Heavenly Socks Yarns logo Heavenly Socks Yarns Newsletter
Belfast Gets Happy (See Below)
May 2014
In This Issue
Sock Yarn Sale
Quince Yarn and Knit-Along
Duotone Cowl
History of Mother's Day: Julia Ward Howe
Belfast Gets Happy
Knit the Community Takes Summer Break
Sky Show at Aarhus Gallery
Notorious to "Metamorphosize 64 Beats" at Belfast Flying Shoes
The Hungry Heart Documentary
Belfast Garden Club's Annual Green Thumb Plant Sale
Hospice Trunk Sale
Nautical Yard Sale
Man on Main Opens Late May
May 2014 Belfast Co-op Events
Quick Links
Bright and neon colors seem to be popular with yarn manufacturers this year. However, we have a full range of colorways and color intensities.
Bright and neon colors seem to be popular with yarn manufacturers this year. However, we have a full range of colorways and color intensities.
Sock Yarn Sale
During the month of May, all sock yarn in our sock yarn section will be on sale at 20% off. Some yarns may refer to themselves as sock yarn, but we only include yarns in our sock area that contain at least 20% nylon. Nylon is the fiber that gives durability to the finished sock. These yarns are also machine washable. These two things are important: Why do all the knitting and possibly wear a hole the first time you wear them, or shrink them when they go into a washing machine the first time?

We have some tried-and-true sock yarn brands in solid colors, tone on tone, random colors, and patterning. We have sock yarns that contain bamboo, some that contain silk, some with mohair, some with alpaca and some with angora -- always keeping good value in mind. We have sock yarn in three weights too: fingering, sport and worsted. All month we will be stocking the shelves with new sock yarns as space in the sock yarn area opens up!
Sparrow yarn, by Quince and Co.
Sparrow yarn, by Quince and Co.
Quince Yarn and Knit-Along
We are very pleased to announce that we now carry Quince and Co.'s linen yarns, Sparrow and Kestrel. Quince and Co. is a small Maine yarn company started by knitwear designers who really know yarn, and make an effort to source ethically produced fibers.

Both yarns are made in Italy of organic Belgian linen. Fingering-weight Sparrow is a plied yarn that comes in a range of 18 harmonious colors, and the newly introduced aran-weight Kestrel is a linen tape yarn that comes in nine lovely shades.

Kestrel yarn, by Quince and Co.
Kestrel yarn, by Quince and Co.
When Liz, a dedicated wool knitter, saw the Linum Tee in the Summer issue of Knitscene, she knew it would be the perfect project to try knitting with linen. The Linum Tee is a loose-fitting summer top with an asymmetrical Fisherman's Rib detail at the top. It's also knit in the round, a favorite sweater-knitting technique here at the shop.

We welcome you to join Liz in a Linum Tee knitalong. To help keep you motivated, we will be posting progress updates on our Facebook page, where we will also post the finished photos of your completed Linum Tee! (Find us on Facebook.)

If you have never knit with linen before, and are looking for a little bit of support and camaraderie, you should definitely join us. All who sign up by May 15 and complete the tee by June 30 will receive 20% off the Summer 2014 Knitscene and be eligible to win a little prize! Let us know by phone, e-mail or in person. With luck, we'll all be finished with our Linum Tees just in time for the usual 4th of July heatwave!

If you want to give our new linen yarns a try and garment knitting is not your thing, there are many great patterns on Ravelry you can use. One that caught our eye is the Summer Fling tote bag, a free pattern that uses two skeins of Sparrow. Another is Western Hills, a chevron washcloth, that can be knit with one skein of Kestrel.
Cheryl's version of Mondial's Baby Jumper, in Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece
Cheryl's version of Mondial's Baby Jumper, in Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece
Mondial's Baby Jumper
Cheryl knit a sweet cotton baby dress based on a pattern by Mondial that uses Cotton Soft yarn. We sell this fingering-weight cotton yarn in prints only; however, she used Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece, which is a light worsted-weight yarn. Confused about what this means? It means that this sweet and simple feather and fan dress, originally designed for a 1-year-old, can easily be sized up to a 3-year-old size or larger! Both patterns can be done on straight needles or on circular, but you will have to come into the shop to get Cheryl's pattern.
Duotone Cowl
Duotone Cowl
Duotone Cowl
The Duotone Cowl is a free pattern we found on Ravelry, and a new shop sample. We knit our version using four skeins of Mirasol Tuhu, a DK/light worsted-weight blend of baby llama, merino and angora to create a double-thick cowl that is cozy and ultra-soft. The cowl is a continuous loop that is knit in the round, and then grafted. The stripe sequence switches midway through the project, so you get two slightly different halves, a fun way to play with color. Aside from the provisional cast-on and the final graft, this is a mindless project for the intermediate knitter. We normally sell Tuhu for $9.95 a skein (with a suggested retail price of $10.95), but this month we are offering it for 20% off (now $7.96 a skein!). Come in and play with color!

