Heavenly Socks Yarns logo Heavenly Socks Yarns Newsletter
Super Summer Sale
July 2015
In This Issue
HoB Mitts
Pure And Simple's Short Sleeved 3 Button Cardigan
Neep Heid Tam
KnitMaine-ia Seeking Handmade Lobsters to Raise Awareness
Berroco's Summer Splurge
New in Belfast: The Sail Locker
New in Belfast: Finch Gallery
New Location: Quench
Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala
Belfast Summer Nights Features Belle Isle Quartet
Farm-to-Fiddle Trio Sassafras Stomp Sets the Table for Belfast Flying Shoes
Annual Summer Fair at First Church
Belfast's Arts in the Park Celebrates its Twentieth Year
Seafood Sustainability in the Gulf of Maine
Maine Celtic Celebration
Habitat for Humanity Announces Third Partner Family, Seeks Volunteers
Guest Artisans Invited to Lupine Cottage
Camp Forest and Aina Moja
Belfast Street Party: Save the Date
Belfast Co-op July Events
Super Summer Sale
Welcome, Summer! It has been a long wait. We hope that all of you get to enjoy Mother Nature as well as the many events that are happening in the Belfast area this month. We've listed those events below. First up, we want to tell you about our SUPER SALE beginning Friday, July 3.

We have put it off for too long -- we need to renovate the back storage room -- and there is no room to put the backstock anywhere else. So we will be offering thousands of skeins at 40% off or more! We will also be clearing discontinued yarns off our store shelves as well as some overstocked inventory. We have listed some of the yarns for you below. We may not have enough room to bring all the inventory out at one time, so if you can't make it on Friday, there is a chance there will be a good selection to choose from throughout the weekend into the following week. (We will be open July 4.)

SOME of the yarns offered at 40% off or more include:

Fingering
Cascade's Heritage Silk Paints

Sport/DK
Frog Tree Alpaca (So sorry to see this loved yarn being discontinued!)
Gedifra's Pertinio (cotton blend)
Noro's Janome
Rowan's Colourspun
Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 120 Color (machine-washable, self-striping)

Worsted/Aran
Araucania's Panguipulli
Austermann's Summer Tweed (cotton blend)
Berroco's Linsey (a cotton-linen blend that is a favorite of Helen's)
Cascade's 220 Superwash Paints
Juniper Moon's Sabine
Noro's Cyochin
Raggi Sock Yarn

Bulky/Super Bulky
Berroco's Kodiak
Cascade's Kenai
Knit Collage's Pixie Dust
Plymouth's Juli
Schachenmayr's Boston Mix
Schachenmayr's Lumio Cotton
Universal's Cool Baby (Makes a fabulous, simple baby blanket!)

"Luxury" Yarns
Artyarns' Silk Rhapsody Glitter
TSCArtyarns' Tranquility Cashmere
Plymouth's Cashmere Passion
Rowan's Pure Silk (Elegant!)

There will be many more yarn lines, hundreds of skeins of "novelty" yarns, one-of-a-kind bag lots and some backroom surprises!

We hope to see you!
HoB Mitts, knit by Cheryl with Tahki Donegal Tweed and Rowan KidSilk Haze held together, and garnished with a touch of embroidery.
HoB Mitts, knit by Cheryl with Tahki Donegal Tweed and Rowan KidSilk Haze held together, and garnished with a touch of embroidery.
HoB Mitts
The HoB Mitts (pattern free on Ravelry) are a great summer knit ... quick, small and almost mindless! The shop pair were worked with Tahki Donegal Tweed and Rowan KidSilk Haze held together. They knit up on size #8 needles, or you can pop up to #9 for a larger size. These fingerless mitts are worked flat with a single seam when you're finished. This means that the center square is ripe for embroidery (or knit in a beaded design).

Vintage Chunky or Brown Sheep's Bulky Lamb's Pride would work for this pattern if you would prefer knitting with a single strand. It might be hard to think about mitts this time of year, but the holidays are coming and you could whip up a few pairs of these and check Christmas gifts off your list before the fall!
Pure And Simple's Short Sleeved 3 Button Cardigan, knit by Helen in Niya, a new 100% silk yarn
Pure And Simple's Short Sleeved 3 Button Cardigan, knit by Helen in Niya, a new 100% silk yarn
Pure And Simple's Short Sleeved 3 Button Cardigan
Knitting Pure And Simple patterns are exactly what it states -- basic patterns that are easy to follow. Helen wanted to try out Niya -- a new yarn from Knit One Crochet Too (a Maine-based company) this season. Niya is a worsted-weight, 100% silk yarn in a 262-yard skein, retailing at $17.95 per skein.

