I can’t think of a more succinct and true statement. I was in town for the week at the annual Society of American Archivists meeting… and I was not prepared to have such a lovely time. Are work conferences supposed to be that great? Not only did I learn a heck of a lot, I got to see some amazing sights, and meet some wonderful people.
View from my room: Grant Park and Lake Michigan
I got in town last Sunday night, and after checking in, Amy came to meet me at my hotel. She had sought out some restaurants with adequate vegetarian fare, and the minute she mentioned Persian food, I was game. We went to Reza’s, a piano bar/cafe with a delicious menu – so delicious that I decided to order a lot of food. I ate too much. Luckily, we walked (and knit) some of it off.
It was a great night, and we made plans for later in the week. When I was not in conference sessions, I was touring the city with friends, photographing the sights, and knitting in the spare moments. Nova and I had made plans many weeks ago to rendezvous at the SAA conference – and when we finally did meet on Wednesday afternoon, everything was so natural: we already knew each other! We capitalized on our fun and hit a new Chicago yarn shop: Knitwerks.
Both of us walked out with some goodies – and both of mine were things I had only seen there, so that took the guilt edge off. You can see one of my purchases on the swift above: a gorgeous green worsted weight – Dream in Color -which is made in Illinois. I often bend the rules for souvenir yarns, and that is probably what gets me in trouble with stashbusting… later in the week, we stopped by another yarn shop, Loopy Yarns, and I only picked up some magazines. Both were great shops, and I am glad that we found the time to visit and see the local yarn culture!
Chicago is a beautiful and photogenic city – we had splendid weather the whole time I was there, and it was perfect for walking near and far. There were so many things to do and see in the city, and I felt that I did not even scratch the surface. Another trip is definitely in order. Some photo highlights:
Crown Fountains, Millennium Park
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Sailboats on Lake Michigan
The Art Institute Lion
[Chicago set in entirety on Flickr!]
See? Chicago is an amazing place – with amazing art! I was so thrilled to catch one of the exhibitions I missed in New York this past spring at MoMA, the Jeff Wall photography show. It blew me away. The presentation of the images is key to the exhibit: they are large color transparencies mounted on huge light boards, so viewing them in a 2-D computer screen or book is simply not the same… but you can try! The other great art in Chicago is the public art installations along Lake Shore Drive in the downtown area: The Cool Globes Project. There are 124 globes, each of them offering a tip on green living, or drawing attention to a social and environmental topic. It was a fascinating display. As you can see from the photo above, this particular globe is covered with a knit fabric. The globe is entitled “Adjust the Thermostat”, encouraging people to layer up (with a nice handknit?) instead of turning up the heat at home. This globe is the creation of artist and craft blogger, Lindsay Obermeyer. When we saw her globe, we knew it would be the perfect photograph opportunity for Amy, Nova, and myself! The globe is located on the walkway in front of the Field Museum.
I fear this post has just gotten too long for its own good, so I will talk a little more about the knitting archivists (like Rebecca!) and my own project in the next post… stay tuned 
I have heard that Chicago is fun! I would love to go there some time! Your picture of the waterfront is great!
Hi,
I love that my globe is becoming a knitter’s backdrop! I have to check up on that baby alpaca you featured. Most yummy and definitely easier on the hands than knitting parachute cord for a 5 foot globe!
Thanks for the link to Knitwerks – I’m going to Chicago for a conference in November (brrrr) and I’m just starting to make a list of places to stop at, this will definitely go on my list.
The view out the window was awesome! I don’t think I would have left my room! LOL Not really, but it was a great view.
Sounds like a good time was had by all!
So glad that Chicago was so good to you – it is indeed a fun town! Your pictures definitely capture the fun! And of course, meeting up with fellow bloggers is always fun – no matter where.
OMG! Your pictures look like postcards! And you “almost” made me homesick! LOL
Knitting archivists forum sounds like a good idea
I also am an archivist, but didn’t make it to SAA this year. Perhaps I should have, for more than the obvious reasons! Glad you had such a good time, at the tail of your amazing trip. Thanks for sharing both!
Oh how funny! I just signed up for (student) membership in the Society of American Archivists! I’m taking an Archives and Records Management course this term.
What a great trip! That museum is absolutely perfect. It looks exactly the way museums should look.
Wow–those pictures *are* making me homesick. Maybe I should go visit mum & dad soon, plus get in a trip to Knitwerks. I’ve never heard of that one.
That yarn shop looks like fun!
Chicago looks like a fun town! Love the sailboat photo, beautiful color.
You crazy archivists! I’m definitely a bit jealous of you getting to hang out with Nova
Oh, fun! I always love Chicago. So jealous!
Sounds like a great trip. I love how we knitters always manage to squeeze in a little yarn shop sightseeing no matter the situation.
Your trip looked like fun, I have never been to Chicago.
Can I ask, what is the orange striped bag that you were carrying? It looks nice and roomy!
