Yesterday, I headed off, clutching my OS maps, for a trundle around Suffolk (partly unintentional), to meet up with my friend, Steph Knits, in Lavenham at this gorgeous cafe. Victoria Beech opened this cafe, on the High Street, in November and it is just lovely. I don't know Lavenham that well, but it was beautiful on this sunny, Spring day: all gorgeous, ancient, timber framed houses and wide, grass lined streets - and it has masses of free parking! The cafe is in a prime position, looking out on picture-postcard houses.
Inside, the walls are lined with wool, tending towards the classier makes: Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding etc. In this picture, just by the till, are balls of fantastic DK wool produced in Orford, by sheep farmed (I think) on National Trust Land. I saw these advertised on Cafe Knit's website and I want to plan something to knit with them: it's a shame if all wool comes from Turkey or Peru. Lavenham's history is in the English wool trade, so it seems appropriate that Victoria stocks local wool!
Now: the coffee. I'm always apprehensive about this part - I really want to like a cafe, especially if it's an independent - *especially* if it stocks wool... but I am prepared to make a mental note to have peppermint tea next time, rather than endure watery, murky 'coffee' .... but, luckily, Cafe Knit did not disappoint - phew!
Can you see the word, "Gaggia", on this machine?! Hooray! The cappucino was just what I was hoping for: dark, bitter and strong. Fabulous. I'm glad I didn't wimp out and opt for a lemonade. I didn't have a cake because I'd, er, only just had a few pains au chocolat for breakfast - but they looked lovely too.
Back to the wool: lovely leaf-green Louisa Harding wool for gloves in the sale? Check. Pattern for crochet bridesmaid dress currently under discussion with bride? Check. Unnecessary but cute reuseable cloth bag advertising said cafe? Check.
Steph Knits goes pretty much every Saturday; the Lady Friend may not agree, but - I want to join her!
A friend mentioned this the other week - I must go over to Lavenham to check it out. Hope the tea is good (I don't drink coffee - in fact I'm slightly nervous of that coffee machine as it probably means it smells like a coffee shop instead of a wool shop).
ReplyDeleteCelia
I've written a reply below but meant to say - let me know what you think, if you go! x G
DeleteHi Celia,
ReplyDeleteVictoria here from Cafe Knit! Please do come and check us out. I don't think it smells too much like a coffee shop as thespace we have is quite airy and the ceilings are high. And we have a fabulous selection of teas too!!
Hopefully see you soon!
Thank you for you lovely review Ro - it was great to meet you. The best bit about my 'job' (aside being surrounded by gorgeous yarn all day) is meeting all the lovely like-minded people!!
Victoria
Celia - I don't think the coffee aroma was over-powering - and I did see a reference to teas on the blackboard! Do check it out. x G
ReplyDeleteSorry I went off in a coffee-phobe tizzy there!
ReplyDeleteThe wool shop looks most tempting and I'm steaming through my latest pair of socks so will need to replenish the stash!
Celia
Ha - no problem! If you've visited - what did you think?
Deletex G