field trip: bella lana

Last night at Simon’s soccer game, I sat next to another mom who was knitting. When I inquired about what she was making she casually dropped that she’d purchased her yarn at Bella Lana in Northeast Minneapolis. These days, Northeast Minneapolis is code for cool. I have wasted no time in checking out this new-to-me store.

Everything about this store is dreamy, from the hands-off staff that lets you browse in peace to the lovely décor, which is white—whitewashed floors, ceiling, and shelves. Large white paper globe luminieres densely pack the ceiling and appear as fluffy clouds or fleece. In between, you’ll find a carefully edited selection of fibers and patterns. I want to knit everything on display, but I was particularly drawn to the Habu Textiles stainless steel wool and am scheming a use for it.

The purpose for my trip, besides scouting, was to find yarn for Winston’s cabrito costume. He’s in a classroom play that riffs on "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" where he plays one of the billy goats. Not long ago, Winston asked me to knit a cap for him that has goat ears. Thanks to the modern-day marvel of the internets, I found an easily adaptable pattern. It took about five seconds to knit the small cap, ears, and the trim for the ears, and it took another five seconds to attach everything. I’ll have a picture as soon as I can get it off Winston’s head. He wore the hat to bed last night—the highest form of praise!