How did I not know you were in town all week? My spidey senses are failing me! Anyway, glad you had a great time–it’s a fun city even for people who live here!
Reza’s is around the corner from where I work, I’ll have to check it out some day. Glad you got to visit some yarn shops and partake of the special brew that is Dream in Color. (I think that was the first yarn I bought when I moved!)
Yes, I agree that Chicago is amazing! And I love your ‘Dream in Color’, that’s a recent discovery for me as well.
Well damn girl, you should write a tourist guide for Chi-Town.
The photos are lovely.
I just went to Chicago last weekend – it’s amazing, isn’t it? I love those big face photos in Millenium Park.
Chicago!? Yay!! That’s where I live!! I’m glad you had a great time. Chicago is my favorite city (at least so far). I actually live in the suburbs, but I absolutely LOVE going into Chicago on the weekends. Dream in Color started in Naperville, which is really close to where I’m living, actually…small world, right?
It’s so refreshing to see your home through someone else’s eyes! You had a fantastic view of Millennium Park. Next time you’re here, there are 4 or so knit shops on the north side that you should visit. Glad you had a great time.
I wasn’t able to get to SAA this year, but I really looking forward to it in SF next summer.
Chicago IS fun! I also hit those two yarn shops when I visited with some friends back in April and loved them both. I love Knitwerks for the style of the shop and the selections, but Loopy’s sock yarn collection was totally awesome. Looks like you had a fun trip!
A post about Chicago could never be “too long”, it’s home to me.
Oh, how I miss Chicago! Your pictures make me homesick (but in a GOOD way.)
looks like fun! who knew we had so many knitting archivists in our midst!!!!
What an awesome trip, looks like tons of fun! I love Chicago and am overdue on a visit to my cousin there…this has inspired me to call him tonight!
Thanks, as always, for the beautiful photos!
Yay! I’m going to Chicago at the end of October and I’m totally going to visit some of the shops that you recommended…any other suggestions?
You’re right, Chicago _is_ fun. At least, I always have a nice time while I’m there. I love the idea of that globes project – your photos show that they have a nice variety.
I don’t blame you for succumbing to that dream in color yarn, I covet it every time I see it and have seen many sweaters that I think it would look great in. Beautiful green!
You were practically in my back yard! I love Chicago. I could sit for hours in the Field Museum and knit. Or on lawn by the Adler….. Great town. Glad you enjoyed it.
My hubby and I fell in love with Chicago this winter — you can’t not have a good time there!
Your photos are amazing! Chicago is totally cool – I visited there right after college. Thanks for the trip reports – better than a guide book
okay, am waiting for the archival content. photos and restaurant reviews were excellent, of course. but love to hear more about archives, as i just enrolled in an archives certificate program this semester.
I love Dream in Color like it’s my boyfriend. >.> Chicago is such a great city. You obviously had a good time, especially for a work trip. Lucky!
How fun! I’ve never been to Chicago so thanks for the mini tour!
I have relatives in Chicago and I recognize that digital face fountain. Chicago IS fun.
I visited Chicago with the husband in July — and it is a great city! I didn’t make it to any of the yarn shops, but we saw some of the same sights as you. I also really enjoyed the Cool Globes that were on display, I saw a really beautiful one made by a group of children! I also really enjoyed the Art Institute, we spent a lot of time looking at the Islamic Tiles exhibit, the Asian art, and the Impressionist paintings. We had a blast, and I’m glad you did too. Next time we go I’ll have to check out some of the yarn stores you mentioned
Thanks for the wonderful Chicago post. I love my city. Did you know the Ma-yah? He should use you for his bid for the Olympics.
Your images are wonderful. Who knew about the green yarn made here? I have to get some.
Looks like you had a great view from your hotel! You took some awesome pictures. I finally made it to Knitwerks yesterday for the first time and really liked it. Loopy is a wonderful shop, too. Next time you should try the other Chicago LYS. Each one has their own character!
Chicago IS fun – and a fantastic city in terms of culture and architecture! We go to Chicago about two to three times a year and we love it!
I love Chicago. There are so many new yarn stores every time I go back for a visit. My friend Vicki owns Loopy Yarns, so it’s always good to stop and see an old friend. I haven’t checked out Knitwerks but it will definitely be added to my list.
Sounds like the SAA conference was fun. I love library conferences!
I’m so glad you liked Chicago, i live here and think it’s the greatest. we have so much culture and beauty.
i’m coming to D.C. in a few weeks and I’m looking forward to a fun and good time.
Its so nice to see the city you live in through the eyes of a visitor, it makes me proud to be from here. It is a world class city, thats for sure.
There are 2 LYS’s on the northside I would highly recommend: The Knitting Workshop and Arcadia Knitting. I need to check out those yarn stores in the loop, thanks for the info. And if you want a good guide to restaurants for your next visit, get yourself a copy of Chicago Magazine. Their guide is really excellent – most native Chicagoans rely on it.