While it's true we are (finally!) entering the warm season, as good citizens of Maine we're always preparing for the colder months ahead.
Image courtesy of LINK The Graphics Fairy
Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
History of Mother's Day: Julia Ward Howe
Even if you are not a mother, we wish you a Happy Mother's Day! This is because of the original reason that Mother's Day was started.
 
The idea of an official celebration of Mother's Day in US was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. An activist, writer and poet, Julia shot to fame with her famous Civil War song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Julia Ward Howe suggested that June 2 be annually celebrated as Mother's Day and should be dedicated to peace. She wrote a passionate appeal to women and urged them to rise against war in her famous Mother's Day Proclamation, written in Boston in 1870. She also initiated a Mother's Peace Day observance on the second Sunday in June in Boston and held the meeting for a number of years. Julia tirelessly championed the cause of an official celebration of Mother's Day and declaration of an official holiday on the day. Her idea spread but was later replaced by the Mother's Day holiday now celebrated in May.
 
Copyright Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (SCFI). All Rights Reserved.
Are Happy video event
Belfast We Are Happy video event
Belfast Gets Happy
Belfast is making its own version of the popular Happy video by Pharrell Williams. On Sunday, May 4, at 10 am at the Belfast Footbridge, kids of all ages can be a part of the Belfast, Maine We Are Happy video. For more information, phone 207-338-1975 or e-mail [email protected], and watch the Belfast "Happy" Promo. (Most of the video that you will see is not from Belfast, though there is some footage of Waldo County's Cinderella Project.)
Knit the Community Takes Summer Break
The first Friday of the month knitting circle at St. Margaret's church will meet this week, May 2, from 4-6 pm. The circle is open to the community and for all types of handwork. This summer, organizers will be busy planning the fall fashion show, KnitMaine-ia, to be held on Columbus Day weekend. Regular monthly meetings will resume the first Friday in October. For more information on the circle and other knit-the-community projects, please visit St. Margaret's Church/Knit the Community.
Daydream Interrupted, photograph by Kevin Johnson
Daydream Interrupted, photograph by Kevin Johnson
Sky Show at Aarhus Gallery
Please join Aarhus Gallery for a show entitled Sky, which runs from May 1 through June 1 with an opening reception Friday, May 2, 5-8 pm.
 
The dawning sky has a way of leading us into our mood for the day,  and the night sky beckons us to wonder. No wonder we want to fly a kite, or an airplane, or peer centuries into the past sparkles of stars.
Of all the thousand things, the sky, it would appear, is our limit

Featured artists include; Susan Amons, Marcie Jan Bronstein, Kenny Cole, Rachael Eastman, Drew Fales, Sarah Faragher, Jay Gibson, Ralph Hassenpflug, Kevin Johnson, Mark Kelly, Freddy LaFage, Richard Mann, Cathy Melio, Joanne Parent, Wesley Reddick, Willy Reddick, Liv Kristin Robinson, Johan Selmer-Larson and James Strickland.

The Tom Luther Quintet Performs
The Tom Luther Quintet returns to Aarhus Gallery on Saturday, May 24 for an evening of vibrant original jazz. TLQ features some of the most accomplished young musicians in Maine as well as seasoned veterans, performing exciting original music that draws from the wellspring of jazz and freely floats in the worlds of rock, ambient, and world music.

The Tom Luther Quintet
The Tom Luther Quintet
TLQ features Mike Whitehead on trumpet and flugelhorn, Gideon Forbes on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Tom Luther on piano, Duane Edwards on bass, and Jacob Forbes on drums. The performance is from 7-9 pm, and has a suggested donation of $10.00 with light refreshments available.

