The first step is to admit that I was wrong...

(Me in Chinatown with my felted bag...on a mission) 

Do you ever have an opinion where you simply feel like you are right and that is that?  I am suborn that way and also a yarn snob.  I admit it.  Been that way most of my life...just ask my sister, Jean.  Well, I am wrong about something....

This past weekend I went to NYC with Corry.  We stayed with a good friend, Tim, right in the middle of Times Square.  I use to live in the city and miss it terribly sometimes.  Every once in awhile I have to go back...get my fix...and come back to Chicago and then I am ok.  NYC represents so much in my life but it really where I became an adult.  I am comfortable there and love the energy.  It is the only place that when you hear "Don't hate me, don't hate me but your shoes look like shit!" from a shoe shine man...well...you appreciate the hustle...and the laugh (it was directed to Corry by the way).

Ok, we are off track here...when I asked Corry what she wanted to do, her response was "food and shopping."  That was easy.  There was one place Tim told us we had to go...I didn't believe him...but he said "Lion Brand."  Oh, hell no.  Not going to go to the acrylic mecca.  Won't.  Don't touch the stuff let alone enter into THAT shop.  I would break out in hives...I convinced myself.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  Walking down the street towards the store, noticed that the door handle had a little knitted cozy...the bike rack too. The window was an amazing winter scene with crocheted icicles.   You walked in and immediately saw a wall with their yarn where you could touch and feel.  There was cashmere...there was 100% wool...and pretty.  The whole place was so customer friendly even with a class at the table in the middle.  I listened to the teacher....I could vision in my head what he was telling them without looking...it was a "make one" and made it sound so simple.   I was wrong and judgmental.  Lion Brand was simply amazing. (The Tour of the Store).

We also visited some other great shops...PurlSoho and School Products.  If you get a chance, School Products was another find.  They are in an unmarked building on Broadway on the 3rd floor.  Cashmere, hand dyed silk, stuff on cones...lots of samples and soooo inexpensive. 

I did go off of the "Cold Sheep" just a tad over the weekend but bought yarn that I couldn't purchase in Chicago...oh, and had a $100 gift card to Purl Soho (Christmas gift from Tim & Jeff).  NOW, I am back cold sheeping for the rest of 2010....

(Thanks Corry for the picture!  Forgot my camera in Chicago...ugg.)

Comments

[Angela]

Have you ever been to Seaport Yarns? That's crazytown...It, too, is in an office-y type building that makes School Products look like it is advertised with a neon sign in comparison. It's in a warren of little office rooms, and yarn is shoved into every crevice. Cash or check only, at least a few years ago. When I told her I needed to go get more cash, she let me leave the store with $300 of yarn and the promise to send her a check, which I did, of course. Who does that in NYC? I used to live in midtown (Hell's Kitchen), and I miss it, too. I go back for my fix every now and again, too.

[Karen B.]

On a mission, eh? Sounds as though you did well. I would love to visit the Lion Brand store as I've only seen pictures. Purl Soho is worth a visit too although I've only had the pleasure online.

So what was the yarn you couldn't get here? Inquiring minds...