During the month of October, all sock yarn in our sock yarn area will be on sale at 20% off.

We have a large variety of sock yarns, from fingering to worsted, in solids, tonals, multicolors and self-striping. We stock both 50- and 100-gram skeins in a variety of colorways and fibers, including non-wool yarn designed for socks!

If you don't like to make socks -- or if you just don't want to -- consider using this machine-washable yarn for other projects. We have patterns to make baby items, hats, shawls, scarves, mitts and more.

We have so many new yarns arriving weekly that it is too time consuming to list them all here because we need to get busy putting those new yarns on the shelves!

As always, we look for a variety of interesting new yarns that are a good value -- whether it is dish cotton or cashmere.

And as always, we have lots of yarns being deeply discounted as we need shelf space for the new yarns. Come by and see what you can find, either for yourself or for holiday gift giving.

Do you know what time of year it is getting to be? Hunting season!

During the month of October, we will be offering the Nezinscot Farm Hat pattern free (a $3.00 value) with the purchase of Bartlettyarns' blaze orange worsted weight yarn.

The pattern has a deep cotton hem that keeps any "itchy" yarn off the ears, forehead and back of the neck. (You will need about 90 yards of sport or dk weight cotton as well for this pattern.)

One may ask: Why knit a hunting hat when you can buy one for less? The answer is simple: Because this hat is wool and will keep you or your loved one warm even if it gets wet.

If you live away, you can easily purchase this yarn as a single skein (pattern included) or as a kit at the Fiber of Maine website.

If you've worked with fiber for a while, you probably have experienced this: Wool that is soft and scrumptious tends to pill.

We of course want to work with soft yarns, and so we must find a way to keep our sweaters from looking like a pill-fest! Honestly, we have tried and sold a few tools that "de-fuzz" our knitted garments, but we haven't found one yet we love.

If you know of one that works well, please let us know. We will do the same, and so we want to share a little product we saw at the Good Table, a kitchen supply store located halfway down our street.

It is a silicone scrubber -- designed to use on cookware -- and we think it works nicely on the few knitted items we've tried. It didn't remove all pilling from all test sweaters, but it seemed to "refresh" them -- taking off hair, lint, and some pilling -- while being gentle on the knitted item.

Next time you are in town, and have a minute (while wearing a sweater of course!), stop at the Good Table and try one. They are located at the checkout counter. If you find something better in the future, you can always use this scrubber for its designed intent!

Come celebrate local knit and crochet artistry modeled on the runway, hear live musicians Splendid Ibis, bid on hand-knit shawls at the silent auction, win a door prize, sip cider and savor delicacies at the reception to follow. Watch out for mermaids and octopi! This year's theme: Sea Creatures. Tickets are $12 at the door and include reception to follow. Handknit, crocheted and felted garments will be modeled.

KnitMaine-ia has teamed up with City Drawers to celebrate knitting and New Hope for Women. Come check out their Belfast storefront. There is some fun knitwear on display, including five gorgeous handknit shawls that are up for auction. Interested parties may place a bid at City Drawers, or come to the fashion show on October 14 at the Belfast Boathouse at 2 pm and bid there. All proceeds go directly to New Hope for Women. A big shoutout to Sue Golden for donating her beautiful handwork.

Not a knitter? Consider modeling, set-up, coming to the show or providing snacks for the post-show reception. For more information, phone Sara at 978-325-0045, email Jillian at [email protected], visit Knit the Community or find them on Facebook.

The  First Church in Belfast is again hosting its annual Tree of Warmth project this winter. Local knitters are welcome to join in at Bell the Cat each Monday afternoon, 4:30-6 pm, to knit socks, hats, mittens and scarves for the project. The items are hung on Belfast's Christmas tree with a note inviting community members to take what they need. Also accepted are new or gently used purchased items; these, along with donations of yarn, can be dropped off at the church office at 8 Court St., Belfast, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, from now till Christmas. Help keep our community warm this winter! For further information, phone 207-338-1852.

The Friends of the Lincolnville Community Library, located at 208 Main St. in Lincolnville, are looking for donations for their upcoming Craft/Fiber/Tool Sale.

They welcome donations of craft supplies, fabric, yarn and needlework materials, and accessories such as knitting needles, cutting devices, needlepoint frames and thread. Organizers also welcome donations of building, woodworking and gardening tools. They ask that all items be in good to excellent condition. Donations may be dropped off inside the Library during open hours or left on the back porch. Or, to arrange for drop-off, phone the Library at 207-763-4343 or email them at [email protected].

The sale will be held 9 am-1 pm on October 14 at the Library and across the street at the Lincolnville Boat Club. There will also be an open house to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the day in 2012 when community members pulled the building that is now the Library across Main Street.

