share a hobby we had in common.

We prepared chicken strips in salmon rub and mixed peppers together after another pleasant day in Alaska and chatted about the drive via the  Kenai Spur road to old Kenai town where we had had  had lunch at Veronica's . Here we tried new food as we have tried to do all trip .Keith had a beef sandwich salad and I had sweet potato and apple soup and salad . We visited the Kenai museum too .

Veronica's in Old Kenai



A Steller Jay landed on the deck the other day

Each day has been different here and it is great to know  and feel  the spirit of   curiosity, exploration and discovery so many  miles from home !