Heedless of Headless Horsmen...
New England in late October—fall foliage doesn’t get much prettier than my home state this time of year. I grew up in Connecticut, but don’t get back nearly enough despite my New York publishing connections. This year, I vowed to correct that, and tacked a visit to the Hudson River Valley on to my work and family visits back east. In a case of Providential timing, I found myself in Tarrytown and Hollow NY on Halloween—a thematically perfect DestiKNITions episode.
My experience was especially meaningful because I had just finished Lisa Van Allen’s lovely knitting-themed novel The Wishing Thread. Lisa was a DestiKNITions Authors Who Knit feature, and has written a lyrical, engaging novel about a fictional Tarrytown Yarn shop.
Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow share a zip code and a school district, so the communities are joined in many ways. In this instance, Tarrytown was still crowded, but not quite as jam-packed as the Headless Horseman-crazed Sleepy Hollow on October 31. I had hoped to slip into some of the more famous spots such as the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the Old Dutch Church, but the press of tourists wouldn’t even let me get close. Still, what’s more fun than saying you were in the epicenter of Washington Irving’s famous tale on Halloween? Even if I didn’t get to do much, it was still fun to claim the experience.
Like all DestiKNITions, this one must start with Coffee:
Coffee Labs Roasters
7 Main St
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-332-1479
The small, welcoming shop is filled with awards—proof that owners Mike and Alicia Love take coffee very seriously. Ethics, sustainability, environmental integrity, and some world-class latte art show you the passion and skill level here. I know just enough from researching my book The Perfect Blend to know that is one top-shelf espresso machine behind the counter! It even has a knitting connection, as one of the baristas is the child of yarn shop owner Elise Goldschlag (more on this lovely lady later!). Not into java? Elise recommends the Good Day Sunshine smoothie.
Coffee in hand, walk on down Main Street to the
Tarrytown Music Hall Theater
13 Main St
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-631-3390
It was all decked out for—what else?—a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show when I poked my head in the doors, but this vintage venue showcases regional and national talent. At just over 800 seats, it’s a charming, intimate venue with a whole lot of history in the rafters. And hey, it was built by chocolate manufacturer William Wallace, so I have to like it on cocoa credentials alone! Stop in at the box office and see if tonight’s performance is one you might want to attend.
Just doors away, you’ll find today’s fiber fix:
Flying Fingers Yarn Shop
15 Main Street
Tarrtown, NY
914-631-4113
Wide, high 125-year-old windows on a corner shop give this place all the character I want in a yarn shop. The store has a quirky, friendly feel with just the right amount of “packed in” atmosphere to set you wandering the stock for a special find. Owner Elise Goldschlag and I hit it off instantly, and not just because we share names (my given name is Alyse). This gregarious mom of seven “grew up in a house with yarn” and started designing and selling pieces in New York City. Growing up in a retail family, Elise opened the shop 13 years ago and it’s been an industry staple ever since.
Part of that visibility comes from “The Bus.” I knew about The Bus even before I knew about the shop. If you’ve seen it, you remember. Of course, I had to ask her how the distinctive vehicle came to be. “To bring the customers from the city out to the shop, I thought to myself, ‘I’ll just go get them.’” Elise asked her kids to imagine what a yarn bus would look like, and then took the ideas to the team responsible for building the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile. Go big—I like her style. You can book a ride from NYC every day the shop is open—and really, who wouldn’t want to take her up on a ride like that?
Thematic transportation is just the beginning of the Flying Fingers experience. Elise stocks the store with a wide variety of primarily natural fibers, focusing on good quality smaller companies and indie vendors. That keeps customers from all over the Westchester area coming back. “We’ll help you once if the yarn doesn’t come from us, but yarn from here comes with free help forever.” Even if that blanket you started for your son is now getting finished for a grandchild, Elise and her staff will see you through. That’s customer service.
