Heavenly Socks Yarns logo Heavenly Socks Yarns Newsletter
20% Off Coupon
January 2016
In This Issue
Call for Creative Fiber People
Moving Fiber Helps Prevent a Moth Attack
Free Web Pages Worth Visiting
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Donation Day
Knit2Together at the Belfast Free Library
Winterim Session of Senior College at Belfast
Open Art Room at Waterfall Arts
New Year's By The Bay
The Henry Road Bandits at Belfast Flying Shoes
The New Africa: Challenges and Hope
Belfast Co-op January Events
Winter mountain scene_ courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Winter mountain scene, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Winter: Quiet Fiber Time
Now that the holidays have passed and we have experienced our first major snowstorm in Maine, maybe it is time to think about settling down into a big knitting or crocheting project. Specifically, maybe a project for yourself!

Winter is a great time to focus on our creative energy, since many of us are not using our physical energy exploring or working in the outdoors as we do in warmer weather. We also tend to travel less. Last year, our winter began early and lasted longer than any winter in recent memory. As most of us tired of it, a customer said to us, "I finally had to change my headset around this severe winter weather. I decided to look at it as an opportunity to snuggle up around my woodstove with my tea and knit."

Of course, not everyone can snuggle up to a woodstove, but we can take the time to knit or crochet quietly and reflect. Who knows what inspirational or creative idea may pop into our heads when we are not busy running around? That is exactly what happened to Helen and Liz during the last snowstorm, and there is something new arriving for fiber lovers in February as a result of a peaceful day knitting during that time. We have a little more to share with you in an article below.

From our experience working in the shop for over twelve years, we know that people are more likely to spend their money to make a large project for someone other than themselves. However, it is okay to be your favorite person to knit or crochet for! With that thought, we are offering a 20% off coupon this month. Please enjoy your quiet fiber time and let us know if this season inspires you.

As always, we wish you peace, love and health in the new year!
Image from circa 1920 children_s rhyme book_ courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Image from circa 1920 children's rhyme book, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Call for Creative Fiber People
Liz and Helen are working on a project that they hope to debut in next month's newsletter. They are really excited about it and they hope you will be too. They are keeping it top secret till next month.

If you are an production indie dyer, production spinner, pattern writer or other creative fiber person, we would be interested in talking to you! Send us an e-mail at [email protected].
French print of moths_ circa mid-1800s_ courtesy of  The Graphics Fairy
French print of moths, circa mid-1800s, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Moving Fiber Helps Prevent a Moth Attack
So you've snuggled into a fiber project because the weather is making it an indoor day, then you need to take a break from your project: What do you do? Clean the bathroom? Do dishes? Organize paperwork for taxes?

May we suggest something better?

Take a few minutes and go through your stash. It is important to take it out periodically because moths do not like to be disturbed. Take that yarn out and spread it out on the floor. If you suspect that you may have moths, lay down a white sheet first. A telltale sign of moth infiltration will be little black particles, resembling pepper, that will fall out of a skein of yarn if you shake it.

Of course, when a skein of yarn looks like someone took scissors to it, or it breaks constantly while knitting, these are other undeniable signs that moths have visited you.
Old Shale e-book_ free via Ravelry
Old Shale, an e-book, free via Ravelry
Free Web Pages Worth Visiting
Off the Charts
Software engineer Abby Milward's Chart Minder is a free Web site that enables users to create their own charts for knitting, crochet and even cross-stitch. Users can opt to show their chart the traditional way, as blocks, or as simulated stitches, with adjustments made for different gauges and swatch sizes. Thoughtful features like automatic saving make the site especially helpful.

To try out the program, and for more information, visit Chart Minder.

Old Shale, New Tricks
If you like the traditional lace pattern Old Shale, visit the Ravelry page on Old Shale variations.

The Knitting Study Group of the Birmingham, Alabama, Fiber Guild systematically studied the stitch pattern, and looked at different numbers of yarn overs, different methods of working increases and decreases, and different background rows. Each participant knit multiple swatches to demonstrate the effect of each change on the overall look of the stitch. Their labor of love -- a handy e-book -- is free for all knitters to enjoy. It's available via Ravelry and includes photographs of each variation along with charts, written-out instructions and the participants' reflections on their work.
Image from ad for crochet thread in 1880s magazine_ courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Image from ad for crochet thread in 1880s magazine, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Saturday-Morning Knitting/Crocheting for Charity
On Saturday mornings, beginning January 9, from about 10:30 am to noon, we are reserving chairs and table space for charity knitting. We will be providing scraps of machine-washable wool and wool blends (and patterns) to make hats, mittens and/or cowls for charity. We encourage you to bring your scraps of yarn as well and join us, using the table as a place to pile the yarn and have fun making unique and beautiful works of functional art. With plenty of different colors and textures of yarn, as well as people around with opinions and encouragement, this is the perfect time to experiment with combining colors and textures. If you use only the yarn we supply, we ask that for every item you make that you would like to keep for yourself, you will knit one for charity.

There is no obligation to join -- just come by on any or all Saturday mornings you can. We are planning to run this group through February.
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King_ Jr._ in the Kelly Ingram Park_ Birmingham_ Alabama_ photo courtesy of Public Domain Images Online
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, Ala.; photo courtesy of Public Domain Images Online
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Donation Day
In recognition of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 10% of our sales on Monday, January 18, will be given to Waldo County Community Action Partners -- or any other local non-profit of your choice whose work helps improve the lives of people.
 
