We thank you for another year of serving you and we hope only to do it better in the upcoming year. We also wish you love and peace in the new year.

And if you ever feel yourself a little stressed over your knitting, you can think of this little saying brought to us from one of our customers from Sweden. We put it into a printable PDF file that you can cut out and put somewhere as a reminder.

"Knitting, like life, can be uneven.
Unlike life, it can be undone.
Be thankful!"

Quest is a self-striping yarn brought to us from Classic Elite Yarns. We weren't quite sure what to do with it -- other than to feel its softness -- until we saw this free hat pattern called the  Quest Ribbed Hat. Though we are following the pattern, we found ourselves thinking about how it would look in a beret style, slouched or just stockinette after an inch and a half of ribbing. The self-striping effect is very pleasing in this yarn. Our suggestion: Cast on the 88 stitches that the pattern calls for with a looser tension on a 16" #6 needle. Knit for 1½" and see if the hat speaks to you as to what you should do. You can switch to a #7 needle and follow the pattern as written, or explore. What we can tell you is that you can knit the body of the hat on a #8 needle and it will still be a snug-fitting hat.

This 90% wool/10% nylon chainette yarn is gauged as a heavy worsted/light aran weight. Each 50-gram/150-yard ball sells for $10.95. If you do not want self striping, or would like to do some colorwork with a non-self-striping yarn, we have Lang's Mila, which is a solid version of this yarn.

The staff here are knitters -- passionate ones, too. We rarely get to bring in our works in progress, even though we may be excited about them and would love to share about them. So we have decided to do this short monthly article to do just that! If you are looking for ideas, it may give you a project to knit, plus the reassurance that at least one of us has had experience with a specific yarn and pattern.

Cheryl
Cheryl is finishing up Harlowe by Melissa Wehrle from Brooklyn Tweed using Brown Sheep Prairie Spun DK. She loves this yarn so far and the pattern has a few interesting details in a sea of fisherman's rib. She is also close to finishing her second Creedence shawl by Corrina Ferguson using Malabrigo Rios. The first one was made with the same yarn, just a different colorway. It found its way home with her daughter, but Cheryl enjoyed that pattern and yarn combination so much she has finally gotten around to making another.  Cheryl's plan is to finish everything up before the first of the year. Needless to say, she is mentally preparing/planning her next projects for the new year.

Helen
One of these days she may count up her unfinished projects, but at the moment, her active knitting projects are:
-- A simple basketweave blanket for a shop sample. She is knitting it in Cestari's 75% cotton/25% wool blend. This is an all-American yarn. We will debut it next month!
-- Two of the same cowls, but in different lengths, in String Theory's Opulence, a 50% wool/50% silk hand-dyed dk weight gorgeous yarn. Fiber of Maine subscribers received this yarn and pattern in October. She is knitting samples for new pattern photos as well as knitting a double wrap option to get its finished measurements. This pattern, the Blue Hill Cowl, will be available sometime this month on Ravelry.
-- Fingerless mitts for gifts.

Liz
Liz is currently working on two sweaters (both green!). The first one will be complete as soon as she gets up the courage to cut the steek. The pattern is Sólbein Cardigan by Mary Jane Mucklestone, in Lopi Lite. The other sweater is Crosby, a Brooklyn Tweed pattern in Swans Island All American Worsted.

In recognition of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 10% of our sales on Monday, January 15, 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.

(The photo shown, Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, Ala., is from The George F. Landegger Collection of Alabama Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, and is courtesy of Public Domain Images Online.)

We are lucky to have Jenn Steingass living nearby. We get to talk to her frequently about her latest creative endeavors as well as watch her lovely children grow up. We also get to borrow her beautiful sweaters!

For a while longer, we have one of her newest sweaters, Telja. This sweater really is a beauty! We carry both the yarns that the pattern suggests using, plus a few more options. Feel free to come in and try it on.

With the chill of winter upon us -- giving us more indoor time -- this may be a good time to try a Fiber of Maine subscription.

While experiencing the element of a happy surprise, you will also be supporting Maine's fiber farmers, independent dyers and small mills. The January mailing goes out next week and a piece of Maine can be delivered right to you.

If one of your New Year's goals is to learn new crafting techniques, Berroco's YouTube channel is here to help. Their   comprehensive video library can help you perfect your knitting skills.

Berroco's most popular how-to video in 2017 was How to Work the Turkish Cast-on -- this simple technique can be used to begin toe-up socks, such as the Hartland Slipper Socks, or top-down mittens.

