Apr 27 2008
In Transit
Three years in a row: our springtime excursion to New York is becoming somewhat of a tradition! We only stayed for two days this year - Kris was in conferences, and I was out and about taking in the beautiful spring weather and sights, and meeting up with some old and new friends.Thank goodness for alternate work schedules and post-doc appointments! Without these things, I would have missed meeting with two special people. On Thursday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Connie. We have corresponded for months, and I have admired her amazing parade of designs in several of the recent knitting publications… she designed the beautiful Printed Silk Cardigan that I knit for my sister, and her newest design was just previewed for the Interweave Knits Summer 2008 issue. We had a lovely Thai lunch, and headed to a local cafe where we knit, talked about yarn and her design process, and sipped on some coffee. In the mid-afternoon, Erin called us to meet up. We met her at Habu Textiles.
Habu’s selection was quite tempting, but I remembered the kit that I bought during last year’s trip, and resisted the urge to get more.
Erin had plans for a bag, so we headed over to Mood Fabrics, made famous by Project Runway. We didn’t have any celebrity sightings, but we enjoyed going through the store and looking at their HUGE selection. There were three large floors stacked floor to ceiling with fabric bolts of every imaginable fabric.
Connie and I were in awe - since neither of us regularly sew, we were overwhelmed by just how much variety there was! In the end, Erin chose a great corduroy. Stay tuned to her blog for plans and progress! After that stop, we headed over to School Products, one of my favorite NYC yarn shops. We got a little turned around, but luckily Connie’s husband (via cellphone) helped us find our way to the shop! I picked up a lovely cone… more details in the next post.
A few hours later, Kris called to say that his meetings were complete, and he walked down to West Village to meet us at The Point. We sat around the table, ate some delicious snacks from their cafe (Connie got the most beautiful cupcake - I wish I had a photo!), and I flipped through some of the new books on display. Erin played with our wide-angle lens (we have the same camera, so our lens fit on her camera) and the infamous baskets-of-yarn-wall. It was about this time that some strange wind blew through the city, and set me sneezing and sniffling. My allergies got worse throughout the evening, but how could I let them get me down while I was having fun?
Connie headed back home after our time at The Point. I was so happy to meet her and to learn more about her “real life” as well as her knitting and designs. She was such a great help to me while I was knitting the cardigan, and meeting her was a real joy! Thank you, C!
After a fun dinner at Cowgirl in the West Village (yummy margaritas and some good veggie options too!), we headed back to Times Square for some night photography. Of course, there were hundreds of other people there doing the same thing, but we still had a lot of fun.
The next morning, I went to Bryant Park to check out the new location of one of my other favorite NYC stops: Kinokuniya Japanese bookstore. Their needle craft (knitting, crochet, embroidery) book collection is larger than any other book store I have been to, and I decided to take my time and go through the books.
Sitting on the floor, I poured over dozens of patterns and stitch directories. Even without reading the language, it is relatively simple to understand the schematics and charts outlined in the books. I am hoping that when I cast on for one of these projects, it will be intuitive. If not, I can ask my Japanese friend to help me with some translations…
It was the perfect day for photography, so when Erin met me for lunch, we decided to head towards Central Park for a photo afternoon. On the way, we stopped by Gotta Knit! a great yarn shop on 34th Street, and talked to Goldie, the owner. I bought a beautiful skein of yarn… more details to come.
Central Park was filled with people, but Erin and I had plans for some improvisational photography, and we didn’t let the crowds stop us. With her handy camera remote and my wide-angle lens, we got some great action photos!
We did about 20 cartwheels before finally getting the middle shot with both of our legs in the Y position. The funny thing? there were several groups of people sitting within a few feet of us, but no one even looked twice when we did all the jumping and cartwheeling!
Kris and I were completely beat after the busy two days in the city. Once we got home (after a two-hour Amtrak delay) we broke off some aloe for the sunburn, and went right to bed. It was a short and sweet trip!
Love those jumping and cartwheel pictures!
You really timed your trip right - this past week in NYC has been the most beautiful of the year so far! Sounds like you had a fabulous trip.
great shots, looks like so much fun.. your pictutures are amazing…. what camera do you use?
I am in awe a your self control!
What a fun trip. Keep practicing those cartwheels!
You certainly know how to plan a fabulous, fun-filled adventure - and document it too! Will you be my NYC yarn guide?
