My Own "Third Place," a NYC Yarn Store, #1

VALENTINE'S DAY is almost upon us. Consider a different kind of gift.

At Knitty City, Manhattan's least-advertised, yet very popular yarn store, a curious recycled object adorns a mannequin in the window.

Once inside, a visitor sees "Knit a Condom Amulet," a new exhibit of my three-year old project at my LYS (local yarn store).  Imagine, a knitting store that promotes Safe Sex for V-Day. [click blue condom at left-- Free patterns for 7 amulets.]

Not your usual knit store,   "community center with beautiful wares" is more accurate.

My "third place" is how I see it.  Usually that means the space between the first space, home and the second, work.  From the 1920s to 60s, married women who did not work outside their homes often found community in local knit stores.   "Beauty shops" also functioned as important gathering places for talk among women; some still do.

Libraries?  They fit the idea of being "free and open to the public," the strictest definition of third places but discourage verbal exchange.  In some boroughs of New York, libraries have community rooms for organized groups to meet.  It is not a concept valued at higher administrative level and depends on a yarn-crazed librarian in a local branch.

Starbucks?  Promoted themselves as a third place in the beginning.  It was in a nearby one that the original UWS (upper west side) knit circle began in 2002--and continues in another Starbucks at 87th and Columbus.  The difference is that Knitty City is open six days a week and is entirety about craft.

At the front of the shop I've photographed two women (left) who are designers.  Listening to them opens my world to the working world of freelance design.    Phyllis barely notices Lennie,  the dog, on her lap.  Once you sit in that big, comfortable  chair, you get a lap dog; not a problem for this customer's son checking his cell.          

Periodically other dogs are walked in, but Lennie is a regular.  He belongs to Gail, seen here labeling new yarn stock, one of several staff who answer ANY how-to yarn question-- within reason.  We worked together in 2006 to put up my last show here, This Dirt Museum Redux, to raise awareness about kitchen composting through knit red wiggler worms.

Between knitting instruction with customers, Maxine Levinson (in gray sweater) provided ongoing advise and consent to the Safe Sex exhibit. She created several inspired names for amulets and edited the wall text.  Her own Condom Amulet added a new style in her highly functional, "Beltway," which is color-coordinated with New York City's famous 2007 condom design.

As we were finishing, Bert Rachel Freed, who teaches weave and bead crochet classes, came by with "A Night on the Town," a sparkly and elegant addition.

Would you add one?  We're glad to put it up on the wall with its title and your name. 

      

Comments

[Kay]

Proud to be on the wall!

xo Kay

[Rhea]

I am big believer in Third Places. I read Oldenberg's book and it was so influential. I am glad to see what a cool hangout you have. I'm not a coffee drinker, but Starbucks does seem to encourage 'loitering', so that's nice. My Third Place is a bookshop in my neighborhood.

[M.E.]

You have a rich life! Never heard of that notion or that expression per se before, but it makes great sense. It's like German expression, "kinder, kuche, kirche"--kids, cooking, and church. Except now, it's more like "home, work, and church/gym/fill-in-the-blank."

[Maxine]

Working with Naomi and The Condom Amulet Project is just one example of why I so enjoy my job at Knitty City ...it is fabulous to meet people like Naomi who inspire us with her energy, passion, humor and ideas.