The Aliens Have Returned Me!

Where I Was Seen Last During The Summer…

 

(I only got up for a moment; The Silver Spinner, my Ashford Kiwi wheel, custom painted and tricked out to be portable, by the handsome Dave Paul of The Merlin Tree. All pics enlarge.)

Hey there everybody!!!

I want to thank all of you who expressed concern for me. And since I do care about your feelings, I'm not gonna lie––I was not a candidate for the visitors; I was right here on earth.

Honestly? I just didn't have the time to spend online, so I had to take a break. Fall/winter became very busy, between work at the magazine, and my work in knit product development. With the hours I had left, I directed my energies to living, because I am not under the self-help book inspired illusion that one can have or do it all––that's for the deities. And maybe the aliens.

I finished some intense design commitments, then acquired skill in a new medium––hand spinning––in order to refocus my eyes, and find new inspiration. I'm now feeling renewed and refreshed,  just in time for the return of spring! 

But, as the daffodils are moving up, some things have moved on. Here are two announcements, so you won't be unpleasantly surprised when you visit NYC.

Last Stitches

The start of this year has seen the closing of two yarn shops. The first, Yarn Connection (218 Madison Avenue at 36th Street), was a favorite haunt of mine for over 20 years. Arriving at the top of the stairs to Jane Young's jewel box of a shop on the second floor, you were often greeted by boxes of the latest yarns stacked in the hallway; my heart would immediately start to palpitate with cupidity. Her staff was the nicest, both patient and helpful to everyone, and they had the best sale bins for designer yarn in the city. Yes folks, this was where a frugal gal could look good. I admit I didn't go to the final sale. I would've started to cry, embarrassing everyone. For a last look at the shop, go to Heidi Cohen's  Knitted Yarns. Jane, I wish you  the best!

The second to cast off, was Stitches East (55 East 52nd Street, lobby 3). This elusive but spacious boutique, discretely called bitches east by disgruntled patrons, catered to well dressed, advanced knitters and needle pointers who lunched. Indeed, on the rare occasion I stopped in, I was actually treated decently––probably owing to wearing a not-too-vintage designer suit, and running off to meet friends for a sweet lunch at that venerated New York institution, Serendipity.  But, regardless of the mixed reviews, it's still a loss for midtown center––where will the swells stitch now? Perhaps Knitting 321 (321 East 75th Street), will pick up the ball. It's expensive, caters to knitches (from what I've heard), and you can lunch at Swifty's!

Yes y'all, the knitting magpie is back!!

Comments

[Wanda]

Glad to see you back and posting. I need to get back into the swing of things with blogging myself.

[Bronx Bohemian]

Oh Joy Oh Joy!
You Are Back!
So Happy to See You're Back OnLine!
My Needles are gathering Moss.
Looking forward to seeing you soon at the NYGB...

Bronx Bohemian

[Sojournknitter]

I'm glad to see your new posts! I enjoy the NYC flavor of your topics.

[hope]

It's so good to have you back. You were definitely missed. By the way, I love the shamrock.

[Tanya]

Glad to know that all is well and that the financial crisis didn't swallow you up.

Your wheel is saweeeet! :)

[Jen da purse Ho]

I'm so glad you're back!! :) man your wheel is so pretty :)

[naomi dagen bloom]

well, it's about time, sahara! what were we to do without your spin--figurative and now literal.

thanks for revealing yourself as still earthbound via my blog. lately i've become very intrigued with robotic life, so i may know a few of the aliens who attempted to take you to their leader.

welcome home.

[Veronica]

Glad you're back.

[Chris]

Welcome back!!!