Helen chose Knitting Pure and Simple's #1401 Short Sleeved 3 Button Cardigan. She made a large size which used four skeins of Niya. Because the pattern is simple and she is comfortable knitting neckdown, Helen made personal preference adjustments -- using a "make one" instead of a yarn over at the raglan increases, lengthening the sleeves and shortening the neck depth. All these adjustments are easy to do and as always, we will help you (free) if you need support.

Helen reports that Niya was enjoyable to knit with, and that for a plant fiber, splitting was minimal. We hope you will consider this yarn as an option for a four-season accessory or garment, especially for someone who is wool-sensitive. Please let us know what you think!
Hairstylist Kathy Feyler  models the Neep Heid tam, knit by Liz with four skeins of Elemental Affects and #2.5 16-inch circular needles; skills/techniques needed include I-cord cast-on, corrugated rib and stranded colorwork.
Hairstylist Kathy Feyler (find her on Facebook) models the Neep Heid tam, knit by Liz with four skeins of Elemental Affects and #2.5 16-inch circular needles; skills/techniques needed include I-cord cast-on, corrugated rib and stranded colorwork.
Neep Heid Tam
Colorwork knitters will be happy to know that we have relocated and refreshed our supply of Elemental Affects fingering-weight Shetland. The registered Shetland sheep are raised in Montana and the yarn spun and dyed in the US. This yarn is a great choice for stranded-colorwork mittens, gloves, tams, or shawls and light sweaters, and was featured heavily in Mary Jane Mucklestone's classic book 200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitter's Directory. We are the only store in Maine that carries Elemental Affects fingering, which we have in seven natural sheep heathered shades and forty-seven hand-dyed colors. Each 1-ounce skein contains 118 yards, and sells for $6.25.

When we first started carrying this yarn several years ago, Liz knit the Neep Heid tam by Scottish designer Kate Davies, but knit the neeps (turnips) as beets. It's one of her favorite hats for fall, mild winter and early spring days. The tam style is flattering and prevents the dreaded hat hair! This pattern is available as a digital download through Ravelry in-shop pattern sales.
Jacques Crusteau
Jacques Crusteau
KnitMaine-ia Seeking Handmade Lobsters to Raise Awareness
Meet Jacques Crusteau, the eldest of a lobster family that will be knit to raise awareness about the proposed dredging project in Searsport. The project calls for nearly one million cubic yards of potentially mercury-contaminated material to be dumped on fertile shellfish grounds between Belfast and Islesboro. Seeking knitters and crocheters to get involved and contribute a crustacean or two. Stuffed lobsters and lobster-claw mittens will be collected and sold in the upcoming months. All proceeds will go to Friends of Penobscot Bay. Please help spread the word! Free patterns are available at these links:
Knit Lobster (free Ravelry pattern)
Jacques Crusteau
Dr Zoidberg Claws

For more information, e-mail Jillian Liversidge at [email protected] or phone her at 207-653-1428.
Berroco's Summer Splurge
Berroco's Summer Splurge
Berroco's Summer Splurge
Need a reason to buy yarn? We didn't think so! But here's a little incentive to splurge on your next visit to our shop:

Through Friday, September 18, anyone who participates in Berroco's Summer Splurge can earn a coupon code for a free single-pattern download from the Berroco Web site. You'll also be entered to win the grand prize.

How it works:
Buy $25.00 or more of Berroco yarn from your local yarn shop (for instance, Heavenly Socks Yarns) and e-mail a copy or photo of your receipt to [email protected]. They will send you a one-time coupon code for every $25.00 spent (pre-tax), which can then be used to purchase any of the single-pattern PDFs from their Web site. (Example: $25.00-$49.99 = 1 coupon code, $50.00-$74.99 = 2 coupon codes, etc.)

Timeline:
Qualifying purchases must be made in store by Friday, September 18. You will have until Wednesday, September 30 to e-mail your receipt(s) to [email protected].

Grand prize:
Everyone who submits a valid receipt for the Summer Splurge promotion will be entered to win the grand prize: a copy of Portfolio vol. 1 and the yarn to make a project of their choice from that book.

Each receipt is valid for one entry. One winner will be chosen at random and notified on Thursday, October 1. Must be 18 years old to enter. Patterns will be distributed in PDF format.

