Saturday, October 20, 2007

My "not in Rhinebeck" day!

I was determined to have a fiber filled day to compensate myself for not being able to go to Rhinebeck. I had 4 hours and some spending money. ( I was suppose to go to Rhinebeck.....)
So I started this perfect fall day (minus the tree colors, but hey, can't have it all right?) at Knitty City, on West 79 street. I spent 45 minutes there chatting to the owner Pearl and squeezing yarn. I came out with Kaffe Fasset's Regia sock yarn in the stripes version, for some gloves. Yes, its true I just finished a pair of socks with this yarn. I love it so much I want it as gloves! I proceeded to Beard Papa, a cream puff place on Broadway and 76 street. Why? well, I was going to miss the lamb chili, so there! These are divine! (as well as equal to my calorie allocation for the rest of the day...). I found some pumpkins on the way. Just like in the country side (...) but less mud... Hopped on the subway (the number 1 train downtown) and came out on West Houston street right outside my old hangout- Sounds of Brazil (S.O.B). Ahhhhh! those were the days... I walked East on Houston street and turned right on Sullivan street, over to Purl fabric and Purl Soho. I wanted to get some fabric for recovering some chairs, but forgot to take measurements of the seats. They DO have some lovely fabrics! On to Purl Soho the yarn store. It was packed!! I spent a lovely time there chit chatting to fellow patrons and getting some color suggestions. So I missed the blogger meet-up at Rhinebeck, but I got to fiber-socialize right here in NYC! They have a magnificent selection of Koigu! I was looking for some to make socks using a snow flake pattern from the new IK holidays. (Its a great issue!) While I was at it, a few other skeins of Koigu requested permission to accompany me home, and being polite and on account of me not going to Rhinebeck (have I said it enough times now??) I obliged them. lovely, rich, fall colors. If we can't have Fall colors on the trees- we'll have it in yarn! Now its time to sit and sip some warm or cold beverages and munch on some grab, and check out the yarn. What better than Once Upon a Tart, just 2 doors down? (they do have sandwiches and savory tarts). You could also lunch at pepe rosso a bit north of them. tiny tiny place. great pasta. So now, refreshed and still eager for fiber, I headed to The Point, hoping to surprise my friend Barbara who sometimes works there. North on Sullivan, left on Bleecker. While there, you must sit for a spell at Cafe Figaro and people-watch while having a cappuccino. Its a village tradition! If that is not your thing, and you prefer a cozy tea house, walk one block north, on Mc Dugal to Third street, and head to Tea Spot. Lovely.
I did not do Tea Spot today, but rather continued on Bleecker, crossed 6 Ave, turned left on Carmine to find myself on Bedford Street, and at The Point. Barbara was not there, and the woman who wanted to help me was missing Barbara's sense of color and her enthusiasm. I bought some alpaca (a fiber fun day HAS to include alpaca) for the Boot Tops from the same IK Holiday issue, but did not sit at the cafe. There was no point (no pun intended...). I was very full (hahaha) and Barbara was not there. I headed back to the subway, but not before I sat a bit in the sun and admired my yarn while looking at the world go by at a near by newly restored urban park. It was a lovely day! You could say, 3 LYS in 3 hours, but I'd give it the extra hour or two to sit and enjoy a bite, or beverage or both, and just relax! Home again ready to "cake" the yarn. What to start first? Now that I finished the socks.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am not at Rhinebeck either. It is good to know that I am not the only one who consoled myself by going to yarn stores. I went to Downtown Yarn to get woolwash and came home with yarn. Sounds like you had a better day, I have to try that sometimes. Happy knitting.

Code Purl said...

Sorry you couldn't come. There's always next year!

Annelie said...

It looks like you had a perfect day anyhow, Rhinebeck or not. I do like to live in a small village but do I envy you or DO I ENVY you all the opportunities for yarn excursions? You are a very lucky girl! :-)

Hilde C. said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful day. And it's in the spirit of the title of your blog :-)

HPNY KNITS said...

yes! Hilde is right!
Autumn winds always drift me into yarn shops!

Nana Sadie said...

What a GREAT day!!! I'm not a Rhinebeck either, tho' I'd hoped to go, it's just a rotten time of year for me with my business..but - I enjoyed your travelogue of NYC yarn and food shops! I'll have to come back to see this (or better yet, plan on meeting up with you sometime for a tour?)
Oh...and I love the IK Holiday issue, too!
((((Hugs))))

Mary, Mary... said...

I don't even know where Rhinebeck is and I'd rather be swanning around the streets of NYC with you. S.O.B.s!!! I haven't thought of that place in years. We have a very tattered and well used copy of The Sugar Reef cookbook. Remember them?

Anonymous said...

I don't get to go either. Looks like you had a wonderful day anyways!

Kati said...

I'm sorry you weren't able to go to Rhinebeck. Maybe next year - but it sounds like you did have agreat day! I'll have to check out a few of those LYS the next time I'm in NYC. Plus - I'll definitely have to check out the Interweave holiday issue - it sounds interesting.

nicolina said...

what a day! you might have had a more productive day than me even though i went to rhinebeck. and yes, alpaca is the definition of a true yarn excursion.

miss.marni said...

i didn't get to go to rhinebeck either, and i also started my day at knitty city - i wonder if we crossed paths? the other two shops i hit were yarn co. and seaport yarns - no cappuchino stops for me, though :(
maybe we should start some sort of non-rhinebeck meetup on rhinebeck days?

Anonymous said...

it sounds to me like the perfect day. Next year I am planning to go to New York. I will print this out and make the same trip as you did. Can't wait.

gail said...

Ah, what a lovely day you had! New yarn, delicious treats, great weather. What could be better?? You make living in New York sound absolutely fabulous! I'd rather be you in NYC than at Rhinebeck.

Dorothy said...

I haven't gotten to go to Rhinebeck yet if that makes you feel any better. Sounds like you had a really nice day anyway and got some great yarns.

Liz said...

OOOO, I miss NYC! I have only gotten to go 3 times...it was nice having a friends dorm room to crash in. I miss Purl Soho and HABU...I love HABU!

This is Tesseract84 ;)