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Heavenly Socks Yarns Newsletter
January 2017
Fiber animals at Mulberry Marsh, winter sunset (click to zoom)
Wish for the New Year
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a year of health, love and peace. We wish you a year in which your creative energy is full of inspiration. We also want to thank you for another great year in Belfast.
Fraternal hats_ knit by Liz in Fortezza _click to zoom_
Fraternal hats, knit by Liz in Fortezza (click to zoom)
Fraternal Hats
Fraternal, a mismatched set of two hats made with two balls of self-striping Fortezza, each with its own character.  One size fits most adults, but you can easily adjust the size by multiples of 4 stitches for the cast on.
Rearranging the Shop
If you have been in the shop during the past couple of weeks, you would have noticed that we were doing some rearranging. Most notably, we have swapped the Maine yarn section with the cotton section, thereby increasing the space for Maine yarns while slightly decreasing the cotton selection. (We now have many cotton yarns at 25% off!)

Many customers were so nice about shopping through a maze of boxes and we thank you if you were one of them! Even though we have completed a major rearrangement, we will continue to tweak the arrangement of the shop through January.

As a result of all this work, we hope that you will have a more enjoyable shopping experience.
French print of moths_ circa mid-1800s_ courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
French print of moths, circa mid-1800s, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
Moving Fiber Helps Prevent a Moth Attack
It is that time of year again, when we listen to Mother Nature and hunker down indoors. Traveling isn't a wise thing to do, and bitter cold temperatures can limit our enjoyment of the outdoors. Welcome this time as an opportunity to create a new fiber project -- but first, inventory your yarn stash and inspect it for any signs of moths.

It is important to take it out periodically, because moths do not like to be disturbed. Take that yarn out and spread it on the floor. If you suspect that you may have moths, lay down a white sheet first. A telltale sign of moth infiltration will be little black particles, resembling pepper, that will fall out of a skein of yarn if you shake it.

Of course, when a skein of yarn looks like someone took scissors to it, or it breaks constantly while knitting, these are other undeniable signs that moths have visited you.

Make this experience an annual tradition! It can be fun; scraps of yarn can trigger memories of projects made long ago. Reacquainting yourself with stash yarns can inspire you!
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King_ Jr._ Kelly Ingram Park_ Birmingham_ Ala._ photo courtesy of Public Domain Images Online
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, Ala. (photo courtesy of Public Domain Images Online)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Donation Day
In recognition of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 10% of our sales on Monday, January 16, 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.
Downtown Belfast at holiday time _photo from Our Town Belfast_
Downtown Belfast at holiday time (photo from Our Town Belfast)
Thank You for In-Person Shopping
We recently received a letter from Brown Sheep with these sentences that affected us strongly: "During these tough economic times, Brown Sheep Company would like to thank all of you for your continual support. In the last 24 months, the industry has seen vast changes, approximately 50% of the local yarn shops have closed their doors."

The Belfast community seems to support its local shops quite well, and we would like to thank you for that. We believe that most of our local shops have more to offer than just a monetary transaction; most are happy to share their information and expertise as well. We hope this wonderful person-to-person relationship will continue.
Mes Amis performs original_ acoustic Gypsy Jazz. L-R_ Harry Richter on rhythm guitar_ Wells Gordon on upright bass_ Steve Lynnworth on lead vocals and guitar_ Shane Ellis on clarinet and saxophone.
Mes Amis performs original, acoustic Gypsy Jazz. L-R: Harry Richter on rhythm guitar, Wells Gordon on upright bass, Steve Lynnworth on lead vocals and guitar, Shane Ellis on clarinet and saxophone.
New Year's By The Bay
New Year's By The Bay is a yearly town-wide grassroots celebration that takes place on New Year's Eve.

NYBB 2017 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 2017 Adult or Youth/Student Button to wear. Children under 5 years old are free.

Find the full schedule and details on the NYBB website.
L-R_ Edith Gawler_ Ellen Gawler_ John Gawler_ Elsie Gawler_ Bennett Konesni and Molly Gawler
L-R: Edith Gawler, Ellen Gawler, John Gawler, Elsie Gawler, Bennett Konesni and Molly Gawler
Belfast Flying Shoes
Join Belfast Flying Shoes on Friday, January 6, 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 and runs till around 11 pm.

This month's caller is Belfast's own Chrissy Fowler. Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with her will be The Gawler Family: Ellen and John Gawler -- leading lights of Maine's traditional music and dance community -- their multitalented daughters, Molly, Edith, and Elsie, and Edith's husband, Bennett Konesni. The Gawlers have charmed audiences across the Northeast with their sparkling musicianship and irresistible good cheer. Drawing on an extensive repertoire of Down East, Scots-Irish, Swedish, and French Canadian tunes, this fun-loving, foot-stomping string band will put wings on your feet and a smile on your face. Sound provided by Eric Weest Johnson.

For more information, phone 207-338-0979, email belfastflyingshoes@gmail.com, visit Belfast Flying Shoes or find them on Facebook.
Heavenly Socks Yarns  | 82 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915 | 207-338-8388
Shop hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 am-6 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday and holidays, 11 am-4 pm.