Fun
The More We Get Together
Dear Kay,
It was the best of times, wasn’t it? I’m back from Knitting Live in New York and still feeling the good energy from that little village of makers plopped down in the middle of Times Square. Hats off to everybody who worked so hard to make it the warmest place on the coldest of weekends.
A highlight: getting to hang out with knitters and designers at our MDK meetup at Connolly’s, an Irish pub that really knows how to Irish up a pub. Glad to see everybody!
After the show ended, I get a text from Libby, asking if I wanted to go the secret yarn shop in Midtown that everybody’s talking about. As if I hadn’t had enough yarn. As if yarn were going to go stale. The only possible answer was “YES OF COURSE LESSSSSGOOOOO.”
Where is this underground wonderland? Head to 36 East 31st Street. You enter through the freight entrance between the rug shop and the Korean restaurant. Got it? Then head down the rabbit hole, past the innards of a big Manhattan building, down and down until you get to a doorway with a cardboard sign that says “Nabavian.”
The two gents repairing gorgeous old rugs in the very back really made me want to sit down and watch. Their main business is materials for repairing magic carpets. But they’re bringing knitting and crochet yarn into their offerings, and needlepoint kits, and all manner of treasure.
Finally…
Even with so much going on, last weekend we launched our new campaign to normalize the wearing of swatches.
Kay really waffled it up. Jen Geigley and Cecelia Campochiaro demonstrate the wearing of generously sized swatches. But we stand firm that you don’t really need to knit a whole thing, you just need to knit a square of the thing. And wear it.
Love,
Ann
Thank you for all your fantastic articles. That is so interesting about New York. I worked there for 10 years at Charles of the Ritz and love is involved in the as we called that the right business I studied at FIT in New York and design for clothing, but I love to nip knitting since I was swipe heart follow some instructions in pattern. Wish they would make it a little more simple since I am an intermediate Knit with garments good with accessories, although I’ve always been my own worst critic keep it up, ladies I wish you would do a podcast altogether somehow with Zoom I miss Good podcast that give information about knitting that makes you wanna knitted right away
Wonderful time at Connolly’s. Such a warm reception. Thanks for being the hostesses with the mostesses. Now I have yarn envy from that warehouse though!
I can’t believe how much procrastination and avoidance I use to muster whenever I looked at gauge at the beginning of a pattern!
Until, MDK, Jane and Bang Out lit a luminaria in this bleak winter ! I finally have all the colors of Jane! (I know..I know.. I should have just ordered the bundle).
When I’m feeling down…or overwhelmed… I know, It’s time for a swatch!!!! ( Last year, I would have raised my eyebrows, at the thought of swatching as therapy!)
Trying to decide what my swatch wardrobe will be for the NYF getaway!!!!
While you were describing the way to the secret yarn shop I kept hearing “Hernando’s Hideaway” in the background. I love New York. And it broke my heart that I couldn’t be there. The logistics, among other things, aren’t what they used to be. So glad everyone had a great time. Now I’m off to YouTube to find footage on Vogue Live. And to figure out how I could spend all winter in an Irish pub.
And so sorry I couldn’t hug everybody at Connally’s. You look like such a huggable bunch. And I unearthed my six skeins of Jane (they were near the top of the pile) in various corresponding colors and might need to add a few more to the collection. They do all go together! So far:).
So sorry to have missed you all. Must find that store.
Fun!
What is the color combo of Kay’s sweater?
And what pattern and yarns are in cecelia’s scarf? Love it.
Best thought in sooooo long!
Wear that swatch!
Even though I wasn’t able to meet you all at the pub (busy with my fellow knitting group antics), it was another fun VKL weekend. My classes with Cecelia Campochiaro and Melanie Falick and Erin Lee Gafill were so good. Its such a worthwhile event and was even better organized than ever.
This secret yarn shop sounds so intriguing.
Is it open year round
Can anyone shop yarns there
what type yarns are there as in:
big box cheap brands as in
red heart, lion brand, etc
or indie dyed yarns we all love
Mire Information Please !!!
Thank you
It really was THE BEST. Thanks for hosting such a fun gathering — it was lovely to see you!
How great is this! Wearing swatches! Underground yarn shops! I wish I had been there. Thanks!
NOW you tell me about a secret yarn shop. I went to MOMA on Monday… and I could have gone there? Saving this for next year for sure. The Irish Pub also sounded delightful. Now off to make a swatch necklace for VKL 2027! You all look positively radiant!
I wish VKL wasn’t in the dead of winter where the weather and transport can be iffy. I’m sure they choose it for monetary reasons but those of us who have commuted know the hell of weather on transit.
Maybe have a meet up next time Anne is in the City?
Ann and Kay,
Thank you for hosting the gathering at Connolly’s-I loved seeing and meeting you and everyone there! I am grateful to be an MDK “groupie.”
I love the swatch idea. Bravo for bringing this beautiful creative and valuable snippet to our wonderful space that’s SO DEPRESSING otherwise. Thank you all
Hi,
I live in NYC and had no idea about the hidden yarn place. Thank you.
Hi all, love Cecelia’s shawl would you please share the pattern name. Would love to make it. Thanks. P.s. you all look great!
I saw the picture and thought “Is that a..swatch necklace???” I am delighted I guessed right.
So sorry I couldn’t afford VKL this year. I have kids in CA and London (I’m in Vermont) and so travel is at a high premium.
You guys look like you had so much fun.