I realized something on Friday. I realized that knitters almost always get along well because they share a love.
A love for COLOR
A love for TEXTURE
A love for PATTERNS and NATURAL GEOMETRY
I realized this when I met Rima. Rima is a lovely young woman who found me through Ravlery- and asked if I wanted to get together some time. She is from Bangalore and is currently living in New York City, but is here until March visiting her family. Well- being the far too home bound person that I am at present I jumped at the opportunity to get out of the house and do something with a like minded individual. So a plan was hatched for her to show me some of the craft related stores in and around Commercial Street.
Now, Commercial Street deserves its own post some day as it is really something, but- not today. Today is all about the crafty stuff. So, we met and headed for the first shop, Ravi's Craft Shop. I didn't really know what to expect as I had only visited one other yarn related shop in Bangalore before (Bombay Embroidery Store in Raja Market on Avenue Road). Ravi's is different. For one thing it was larger - take a look:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWldfAddGRH6woR-9IldH5sdP8QQBTZINBT7iCbJfyy05qfk_h9mUeOktKgGxx_o19dE2PApUO4kd_mlFM10H4M19givcrvcQVKIx1CuEisLyPzGt4ZwtDCJvKcmr_f393A9HYQ/s320/Crammed+store.jpg)
Now the next store, Surya Emporium, looked to have a better selection of yarn and larger quantities as well. Yes- it is all acrylic- but it did at least look to be decent acrylic and not the really cheap scratchy stuff. They even had some nice looking lace weight here! And of course, crochet thread...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31T_jJrnyxC-ye5vdtwH06iTyFsvI4z8r1My64O3lvXwsC8LWfP1-bw_B6LtX4-s2rdW3jlxDL-z0JMe6EAmWRSBJZxLC8h_wMbLtI2kwBZP_AYOoSOalfU7d0w8Ydnxqa52BCQ/s320/Yarn.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuoXFd5aRtPdurZNmlFRqgjRGOoRMAhteQbr1mAJn2Kl3vPb-McKmxepy9kpy5V2ntFKQTno6l6JVIOaUxuC2okZYeGrUkFuOgcBFK_wNipav6CKYVDBjjGM2OQj5Q0hGXmndoQ/s320/Beads+and+sequins.jpg)
On the other hand, I can also buy some textile items made by others! And Rima was able to help there as well. Turns out a good friend of hers, Nasir, runs a shop called Zara on Commerical Street that deals in fabrics for curtains, upholstery and the like. They also have a floor of ready made items. They have some of the most drool worthy textiles I have seen here. I was really bummed that I have already had most of the curtains done for the house as the fabrics here are far nicer!!! (I do have one room that still needs drapery though... I think I am going to have to go back there!) Look at some of the silk quilts they have.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu50Q6zr4FDPc3K2A4C5dM9jKYkTeZ3WpUf4dwu6AwBdPZWJmMM6GHGBlzjMoZ33in6dTqANel3XRTelpWw9-h4biI6W8xHTRJBB1g6CgPlTTtPUq3Sy4XVjybWr291BZ2GqFpQw/s320/Bangalore+textiles.jpg)
The ones draped over the banister/handrail are made out of recycled saris. I LOVE the blue one!
Rima has also blogged about our visit here and and even has some pictures from our delicious lunch. Yes- she was even smart enough to have pictures of us. Somehow I spaced on getting a nice picture of her. Bad blogger. I will though... we are hoping to get together again soon.
Now on to other yarn related things. First, while you may have caught a glimpse of this in my list post I want to chose you a closer look of what I have been knitting:
More knitter news... it's almost time for (insert drumroll)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UFguGeQaIiaJEXrHMnpsFdTtn4ql6XmAUlApKlIwCY2zWsKzySNZ3_InKvlgAEQqMTZXOFNBKiIfJ_6WCOfGoW2LRNtj9yhx5j2F8YQMaKOvsjgaUHTNEWdliz3NjERbvjJ1pQ/s320/Sock+Madness+2.jpg)
So I will leave you now with a sunset. My own Saturday Sky. A happy day to you all!
11 comments:
Great shopping photos on your blog and Rimas!
Cindy: It was wonderful to meet you! Wonderful!
Yes. We should do this many more times before I leave. Will call you in the next couple of days to make a plan.
What fun! And what beautiful quilts! I'd totally go for the sewing machine.
Hugs
Rachel
Looks like fun! Those fabrics are very tempting. I've been contemplating sewing recently too. I borrowed my mom's portable machine, but I haven't actually sewn anything yet.
The Blue quilt is stunning!
Great craft shops! I can't blame you for contemplating a sewing machine, the fabrics looked amazing.
No boba pics this week, I had my camera but I forgot to pull it out. I suck I know. next week for sure.
Oh yarn!!! And the fabrics, wow. I would definitely be tempted by sewing with that kind of fabric around.
Nice shot of the lace! :-)
It's Sunday afternoon here. I'm on my way to Bobaknit as soon as I brush my hair. Your blog is eternally delightful. Almost finished with your Best Friend Scarf. It has been a fun pattern, once I stopped being afraid of how complicated it looked. Plan to send it to a high school friend who lives in Montreal.-Karen
those quilts are super cool. I hope you bought the blue one!
Rima sounds like a sweetheart. How wonderful to make that connection and get the inside scoop on the local craft stores. Those beads and fabrics are stunning.
Hey Cindy: thanks for the awesome blog posts - I won't leave too many comments, but it's great to be able to read about your discoveries and life in Inja. And thanks for the tip on Sock Madness 2 - I'm sending in my sign up today!
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