Go ahead, splurge a little!
Sail Locker logo
Sail Locker logo
New in Belfast: The Sail Locker
The Sail Locker, located at 92 Main St, Lower Level, in the center of downtown Belfast, features a curated collection of coastal-inspired gifts and d�cor and is owned and operated by Belfast resident Meg Reilly. The shop is filled with distinctive, high-quality items that reflect Meg's love of all things nautical. Part of the shop is a dedicated work space where you will find Meg busy tying the traditional maritime knots that she uses to create home goods such as trivets, wine corks and doormats. The Sail Locker is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm.

For more information, find them on Facebook or follow them on Instagram @thesaillocker.
Artwork by Jerri Finch
Artwork by Jerri Finch
New in Belfast: Finch Gallery
Finch Gallery, located at 16 Main St., Belfast, showcases the oils of local artist Jerri Finch, as well as postcards, cards and prints of her work. She has been working behind the scenes since winter, and has now opened her doors to the public. Gallery hours include Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2-7 pm; Monday and Tuesday from 2-6 pm, by chance and by appointment at 207-338-1060.

For more information, visit Finch Gallery.
Assemblage by Axel Stohlberg
Assemblage by Axel Stohlberg
New Location: Quench
Quench: Provisions for the Savvy welcomes you to their new location at 33 Main St., Belfast, now featuring Little Stories, assemblages by Axel Stohlberg (through July 21). For more information, visit Quench.


 

Double Stump by Doug Malloy of Athens, Maine
Double Stump by Doug Malloy of Athens, Maine
Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala
What do a schooner cruise, a commissioned portrait of your home, a weekend in Myrtle Beach, a raw food culinary class and a private theater showing all have in common? These experiences (and over thirty more) are all available to the highest bidder at the Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala, on Thursday, July 2 at the Belfast Boathouse. Admission is $15.00. The silent auction will begin at 7 pm and the live auction at 8 pm. The auction committee recommends fun and fancy attire, and there will be a prize for best-dressed auction attendee.

Bench and Chair Raffle
Double Stump is available for raffle and the drawing will be held at the Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala. Raffle tickets are available at Key Bank (right by the bench) or by contacting your favorite Our Town Belfast board member. Tickets are $10.00 or 3/$25.00.

A list of available items and experiences can be found at Our Town Belfast Auction and Gala. Tickets are available at Auction and Gala Tickets. For more information, phone 207-218-1158, e-mail [email protected] or visit Our Town Belfast.
Belle Isle Quartet, clockwise from top left: David Clarke, Wayne Delano,   Jeff Densmore and Ezra Rugg
Belle Isle Quartet, clockwise from top left: David Clarke, Wayne Delano, Jeff Densmore and Ezra Rugg
Belfast Summer Nights Features Belle Isle Quartet
On Thursday, July 2, at Steamboat Landing, join Belfast Summer Nights for great jazz with the "new" Belle Isle Quartet starring David Clarke on guitar, Wayne Delano on sax/flute, Ezra Rugg on bass and Jeff Densmore on drums. Bring chairs, blankets, picnics, kids and enjoy a fun evening on the waterfront in Belfast. For more information, phone 207-322-7123.

Summer Nights July 9 features The Rugged, and Frets and Fingers.

Belfast Summer Nights is an outdoor summer music series, downtown Belfast every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm through the last Thursday in August. Free, donations welcome. Bring your folding chairs and dancing shoes!
 
Locations rotate between Steamboat Landing (next to the Belfast Boathouse, 34 Commercial St.); High Street -- on the street, between Main Street traffic light and Pendleton Lane (next to Belfast Co-op); and the Belfast Commons -- Miller and Cross streets.
 
For more information, phone 207-322-7123 or find them on Facebook.
Sassafras Stomp: Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis
Sassafras Stomp: Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis
Farm-to-Fiddle Trio Sassafras Stomp Sets the Table for Belfast Flying Shoes 
On Friday, July 3, join Belfast Flying Shoes for an evening of contra dancing at American Legion Post #43, 143 Church St. in Belfast. The evening begins at 6:30 pm with a community dance called by Chrissy Fowler. The contra dance begins at 8 pm and runs till around 11 pm. This month's caller is Chrissy Fowler.

With roots in Maine and Montana, Sassafras Stomp's Johanna Davis (fiddle) and Adam Nordell (guitar and foot percussion) tend roots of a more literal sort at their organic Songbird Farm in Unity. The Sassafras Stomp Web site describes their fiddle-and-guitar sound as "sweet, high-energy folk music. Joining Davis and Nordell will be multi-instrumentalist and local legend John Pranio (fiddle, banjo, harmonica and mandolin). Sound provided by Sassafras Stomp.

