the blue blog archives: long time no n.y.see

My yarn shopping strategy for this last trip down to NYC was to visit those stores I don't get to visit usually. A sort of long-time-no-see, what-I've-been-missing kind of thing. I started at School Products, since they are one of the first to open (and close!) on Saturdays.

I let my fingers do the walking and they walked me right over to a store model of a cute grey child's sweater. The yarn was soft and squishy and a little fuzzy. I was intrigued. When I heard that it was Yak yarn, I couldn't resist.

So the boys will be getting fall yakets, probably along the lines of this Rowan Junior pattern. It's about time I made something for them again!

From School Products, it's just a hop, skip and a jump west to get to Habu. They were having a little mini-sale.

I took my time and fondled all the yarns but left with only happy hands. You gotta bring your imagination with you when you shop at Habu and I wasn't quite imaginative enough this trip to come up with a purpose for their special and unique yarns.

Later that afternoon, I made it over to the Yarn Co., which has to be the busiest, most expensive, and frankly, least pleasant yarn store I've been in. They've got tons of lovely yarns and scores of great pattern samples hanging up, but it's all very "what do you want?" and "well, we write the pattern out if you buy the yarn". I stayed a long time and was tempted by their very impressive selection of GGH yarns, but alas, I couldn't overcome my dislike of the store to buy anything.

I had hoped to make it down to Downtown Yarns to show them my progress on their shrug, but I couldn't squeeze it in on Saturday. I didn't have the shrug finished anyway. Plus, this trip was for the places I DON'T usually visit, and I always visit Downtown Yarns.

Sunday began at Purl. What a wonderful yarn store! We - mom came with - got there when they opened and, despite the fact that the place is no bigger than my living room, we stayed for two hours!

you gotta love a store that has painted the pay phone and bench outside to match it

They might not have much room, but they've got it crammed full of only the best of the best yarns. It's like they took all the yarn possibilities, threw them in a giant vat, waited to see what rose to the top, and then only put those in the store. And the people working there were SOOOO nice. Seriously, can I move in? When we did leave, we had filled an entire shopping bag with yarn.

I picked up lots of their custom colored striping Lorna's Laces sock yarn, a little Koigu (I haven't been able to find Koigu anywhere else recently - I thought there might have been a distribution problem, but apparently, it was all just at Purl!), and, my absolute favorite, two hanks of Lobster Pot lace-weight cashmere. Swoon.

We only left Purl because we had to go to the Point to meet up with some nyc knitbuds, whom I haven't seen in ages. The Point is a yarn store that just makes you happy. There's the "eat, knit, and be happy" sign in the window and the fun bins of yarn that hang on the wall (see them in my post from my last trip), and here's a picture of the corner of the store devoted to yarn hanks.

even with a torrential rain storm outside, we couldn't help but smile when surrounded by all this

I met up with cool knitbuddies, Jackie, Valentina, and Cassie. After the rain let up a little, Shannon came to join us too.

It's great knitting in a shop with regulars! In addition to feeling very welcome, we got to chat and have a few laughs with Point-man, John, whom I'm sure you all know from his new Knitty pattern. Besides being damn funny, the Point staff was very helpful, even pulling out some shade cards for me when I was being "that person" and having a hard time deciding on some Rowan Cashcotton colors.

Well, that's it. Car full of yarn and I was ready to go. What a great trip! I think the next big trip will have to be to IKEA to buy more yarn storage. Heh, heh.

posted by alison at 10:25 am | in nyc knitting

Comments

What a wonderful, wonderful yarn crawl! I wish Purl and the Point had been around when I lived in Brooklyn. Sounds like heaven.

And I'm with you on the Yarn Co.; it's the only yarn shop I've ever loathed, viscerally, mere moments after stepping through the door.

Posted by: Beth S. at August 17, 2005 10:33 AM

I have yet to visit School Products, but I love love love Purl. I work right nearby and tend to walk over there on my lunch breaks quite often, even if its just to get a squeeze on something soft. And Downtown Yarns is definitely my home away from home. Glad you had a good trip!

Posted by: Megann at August 17, 2005 10:37 AM

THANKS for taking us on your yarn shopping adventure! Like you, I had the EXACT experience both times I called the store for yarn featured in their books. Helpfulness is not their strong suit! As for Habu, while their yarns are not my favorite, their designs were awesome at Stitches Midwest this past weekend (the staff very friendly, too).

I can hardly wait to see what your going to be making next (the new lavender yarn is calling your name to start something as is the pink that you bought a few months back), so pls begin creating!!!

