You're invited! -- 10th Anniversary Party THIS Saturday, April 15th
WHO: You, friend!
WHAT: An all-day party to celebrate 10 years of Yarn Folk
WHEN: Saturday, April 15th 9am - 4pm
WHERE: 304 N Pearl St, Ellensburg, WA and online at yarnfolk.com
WHY: Because Yarn Folk *is* you, and we want to say thank you!
Current open hours are Monday - Thursday, 7am-3:30pm, Friday 8:30am - 5pm and Saturdays, 9am-4pm.
…mark your calendars
Social Stitching
Every Saturday, 2-4pm
Join us around the big table for a couple of hours of convivial stitching.
Yarn Folk Tenth Anniversary
April 15
Girls Night Out
April 27 5-9pm
Start at the Ellensburg Downtown Association office, 109 E. Third to pick up your bingo card and list of participating businesses, then sip, shop, dine, play bingo, and win fabulous prizes! For each $20 you spend, you'll be entered to win one of two huge gift baskets with merchandise and gift certificates from participating locations.
Local Yarn Store Day
April 29
For the sixth annual Local Yarn Store Day, we'll be celebrating our customers with exclusive merchandise, free pattern offers, and more.
Knit or Crochet Every Day in May
May 1-31
We're bringing back this month-long challenge--you only have to commit to a few stitches a day to enter for prizes at the end.
...new in the shop
- There are TEN of them, one for each year Yarn Folk has been open.
- Each one includes a custom-sewn Field Bag. The original bags are no longer available from Fringe Supply Co., but Grainline Studio has published a sewing pattern for the bags, and I bought some heavy duty fabric and made a bunch. Finished items are not to be resold, but they can be my gift to you! I used 10 oz cotton ripstop canvas in earthy colors for the exteriors and natural canvas for the interiors, so they have a vibe similar to the original bags, but I also added a pop of color via the wrist straps.
- My vendors were generous with their support of this event, so each door prize will feature a special kit or other gift from some of our favorite companies. Heartfelt thanks to Berroco, Blue Sky Fibers, Bryson Distributing, Dream in Color, The Fibre Co., Plymouth Yarn, Skacel, and Universal Yarn!
- Each door prize will also include a Yarn Folk mug and a $10 gift certificate.
- How to enter? Everyone who visits the shop on Saturday will have the opportunity to enter by signing up for our weekly email (or confirming their existing address). Extra entries for bringing a friend or making a purchase! If you're unable to visit us in person on Saturday, you may email ann@yarnfolk.com with the subject line DOOR PRIZE ENTRY, and you'll also get an extra entry for any purchases made on Saturday online. (And for the sake of my sanity, you may enter online or in person, but not both.)
- I will put all entries into a spreadsheet (including any bonus entries described above) and fire up my old friend random.org to choose the winners on Monday.
And don't forget: we've also got some fun goodie bags to give away with purchases on Saturday (again, in person and online, while supplies last, one per person). Custom swag, a small fiber project, some small treats--I really wanted to make these a special thank you, and I hope you like them!
Custom colors will be here for you to see in person, and they will go live at yarnfolk.com on Saturday morning. (There will be an easy-to-find link on the landing page.)
…to inspire
I finished listening to the audiobook of Peggy Orenstein's Unraveling (fantastic), and she pieced together some facts that I knew separately, but had never considered together.
Viking longships date from the 9th-11th centuries. Their sails were woven from flax or wool, treated for water-resistance.
Spinning wheels date from the 14th century.
Longship sails were not just handwoven (and sometimes dyed), they were handspun on a spindle.
I'm still gobsmacked by that thought!
This 2016 article from Hakai Magazine (which "explores science, society, and the environment in compelling narratives that highlight coastal life around the world") is a fascinating look at the role of wool in Viking societies. It's also available in audio format here.
...currently stitching
I thought I might finish the Photography Shawl in Loch Lomond--but that was a goal that did not comport with reality. I did make some visible progress on PetiteKnit's Ingrid Slipover in Hudson + West Forge--it's joined in the round, and I'm working through the body chart now.
I also started a couple of sample projects for Local Yarn Shop Day--but you'll have to check back closer to the 29th for details on those!