Aarhus Gallery, 50 Main St, Belfast, operating under winter hours, is open February-May, Thursday-Sunday, 11 am-5:30 pm. For more information phone 207-338-0001 or visit Aarhus Gallery, where a slide show of the current works is available.
Notorious
Notorious
Notorious to "Metamorphosize 64 Beats" at Belfast Flying Shoes 
Join Belfast Flying Shoes on Friday, May 2, for an evening of contra dancing at the American Legion Post #43 at 143 Church St. in Belfast. Chrissy Fowler will be calling dances, with music by Notorious. Sound provided by Eric Weest Johnson.

Lauded as "sparkling" and "exhilarating," Notorious musicians Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger return to the Belfast Flying Shoes Dance series. Sweet vocals and virtuosic fiddling coupled with driving rhythm and snappy guitar solos make for a thrilling musical experience in genres that span many continents. Declared "guitar genius" by Sing Out magazine, Unger combines talents with exciting and versatile young violinist Eden MacAdam-Somer, whose classical and jazz background merges with Unger's driving style to push the envelope toward swing, blues, and Gypsy modes. Come see how many ways they can "metamorphosize 64 beats!"

The evening begins at 6:30 pm with a community dance and music by the All-Comers Band. All musicians are welcome to sit in. The contra dance begins at 8 pm and runs till around 11 pm. For more information, call Chrissy at 207-338-0979 or visit Belfast Flying Shoes.

Belfast Flying Shoes Gets Happy
On May 2, Belfast Flying Shoes community dancers, All-Comers musicians and contra dancers could be part of Belfast's "Happy" music video. This project involves various folks, including town councilor Mike Hurley, Our Town Belfast director Bre Bebb, and filmmaker Ned Lightner. For more information about this local project, find them on Facebook.

Here's the plan for filming on May 2:
7:30 pm: Just after the community dance, interested community dancers will do a simple dance sequence to the Pharrell Williams song, "Happy." Interested All-Comers musicians will play along to the recording too (either really playing or faking it).  
9:30 pm (approximately): During the break, immediately after the door prize drawing, interested contra dancers will do a simple dance sequence to a recording of "Happy."
The Hungry Heart Documentary
Seaport Community Health Center and The Colonial Theater is sponsoring a free one-night-only showing of the documentary film, The Hungry Heart.

This film provides an intimate look at the often hidden world of addiction and recovery and the many challenges patients, treatment providers and a community face in confronting a relentless and difficult disease. The film shines a light on the healing power of conversation and the need for connection that many of these young addicts yearn for but do not have in their lives. Recently filmed in St. Albans, Vermont, the stories and demographics are similar to Belfast, Maine.
 
One-time showing: Tuesday, May 6 at 7 pm, at The Colonial Theater, Belfast.
A happy customer at the Belfast Garden Club's Green Thumb Plant Sale 2012
A happy customer at the Belfast Garden Club's Green Thumb Plant Sale 2012
Belfast Garden Club's Annual Green Thumb Plant Sale
The long winter and the long wait are over. The wildly popular annual Green Thumb Plant Sale, hosted by the Belfast Garden Club, will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 9 am to noon, at the Belfast Boathouse, 34 Commercial St., Belfast.

Along with the usual annuals and perennials for sale, there will be more herbs and vegetables than ever before, due to popular demand.

Plants for the sale are donated by area nurseries, farms and local gardeners. This year's commercial donors include Bahner Farms (Belmont), Carol's Collectibles (Swanville), Plants Unlimited (Rockport), and Peacemeal Farm (Dixmont). In addition, The Maine Garden (Waldo) is donating 100+ award-winning, exotic daylilies (not one plain orange specimen in the lot!). These lilies -- 11 different hybrids -- sell at retail from $10.00 to $100.00 each. They will, of course, be priced far below retail at the sale.

Gardeners who want to donate plants (divisions of perennials or herbs, veggies or annuals -- potted and labeled) may drop them off at the Boathouse on Friday morning, May 16, between 8 am and noon. Prior to that date, plants can be dropped off at 10 Bradbury St. (corner of Charles Street and Bradbury) in Belfast.

Prices start at $3.00. Cash is strongly preferred but checks are welcome, too. Credit or debit cards are not accepted.

For more information, visit Belfast Garden Club, or contact Karen Meisenheimer by phoning her at 207-323-6360 or e-mailing her at [email protected].
Hospice Trunk Sale -- Click image for printable PDF poster.
Hospice Trunk Sale -- Click image for printable PDF poster.
Hospice Trunk Sale
Spring cleaning? De-cluttering?

