Knitting 321

Profile

Former fashion designer Valeria Kardos opened Knitting 321 in 2003 on a quiet block in her Upper East Side neighborhood when her husband retired and asked her to stop traveling so much. The vivacious owner specializes in European and natural fibers, but also stocks standout synthetics—like multicolored or metallic threads. Her narrow shop has a table at the front, where she teaches private knitting and crochet lessons in the mornings before opening time, and a long wall lined with high-end yarns: yak from Italian line Karabella, Zara's extra-fine merino wool, cotton, cashmere, silk, and alpaca. Kardos writes step-by-step, sophisticated patterns for her clients, custom-designing Chanel-inspired jackets, evening wraps, circle sweaters, and tops with Prada-like puckers. She also creates patterns for scarves, hats, menswear, and children’s clothes (a sweater emblazoned with a mini–Rolls Royce, for instance). And she stocks other essentials such as needle holders, bags, buttons, and knitting magazines, books, and quick-reference guides. — Caroline Kinneberg