All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: The NYC Yarn Crawl
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Kiana Malexada, owner of West Village Knit and Needle
Special Call-in Guests: Community callers, Stephanie Lucas (Madison Square Park Conservancy)

Overview: Celebrating Community and Craft – The NYC Yarn Crawl

This lively episode dives into the annual New York City Yarn Crawl, a three-day event that transforms Manhattan and Brooklyn into a haven for fiber enthusiasts. Host Alison Stewart explores what makes the Yarn Crawl such a beloved cultural staple, with special guest Kiana Malexada, owner of West Village Knit and Needle, discussing community spirit, the art and business of yarn, inclusivity, environmental consciousness, and how both newbies and seasoned crafters can join the fun. The show also spotlights unique projects like the Tempestry climate art initiative and meaningful causes connected to fiber arts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Is the NYC Yarn Crawl?

• Structure and Spirit:
  Like a bar crawl—participants move from shop to shop, browsing yarns, taking part in raffles and scavenger hunts, connecting with other knitters and crocheters.
  • Quote: “It’s kind of like a bar crawl, but for yarn. ...Crawls go from yarn to yarn shop, checking out wool, participating in raffles and scavenger hunts, and most of all, hanging out with other fiber lovers.” – Alison Stewart (01:18)
• Community Focus:
  Each participating store customizes their offerings.
  • “Every store kind of does a little something different. ...It’s a super event just to get the community together and fun to participate in hype for the new sweater season.” – Kiana Malexada (02:58)

Highlights from West Village Knit and Needle

• Store Activities:
  • Storewide yarn sale
  • Scavenger hunt with a hidden figurine: Travelers take photos to enter for prizes
  • Two independent raffle bags, separate from the official crawl
  • Complimentary prosecco Friday and Saturday evenings (03:24)
  • “We love a little show and tell. ...That's the best part is seeing what everyone has knit.” (04:59)

The Joy of Projects and Designers

• Community Show & Tell:
  Crafters bring in completed and ongoing projects, often featuring renowned designers.
  • Stephen West shawls are frequently mentioned and easily recognized for their bold colorwork (05:15)
• Accessibility for All Levels:
  Beginners receive guidance, patterns, and supplies for their first scarf; experienced knitters find sales on higher-end fibers.
  • “It’s good for all. There’s really no, you can’t go wrong.” – Kiana Malexada (08:41)

How to Yarn Crawl (Tips & Tactics)

• For Shoppers:
  • Plan your crawl around stores carrying favorite yarns or special events.
  • Second subway car tip: “The Discord... recommends crawlers take the second car of whatever subway they are on so they can identify each other more easily.” – Alison Stewart (06:53)
• For Shop Owners:
  • Prepare with extra staff, energy, and lots of coffee (07:40)

Yarn Knowledge: Affordability, Materials, Allergies

• Expensive Yarns:
  Silk, cashmere, and alpaca blends tend to be priciest (09:59)
• Best Yarn for Beginners:
  100% merino wool for its bounce and forgiving nature (10:19)
• Allergy Alternatives:
  Alpaca and new-generation soft cottons are great substitutes for those allergic to wool (10:40)

Knitting for Good: Animal Rescue Blankets

• Listeners call in to share inventive ways to use leftovers, notably making washable blankets for animal rescues; the pets keep these comfort items when adopted (18:27)
  • “They just, they love it. The animals love it...They're very grateful and so are the animals.” – Judy, caller (18:31)

The Loose Ends Project

• Finishing Unfinished Projects in Memory
  – Volunteers complete the unfinished work of people who have passed, connecting craftspeople across generations (20:45)

Yarn Events and Online Community

• Highlights other city events: Knitty City, Bryant Park knitting gatherings.
• Cautions about online instruction:
  • “You kind of don’t know what you’re getting at the end of the day...” (22:35)
  • Recommendation: Get basics in person at your local yarn shop and then supplement online (22:35)

Environmental Responsibility in the Fiber Arts

• West Village Knit and Needle carries only biodegradable, natural fibers; avoids acrylic, nylon, and other synthetics.
• Ensures non-mulesed wool and ethical sourcing.
  • “...Nothing that's non biodegradable in our store. ...We try to make sure with all our vendors that are the people, the animal, the earth and the water is treated correctly.” – Kiana Malexada (23:41)

Special Event: Madison Square Park’s Tempestry Collection (Climate Data Art)

[15:33]
Guest: Stephanie Lucas, Madison Square Park Conservancy

• NYC’s first Tempestry collection visualizes climate data through collaborative knitting
• Each “Tempestry” panel represents a different decade in park history, showing temperature change
• Volunteer recruitment ongoing through October 15; public display planned for April 2026
  • “We’re hosting a volunteer recruitment event to get people excited and involved in this project today at 2pm...” – Stephanie Lucas (15:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Yarn Crawl’s Uniqueness:
  • “The reason that it’s special is ‘cause it’s New York City, right? ...There’s not very many cities you can do that much in that little.” – Kiana Malexada (04:23)
• On Community Spirit:
  • “The passion alone with knitters makes it special.” – Kiana Malexada (04:55)
• On Yarn Shopping Mayhem:
  • “Make sure you have lots of coffee and energy...full of laughter...it’s a thing that’s bringing passion together.” – Kiana Malexada (07:40)
• On Inclusivity:
  • “It’s good for all. There’s really no, you can’t go wrong.” – Kiana Malexada (08:41)
• On Yarn Crawl Etiquette:
  • “Please be kind and patient with the employees working the crawl...we want you to have the best experience, but that includes everyone at the store.” – Listener text (11:07)
• On Fiber Art’s Generosity:
  • “Anybody can go to the nearest animal rescue place and I’m sure they’ll be thrilled for [blankets]. ...They’re very grateful and so are the animals.” – Judy, caller (19:13)

Additional Segments & Timestamps

• [02:58] – What happens at a yarn crawl
• [03:24] – Details about West Village Knit and Needle’s activities
• [05:15] – Memorable projects and renowned designers
• [06:44] – How many stores are involved and crawl strategies
• [09:18] – On preparing for Stephen West’s Mystery Knit Along (caller Molly)
• [12:39] – Inclusion of needlepoint in the crawl
• [13:19] – Discussion on tariffs and their impact on local businesses
• [14:00] – Kiana announces opening Notting Hill Knit and Needle in London
• [15:33] – Madison Square Park Tempestry Project (Stephanie Lucas)
• [17:07] – Recommendations for first-time knitters
• [18:27] – Knitting projects for charity (caller Judy)
• [20:05] – The Loose Ends Project
• [21:56] – Other yarn-friendly events in NYC
• [22:14] – Navigating YouTube and TikTok tutorials safely
• [23:41] – Environmental responsibility in yarn choices
• [24:11] – Final advice: “Just have fun...touch everything, feel everything, ask questions, try to go to all the stores.”

Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances the warm, enthusiastic camaraderie of NYC’s crafting network with practical advice and cultural context. Listeners will come away with a sense of the Yarn Crawl as both a playful celebration and a support structure for local business, creativity, and meaningful giving.

Final Words:
“Just have fun. That’s the best part of it...Touch everything, feel everything, ask questions, try to go to all the stores. That’s it.” – Kiana Malexada (24:11)

For information about the event:
Visit yarncrnyc.com or check out participating shops’ Instagram pages.
West Village Knit and Needle: Instagram (store details, classes, events)