For more information, phone 207-338-0979, e-mail [email protected], visit Belfast Flying Shoes or find them on Facebook.
Annual Summer Fair at First Church
First Church in Belfast, UCC will hold their annual Summer Fair on Saturday, July 11 from 8 am-1 pm. There will be coffee and donuts to start the event; booths for books, baked goods, plants and White Elephants; fresh, local strawberry shortcakes; and a cook-out for lunch. This is a great start to the summer season, and a wonderful opportunity to share a real Maine tradition with your family and friends from away. For more information, phone 207-338-2282.
Twentieth Annual Arts in the Park poster
Twentieth Annual Arts in the Park poster
Belfast's Arts in the Park Celebrates its Twentieth Year
Twenty years later, and Arts in the Park is still a continuous presence in Belfast. It made its debut in City Park in 1995, but after two years the organizers felt that Heritage Park, downtown on the waterfront, was a better venue, and it has been there ever since. This year again, during the weekend of July 11 and 12 (10 am-4 pm), visitors and locals alike can stroll down Main Street to the harbor and find eighty artists and artisans, continuous live music, and a fine array of food offerings. The festival is one more reason to visit the midcoast and is the perfect environment to find one-of-a-kind gifts for friends, family or yourself.

Artist of the Year Ron Cowan and his son Ryan will have their beautiful hand-carved Garden Muses in their usual spot looking out to the bay.

The Belfast Bay Fiddlers will kick off the show at 10 am on Saturday, followed by Aurora Jazz Project from noon-2 pm, and ending up with the Leaky Boot Jug Band from 2-4 pm. On Sunday morning, Dave and Fran Plus will be under the tent from 10 am-noon, followed by rockers People of Earth from noon-2 pm, and, bringing the show to a close, the Down East Brass will entertain us from 2-4 pm.

The event is organized by Friends of Belfast Parks as a fundraiser for our parks. Over the years many improvements have been made thanks to funds raised, including the creation of Belfast's Dog Park.

For more information, visit Arts in the Park.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Seafood Sustainability in the Gulf of Maine
On Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 pm at the Belfast Free Library, James Benson from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will give a presentation titled "Seafood Sustainability in the Gulf of Maine." The global seafood industry is highly complex and we sit among one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet. In this presentation, seafood sustainability will be discussed and some regional case studies that lend evidence to a changing environment, fluctuating species abundances and the impacts on communities that depend on them will be covered. This free event is sponsored by the Library and the Belfast Co-op.

For more information about Belfast Free Library events, click Adult Programs and Kids Programs.
Pipers by the Bay
Pipers by the Bay
The Maine Celtic Celebration
The Maine Celtic Celebration, Belfast's premier summer festival, is a family-oriented celebration of the rich Celtic heritage, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine. This year's Celebration takes place on the weekend of July 17 to July 19 at the Belfast Commons and Steamboat Landing. There is always something for everyone to enjoy. Come to compete or just watch. Most activities are free. A donation of $10.00 is suggested to keep the Celebration coming to you in the future.
 
The highlight of the Celebration is always live music and dancing. This year's line-up features accordion virtuoso Jimmy Keane teamed up with Clancy family member Robbie O'Connell. Portland's Press Gang will perform the instrumental dance music of Ireland on fiddle, accordion and guitar. The high-energy Galley Rats from Bangor, known for seamlessly blending Celtic, maritime, Irish and bluegrass music, will debut their brand-new CD. And this is only a small sampling of the musical offering. In addition to performing, many of these accomplished musicians will lead workshops and participate in open jam sessions.
 
Other events and activities will include: a gala opening performance on Friday evening, a 5K road race on Saturday morning, the Highland Heavy Games, the New World Cheese Roll Championship, the Children's Area and Not So Heavy Games, food and craft vendors, a Celtic-breeds dog show, and fireworks on Saturday night. For more information, and a complete schedule, visit Maine Celtic Celebration.
Below, Michaelene Achorn, president of the local affiliate, shows the family the initial plans for their home.
Below, Michaelene Achorn, president of the local affiliate, shows the family the initial plans for their home.
Habitat for Humanity Announces Third Partner Family, Seeks Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County is proud to announce the selection of their third partner family for the home to be built this summer in Searsmont. Nick Thibodeau, Lizzie Bizier and their 21-month-old daughter Lily will be the newest residents of Searsmont when the build finishes this fall. Nick works with his father in his painting company, Different Strokes, and Lizzie is employed at athenahealth. They submitted an application with the local Habitat affiliate upon the recommendation of Nick's mother.

