Welcome to Heavenly Socks Yarns!
Our shop on Lower Main Street
Our Move to Web-based Patterns
It would be an understatement to say that technology, particularly computers, has changed our daily lives. Many of the developments have been positive and convenient, but at the same time we lose things that we are just plain used to or find pleasurable. For many of us, the tactile feel of a book or newspaper comes to mind immediately.
At the yarn shop, we find ourselves at the same crossroads. How do we balance the convenient resource of the Internet with the printed pattern on location? After months of noticing the habits of our staff we have concluded this: We almost always look on Ravelry to find a free (and well-liked) pattern before offering any of our in-store patterns. And so to adjust for this, we have decided to set up online pattern access for our customers here at the shop, while still offering a limited number of individual patterns.
All individual patterns will be on sale at 50%, with the exception of Pure and Simple, Yankee Knitter, Jill Eaton and those supporting our store models. However, these exceptions will be on sale at 20% off. There are also an expanding number of patterns on Ravelry that are available for sale through our register. You don't even need to have a Ravelry account! You pay us, we print your hard copy here and then the file is e-mailed to you.
Sale on Books, Magazines and Patterns
We will begin the process this month by offering all books and magazines at 20% off. All individual patterns will be on sale at 50%, with the exception of Pure and Simple, Yankee Knitter, Jill Eaton and those supporting our store models. However, these exceptions will be on sale at 20% off.
We look forward to this transition and look forward to your feedback!
Wingspan shawlette, knit by Sara
New Items
We just missed including this Wingspan shawlette in our last newsletter. (The pattern is available in a crochet version too.) Sara knit this model with one skein of Noro Taiyo sock yarn. However, customers tell us that this is a versatile pattern and can be knit with many different yarn gauges.
Discount Items
What do you discount in the month following the sock yarn sale? One-of-a-kind skeins and overstock colors. We have a nice basket full of deeply discounted yarn for you to browse through.
The Yarn Demon's Blog
On our Web site, we like to list local knitting blogs. This month we added Beth Collins' knitting blog, called Demonic Progress. Beth owned Unique One in Camden, and so her blog contains a lot of tried-and-true patterns. Also, many people regularly ask us about her, and so this gives you the opportunity to keep in touch with her!
Parker baby sweater, knit by Liz in Weekend Chunky
Berroco's Site Tutorials
We would like to encourage you to bookmark Berroco's Site Tutorials page.
Besides being a great company to do business with, because of their quality yarns and customer service, we find their Web site to be a fantastic resource. The site is user-friendly, with a lot of free patterns and how-to videos.
Liz just knit this free pattern called Parker, found on the Berroco Web site. She used their Weekend Chunky yarn.
Chemo Caps
LINK: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=%22chemo%20cap%22&page=1&sort=best&view=captioned_thumbs http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#page=1&view=captioned_thumbs&query=%22chemo%20hat%22&sort=bestChemo caps for hospital: Waldo County Hospital is in need of hats for patients undergoing chemotherapy. We have some free patterns here at the shop for chemo cap knitting, or you can search chemo cap or chemo hat on Ravelry. You can drop off your hats here or directly at the hospital.
History of Mother's Day: Julia Ward Howe
May is the month to celebrate mothers. We love this historical account of Mother's Day which relates the honoring of mothers to the cause of pacifism, and so we will share it again this year.
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.
Step Back Into Victorian Times at St. Margaret's Church
Step Back Into Victorian Times
The Women of St. Margaret's and the Belfast Historical Society and Museum invite the women of Belfast to join them Saturday, May 19, for a special fashion show of vintage clothing from the turn of the century.
A Day in the Life: Notable Women of Belfast and Their Fashion will be accompanied by lemonade and cupcakes in St. Margaret's Parish House at 95 Court St. starting at 2 pm. While Megan Pinette, historical society president, provides running commentary on the clothing and contributions of influential women of Belfast, fourteen local women and girls will model more than two dozen vintage gowns, tea dresses, walking ensembles, nightwear and undergarments.
Tickets, $10.00, are limited and must be purchased in advance. Call 207-338-5148. For more information, visit St. Margaret's Church and click on Vintage Fashion Show and Talk.