The Hospice Trunk Sale is the perfect venue for getting rid of unwanted items. Phone the office at 207-930-2677 and leave a message to reserve a spot. The fee for the spot is $15.00; this goes to help Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County continue to bring services to the people of Waldo County free of charge.

You keep the money you raise from selling your unwanted items.

The event will take place on May 31, from 8 am to noon. The location is 125 Northport Ave., across from Waldo County General Hospital. There will be fun, music and food.
Come Boating! logo
Come Boating! logo
Nautical Yard Sale
Come Boating! is having an All Things Nautical yard sale on Saturday May 31, 9 am-2 pm (rain date: Sunday, June 1), at the Come Boating! Boat Shed at the Belfast Public Landing. All proceeds to benefit Come Boating!

Suitable donations include nautical equipment, mooring gear, boating accessories, life jackets, paddles, oars, foul-weather gear, boots,
nautical books, crafts, collectibles, art, charts and small boats. All items must be in clean, workable, "sailable" condition.

To donate your nautical items, phone Carol at 207-338-1225  by Friday, May 30 for drop-off and pick-up arrangements.
Man on Main, Men's Apparel and Accessories
Man on Main, Men's Apparel and Accessories
Man on Main Opens Late May
Man on Main, men's casual clothing for Main Street, opens in late May. They are available for tux/suit rentals in the meantime, since prom time is approaching. Call or stop by to be measured, allowing for three weeks' lead time. The location is 103 Main St., Belfast, next to City Drawers.

For more information, visit Man on Main.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Panorama, photograph by Marty   Saccone
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse Panorama, photograph by Marty Saccone
May 2014 Belfast Co-op Events
Featured Artist: Marty Saccone
Marty Saccone of Lubec is an avid outdoor photographer whose images depict the coastal remoteness of Down East Maine and its unique unexploited character. His exhibit, New England Originals: Seascapes and Landscapes with a Down East Maine Perspective, will be on view in the Co-op Cafe through late May. His work can be viewed at Marty Saccone.

Round Up for Community Recipients
May 1-14: Sweetser; May 15-31: New Hope for Women.

Senior Discount Day
Every Tuesday, Belfast Co-op customers 62 years young and up receive a discount upon informing the cashier of their eligibility. Co-op member-owners receive a 10% discount; non-member-owners 5%.

World Fair Trade Day
Saturday, May 10: Store-wide sales and free samples of fairly traded products.

Guided Store Tour
Saturday, May 17: 10 am, Belfast Co-op, 123 High St. -- Meet near the Co-op entrance for guided store tours (every third Saturday of the month) which highlight the benefits of joining the Co-op and how to take best advantage of shopping there. All are welcome.

Tick Talk
Tuesday, May 20: 6 pm, Belfast Free Library, 106 High St. -- Lyme disease specialist Dr. Beatrice Szantyr will provide an informative look at ticks, the bacteria which causes Lyme disease, the incidence of Lyme disease in Maine, the difficulties of medical diagnosis, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Sponsored by the Belfast Free Library and the Belfast Co-op.

Co-op Grill at City Park Opens for the Season
Saturday, May 24: Open daily from 11 am-4 pm offering a menu of Deli favorites including Caldwell Farm (Turner) burgers, Amy's veggie burgers, Applegate hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and Stone Fox Creamery (Monroe) ice cream.

More than Honey Screening
Wednesday, May 28: 6 pm, Belfast Free Library, 106 High St. -- Free screening of More than Honey, by Oscar-nominated director Markus Imhoof, who tackles the vexing issue of why bees, worldwide, are facing extinction. Followed by post-film discussion with local beekeepers. Sponsored by the Waldo County Beekeepers and the Belfast Co-op. For more information, visit More than Honey.

Love LOCAL Day
Friday, May 30: State of Maine Cheese Co. (Rockport) will provide free cheese samples; lunch special highlighting local ingredients, 10% off ALL Maine-made products throughout the day.

Wine Tasting and Art Opening
Friday, May 30: 7-9 pm, Belfast Cafe -- Free wine tasting of highlighted seasonal wines and art opening. Featured wines will be 10% off during the tasting; participants must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

For more information about Belfast Co-op events, please visit Belfast Co-op Store.
Heavenly Socks Yarns, 82 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915, Tel. 207-338-8388.
Shop hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 am-6 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday and holidays, 11 am-4 pm.