Special Request for Independence Day: A Knit-A-Long
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 Posted in Events | 26 Comments »HALCYON YARN ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST KNITALONG!!
[UPDATE: OK, the patterns are available in our forum. Feel free to download them and get started. Also, feel free to join the forum so that you can talk with others from all over about this project!]
A couple of months ago, we received a call from Marla Phelps in Tenants Harbor, a fishing community on the St. George Peninsula, gateway to Maine’s beautiful Penobscot Bay. Marla’s son Sgt. Michael Wall, is a career soldier stationed in Afghanistan, where the winters are very cold — perhaps even colder than Maine winters. Remembering the warm woolen fisherman mittens his grandmother used to make, Sgt. Wall asked her to make 16 pairs for his unit. Unfortunately, Mrs. Wall doesn’t knit any more and couldn’t remember the pattern she used … so Michael’s family asked Halcyon Yarn for help.
Well, we knew right away we wanted to do something. Not only were we moved by the story, and intrigued by the challenge, but we also already have ties to the region. Halcyon had organized a the donation of a container load of fiber and knitting supplies to Afghanistan. Finally, our own Beth Hood’s son, Nolan, is also stationed there, so the impact of events abroad has been brought home in a very real way.
Based on the classic Maine fisherman mitten, and incorporating other features requested by Sgt. Wall, we’ve designed a mitten we’ve named the “Soldier’s Glomitt”. I
t’s made from warm, durable 100% wool yarn, and the top flips back to reveal fingerless gloves for detailed tasks.
Halcyon Yarn and Michael’s mother Marla are asking for your help in achieving Michael’s goal of 16 pairs of glomitts — or even surpassing it!
The glomitt pattern can be downloaded from our website, along with suggestions for yarn and finishing ideas. We do request that you use 100% wool yarn — no synthetics, please — in subdued neutral colors — black, dark green, grays, or browns. You may personalize them if you wish — perhaps with some subtle striping or patterning, adding texture or cabling.
The first 16 pairs will go to Sgt. Wall and his unit, but we hope we’ll receive enough to send to other troops in Afghanistan as well.
As a special thank you, the names of all the knitters who send us glomitts for Afghanistan will be entered into a drawing for a Halcyon Yarn $50 Gift Certificate. But the greatest reward, of course, is knowing that you’ve doing something positive to help our troops.
We have set up a “Forum” for this knitalong, where you will be able to talk to others who have joined, introduce yourself, post pictures of your work, and ask for help or offer advice. We will also have two patterns available for download (for free, of course!). In order to join, please visit this page:
A heartfelt thanks to all you hardy knitters!
UPDATE: OK, the patterns are available in our forum. Feel free to download them and get started. Also, feel free to join the forum so that you can talk with others from all over about this project!
World Wide Knit in Public Day - and Photo Contest
Friday, June 13th, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
This idea started this morning as a groggy Friday “who knew?” comment, and several hours later we were so excited we’d created a full blown contest! Here is the deal: This Saturday is World Wide Knit in Public Day. We’d never heard of it, but it’s actually really cool. The idea is to create community, shed stereotypes, and have fun knitting in public! There is a history of this growing event and a listing of some public events at this site. Find a KIP (knit in public) and get in on the excitement!
Well, getting in on the game late this year, we can’t really 
organize our own event effectively… but we want to share in the excitement, so we want to see your photos of your WWKIP day! We’ll post some of our favorites in a future newsletter, and we’re also rewarding the best photo with a sweet prize: A Halcyon Yarn Tote Bag (all the better to knit in public, my precious) and a gift certificate for 15% off any fiber that you purchase (to help you fill the bag with the fiber of your choice, redeemable when you are awarded your free prize bag)!
And that’s not all, we want to include all fiber artists - so, we’ll give an additional prize pack to the best “not knitting but still a fiber art in public” (NKBSAFAIP) photo! That’s right, this is a chance for all you crocheters, hookers, kumihimo-ers, felters, braiders, spinners, and (oh we hope!) weavers, to show your stuff in public!!
These photos are just our attempt to get in on the action during lunch today… a beautiful day to knit in public, and what really got us excited about this awesome event! We had a great time outside, got some funny looks from the Rt. 1 traffic, and helped to raise awareness about what we do. We’re looking forward to hearing back from y’all and seeing how you do it!
So, get your fiber out in public, agree to our contest rules (below), and then send your photos to our nerd-master (er, web-master) Amos at: mis@halcyonyarn.com . Entries will be accepted until a week from this Saturday (AKA, June 21st, 2008).
Contest Rules: All photo submissions must be your original work. By submitting your work you agree to allow us to display your work on our website or in print, and you acknowledge that you will receive no compensation from us (unless you win one of the prizes). You agree to allow us to distribute your work under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Please give us your name so that we may acknowledge authorship if your work is selected for publication. Two prize packs as described above will be awarded; one will be for “knitting related” and one will be for “other than knitting” fiber arts in public photos. Judging and selection of photos in based on artistic merit and expressiveness of the spirit of World Wide Knit in Public Day. Judging is at our sole discretion and our decisions, while perhaps imperfect, are final. We try our best to be fair. Thanks and good luck!
Blue as the Ocean, Blue as the Sky: Indigo Days Workshop!