Posted by: Leslie at August 17, 2005 11:05 AM

I agree with your reviews. The Yarn Co is singly the worst yarn store I have ever been to. Purl -- an absolute delight! What they don't have in space they surely make up for in knowledge and likeability.

As for those Lobster Pot laceweights -- those colors are WAAAY out of your norm. Any ideas what you might be making?

Posted by: jody at August 17, 2005 11:06 AM

If you're planning another meet-up at the New Haven (CT) IKEA please let me know -- I'm a little more than half an hour away and would love to meet-up with you and the New Haven crew.

Posted by: Jenn at August 17, 2005 11:07 AM

I had the exact same experience as everyone. Purl is a delight, the folks who work there are kind, helpful, and best of all, excited to hear what you are knitting. And the Yarn Co. is just downright unpleasant and full of attitude. I went back to The Yarn Co a second time just in case the first time was just a bad day, but they were even more obnoxious the second time around!

Posted by: Paula at August 17, 2005 11:18 AM

We are moving to NY from Washington state next week for my husband's 9-month work assignment. Thank you for all the great shop suggestions!

Posted by: Pam at August 17, 2005 11:28 AM

Oooh, I bought some of that Yak/Merino at School Products when I was there in the winter! I haven't done anything with it, but I spent a long time petting the scarf they had made from it and it is lovely. It's definitely on my list for a project this fall - probably a scarf. Enjoy yours!

Posted by: Anne at August 17, 2005 11:54 AM

It was so nice to see you (and your mom) again and to knit for awhile! Can't wait to see what you come up with with all that yarn. See you next in Rhinebeck! (Hopefully wearing that Cashcotton cardi, too)

Posted by: Jackie at August 17, 2005 11:57 AM

Yay for IKEA! And did you see that we finally got into German board games?

Posted by: Lauren at August 17, 2005 12:08 PM

I admire your restraint when confronted with all of that yummy stuff.

Posted by: Colleen at August 17, 2005 12:09 PM

wowee...i'm jealous, though i did go on a bit of a binge myself last week at Wild 'n Woolly. Also, I couldn't agree with you more about the Yarn Co. I felt the same way and walked out in disgust and yarnless. they completely ignored me because i didn't have the "upper west side mommy look" and a bugaboo stroller. and i found that the folks at Purl couldn't be nicer (how could you not be nice surrounded by all that beautiful yarn). I'm going to make my rounds of the NYC shops next week while on vacation in NJ. My sister has promised me a day off. By the way, did I mention that I am a "magic looping" fool these days? sorry i will miss you this sunday at knitsmiths...

Posted by: lisa b at August 17, 2005 12:20 PM

That's quite a yarn crawl you've got going - it makes a nice store review for nyc. AS for the cashcotton - go for it - the stuff is beautiful. I'm working with its sister, Cashsoft, and I love it.

Posted by: Julia at August 17, 2005 12:23 PM

Fall YAKets?!?! hahaha I'm still laughing! That's great. I love your descriptions of the NYC yarn shops. Sounds like a perfect weekend. :)

Posted by: Karma at August 17, 2005 12:27 PM

What a fun trip! I'm making that same Rowan "cardi" that Jackie is making, but I'm using CashSoft and I love it! Good TV knitting.

Posted by: LeAnne at August 17, 2005 1:12 PM

Fall Yakets? I love it! Cute pattern too. Can't wait to see the cardi--yummy colors.

Posted by: Katherine at August 17, 2005 1:54 PM

What a wonderful adventure through the NYC LYS's! Thanks for letting us tag along! I made it to Habu on Saturday and then to Purl. Next time, I hope to hit some of the other LYS's you raved about in this entry.

Posted by: Rossana at August 17, 2005 1:56 PM

I hope to make it to NYC sometime next year and will definitely put a few of these shops on my list. And yes, an Ikea trip would be great fun. I wish we had one closer than DC. On my last trip, I found these great mesh things that hang from the ceiling and have holes in them that are perfect for yarn (in the children's section). Enjoy your new yarn!

Tanya

Posted by: Tanya at August 17, 2005 2:00 PM

The Fall Yakets thing was funny! LOL! They are cute! I'm sure the boys will love them.

I've only been to Purl before and they are the sweetest people ever.