From Friday evening, October 27, to Sunday noon, October 29, there will be a Yarn and Yoga event at A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm, located at 06 Black Mountain Rd., Sumner, Maine.

Wendy Youmans, KYT, offers four gentle yoga classes for a deeply relaxing experience. Includes:
Abundant time for your favorite art; lodging at A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm; local food for five delicious home-cooked meals; and four Gentle Yoga classes designed for everyone -- plus ample time to spend as you like.

For more information about lodging and meals, email info@awrinkleinthymefarm or phone 207-212-4058. A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. Total cost of the weekend is $250. To register online, click Yarn and Yoga. For yoga questions, please email Wendy Youmans, certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, at [email protected] or phone her at 207-540-4602.

On Tuesday, October 3, at 6:30 pm at the Belfast Free Library, apple expert John Bunker will offer a talk titled "Do modern apples have to be so bad?"

Why is every modern apple juicy and crisp? Why do they all have names that sound like breakfast cereals? Why does most cider taste like soda pop? Why can't you find a decent pie apple in the grocery store? Are all the sauce apples and baking apples gone forever? Bunker will answer these and other questions in a raucous apple time-machine ride through the history of apples in Maine, and offer a glorious alternate vision of the future.

John Bunker has been farming in Maine for the past 40 years. Describing himself as a "fruit explorer," Bunker tracks down rare and unusual fruit varieties to save and reintroduce in Maine. In 1984 he started FEDCO Trees and has served as president of the board at Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, where he continues to serve as a board member. He is the founder of MOFGA's Maine Heritage Orchard, located next to the Common Ground Fairground in Unity. He is also the author of "Not Far From the Tree," a book outlining the history of apples in Palermo, which will be available for sale and signing at the program.

This free presentation is co-sponsored by the Belfast Free Library and the Belfast Co-op. The Library is located at 106 High St. in downtown Belfast. For more information about this event, phone the Library at 207-338-3884, ext. 10.

On Friday, October 6, 9-11 am, at the First Church in Belfast, UCC, Wanda Gamage-Wyman (Regional CPPC Project Coordinator) and Janna Swift (CPPC Parent Partner Coordinator) will give a presentation on a new and innovative initiative for Waldo County. An important part of this initiative will be to establish a community resource hub where families will feel comfortable accessing resources, a place where community members feel comfortable coming, having a cup of coffee and connecting with other folk from the community.

This event is open to those engaged in social service, family and child welfare, and assistance organizations and faith communities, as well as anyone with an interest in family services in the Midcoast Maine area.

Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) is a cross network of signed and informal partners who share the goal of preventing and reducing child abuse and neglect. Their common defined purpose is to transform child welfare and communities to better serve vulnerable families and reduce the incidences of child abuse and neglect.

The First Church in Belfast, UCC is an Open and Affirming Congregation, located at 8 Court St. For more information, phone the church office at 207-338-2282.

Join Belfast Flying Shoes on Friday, October 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.

This month's caller is David Millstone. David started contra dancing with Dudley Laufman in the early 1970s and for 40 years has called dances throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with David will be New Brew. New Brew blends a rich texture of musical traditions from Europe, New England, Quebec and Cape Breton with more modern styles. Fiddler Eileen (Nicholson) Kalfass' classical technique and rich tone complement her varied approach to violin and fiddle. She also tours with Seaglass and Continental Drift. Jane Knoeck, on piano and accordion, has played with the Groovemongers, Montage, and other bands. Tom Santarsiero's eclectic approach to guitar, mandolin, banjo, and foot percussion anchors the music in a contagious rhythm.

Sound by Glen Loper.

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

The Crosby Center will host Part 1 of Family Fun Day, 11 am-2 pm, on Saturday, October 7, with the 38th annual Church Street Festival. The Crosby Center is located at 96 Church St. in downtown Belfast.

The Festival starts with a parade which prepares at 10 am at Mary Weaver's barn, 49 High St., then heads down Church Street, arriving by 11 am at the Crosby Center, where there will be a jump house, face painting and the traditional street mandala. DJ Denis Howard will bring on the music, plus there will be a Win-A-Cake Walk contest with five fabulous homemade cakes as prizes, as well as a youth art exhibit. Volunteers, participants and well-wishers are all invited. Snacks and beverages will be available. For more information on participating in the parade, phone Mary Weaver at 207-338-5777 or email her at [email protected]. This event is sponsored by the Midcoast Performing Arts Initiative.

