Hmm, sounds like Purl in Soho is the ticket. There's another store which is a popular destination, but a certain someone who is always there is, how shall we say, not really a "people person." A bit of a buzzkill when you're trying to get a fiber high. The trek sounds like fun - enjoy!

Lucky, lucky you! A well-deserved and wonderful gift, if you ask me.

I wish I could be of help, but I didn't even know how to knit when I was living in New York. And believe me, I regret it to this day. Hee hee!

When I go back, I'll have Purl Soho on my itinerary...

What a lovely treat, I'm sure you will have a fantastic day although you'll miss the boys. Some time on your own to knit, shop for yarn, go to the theatre and explore another city. Perfect.. Make the most of it.

I would recommend School Products - 3rd floor of 1201 Broadway - I think the cross street is 28th St. The atmosphere isn't fancy but the staff are very helpful, they have a good selection, and you can get giant cones of cashmere blends for a great price.

Are you taking the Acela? It is fabulous! I absolutely loved it when I took it down to NY. Have a great day away.

Yes, check out School Products and Purl. Both are on my "must visit" list! Sounds like a FUN trip. (Did you know that there is at least one bus from Boston where you can make a round trip to NYC for $10? Or is it $10 one way? I can't remember. Anyway, it is CHEAP.)

I tried to post this earlier, but to no avail.

Despite the fact that the proprietors are sometimes less-than-friendly (the staff is usually nice) and the prices include the typical "New York markup", The Yarn Co. (82nd and Broadway, http://www.theyarnco.com) has all of the yarns you mention and more. I'd advise you to get there as early as you can to avoid the Saturday afternoon crush as much as possible. Good luck!

hi alison! as another nyc knitter, i would definitely second the purl soho and school products recommendations. i would also suggest the yarn co (bway at 82nd st) if only to touch everything in the store. :) it's also dangerously close to my apartment, so i have frequented it on many an occasion. anyway - have a great time! - melissa

There are 3 stores in close to the same neighborhood that would satisfy all your needs. School Products (1201 Bwy 3rd fl @ 28th St), Yarn Connection (Madison Ave @ 36th St 2nd fl), and http://www.habutextiles.com/.

have fun!

School Products is fun but you have to catch it on the right day. I have gone there and come home with nothing on occasion. I highly recommend Seaport Yarn. They are downtown in the Financial District and housed in a marketing office. The owner is wonderful, the prices are great especially for NYC. It's great fun to go wondering through the offices and finding all this beautiful yarn. Of course if you pass through the Village stop in and see me at the NYU Bookstore!

If you really want Rowan and Debbie Bliss, I have to add to the recommendations of Purl. It's a small small place but it's so charming, has an abundance of Rowan and in all the color ranges, and it's on a lovely little quaint block in Soho with a lot of other nice shops.

You can also try Downtown Yarns on Avenue A and 3rd St, also small and lovely and with very very nice people, seemingly hard to find in yarn stores in this city.

I hope you have a GREAT day here!

Seconding the School Products recommendation, as it's the only one I hit in my February visit and I really enjoyed it. Having read about Purl in the Rowan, I now wish I'd made time for that too. Have fun! What play will you see?

Stay far away from the Yarn Company. Nasty people in there! Try the Yarn Connection on Madison Ave instead--it's not as large, but the selection is good and the folks in there are much kinder. School Products is a great place to bargain-hunt, but it's hit or miss in there. (When you hit, though, you really hit. ;-)

Well I agree with some others, School Products is fun. Personally, I'd check out a few shops, but you've got an excellent yarn selection in MA already. I'd go to the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Insititute (basement), or to the button district (6th and 36th-ish) for overwhelming notion fun. If you sew, Paron's 1/2 price shop (there's one on 57th if your uptown, other is in fabric district). Other than that I'd eat up a storm. If you're going on the weekend check out the prices of flying, it's often cheaper than the train.

Sounds like an awesome little trip!!

Hey, could you email me about the cardi-raye ... I'm hooked! I would love to know where to buy the yarn and pattern ... I've been googling but haven't found anything.

Thank you tons!!

ps Yes, I am on a yarn diet ... but I think it may start after I acquire this project *lol* *wink**wink*nudge*nudge*

Alison, I know I am on the late late train, but I wanted to congratulate you on an absolutely gorgeous knitty pattern. It was the first one that caught my eye, and may well be the first one I knit (once my list of to-dos shortens up).

Not only well designed, but (IMHO more importantly) well written, thank you!

Have fun! What show are you seeing?

For true New York atmosphere, and a wonderful selection of yarn, try Seaport Yarns, on Williams St. Great NY atmosphere, since you go upstairs into the building, several rooms jammed with lots of facinating yarn (Noro, Alchemy, etc etc etc), very nice owner who also runs a survey company from the same office. Note -- she didn't take credit cards when I was there, but of course took personal checks.

I've never been here, as it opened long after I moved from Brooklyn, but this store (www.knittinghands.com) is not far from your mom's place. Its more towards Brooklyn Heights, but it should be right off the subway heading either to or from the city. I've been to Yarn Connection on Madison and 36th many a time, but its small and fairly out of the way so I wouldn't try for it. A little further up is another shop on Madison and 54th/53rd? but its mostly for lunchtime midweek - I doubt they're open on the weekend.

oooh, Alison, are you gonna hit the button district? Score some buttons for your little boys? :)

Hi! I need to throw my support behind Seaport Yarns (seaportyarn.com)- it's downtown, but well worth the trip. Hidden away in a commercial building, it's like a treasure hunt - you wind your way through narrow hallways to find _another_ room stuffed with great yarns. Tons of Rowan, and I believe the cotton glace is all on sale until the end of the month. School products has a lot of cone yarns and some unique blends, but I've never bought yarn there. And my feelings on Purl is that it's just too pricey, so I stay away from the temptation.

WOW! Heavenly! What a wonderful hubby! What show will you be seeing??
S.

buttons? You know, buttons ARE impossible to find. You should go looking for some fun buttons while you're there. Yarn you can buy in Boston, buttons are harder, Winsor notwithstanding.

Yes, that's it! The crazy "What the Fung" bus! Awwww, c'mon. You need some adventure in your life! ;) The Acela is very nice, or so says my Pedro . . .

Have a great time! What a nice treat. I just love NYC. I didn't knit when I lived in NYC, but from what's been posted, you are all set. Enjoy!

Thanks so much, everyone! You really came through for me. I'm gonna write down all your suggestions, check opening times and make a plan. Purl sounds like a winner though and School Products too.

And yes I will be taking the Acela (prime knitting time!) and for those who asked, we'll be seeing Jumpers. Big Apple, here I come!

If you find yourself on Madison up in the 70's (I think), check out Tender Buttons. You will never be the same.

Alison how wonderful! I urge you to check out Habu Textiles - their booth at Stitches West was wonderful - you can get those other yarns anywhere! Also be on the lookout for that issue of Marie Claire Idees I was telling you about! Have a wonderful time! Annhb