A huge class selection—9 or 10 each week—keeps customers connected and widening their skill sets. You can slot yourself into a convenient time and get help with any project or skill you want to tackle next. “Our Saturday morning class has a year-long waiting list,” boasts Elise, who loves to see such a strong community grow from her store. “Some groups have been together for years.”
So what project would you want to tackle from here? Take a look at these:
Serena Summer Wrap
This store exclusive pattern uses Serena Alpaca Cotton Blend to create a cowl-like wrap perfect suited to warding off summer breezes or frigid air conditioning. Choose a light airy hue for summer or go darker to get more of a year-round accessory.
Simplicity Baby Blanket
I like baby accessories with a bold flair, and this one fits the bill. Combine 6 colors—one skein each—of Hikoo Simplicity in this store exclusive pattern. Or just combine two or three if you want to wrap a little one in team or school colors. Easy garter stitching, but with a clever mitered edge to lend some pizzaz.
Vignette Cardigan
This Knitty pattern is just the place to showcase your new shawl pin! Nine skeins of Classic Elite Liberty Wool work up into a sturdy-yet-feminine sweater with openwork running down the collar and sleeves.
Elise couldn’t decide on a Knit A Long, so she gave me two (I told you we got along famously!):
Tofu Baby Sweater Kit
South West Trading Company’s Phoenix 100% Soy Silk lends this baby sweater it’s Tofu name. Bright colors and a super-soft yarn make this simple striped cardigan perfect for the baby in your life. The Flying Fingers kit includes Four skeins of yarn and adorable matching buttons.
Pine Tree Cowl
One skein of Baa Ram Ewe’s Titus wool works up on big #10.5 needles into this soft, fluffy cowl. Tina Fanelli creates a fast-knitting, eye-catching loop perfect for the changing seasons. Utilizing a rippling rhythm of easy stitches—knit, yarn-over, and knit-two-together—this is a perfect introduction for a newer knitter ready to explore lacy textures.
It’s likely you’ve worked up an appetite scoring those great yarn finds, so head to:
Mint Premium Foods
19 Main St
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-703-6511
Part gourmet food store, part restaurant, Mint is the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon’s lunch or scrumptious dinner. The hot chocolate is legendary, but I opted for the dramatically-high-poured Moroccan Tea. As I stopped in at lunchtime, I missed their highly-recommended rotisserie chicken (my loss, Elise tells me), but had a very good omelette. This is one of those places that manages an elegant air while still welcoming diners of all ages—always the sign of a great establishment in my book.
Spend the afternoon wandering down Main Street, taking in the many shops—and in my case the wide array of costumed celebrants. There is lots to choose from, but I was particularly drawn to:
ShayLula Jewelry & Gifts
23 Main Street
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-631-0030
I liked the luxurious soaps here as well as the artful jewelry and some very posh accessories.
A NU Toy Store
New and Used Toys
16 Main Street
Tarrytown NY
914-372-7144
Legos by the pound—bought and sold? Great idea! New toys as well as vintage items for a variety of ages, including a nice selection of books. Super prices, too. Check out the enormous ferris wheel in the window—it was built by a 12-year old!
Ready for a sweet snack? My sources sent me to:
Main Street Sweets
35 Main Street
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-332-5757
Their “buy 9 get the 10th free” shows how they love repeat customers. Of course, I opted for the delicious Main Street Special flavor, but also heard others raving about the coffee flavor. At one point they offered a sampler cup (5 different flavors!)—if they still do, go for it. Everything I saw—even the bright blue stuff—looked yummy.
When you're ready for dinner, head over to:
Sweetgrass Grill
24 Main St
Tarrytown, NY 10591
914-631-0000
Locally sourced, seasonal menus bring inventive dishes to the table at this cozy, crowded spot. Good martinis are a plus, too. Vegan options and grass-fed beef ensure even the pickiest eaters get fine dining. Wait time can be tricky, so come early if you can.
There you have it--a lovely day in a spot famous for creepy ghosts. Not a single reason to fear, DestiKNITters, but every reason to get knitting!
And that's just what we'll do. Next episode, we cast on the Pine Tree Cowl.
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