Newsletter

May 2015

Long winters take a toll on us both physically and mentally. How can we forget Jack Nicholson in Stephen King's The Shining!!!! Now I know we are not going to that extreme but I am sure after this years winter season, a few of us will admit to unkind thoughts and frayed nerves thinking about spending another hour, day or week cooped up with "the family". But there is something to be said about being left to our thoughts while examining our surroundings. This year marks the tenth year in our home and it seems that in our past 30 plus years of marriage and three homes later, life always seems to evolve somewhere around that tenth or eleventh year. We will soon become a two person household as our children leave us to mark new milestones in their own lives. A decision of whether or not to stay in our rather oversized domain for just two, remains a question that will be have to be debated. So where does any wandering mind take us to, staring at the walls that kept us safe from frigid biting winds and mind boggling snow amounts these past few months? Well, first it was some place warm and tropical. Then fear, plus reality, set in and it was time to assess the present surroundings. I will sum it up in just one word. STUFF!!!! Too much of it to be exact. Holy crap, was I actually thinking about having to move all of this.

We are creature of habits. We nest, we collect and the mind places physical attachment onto things that maybe we should have said good-bye to many moons ago. Enter a friend, who's overwhelming enthusiasm, a book she urged us all to read called Marie Kondo's

the life changing magic of tidying up...the japanese art of decluttering and organizing,

and a challenge. The Big Purge was on.

Three weeks later, aching muscles, two pick-ups from Big Brother Big Sister and hubby agreeing that maybe we do need a dumpster, we, no I, Mr. ITL is a wee bit hesitant to relinquish his attachment to his STUFF, I am amazed at how cathartic the whole process has become. Several of us at the shop have caught the bug and this past weekend, as we were tabling our thoughts about the BIG PURGE, it came to me when I was asked what this process of elimination in my life had done. I smiled and said proudly, "I enjoy coming home again."

Not all of you will be faced with the decisions that have to be made with a changing household but how about your own challenge? The realization in every knitters existence is that their fiber stash will outlive them. Our challenge? Tackle the STASH and the UFO's Purge. Now is the time to ask yourself is it worth taking up space....is there something else I would rather be holding onto? How long has it been there....fun fur, really??!!!! If the project has been discarded into a long lost knitting bag for more than a year, it most likely will never get knit. Do what will make you happy. Not only will you look at your knitting and your future buying habits in a different light but there is something about the empowerment of saying good-bye. Need a little help? Check out Webs Blog Post from January 13, 2013: 31 Days to Get Organized.

What are you going to do with all that fiber that it's time to say good-bye to? Donate, donate, donate, or....join us in June for a Give A Fiber A Forever Home party. (Details coming soon)

JOIN US ON SATURDAY MAY 16TH FROM 10-2 AS WE WELCOME KAREN FROM

SEVEN SISTERS ARTS FOR OUR SECOND I-PUG

aka INDIE POP-UP GALLERY

Karen has been dyeing yarn for 30 years in New England which is why her yarns quality and workmanship reflect the "attention paid to each skein throughout the process of dyeing, washing, winding and labeling providing quality yarn for your creative adventures."

We have asked Karen to bring a sampling of her fingering and sock weight yarns along with her gradient packages.

ARE YOU IN THE LOOP?

Memorial Day Weekend begins our Summer Hours schedule. We will be open Saturday, May 23rd (Memorial Day Weekend) from 10-2 and will observe a summer schedule, through to Labor Day. Our shop hours will be:

MONDAY CLOSED

TUESDAY through THURSDAY 10-5

FRIDAY and SATURDAY 10-2

SUNDAY CLOSED

The shop will also be closed from June 29th to July 6 for vacation.

Summer Class Schedule will run July 7th to August 21st. In order to reserve your spot, you must register and pay for the Summer Sessions no later than June 19th. We are offering a six week session for $100.00, with the seventh week free. Due to a limited class schedule, we are unable to have you attend any class other than the one you are registered for.

TUESDAY 10-12 and 6:30 - 8:30

WEDNESDAY 6:30 - 8:30

THURSDAY 10-12 and 6:30 - 8:30

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Bamsen Bear Workshop

Reminder if you have signed up for our Bamsen Bear Workshop with Heather it is schedule for Monday, May 11th and May 18th, 6:30 to 8:00. Please make sure you have all your materials ready to cast on.

Shawls on the S's for Spring

Our Shawl KAL's continue in May with a choice of any of Casapinka's beautiful designs currently on display at the shop. Please contact the shop to register.

Date: Saturday, May 9th from 1:30 to 3:30

Bracket Form by Meghan Jackson

Date: Sunday May 31st from 10:00 to Noon

Materials: (2) cones of Ito Kinu held double or (3) Quince & Co Sparrow, for a spring feel or 400 to 450 yards of any fingering of your choice.

#4 32 or 40" circular

Please contact the shop to register.

We will offer 15% off your yarn purchase for the KAL's (Quince yarns not included) when purchased PRIOR to the KAL date.

To participate in our KAL's all that is required is:

-You must register in advance for the KAL

-Patterns must be purchased on Ravelry prior to KAL

-Yarns are purchased at In The Loop and wound prior to KAL date. We will not be winding yarn during KAL

-Attendees arrive on time for KAL with all necessary materials

Please remember that KAL's are non-instructional and everyone is there to enjoy the company of their fellow knitters.

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KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY

Come celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Knit in Public Day with us.
Date: Sunday June 14th
Time and location to be determined shortly. We will send out an email when all details are finalized.

IS IT SAFE TO PUT THE WARM WOOLENS TO BED?

What's on our needles.

Cable Slipover from Cassia Children's Collection. We have officially named this adorable cabled vest Prince George and you'll love knitting with this washable DK, new from Louisa Harding.

The Everyday Wrap by Cocoknits in (1) skein Lienen Los

Check out our notes here on Ravelry. Can't wait for the weather to warm up to wear this.

Skylar Hat by Brenda K. B. Anderson from Knitscene Spring 2015

in (2) skeins of Elsbeth Lavold's Hempathy.

Autumn Leaves by Nikki Van De Car knit in (1) hank of Nice & Knit DK.

There are several modifications and versions of this adorable top down baby cardigan. Here are some of our mods.

Our next version of this will be miii's tunic re-write for the "Grandma's Box" and hope we have a future little girl to wear this.

Moss Stitch Hat

from the 10 Simple Projects for Cosy Babies by Sara Hatton

knit in Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

From the same book, The Oragami Booties, knit is Louisa Hardings Cassia. Quick, quick like potato chips, you can't make just one!

HEATHER'S HELPFUL HINTS

When purchasing several hanks for your projects, be careful winding your yarn too many months in advance of using it as the winding process can stretch yarn.

STAY CONNECTED

SAVE

20%

Are you celebrating a birthday in the month of May?

Clip this coupon and bring it in for a (one time only) 20% savings on anything in the shop during the month of May,excluding Quince & Company, already discounted or custom items, workshops,
classes or special events.

**We are very happy to celebrate your birthday with you by offering you these savings but we ask that this coupon be presented at time of check out during your birthday month only. Thank you for understanding. *Coupon may be redeemed in-shop only.

Offer Expires: May 31, 2015