Interior of Conklin's Maine Mercantile
Conklin's Maine Mercantile Expands
Conklin's Maine Mercantile, 147 High St., Belfast, is expanding to the space next door, 145 High St., doubling the size of the present shop. Mary Johnston Design will stay in the present location with the cabinet showroom and design studio. Watch for grand opening mid-May!
Coastal Farms and Foods Receives Loan
Today, Jan Anderson, President of Coastal Farms and Foods, announced that it had received a $1.1 million loan from Farm Credit of Maine. The loan will support the acquisition of major equipment and modifications to its new facility.
Coastal Farms and Foods is a newly formed business that will provide food processing, freezing and storage services principally to local berry growers and the farming community. It is located on Northport Avenue, Belfast and is owned by a group of twenty investors, nearly all of whom are from the Midcoast area and have invested in Coastal Farms because of their desire to support the local economy, particularly the local agricultural community. The company was formed last year and plans to begin operation this summer.
Farm Credit of Maine is a locally owned cooperative serving all rural communities in Maine. It is part of the national Farm Credit System that is comprised of more than eighty locally owned credit cooperatives throughout the nation and currently has over $160 billion in outstanding loans nationwide. Its mission is to support rural communities by providing credit and related services such as leasing, rural appraisals and crop insurance to the agricultural, forestry and fishing industries.
Jan Anderson said, "We are pleased to have the financial support and confidence of Farm Credit of Maine because of their deep understanding of the agricultural industry and their appreciation of the contribution Coastal Farms will make to that industry in the Midcoast area. The relationship between Farm Credit and Coastal Farms provides an important link between large-scale national financial markets and committed local entrepreneurs and investors to create a stronger and more sustainable economic basis for our region." Jan also stated that she has been gratified by the enthusiastic support she has received from community residents and particularly from the officials of the City of Belfast.
Shannon Rackley, Assistant Vice President of Farm Credit Maine, said, "We are pleased to be supporting Coastal Farms and Foods because its services will enable the Midcoast agricultural businesses to be more productive and therefore sustainable over the long run. It fits perfectly with our mission to support rural communities."
For further information, phone Jan Anderson at 207-338-1429.
Cinco De Mayo Street Party
La Vida Mexican Restaurant in downtown Belfast is hosting a free Cinco De Mayo Street Party on Saturday, May 5, from noon to 7 pm!
High Street will be closed from Main Street to the Co-op to make way for the festivities. Family, friends, young and old, and pets are all welcome. Games with prizes, a bounce house, balloons, cotton candy, toys and more will be part of the celebration, as well as face painting, photo booth, live music and dancing.
For more information, e-mail Jacinda Russ at froglegs207@hotmail.com.
Green Thumb Plant Sale
Green Thumb Plant Sale
The Belfast Garden Club's Annual Green Thumb Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 19, from 9 to 11 am, at the Boathouse, 34 Commercial St. in Belfast.
Annuals, perennials, white elephant sale, gardening gloves, Master Gardener reference table and more! Proceeds benefit civic beautification and scholarship programs in Belfast and Waldo County.
For further information, visit Belfast Garden Club or phone 207-930-3562.
Seven Crows, Holly Meade, woodblock and linoleum print, 48 x 17 inches
Aarhus Gallery: A Murder of Crows
Please join Aarhus Gallery for an opening reception Friday, May 4, 5-8 pm for a show entitled A Murder of Crows which runs May 3-27.
The crow can elicit a range of interpretations, which is likely why they've found a place in myth, magic and folklore for centuries now. Crows are intelligent, social creatures, often displaying more sense than some of us.
Featured artists include; Susan Amons, kdb-Karen Dominguez, Sallie Findlay, Stephen Florimbi, Mia Kanazawa, Mark Kelly, Mark Kindschi, Elena Kubler, A. C . Kulik, Richard Mann, Holly Meade, Ivan Rasmussen, Rebekah Raye, Abbie Read, Wesley Reddick, Willy Reddick and Susan Webster.
As If Stories Presents Slow Monkeys
As If Stories, a series of readings of short stories by Maine writers performed by Maine actors, will feature Slow Monkeys by Jim Nichols, read by Dennis Harrington, on its May broadcast. The story, along with interviews with the writer and performer, can be heard on Thursday, May 3, at 10 am on WERU radio (89.9 FM in the midcoast area, 99.9 FM in Bangor). Those outside of WERU's listening area can listen online at WERU.