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I love the photo session you had in the park. My friend Kelly and I have been know to bust of the camera for an impromptu session of photo fun: everything from my first trip to White Castle, fun with an abandoned shopping cart, “hey here’s a pile of picnic tables in the middle of the woods”, and “do you think we can stop the car, climb on the statue, and get take a picture before the cops show up?”. That last one involved four friends and for cameras and a rotating system so you didn’t have the same three people in your photo all the time. I think I need to invest in a timer and wide angle lens!
Wow what awesome photos of you two jumping and cartwheeling! Love it!
Those books look lovely, I would have been there for ages! I can’t do cartwheels so I am rather impressed with yours!
adore the photos, glad you enjoyed this crazy town and cant wait to see more
Gosh, I remember your last trip to NYC [and Habu!] - has it been 12 months already!?!
What a great trip! I love the action shots–it looks like you had a lot of fun.
There is a Kinokuniya bookstore about a 5 minute walk from my office, so I go there at lunch sometimes. It’s a great way to relax, and I always find something to take home with me:)
looks like you had a really fun trip! I especially love the cart wheel shots. How do you do cart wheels anyway? I just have this horrific mental image that if I do it, I’ll snap my neck or something
Sounds like a great trip!
It was *so* nice to meet you in person, Lolly. I had a great time!
Re: Central Park. Only in NYC will 2 people jumping about attract no attention.
Cartwheels———-
wow.
I
am
soooooooooooooooooooooo
impressed.
really
yarn, Kinokuniya, and cartwheels? Sounds like a great vacay. Last time I tried to do a cartwheel, I think I pulled a hammie.
we were nothing compared with those synchronized yogis down at the bottom of the hill! We were clearly just goofballs. It was so fun!
It looks like you had SUCH a great time! I love all of your photos.
I love the photos of the cartwheels. Looks like you had a blast.
Looks like we crossed paths - I was in Philly while you were in New York. Maybe next time! Habu is FABU! I’m so glad you went. The cartwheels exemplify the fun spirit of your getaway. A true spring fling.
I love Cowgirl! It’s one of my favorite happy hour spots. Those prickly pear margaritas are a weakness of mine. I can’t wait to see what you got at School Products, I’ve been putting off a visit there due to a slew of recent yarn purchases, but don’t think I’ll be able to resist much longer since it’s just around the corner from my office.
Great post! Looked like a fun trip!
Oooh, a camera remote is a great idea! I’ve always wanted to visit Habu, Mood, etc. Next time you go, check out MJ Trim–one of my favorite notions shops in the garment district.
I really want to go back to NY soon. I went about 5 years ago in January and MAN was it cold. (This coming from the So Cal girl.) I think theres a Kinokuniya in SF…I might have to go there when I am up there next month. Sadly, Randy is Japanese but doesn’t know any of the language. I guess I’ll have to find someone else to translate if I buy anything! And what cute cartwheel photos
what’d ya knit on the train, lolly? i always love amtrak and don’t even care too much about the delays a trip to NYC always seems to entail–all that free knitting time!
lord, i miss new york sometimes…
what a fun time! the cartwheel pics are great.
I’ll have to remember this post when I make my way up to NYC this summer. I love poking my head in new yarn shops.
How fun! Springtime and parks are made for cartwheels!
Beautiful weather, yarn and friends - what else do you need? Sounds like a really fun trip, despite the weather. Did you have a bagel for me like I asked? I really miss a good bagel…
I’ll be anxious to hear your plans for your new yarn. xoxox
it looks like it was a lot of fun! i’d never heard of gotta knit. i’ll have to check it out next time i’m in new york!
Looks like a fun weekend! I love quick little get aways like that - especially when there is so much yarn involved! We’re planning a trip to NYC this fall and I will definately refer back to this post before we go.
What fun!
One of the many reasons I’m so excited to move to the Seattle area: they have a Kinokuniya there! Hooray for Japanese craft books! Enjoy your lovely finds!
sorry i missed ya this year! you were lucky to have some really nice weather too!
i didn’t realize gotta knit had moved to 34th street. learn something new every day
mood is something, isn’t it? i’ve been there many times before, but for some reason, I thought it would be ok to go up there at 2:30pm the day before i left for christmas holiday to buy fabric for my wedding dress. crazy? yes! luckily they have some helpful staff and i didn’t crumble into a crying mess.
You know I love the jumpy shots!!!
Looks like you had a great weekend! I love N.Y. I need to get back there someday.
oh look at you go with the cartwheels! what fun…you can’t have too many knitting traditions…or too many cartwheels : 0
Those action shots are great!
Glad you had fun here in NYC!