Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, and the Indie Giftalong

November 21, 2023

The days after Thanksgiving are kind of a big deal in the world of retail--we've got Plaid Friday (the local and indie alternative to Black Friday chaos), and Small Business Saturday. Yarn Folk will be striving to delight you and support you in your gift making and giving...but we'll be sending out a supplemental email later this week with the details.

I'd planned to spend Sunday afternoon finalizing my plans, but I spent most of it at an emergency vet visit, and said goodbye to my boy tabby, Spritey. In the spirit of giving myself the same grace I try to extend to others, I'm choosing not to focus on what didn't get finished, and be grateful that we were in the care of kind veterinary professionals. Everything will get done; the timeline has just shifted a bit.

…mark your calendars

Social Stitching

Every Saturday, 2-4pm

A reminder--if you're feeling poorly, please join us again as soon as you're feeling better!

Plaid Friday Shopping & Small Business Saturday

November 24-25th

Kick off your holiday shopping at participating Downtown Ellensburg businesses, and enjoy the Moments to Remember events. Shop local this season!

Elfin Madness

Now through December 13th

We're hosting an elf and gnome swap to celebrate the winter holidays with our fiber friends. Sign up here. The event operates on a make one / take one principle, and submissions must be received in person or by mail at Yarn Folk no later than December 13th. We will assemble mystery packages and you can pick up your new pal in person at our Holiday Swap Party on the 16th. If you're unable to attend, we'll hold your mystery package for you, or mail it if needed.

This is an idea I've had bouncing around for a couple of years--I hope you'll participate! Sign up form is here, and a Ravelry bundle of pattern ideas is here.

Holiday Girls Night Out

Thursday, December 7th, 5-9p

Holiday Swap Party

Saturday, December 16th, any time between 9a-1p.

We'll have holiday refreshments, and if you participated in the elf and gnome swap, you'll be able to pick up your secret package! (But stop by for some holiday cheer even if you aren't participating in the exchange.)

Coming in January

Sweater Knitalong / Crochetalong

Holiday Hours

November 23 -- Closed for Thanksgiving

November 24-25 -- Regular hours (8:30a - 5p Friday, 9a - 4p Saturday)

December 25 -- Closed for Christmas

January 8-10 -- Closed for annual planning

…new in the shop

I think that this is our third restock of The Woobles Learn to Crochet Kits--and this time there are four new designs: Bacon the Pig, Billie the Unicorn, Bjorn the Narwhal, and Fred the Rainbow Dinosaur. They are a great introduction to crochet--especially amigurumi--and the all-inclusive package makes them fantastic gifts.

We also received a shipment from Malabrigo, with a bit of Rasta, and a restock of Ultimate Sock. If you purchase Ultimate Sock, we'll include a complimentary full-color printed pattern for the Normandy Socks, pictured above.

…to inspire

"Who are you stitching for?" will return next week, but we are taking a break to highlight the annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long hosted in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry. There are pattern discounts at the beginning, there are prizes throughout, and perhaps most importantly, there is an FAQ, which you can find here!

There's nothing mandatory or high-pressure happening, but if you're looking for some camaraderie as you're making holiday gifts, the Gift-A-Long has you covered!

Again, here is the FAQ!

...currently stitching

Mabel in Ultra Alpaca Chunky Natural (in Farro) is finished! I made the third size, and my only modifications were to knit the neckline a bit taller, and to finish all edges--sleeve, hem, and neck--with a tubular cast off.

Mabel is a Cocoknits pattern, and makes reference to techniques found in the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop, but as a test, I completed it using only Cocoknits tutorials found online. It was a bit think-y at first, but once the included worksheet was filled out, it was really quite straightforward to make.