The As If Series of stories, originally performed live at Aarhus Gallery in Belfast, are broadcast on the first Thursday of every month on WERU. For those who miss the first-Thursday broadcasts, most of the programs will be available in the WERU archives on the station's Web site. For more information about the broadcasts, contact Jim Campbell at info@weru.org with "As If Stories" in the subject line.
Ameranouche at Aarhus
Aarhus Gallery is pleased to welcome the award-wining trio, Ameranouche, back to Belfast for a concert on Friday, May 11, at 7:30 pm. Though it will be their first time playing at Aarhus, they have delighted audiences at Belfast's New Year's by the Bay many times with their gypsy jazz sound of traditional and largely original music inspired by legendary Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Ameranouche is a two-time winner of Best of New Hampshire awards as well as being veterans of the famed Newport Jazz Festival. They continue to tour nationally year-round and have released two albums.
The energetic trio features, on French acoustic jazz guitars, the melodic virtuosity of Richard Sheppard, and the vehement rhythm chops of Zach Pearson, plus Stephen Gibson keeping the bottom end lively with his standup bass.
A $12.00 suggested donation at the door includes cider, tea and snacks. CDs will be available for purchase.
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.
Primavera: The Maine Fine Art Figure Exhibition
Galerie Dufour in downtown Belfast is proud to host Primavera: The Maine Fine Art Figure Exhibition. The show features modern interpretations of the nude, the classic genre in art, by Maine artists. Fine-art nude drawings, photographs, paintings and original prints will be featured in what promises to be a memorable exhibit.
Award-winning Maine artists David Estey and Charles Laurier Dufour juried the entries and were impressed with the varied interpretations. "When you leave it to the artists to interpret 'the nude' as they envision it rather than simply how commercial and social convention does," explains Dufour, "then individual styles dictate the outcome and you end up with quite an impressive, varied, and interesting collection of works." Selected artwork for Primavera comes from artists ranging in age from 20 to 92 and from around the pine tree state.
Galerie Dufour will host an opening reception for the public on Saturday, May 5, between 5-8 pm. Food for the adult reception on Cinco de Mayo will be provided by La Vida Mexican Restaurant of Belfast. Awards for the show will be announced at approximately 6:30 pm. Tell your friends and don't miss this show which kicks off Galerie Dufour's ninth season in Belfast!
Primavera will be exhibited at Galerie Dufour until the end of May. For more information, contact the gallery at Galerie Dufour, 94 Main St., Belfast, phone 207- 338-6448 or e-mail GalerieDufour@gmail.com.
Cardboard for recycling
So Where Does My Recycling Go?
Experts in the field of waste management and recycling in Maine will speak on Wednesday, May 2, at 7 pm at Waterfall Arts, in coordination with the center's cardboard exhibit Corrugation Nation, on display through May 18. The speakers will offer a lively and fact-driven presentation on the local, state and national picture of recycling. For example, Belfast mixed paper becomes "National Geographic" magazines.
Bruce A. White, Planner of the Waste Management and Recycling Program at the Maine State Planning Office, will discuss the history and current status of cardboard recycling in Maine, as well as identify Materials Re-use centers around the state for artists and others.
Scootch Pankonin, representing the City of Belfast's Transfer Station, will discuss local recycling issues and share her experience establishing a state-of-the-art transfer station in St. George from 2002-2007, where she was the recycling coordinator.
The talk, sponsored by Evergreen Home Performance, takes place at Waterfall Arts, 256 High St. in Belfast. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Waterfall Arts, now in its thirteenth year, is dedicated to creating community in harmony with nature through the transformative power of the arts. For information on exhibits, classes, rentals and events, visit Waterfall Arts or phone 207-338-2222.
Antique Tomato Seed Packet by Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project students
Belfast Co-op May Schedule
May Featured Artist -- Troy Howard MS Garden Project
Antique Seed Packets, by Troy Howard Middle School's Ecology Academy students, who created framed acrylic posters inspired by antique seed packets. On display in the Belfast Co-op Cafe for the month of May.
On Fire: How to Beat Diet-Related Inflammation -- May 1
Tuesday, 1-3 pm, Belfast Free Library -- Free presentation with nutritionist John Bagnulo. Learn more about foods that are hidden sources of inflammation and discover foods that can help you put out this fire. Sponsored by the Belfast Free Library and the Belfast Co-op.