Michaelene Achorn, president of the Board of Directors and chair of the Family Selection Committee, went to Nick and Lizzie's home to tell them the good news in person and show them the initial plans for their new home. She said, "It is so rewarding to be involved with an organization like Habitat for Humanity and be able to make such a drastic change in someone's life. We are excited to welcome Nick, Lizzie and Lily to the Habitat family!"

Groundbreaking is scheduled for mid-July, with construction happening through the summer and wrapping up in the fall. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to help complete Nick and Lizzie's home.

For more information, or to register to volunteer, visit Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County, or phone their office at 207-338-2344.
Lupine Cottage
Lupine Cottage
Guest Artisans Invited to Lupine Cottage
Lupine Cottage, located at 7 Old Searsport Rd., Belfast, is opening its front lawn for guest artisans on July 18-19, August 8-9, August 29-30, September 12-13 and October 3-4.

Lupine Cottage is a co-op of sixty-five Maine artists and craftspeople. They use only the highest-quality materials to create their Maine-made products, which are as distinctive as they are. If you are a Maine artisan with an interesting craft, they would love to see you on their lawn at Lupine Cottage. (Handmade only, and please no yard-sale-type items.)

Pricing: $15.00 for Saturday or Sunday only, $25.00 for both days. E-mail samples of your work to [email protected]. Please note that guest artisans are independent from Lupine Cottage's regular activities and provide their own tents, collect their own monies and provide their own food.
Outdoor fun at Camp Forest
Outdoor fun at Camp Forest
Camp Forest and Aina Moja
Aina Moja, located at 39 Main St., Belfast, and featuring a selection of fine African crafts and art from Kenyan artists, is taking registrations for Camp Forest Summer Camp. Camp Forest, a project of Expanding Opportunities, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization,  is a day and expedition camp to preserve, teach and honor primitive and wilderness living skills from around the world. Camp Forest serves the community through teaching children to respect, preserve and protect the environment by nurturing an appreciation of the earth and all it has to offer. Camp Forest also teaches non-violent ways to resolve conflicts between people and between people and the environment.

New inventory at Aina Moja is just in from Kenya: Market baskets, wood carvings, jewelry, tapestries and more. Small shop ... BIG change. All purchases at Aina Moja support education and charitable projects.

For more information, visit Aina Moja.
Dancing at the Belfast Street Party (detail, Diane Dorbin photo)
Dancing at the Belfast Street Party (detail, Diane Dorbin photo)
Belfast Street Party: Save the Date
Save the date for the Belfast Street Party on Monday, August 3. If your food truck, community group, youth group, scout group, booster club or business would like to get involved in the 2015 Our Town Belfast Street Party, click Street Party Participation Form. They are looking for folks to sell food and provide family-friendly activities at this exciting event. And they always need volunteers -- join their committee or sign up to help out at the event by e-mailing [email protected]. This year, Church Street, from the Key Bank drive-in to Market Street, will be closed to motor traffic as a kids' area with a special kids' DJ, and more kids' stuff focused in front of City Hall. Streets will close at 3 pm.

For more information, find them on Facebook.
Artwork by Deborah Stevenson
Artwork by Deborah Stevenson
Belfast Co-op July Events
Featured Artist: Deborah Stevenson
Featured artist Deborah Stevenson's photography exhibit Winter White House documents the historically cold, snowy months of her first Maine winter. On display in the Co-op Caf� through late July.

Round Up for Community Recipients
July 1-15: Spectrum Generations Meals on Wheels;
July 16-31: Come Boating!

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%.

Early Store Closing
Tuesday, July 4, 2 pm.

Seafood Sustainability in the Gulf of Maine
Tuesday, July 14, 6:30 pm, Belfast Free Library: Free presentation with James Benson, Sustainable Seafood Project Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, who will discuss seafood sustainability and share regional case studies that lend evidence to a changing environment, fluctuating species abundance, and impacts on the communities which depend on them. Co-sponsored with the Library.

Wine Tasting and Art Opening
Friday, July 24, 7-8 pm, Belfast Co-op Caf�, 123 High St.: Held on fourth Fridays, free monthly sampling of highlighted seasonal wines and art show opening. Featured wines are 10% off during the tasting.

Monthly Love LOCAL Day
Friday, July 31: Held on last Fridays, local vendor product samples, lunch special highlighting local ingredients, 10% off ALL Maine-made products all day.

For more information about Belfast Co-op events, visit Belfast Co-op.
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.