The second most popular was How to Work German Short-rows. This technique was used most often to knit the Mrs. Watson shawl -- the video was made because so many people wanted to use this technique during the Mrs. Watson Knit-along.

Also popular this year was the How to Catch Floats in Colorwork video. This technique helps to ensure that your floats on the back side of your colorwork projects don't pull in the fabric too much.

Other notable videos include one on understanding "ease" in a garment pattern, how to work two-color brioche (it's easier than you may think), an introduction to working with Plötulopi from Ístex Lopi yarns, and 360º views of Berroco's garment patterns from 2017.

Celebrate the wonderful heritage of Icelandic sweaters with a Lopi Sweater knit-along! The fun begins February 1 and runs through March 16.
 
Participants can use any stranded colorwork sweater pattern they'd like (Berroco will have some ideas to get people going) along with Ístex Léttlopi or Álafosslopi, or Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Berroco Vintage, or Berroco Ultra Wool. There will be a dedicated email list for this knit-along, as well as a lot of great discussion and helpful hints in the Berroco Lovers group on Ravelry.
 
For more information, email Amy Palmer at [email protected].

NYBB 2018 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 eight indoor venues within walking distance, showcasing a wide variety of live performances, as well as several dance bands. Admission is by purchasing a NYBB 2018 Adult or Youth/Student Button to wear. Under 5 years are free. Food purchases are separate.

Free activities include a performance by Jennifer Armstrong, Belfast Curling Club Open House, Caricatures by PJ Carter, Drum & Rabble Corps Procession and Bonfire By The Bay. Musical performers include Ameranouche, Belfast Bay Fiddlers, Blue Hill Brass, John & Sandy Cameron, Captain Obvious, Ellacappella, Fremont Street String Band, Shana Hanson, Jonesville, Katahdin Valley Boys, The Leaky Boot Jug Band, The Lowdown, Mes Amis, Meteora, The Midcoast Ukuleles, Miners Creek, New Shades of Blue, The Pinwheel Brothers, The Right Track and Steelin' Thunder. There will also be Bob Lloyd's Magic, Juggling & Illusion and poetry readings.

For more information, visit NYBB 2018.

Come to the Belfast Free Library on Fridays, January 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 3:30-4:30 pm for a workshop with Scot Cannon, a talented mime, musician and dedicated educator who has been teaching and inspiring young people for over 40 years.

Learn how some of the basic mime illusions work. Come ready to move, sing, laugh and learn. Please wear comfortable clothing. You might have to roll on the floor, leap into the air or anything in between! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, phone 207-338-3884 ext. 24.

Join Belfast Flying Shoes on Friday, January 5, for an evening of contra dancing 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.

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 Steampacket, a trio of masterful Maine musicians (Tamora Goltz, fiddle; Glen Loper, mandolin and tenor banjo; David Stimson, guitar) who generate the rhythmic energy and melodic sparkle that make contra dancing a magical journey. As they say on their webpage: "With soaring fiddle, bright mandolin, and David's creative drop-D guitar playing, we get a rich, powerful sound that lifts the dancers and pleases listeners of all sorts."

Sound by Glen Loper.

For more information, phone 207-338-0979, email [email protected], visit Belfast Flying Shoes or find them on Facebook.

Contra Dance Grant
Belfast Flying Shoes has received a $3,500 grant from the ME Expansion Arts Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to expand awareness of and engagement in traditional participatory dance and music in midcoast Maine. The organization will use the grant to fund three new outreach programs: a film series, including a focus group for local youth to share their experiences and perspectives on contra dance; a musical stage performance based on the life of famed New England contra dance caller and musician Dudley Laufman and featuring local dancers; and a rock-and-roll contra dance. To learn more about the Foundation, visit MCF.

A Boar's Head Feast will be offered on Epiphany Day, Saturday, January 6, at 5 pm in the Fellowship Hall of The First Church in Belfast, United Church of Christ. All are invited to come and join with the King and Queen and their court as they are entertained by the Lord of Misrule and the many mummers (actors and mimes), musicians and singers. Children of the Sunday School along with adults of the church and the community will fill the character roles. The delicious feast being prepared by the First Church cooks will include roast pork, ham and turkey, along with potatoes, various vegetables, rolls and bread pudding dessert. Of course "wassail" or mulled cider (non-alcoholic) will be included!  A limit of 80 seats will be available and tickets can be ordered in advance from the church office beginning January 2. Cost is $20 per adult and $5 per child (12 and under). For more information or to order tickets, phone the church office at 207-338-2282.

