It’s Mother’s Day – I’ll be fixing all her favorite things for mine
But there are always other women who influence our lives, so I thought I tell you about one who just might be responsible for my addiction to string
Crochet is probably the very first fiber art I learned as a child. With two working parents it was a wonderful gift from a neighbor that “got me started” So here is a thank you to the late Shirley Eustis for taking the time to share a craft she loved with the little girl next door. I think she enjoyed teaching me, since she had only boys and in the early 50’s fiber art was not done often by boys. Still, the “cookie lady” had plenty of fans among all the boys & girls in the neighborhood (and many of on into adulthood coveted her baking talents.) When the Eustis family moved to West Nyack, although our families still visited often, so cookie cravings could be assuaged, there was a definite void in my world of string.
Until, what really got me “hooked” on yarn like string, was the generosities of a “Real” yarn shop owner Mrs Phyllis Goldman Even the NY Times thought it newsworthy when Goldman Yarns closed in 2006
This time last year I had the great pleasure to speak with the then about to retire owners of Goldman’s Yarn. They were retiring after SEVENTY YEARS “in the business”
These shop owners NEVER made that child feel that her choices in techniques were inferior.
Mrs Goldman also never made me feel bad when I chose “practical” yarns.
What she did was to instill in me a respect for the craft and a belief that I should always use the best materials I could afford and do the work to the highest standard I was capable of.
She knew, that in order to spend time (cause the Lord knows I did not have very much money) in her store I was giving up another special treat. Twice a month, if there was a show we could agree on, my brother and I were allowed to take the bus to the theater and see a movie – about a block from her store.
My brothers ‘covered’ for me. They went to the movies after escorting me to the store, and came back for me after the show. We never lied, but eventually we did get “caught”. Once we could sit down again, and after my Dad visited the shop, I had permission to continue.
Mrs Goldman took the time on more than one occasion to show me more advanced stitches, the basics of Knitting, how to read BOTH Knit & Crochet symbol based patterns –
If you are finding my reference charts useful, you can thank Mrs G – she also was quite the believer in swatching
Mrs G is the person most responsible for my determination to be an excellent craftsman in whatever needlearts I choose to pursue – she made it important to know the tools and techniques – to practice them until I got it right -without making it a chore – She taught the joy of accomplishment.
Did I mention my love of Needlepoint started in Goldman’s? (I still have that piece, a bargello done in shades of blues – I remember she was not completely happy with me substituting something for white but she could see it was what I wanted – to this day you will rarely find white in my concoctions other than whip cream.
I could recite a long list of small kindnesses this lady and her staff provided but you get the idea – like helping me find the exact yarn in the sale bin – looking back I even wonder if it really belonged there or was just another example of how a wonderful lady made me her customer for life or at least a hefty portion of the life of her business. I don’t think I have ever purchased a Needlepoint Canvas from anyone else
After 9/11 everyone talked about how they did not know there were nice and caring New Yorkers. But for those of us who lived there, we know that Real NEW YORK Attitude can be found every day in the Millions like Mrs G.
Somehow TNNA will be the poorer without a chance to greet this wonderful couple.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who influence our lives
Wheat
Hi Wheat,
I read your thank-you letter to Mrs. Goldman with the greatest of interest, since I too have a history with Goldman’s. I used to live in the Bronx, and back when I learned to crochet as a college freshman at the urging of a friend, it was Goldman’s where I bought the yarn and got the free pattern for my first project, a V-stitch “hippie” vest I was so sad when I learned the store in Westchester had closed due to the Goldmans having retired. It was the end of an era; those were the days of the REAL “LYS”!
Hinda
Hello,
I love your Website, and will bookmark for me to refer back too. Thank you for all your hard work.
dot in Calif.
Hi Wheat,
Where was Goldmans located, I’m a New Yorker, who live in Florida now, and the name sounds very familiar to me?
Thanks,
Darlene
Goldman’s started in the Bronx, moved to Yonkers “just over the city line” and eventually to the Scarsdale section of Central Ave.
HTH
Wheat
Today I wore a dress that I made 35 years ago, of VELNA, from your store on the Grand Concourse. I wore it to one of my grand daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. I do not recall how to launder VELNA. Can someone tell me how care for the dress. I remember Murray and Alan. Hope all is well. I have sweaters that I knit for me and my husband, 50 years ago, and, as G-d is my witness, they look brand new…….. no pilling.
I wish things wouldn’t change.
Received From Bruce Goldman via email:
I am the oldest son of Alan and Phyllis Goldman, the former owners of Goldman’s Yarns.
Yesterday, while “googling” my father, I came across the wonderful blog that you posted about my mother back in 2007. It was very touching and I called by mom last night and read it to her. It made her day.
My father passed away in 2010, but my mother is well. I thank you for the wonderful words. Regards, Bruce Goldman
Dear Bruce,
I am so glad you shared this with your Mom and thank you for letting me know she is well –
She is also responsible for my tag line. It was her advice on choosing yarn, “you have to pick materials that will let you
Enjoy The Making
Wheat
I shopped at, Goldman’s Yarns from the age of seventeen until my early sixties. I came from the Bronx and I was in high school at the time when I first ventured to the store. I was young and bored one day, so my mother said, “Why don’t you go to Goldman’s and find something creative to do.” Well that was a fantastic event, which would last all of the years they remained open. Alan would always get my tapestries for me from, “France” with no problem. He was the best and always knew how to keep his customers happy.
thank you for sharing your memories – isn’t it amazing how many people the Goldmans touched.
My grandmother, Rose Rosenblatt, worked at Goldman’s Yarns in the Bronx for over 30 years. She was a single mom with 5 kids. She was a knitting instructor and gave lessons to whoever needed them. I remember my mom would take me their to visit and Mr. Goldman was great with her. I’ve been trying to locate a picture of the Fordham Road store but haven’t been able to. I do have a photo of an elderly gentleman sitting on a park bench with a Goldman’s shopping bag by his side. Do you know where I might find a picture? It would mean a lot.
Thanks for your memories.
Thank you for sharing your memory – unfortunately I do not have any photos, but in the past Goldman family members have read comments and have been very kind to let me know how much they enjoyed reading good thoughts of their parents/grandparents.
I worked at Goldman Yarns in the Bronx as did my sister, Joan , when we were in
high school. My mother had shown us how to knit, crochet and embroider so they
hired us even though we were quite young.
I have such fond memories of all the people who worked there with us. I kept in
touch with some of the ladies for many years. I loved them all.