Lovely Day in Oakland

Saturday, I went to Verb for Keeping Warm to meet Stephen West, a knitting designer who was having a book signing there. Although I've seen their booth at Stitches West every year, this was my first chance to see their shop, which is very nice, small and welcoming. There is a small selection of fabrics (mostly cottons for quilting) and an equally small selection of yarn, mostly wool and alpaca. After the book signing, I got a lemonade at the little cafe next door (which has bicycles hanging up inside!), sat in the sun for awhile, then we visited Lacis, which is about a ten-minute drive away. I had been here many years ago, but the shop has grown and now contains a wonderful selection of vintage and antique lace, lovely old dresses, and every thread and tool that a needleworker could want (even reptile skins!). The book selection is vast and covers sewing, embroidery, crochet, knitting, and all types of lace work. Many of the vintage items are for sale, so if you're looking for a tablecloth or other linens trimmed with handmade lace, this is the place. On the way home, we stopped for dinner at our favorite restaurant, Horatio's, on the bay in San Leandro.