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 Posted in Events | 2 Comments »
We have a special event going on this summer, Indigo Days! What better time to celebrate the rich and varied hues of blue that surround us…
Indigo - the color that made Levi Strauss rich!…Let us initiate you into the mysteries of indigo in our summer hands-on dyeing workshop where you will dye your prepared fleece, yarn, or woven fabric. Halcyon staff will set up indigo dye pots so you can dye your own fiber projects. Safe dyeing procedures will be emphasized and you will learn how to set up your own dye baths at home.
Cost: $20 one pound & under, $10 each additional pound.
Weaving RX: The Weaver is IN! And other classes for this summer.
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
This summer just keeps getting better! Here are some highlights from our learning center:
Weaving RX: If you’re a weaver with questions and/or problems with a project or loom, or need assistance planning a new project, Halcyon’s master weaver is available to help on the third Thursday of the month. Bring your questions, projects, show & tell to the third floor classroom and receive a prescription for success! Access to Halcyon Yarn’s reference library is also available. Come for one, or come for all, it’ll be a good time every time! Thurs: June 19, July 17, Aug 21. At only $5 per session it is a learning bargain.
Knit for the Cure: Using Skacel’s limited edition sock kit featuring specially dyed “Pink Ribbon” Trekking XXL sock wool, knitters will learn new techniques while supporting breast cancer research. The sock includes a ribbon motif, cables and beaded accents, and is finished off with a “star” toe. 
All net proceeds from the sale of the kits will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Center. Participants should have mastered basic knitting skills and have experience knitting on double pointed needles. This class isn’t until later this summer, but we’re excited about it and wanted to get the word out early! Your very own kit is included in the class fee. Class is worked over two dates, Fri, Aug 1 & 8. Class fee: $75.00.
Stay Cool This Summer With Creative Classes!
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
What a line up! From rug hooking to felting, tapestry weaving to knitting, color mixing to spinning, with classes for beginners and experts, you’re sure to find a great opportunity amongst these offerings. Fiber arts go way back in history, and are best learned the old fashioned way - passed on from masters of the medium to eager learners, hands on, and in person. We’ve scoured the land to find this group of talented instructors, and are looking forward to a summer of fun filled learning!
Rug Hooking with Yarn = A Hungry Hook Writing!
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
Inspired by what his mother was able to accomplish with wool and 6 children, Vic Joos began hooking rugs 5 years ago when he discovered his mother’s old floor frame with an unfinished rug on it. That was 20 rugs and several blue ribbons ago. He is no stranger to Halcyon Yarn regulars: His rug depicting camp tools was a staff favorite in the Halcyon Yarn Fiber Arts Contest last year, and in October he both displayed and demonstrated his art at our Open House. His jovial disposition and ability to inspire meant that we had to have him back, and we were lucky to hook him for this spring. During this one-day workshop, Vic will emphasize design as well as technique; students will learn how to transfer an original concept to a rug backing, and how to incorporate yarn into the design. Check out our Rug Classes Page to learn more!
Yarn Tasting
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
Not sure if it’s a regional or national phenomenon, but we’ve seen a rapid growth in the popularity of “Wine Tastings” in our area. While wine tastings are very nice and all, we figured that it was neigh on time to take the concept of social sampling to new heights: Hence the birth of what we hope will be a fine tradition, the “Yarn Tasting”.
Last week a group of over a dozen yarn enthusiasts turned out and knit up samples of some fine whites, rich reds, as well as veritable rainbow of colors of fine yarns.
“Oh, that has fine full body, hints of oak and butterscotch”
“This has real depth, with an evolving and complex color palate”,
“Did I just see Clara Parkes knitting Sublime Angora Merino?” and
“I’d better slow down, I don’t want to tie one on”
Those were just a few of the comments our social gossip columnist overheard during the course of the evening. Attendees certainly had plenty of yarns to sample, all new additions to the store:
- Botanica Green (015)
- 2/12 Silk Purple (158)
- Gemstone Soft Twist Natural (154)
- 10/2 Pearl Tencel Dark Red
- Homestead Lilac (152)
- Regia Silk (052)
- Regia Bamboo (051)
- Silky Wool (053)
- Hempathy Light Mint (054)
- Classic Elite Wool (261)
- Bamboo Melon
- Satin Bamboo Red (088)
- Malabrigo Angora Yellow (240)
- Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Light Green (257)
- Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky Light Blue (258)
- Silky Flamme (055)
Be sure not to miss our next yarn tasting! We’ll schedule one next time we have a backlog of new fibers and colors to introduce.
Celebrity Class: Clara Parkes
Thursday, January 31st, 2008 Posted in Events | No Comments »
Fri. March 7th, 6-9pm and/orSaturday, March 8th 10am - 1pm.
Usher in a more colorful March and enjoy a weekend with Clara Parkes, author and web master of Knitters Review. Friday afternoon she will be signing copies of her fabulous new book and getting to know you. As afternoon turns to evening, we’d love it if you’d join us for a light supper, and presentation by Clara - Sign up on our Celebrity Classes page.
Saturday’s workshop will be all about yarn, it’s styles and uses. This is a unique opportunity to tap into one of todays top authorities on yarn.
We expect people to be traveling to catch this event, and suggest that you take advantage of one of Bath’s many great lodgings. Even in the winter, Bath has lovely landscapes, a fantastic Maritime Museum, fine dining, and accommodations to suit your tastes.