Posted by: Liz at August 17, 2005 2:04 PM

What fun it was to read your post! I feel as though I got to go on the yarn crawl! I've been checking in on your blog every few days and really enjoying it. I'm hoping for news of another Weasley KAL! :)

Posted by: Laura at August 17, 2005 2:07 PM

I would love to visit a knitting shop like that you don`t get that kind of thing here in germany.
But should I ever decide to travel to NYC I will come and visit.
Sylvia

Posted by: Sylvia at August 17, 2005 2:16 PM

i just had my first trip to NYC the first week in august. loved it. you can read about it in three different posts on my blog, if you are interested. went to some of the same knit hang outs as you. and of course loved purl. would love to go back. if i ever do maybe we can meet up. love to read your blog. yours is one of the first i started reading about a year ago.

Posted by: laurie at August 17, 2005 2:41 PM

I'm moving to NYC. What reason is there to live anywhere else in the country? :)

Posted by: Christie at August 17, 2005 2:54 PM

I've been planning on knitting Will for my nephew for months now! The yarn is all ready to go...now that summer is almost over, maybe it's time to get working on that huh? What a fun trip you had...thanks for taking us along!

Posted by: tania at August 17, 2005 3:04 PM

I love Downtown Yarns and Purl!!! Ditto on the Yarn Co. Haven't been to the Point yet but really want to.
knit on, latifa

Posted by: latifa at August 17, 2005 3:16 PM

Excuse me while I drool all over my keyboard. Wow, what a crawl! Wish I could have been there.

Posted by: Joan at August 17, 2005 6:45 PM

Great pictures! Glad you had a good time, you need to come visit us at String next time!

A warning on the Lobster Pot tho: It pills like CRAZY. When you wash it you'll see the insane halo that comes up, and that halo will quickly become a million little pills to drive you crazy. Oh, and if you bought the turquoise, the color will come off on your hands. Definitely don't use bamboo needles with that stuff.

Posted by: ivete at August 17, 2005 9:29 PM

Oh man, I LURRRVE the Point! And ditto to what lisa b. said about the Yarn Co. I heard another store to avoid in NYC was Gotta Knit although I haven't had a problem there. Thanks for sharing your pics!

Posted by: Patricia at August 17, 2005 9:59 PM

It was great meeting you Sunday...
And thanks for the reminder of why I can't go to Purl casually. Danger! Danger!!

Posted by: Cassie at August 17, 2005 11:35 PM

Wow! What a yarn crawl, did you actually fit anything else in while in town? Amazing! It's funny what you say about the Yarn Co. one of the largest, best stocked stores in Sydney has a very similar problem, whenever I go there I leave feeling yucky and determined not to give them my money. The employees are actually quite nice but the owner is very unpleasant and always seems to end up involved in everything. Amazing what the attitude of the people at the yarn store can do (or not do) for the yarn shopping experience.

Oh and I was just looking through your archives for your IKEA storage post a few days ago... I feel a visit to IKEA coming on!

Posted by: jo at August 18, 2005 5:38 AM

Oh gosh! What fabulous trips!
I've been to Ikea last weekend and the shelves are great!

Posted by: emy at August 18, 2005 3:09 PM

I so agree! Purl is wonderful--and Downtown Yarn also-- ...ick to Yarn Co... I'll have to visit Ikea next time I get down to the city!

Posted by: Mary Ellen at August 18, 2005 7:35 PM

What a relief to learn that no one else likes Yarn Co either; I thought it was just me. There always seem to be lots of knitting mommies in there but the staff are so unhelpful even when they're trying to be helpful. (They actually turned me away once in the middle of a button emergency because I got there 5 minutes before closing time.) And Downtown Yarn and Purl are both great.

I am shy about the Point - knitting is something I do alone...

Can't wait to see your new HP project!

Posted by: Anne at August 18, 2005 7:57 PM

I have to say that although I've never actually been to Purl, I buy stuff from them online all the time. They are so nice and their yarns are wonderful. I love the color they painted the exterior of their store!

Posted by: karen at August 19, 2005 11:02 AM

I am still green for envy by your possibilities to visit such nice yarn stores. I made the cashcotton cardi myself and I love but although the yarn is shedding.

Posted by: Sibylle at August 19, 2005 5:37 PM

Hey stumbled on your blog when looking for patterns. Just read about the NYC yarn shop trip. Going there with my Hubby (who will be in conference for 2 days) and can not wait to scope out all the yarn shops. Not that I need any yarn, but you can never have too much. Already picked out the Ikea storage for my self.
Kelly - new to blog

Posted by: Kelly at August 19, 2005 6:05 PM

hello, i really enjoy your yarn-tour. you are lucky having lots of choices of yarn stores there.
great writing too :-)

Posted by: Tanti at August 23, 2005 12:08 AM