Family Fun Day, Part 2, features Waterfall Arts' Chalk Walk at Heritage Park on Belfast's waterfront, 2-4 pm. Come watch professional artists working on reserved squares of blacktop, and then try your own hand -- there's plenty of chalk for everyone to add a design to the community pathway. In the case of bad weather, the drawing fun moves to Waterfall Arts.

These events are free and open to the public.

The Belfast Poetry Festival returns on Saturday, October 14, 6-8 pm, at Troy A. Howard Middle School, 173 Lincolnville Ave., Belfast. Free and open to the public.

6-6:30 pm: Welcome Reception
6:30-8 pm: Poetry, Performance and Visual Arts Collaborations with readings from the winners of the Maine Postmark Poetry Contest

2017 Collaborations: Featured Poets, Performers, and Artists:

Cate Marvin and Ragna Bruno
Jacques J. Rancourt and Scott Minzy
Kifah Abdulla and Jawad Alftlawi
Mark Melnicove and Terry Winters
Michelle Menting and Jodi Paloni
Sharif S. Elmusa and Susan Smith
Wendy Burk and Erica Quin-Easter

For more information, visit Belfast Poetry Festival.

The 13th Annual Belfast Poetry Festival is pleased to announce that Carol Willette Bachofner of Rockland is the winner of this year's Maine Postmark Poetry Contest. The contest, now in its eighth year, is a statewide poetry event; over 200 entries by poets from all regions of Maine were received. Bachofner will read the winning poem, "Passagassawaukeag," at the Festival's showcase reading on Saturday, October 14, 6-8 pm at the Troy A. Howard Middle School, 173 Lincolnville Ave., Belfast. All ten finalist poems will be on display in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library during October, and the winning poems and runners-up will be read during the Festival's general showcase.

Bachofner's poems have been anthologized in Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England and have appeared in dozens of journals and publications. Bachofner will receive $100, and her poem, will be published in the fall issue of The Maine Review.

For more information, email Jacob Fricke at [email protected], or visit Belfast Poetry Festival.

On Sunday, October 15, the 2017 Waldo County Pie and Story Festival and pie-baking contest will come back to the Belfast Boathouse for the 15th time.

Folk musician and renowned storyteller Jennifer Armstrong, plus a few friends, will present the familiar but charming family program that includes an afternoon of music, stories, pie and plenty of family fun for all.

The festival runs from 1-4 pm with free music and stories for the whole family, but don't forget, halfway through, there will be slices of pie available for a dollar each. Each slice comes with a ballot to vote, or not. After an opening song, or two, the festival will start with a lively and competitive whole-pie auction will allow folks to walk away with a whole pie.

Anyone may enter a pie for prizes. All types of pies are welcome -- sweet or savory, pizza or whoopee -- as long as they are pies and homemade. Because of allergies, a complete list of ingredients should accompany all pies.
 
Bring pies at noon on the day of the event. For more information, find them on Facebook, or phone Jennifer at 207-322-2265.

On Sunday, October 15, 4-7 pm, at the United Farmers Market of Maine, 18 Spring St., Belfast, join the Maine Association of Certified Professional Midwives ( find them on Facebook) and Pottery Farm for dinner while supporting the future of high-quality midwifery care and home birth in Maine.

This is a family-friendly event. Your ticket includes a unique wood-fired pottery bowl that you can fill with a variety of soups. In addition you can enjoy artisanal breads, dessert, and beverages. Enjoy live music while you dine, and at the end of the night, take your bowl home. There will be a Treat Yourself-themed raffle with a number of wonderful items including massage gift certificates, beautiful jewelry, an acupuncture treatment and more.

Tickets purchased online in advance are $25 ($30 at the door). Tickets include a ceramic bowl, soup, bread, a selection of desserts and beverages. Children under 12 are welcome to food served in a compostable bowl at no charge, but tickets are required to receive a ceramic bowl. To purchase tickets online, visit MACPM Fundraiser.

The Midcoast Actors' Studio will present Frankenstein, on October 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 pm, and on October 22 and 29 at 2 pm, at the Crosby Center in Belfast. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students. For more information, find them on Facebook or phone 207-370-7592.

The Belfast City Council Candidates' Forum is scheduled for 7 pm, Thursday, October 26 at the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library.

Current Belfast mayor Walter Ash and challenger Samantha Paradis, along with Mike Hurley (Ward 4 councilor, running unopposed) and Eric Sanders (Ward 3 councilor, running unopposed) will be there to answer audience questions.

Jay Davis will be the moderator.

Belfast citizens are invited to attend this forum, and it will be broadcast later on Belfast Community Radio (WBFY, 100.9 FM) and Belfast Community Television (BCTV) on several dates and times before our local election on Tuesday, November 7.