Senior Discount Day
Every Tuesday, Belfast Co-op customers 62 years young and up receive a discount if they inform the cashier of their eligibility. Co-op members receive a 10% discount; non-members 5%.
Belfast Farmers' Market Opens -- May 4
Friday, 9 am-1 pm, upper Main Street between Church and High streets -- 2012 season opens with a Main Street Festival (first Friday/month through October), twenty-six vendors. The other Fridays of the month, visit the Market at Waterfall Arts, 256 High St., Belfast. For more information, visit Belfast Farmers' Market.
Common Ground Radio -- May 4 (first Friday/month)
Friday, 10-11 am -- Live and call-in radio program on WERU with MOFGA 89.9 FM and WERU.
Wine Tasting and Art Opening -- May 4
Friday, 7-9 pm, Belfast Co-op Cafe -- Free monthly wine tasting of highlighted seasonal wines, gourmet cheeses and crackers and the opening of Antique Seed Packets. Karolyn Melino of Pine Street Beverage Co. and Co-op wine manager Ron Poirier will be available to answer questions. Featured wines are 10% off during the tasting. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
Fair Trade Coffee Break -- May 8
Tuesday, 11 am-3 pm, Belfast Co-op -- In celebration of World Fair Trade Day, the Belfast Co-op will be providing free samples of coffee, chocolate and other fair-trade goods.
Native Plant Sale Delivery and Sale -- May 12
Saturday, 9-11 am, Belfast Co-op's Pendleton Lane lot -- Pre-ordered field-grown native perennials will be delivered to the Co-op by Peter Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm in Clinton, Me. Additional plants will be available for purchase.
In Transition 2.0 Film Screening -- May 15
Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Belfast Free Library -- Free screening of new Transition Network film, capturing inspiring stories of Transition Initiatives around the world, responding to uncertain times with creativity, solutions and "engaged optimism." Screening followed by discussion. Co-sponsored by the Belfast Free Library, the Belfast Area Transition Initiative and the Belfast Co-op.
Third Thursday Donation Day -- May 17
Every third Thursday of the month, the Belfast Co-op donates 1% of the day's sales to a community organization whose work helps build local resilience. The Belfast Garden Club has been selected as our May recipient.
Spring Greens Cooking Class -- May 21Monday, 6:15-8:15 pm, Waterfall Arts, 256 High St., Belfast -- Taught by natural foods chef Pam McKeen, $12.00 pre-registration, twelve-participant limit. Taste samples and watch demonstrations of how to make delicious, nutritious gluten-free and sugar-free spring recipes. Bring your own plate, bowl and utensils for sampling. Pre-register at any checkout in the Belfast Co-op or phone 207-338-2532 to pre-register with a credit/debit card.
Soil Health Presentation -- May 23Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Belfast Free Library -- Join Mark Fulford of Teltane Farm for a look at total soil function, with emphasis on biology and nutrition. Combining his technical knowledge of soil and crop relationships with a farmer's common sense and intuition, Mark will guide us through the complex workings of a healthy soil. Learn practices for building and maintaining soil health in small-scale, biological agriculture. Free event, sponsored by the Belfast Co-op.
May LOCAL Food Day -- May 29Tuesday, 11 am-3 pm -- Y Knot Farm of Belmont will be providing free samples of their sheep's-milk products at the Belfast Co-op, the Deli will feature local products in their lunch special and select local products will be on sale throughout the store.
Member-Owner Super Sale Day -- June 1Friday -- Belfast Co-op member-owners receive 10% off all store purchases except beer, wine, tobacco products and periodicals. Not a member-owner yet? This may be a very good time to join!
For more information about Belfast Co-op events, visit Belfast Co-op, e-mail kate@ belfast.coop or phone 207-338-2532.
Troy, midcoast Maine's friendly UPS man
Our Shipping Policy
Even though our Web site is not designed with a shopping cart, we will happily ship anything to you.
At this time, we only ask for the exact cost of the shipping; there is no handling charge.
By the way, the man in the photo is our well-loved UPS deliveryman. He is always smiling and happy, even when hauling heavy boxes down the stairs. (He must be a secret wannabe knitter.)
Inside our shop, with yarn lovers examining a tempting skein.