Knit2Together at the Belfast Free Library
Knit2Together at the Belfast Free Library
New Knitting Group
The Belfast Free Library is starting a new knitting group, Knit2Together! Knitters of all experience levels are welcome to join us the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month beginning January 13, from 4-5:30 pm in the Abbott Room.

This drop-in event is a chance for knitters -- and crocheters too -- of all ages and experience levels to chat, get tips, and learn from each other while working on their own projects. Library staff will have computers available to demonstrate how to use Ravelry.com and other Web sites to help find patterns and organize your work.

Registration is not required. For more information, please phone 207-338-3884, ext.10.
Winterim session of Senior College at Belfast starts January 21_
Winterim session of Senior College at Belfast starts January 21!
Winterim Session of Senior College at Belfast
Hello, all seniors (50 years old and over)! The Winterim session of Senior College will start on Thursday, January 21 at the Hutchinson Center and run for four consecutive Thursdays. There are some wonderful courses being offered. You can read about them at their Web site, Senior College at Belfast, or phone Judy Beebe 207-745-7293 to learn more. Who says winter is boring!

Knitting Class
The Winterim session will include Knitting -- Get Back to or Take it up a Notch, with instructor Judy Beebe, Thursday morning, 9:30-11:30 am. This class is for those who used to knit and want to get back to it or for those who know basics and would like to "take it up a notch." Join the class to have fun once again with knitting and to stretch your creative muscles. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow knitters while you learn.
November 2015_s Daily Doodles at the OAR
November 2015's Daily Doodles at the OAR
Open Art Room at Waterfall Arts
The Open Art Room is a community-sponsored project hosted by artist-in-residence Julie H. Rose. The OAR is open Tuesdays through Fridays from noon-4 pm and Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 pm. The OAR is open to all adults and children with adult supervision, free of charge, for drop-in art making. There's paper, pencils, pens, markers, watercolors, acrylic paint, scrapbook paper, collage-making supplies, coloring pages and much, much more. Fiber artists are welcome to bring their own projects and supplies. Folks who just want to come chill out, have a cup of coffee and sit on the sofa are welcome, too.

The OAR is located on the second floor of the Waterfall Arts Building at 256 High St. If you can't join them in person, you can join them at their virtual community: Find them on Facebook.
People of Earth_ Jeff Weinberger on guitar_ Kristen Burkholder on vocals_ Mike Whitehead on bass_ Alan Boyer on keys and Jason Dean on drums
People of Earth: Jeff Weinberger on guitar, Kristen Burkholder on vocals, Mike Whitehead on bass, Alan Boyer on keys and Jason Dean on drums
New Year's By The Bay
New Year's By The Bay is a yearly town-wide grassroots celebration that takes place on New Year's Eve.

NYBB 2016 is a chem-free, family-oriented, affordable, cultural celebration of the New Year that takes place from 2 pm till 12:30 am, mostly in nine indoor venues within walking distance, showcasing a wide variety of live performances, as well as several dance bands. Admission is by purchasing a NYBB 2016 Adult, Senior or Youth/Student Button to wear. Children under 5 years old are free.

Highlights Include: Hay Pond Rounders, Leaky Boot Jug Band, Mes Amis, Positive People, Random Ideas, Sugarbush the Band, John Nowak Quintet, Concepta, David Johnson and Rossi Meacham, Captain Obvious, The Sauternes, Castlebay, Strait Up, Meteora, The Low Down, Quantum, People of Earth and more.

Find the full schedule and details on the NYBB Web site.
The Henry Road Bandits
The Henry Road Bandits
Steal Away: The Henry Road Bandits at Belfast Flying Shoes
Kick off the New Year with an evening of contra dancing on Friday, January 1, 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 Belfast's own Chrissy Fowler. A founder and leading light of the Belfast Flying Shoes dance series, Chrissy spreads the joy of contra dancing also at schools, community gatherings and private events.

Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with Chrissy will be the Henry Road Bandits. The product of countless living-room jam sessions at the Pranio-Oshima house in Whitefield, the Henry Road Bandits prove that Maine's rural byways lead to hidden realms of musical ferment. Band members are John Pranio on fiddle and harmonica; Glen Loper on mandolin, tenor banjo and percussion; and Jamie Oshima on guitar, piano and percussion. Sound provided by Eric Weest Johnson.

Also, there will be a Winter Contra Class to cure cabin fever at the Belfast Dance Studio. Saturday, January 16 is the earlybird postmark deadline.

For more information, phone 207-338-0979, e-mail [email protected], visit Belfast Flying Shoes or find them on Facebook.
Camden Conference New Africa Discussion Series poster
Camden Conference New Africa Discussion Series poster
The New Africa: Challenges and Hope
On Wednesday, January 6, 6:30 pm, at the Belfast Free Library, you're invited to attend the fourth and final session of the Camden Conference New Africa Discussion Series to reflect upon the challenges that confront Sub-Sahara Africa in joining the global community on its own terms; and to examine a set of African-generated initiatives that inspire hope of such inclusion in the near future. Suggested readings are available at the main circulation desk or at The New Africa: Challenges and Hope.

For more events at the Belfast Free Library, visit Upcoming Events.
The Belfast Co-op is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016.
The Belfast Co-op is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016.
Belfast Co-op January Events
Common Cents Recipient
January 1-31: Belfast Community Television.

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%.
 
Closed New Year's Day
Friday, January 1.

Monthly Love LOCAL Day
Friday, January 29: Lunch special highlighting local ingredients, 10% off ALL Maine-made products all day. Heiwa Soy Beanery will provide samples from 11 am-3 pm as the featured Maine vendor.

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.