Over the past year, I've gotten fascinated with the yarns and fibers offered by Habu textiles, a company that imports and sells specialty Japanese fibers, as well as kits and books featuring these unusual yarns and Japanese design. Habu represents an entirely different sensibility than, say, the more classic British styling of a yarn company like Rowan - which I also love - but what really got me going were the unusual materials - knitting yarns made of paper, for instance, and -- especially -- extremely fine stainless steel wrapped with wool or silk that, when knitted, creates a garment that can be shaped with the fingers.
But the yarns are pretty pricey, and I was scared to order much before taking a look and feel in person, so this time in Manhattan I decided to try to visit the showroom. My friend R., a puppet-maker who loves textiles, didn't know about it and said she'd love to go with me, so I had company, which was even better.
The showroom is located on the 8th floor of a non-descript building on West 29th Street, in a block full of handbag- and belt-wholesalers. We went in and the guy minding the door took one look at us and said, "Habu. 8th floor." "How did you know?" we asked. "Oh, it's just a look," he said, buzzing the elevator for us.
From other people's descriptions, I knew not to expect a big showroom, and it wasn't - in fact the yarn samples, buttons, knitting needles, and a few fabrics were displayed in two very tiny rooms, and the two Japanese owners left us alone to browse - (I noticed, with sympathy and amusement, two confused husbands who had come along with their wives - one said plaintively, after fifteen minutes, "What exactly were you looking for, honey?") I did get what I was looking for, for sure - a chance to feel the fibers myself and decide what to try. I left the shop with a cone of brownish-grey, wool-wrapped stainless steel, about the gauge of quilting thread; some linen of equal fineness in a contrasting shade of taupe, and a small amount of linen in a fine ribbon-weight. I was excited; my friend was supportive, and we then had a fine walk down to Greenwich Village in the drizzly rain, talking all the way.
When we got to our friends' house, where we'd all been invited for dinner, I met my husband and he took one look inside the bag and exclaimed, "You're going to KNIT this?" Well - he does have a point, and it sounds like knitters go kind of crazy until they get the hang of knitting with such thin yarns. But look what cool stuff people are making!
You really caught the feeling of New York in this. The elevator guy, the exotic wares. Outsiders say NY'ers are not friendly but without being what they might think of as saccharine, they are social creatures, and verbal, exactly as you have it here. Still I wonder what you will make. Chain mail armour for a teddy bear? well, will simply wait to see...
Posted by: Vivian | November 16, 2009 at 06:05 PM
You've also captured my feelings trailing behind my teenage daughter in craft and fabric shops: "One said plaintively, after fifteen minutes, 'What exactly were you looking for, honey?'" That made me smile!
Posted by: Peter | November 16, 2009 at 11:35 PM
How cool! I love fiber arts of all kinds, but don't get enough creative time with fiber these days.
And I love art supplies of all kinds, even those I don't know how to use. I can lose a whole day in an art supply store.
Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Kristin Berkey-Abbott | November 17, 2009 at 06:47 AM
Ooh, yummy! Lucky you! x
Posted by: Ivy | November 17, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Thank you Beth! You have just convinced me to go back to knitting! Although I am not so good at it!
Posted by: Sally | November 17, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Thanks, Vivian - I've always found New Yorkers to be both helpful and friendly, and never quite understood why they have a bad reputation. Being used to that NYC vibe probably makes it easier. I'm glad if this vignette felt authentic to you, because it seemed so typical to me!
Peter, yes, that's it - and there are plenty of reverse situations, as you no doubt know!
Kristin, I know the feeling of not-enough-creative-craft-time,a nd hope you find some more sometime soon.
Ivy, I wonder if some of this Asian design sensibility feels familiar to you?
Sally, great to hear from you -- the best thing about knitting with so many of the new and novelty fibers is that you can just use straight stockinette or garter stitch and end up with beautiful fabric. I used to do much more fussy knitting but I enjoy these simple projects with lovely materials just as much, maybe more because it's less tricky and more meditative. Let me know what you begin with!
Posted by: Beth | November 17, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I like this too. Habu to you!
Posted by: quiet not-so-regular reader | November 17, 2009 at 04:25 PM
I'd go for the ribbons. I'm a jewelry maker, just getting back into it after burning out on production jewelry. Now it is a nice change of pace from video editing. And I love art supply shops....
Posted by: zuleme | November 18, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Hm, not too sure, Beth. Manila wasn't what I'd describe as austere-minded, design-wise, seeming more like a riot and a chaos of colour. And I wasn't really exposed to a lot of fibre arts growing up in the Philippines, tho' I did see ikat-like fabric. My knit-philia seems very recent but perhaps always abiding. :-)
Posted by: Ivy | November 18, 2009 at 08:02 AM