Learn to curl at the Belfast Curling Club on Sunday, January 7, 10:30 am-12:30 pm or 1-3 pm. If you would like to try curling or are interested in joining Belfast Curling Club, email [email protected]  with your names, phone numbers and which session you want to attend, or phone Steve McLaughlin at 207-685-9540.

It's just $10.00 to experience curling, a Winter Olympic sport. Join the Belfast Curling Club for your winter exercise and fun.

The Belfast Curling Club is located at 221 Belmont Ave. (Route 3), two miles west of Belfast.

Wentworth Event Center, Camden National Bank and the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to sponsor a young professionals' networking event on Tuesday, January 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Wentworth Event Center, 139 Searsport Ave, Belfast. No need to register; just show up. There will be appetizers from Harborwalk, a cash bar and lots of FUN people in the room.

The BACC wants to provide an opportunity for young people from all careers from office jobs to farmers, and an initial group has confirmed that there is ongoing interest in social activities and networking, and possibly more structured activities as well.
In this kickoff gathering, attendees can mingle, get acquainted and use whiteboards for brainstorming ideas in a casual environment. Help identify what the young professionals of the greater Belfast area are seeking, and what they can offer each other.

For more information about the Wentworth Event Center and this event, find them on Facebook.

On January 10, 5:30-7 pm, at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center at 80 Belmont Ave., Belfast, Dirigo Speaks, a partnership between the Bangor Daily News and AARP Maine, presents Competing with Age, an important and engaging conversation about how we all can lead a more active and healthy life right here in Maine.

Mainers from all walks of life are finding ways to stay active and keep moving as they age. How are they doing it? Come and find out, and share your own thoughts on staying active no matter your age.

Dirigo Speaks: Competing with Age brings you together with Mainers who are changing how we think about fitness in Maine, and who will motivate you to get active, stay healthy and make age just a number. Come hear from Gary Allen, race director and organizer of the growing Millinocket, MDI, and Cranberry Island Marathons; Gail Auclair of the American Lung Association and the Trek Across Maine; and a Trekker from the midcoast.

For more information, email event organizer Kimberly Merrifield at [email protected] or find them on Facebook.

Winterim Session
Belfast Senior College at the Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Ave., Belfast, starts its 2018 Winterim classes on January 18 and offers something for everyone. From Shakespeare to Gospel Sing and Shout, from Knitting to Music in the Movies, a diverse array of interesting learning opportunities is offered again this winter. Morning session runs from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and afternoon session is from 1 to 3 pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy a day of learning and fellowship with new friends and neighbors.

To view a complete course listing and to register, visit Belfast Senior College, or phone the Senior College office on Thursdays, 10 am-1 pm at 207-338-8033.

Maudie
Belfast Senior College Special Events Committee will host the Belfast premier of the movie Maudie, starring Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins. The film will be shown in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library on Sunday, January 21 at 2 pm.

Maudie is the true story of a disabled artist overcoming early abusive relationships from those close to her and finally finding joy and love with her curmudgeonly fisherman husband in bleak, coastal Nova Scotia. (Note: Some scenes in the film graphically display the abuse leveled at Maud, which some may find disturbing.)

Popcorn and other refreshments will be available. Plan on joining a discussion of the movie following the screening. The Committee will award a 2018 Maud Lewis calendar as a door prize to a lucky attendee.

On Sunday, January 21, 3-5:30 pm, at the Hutchinson Center, Route 3, Belfast, a candidates' forum for five Democratic Primary candidates, each of whom hopes to challenge Bruce Poliquin for his Congressional seat in 2018, will take place. Jonathan Fulford, Jared Golden, Craig Olson, Tim Rich and Lucas St. Clair will introduce themselves and answer questions from attendees. There will also be informal mingling with candidates after the more formal Q&A session.

This forum is for anyone who plans to vote in the Democratic primary, who may decide to do so, or is potentially interested in the eventual Democratic candidate for ME CD-2. Bring your friends, bring your questions, but please don't bring signs or other political paraphernalia.

Sponsors so far include Indivisible Waldo, Belfast Indivisible, Midcoast Maine Indivisible, Waldo County Chapter of Maine Allcare and Head of the Tide Indivisible. For more information, email [email protected].