February 2019 Newsletter

February Sale!

February sometimes is the cruelest month here in Maine. The days are getting longer (Yay! We’ve hit 10 hours of daylight again!), but the storms continue to roll through and the days are gray more often than not. So what can you do to combat the doldrums of winter? Buy yarn on sale, of course! This month’s sale yarn is Berroco Comfort. All in-stock Comfort Chunky, Comfort Worsted, Comfort Worsted Prints, Comfort DK, and Comfort Baby is on sale until the end of the month for 15% off.  The sale is limited to quantities on hand in-store (no special orders), so come in and get yours early.

Berroco Comfort is a classic American worsted weight yarn. Comfort is an ultra-soft blend of Super Fine Acrylic and Super Fine Nylon and spun into a luxury twist. The yarn is easy care — machine wash and dry. Affordably priced, Comfort is available in an exquisite range of shades.

Comfort Worsted Comfort Worsted Prints, and Comfort Chunky	Comfort DK
Berroco Comfort Baby	Ivy Blanket in Comfort Worsted

Spring Knitalong!

Join us as we embark on a Spring Knitalong! We’ll be knitting the Levante Shawl by Brenda York from Berroco. Knit with two skeins of Berroco Remix Light on size 5 needles, this shawl is a beautiful crescent shape with a simple lace edging. And with 18 colors of Remix Light in stock, you’ll be sure to find a color you’ll love for this versatile and easy to wear shawl. We’ll be starting on SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019.

Call (207-894-5770), email (gifts@maine-crafts.com), or stop by the shop to reserve your spot and get your yarn, needles, and a copy of the pattern! Total cost for the yarn and pattern is just $30.58 plus tax for those picking up their kits at the shop or $30.58 plus shipping cost for those ordering from out of state.

This shawl is listed as an “Intermediate” knit, but we’ll be using it as a learning experience as we go. You should already know how to cast on, knit, purl, and yarn over. We’ll be learning chart reading, make one (three different variations),  decreases (five different variations), and short rows.

Knitalong Dates and Milestones

If you’re local, be sure to join us at the shop on the following Sundays from 3 – 5.
March 3–Kick Off Party! We’ll all start together and try to get through to Row 44
March 10–Help with chart reading and increases/Catch up/Start Day
March 24–Even section and Short Rows!
March 31–Even section and Short Rows!
April 7–Even section and Short Rows!
April 28–Decrease Section and decreases
May 5–Blocking and photos! Finish Party!

And remember, we also offer FREE HELP SESSIONS for knitting and crocheting on Sunday evenings from 5 until 7 pm. We just ask that you get your materials from us!

LEVANTE KNITALONG KITS AVAILABLE!

We have put kits together for all of our non-local knitters! Be sure to visit the Levante Shawl Kit page to see the color options. The kits include the yarn and a digital and color print copy of the pattern. Remember to call us here at the shop (207-894-5770) if you’d like us to send needles and/or markers with your kit.

Materials Needed:
Two skeins of Berroco Remix Light
Size 5 straight or circular needles (your choice)
2 Stitch markers

Start Date:
Sunday, March 3 at 3:00 pm.

New Yarns in Stock

We’re happy to welcome several new yarns into the shop. Here’s a highlight of just three of them!

Knit Below Cowl made from two skeins of Plymouth Cielo yarn

Cielo

First, we have two lovely 100% fine Merino offerings from Plymouth Yarn Company. The first is Cielo, which is a superbulky merino bound with just a touch of nylon to give it strength and durability. We have six colors in stock, and you can see them all here. We also have a fantastic sample–The Knit Below Cowl that Rosemary knit for the shop for you to check out!

Plymouth Davila yarn in 12 colors just right for next-to-the-skin wear

Davila

The second 100% Merino yarn newly in the shop is Davila, an exquisitely plied DK Merino that shows excellent stitch definition. We currently have 12 colors in stock, and Rosemary has designed a new fingerless glove pattern that uses Davila (or any DK weight yarn) to showcase just how nice this yarn showcases your stitches.

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Hannah

Finally, we have Hannah, a worsted weight cotton and acrylic blend that is absolutely perfect for all your baby and summertime garment needs. We have all twelve colors in stock and ready for you. Check out the newborn size sweater set that Rosemary made, using just ONE SKEIN of Hannah and a small amount of scrap yarn for accents. Isn’t it gorgeous? The pattern will be available in the shop before the end of this month!

Shop Visitors

Thanks to the lovely ladies from Caring Crafters in Biddeford for stopping by the shop! We loved meeting you, and enjoyed hearing about all the charitable projects you all do for the community!

SOCIAL KNITTING AND CROCHET TIMES:

Come join us!

Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 to 12 noon: Join us for our Daytime Social Knitting:
Sundays 5 to 7 pm: Evening Social Knitting plus FREE Learn to Knit or Crochet and help from Rosemary.
(No evening Social Knitting if the Sunday or following Monday is a holiday)

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Find Us on Social Media!

RAVELRY ……………Have you joined my group on Ravelry yet? If not please do and post pictures of the things you have made using yarn purchased from my shop! You’ll love all the great things that have been knit or crocheted so far.  Just search for Rosemary’s Gift & Yarn Shop under groups to find me.

FACEBOOK ……………I’m also on Facebook and I’d love you to “Like” me by searching “Rosemary’s Gift & Yarn Shop”, and clicking “Like”. This will allow you to get updates of what is happening at the shop in between my newsletters! I try to keep up with it as best as I can and I’d love to hear from you in between your visits to the shop.

TWITTER ……………I managed to get myself on twitter and am trying to learn more about it. Remember I’m not a young chick so these new things take me a little time but if you want to get my tweets, I’m under Rosemary Libby and I’d love to read your tweets too!

INSTAGRAM………..You can now follow Rosemary’s Gift and Yarn on Instagram! Follow us to see photos and videos of the shop, customer projects, new products, and exciting new projects for you to try!

Charitable Crafting Opportunities

“GATHERING HANDS” PROJECTS:

Rosemary’s “Yarn Shop” is the home of “GATHERING HANDS”

Gathering Hands is comprised of knitters and crocheters who share a common goal of helping others through various projects.  You don’t need to live close to be part of Gathering Hands…..Our hands can reach many!

Everyone is invited to be a part of GATHERING HANDS. You can help from your own home or your own knitting/crochet group and if in Maine or within driving distance of the Windham area please drop by and say hello.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  I am still taking donations for 2019.   If you can knit or crochet something to donate to one or all of my programs it will be very much appreciated.

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OPERATION RICHIE’S CAP:
This is a project for making chemo caps for cancer patients in memory of my friend, Richie Aaron. I have created a knit and crochet pattern and it’s free when you’ll make a cap to donate. This project continues to be such a success as I receive hats from all over the country from customers that have come by the shop or read about it on-line and mail them on to me. I encourage soft yarns for warm caps during winter months and cotton, bamboo, etc. for summer months to protect against the sun.

OPERATION WARM HANDS: (IN MAINE WINTER COMES SOON AND I WILL NEED MITTENS)

This is another wonderful project of making mittens for donation for the winter season to those with a need. What a great small project for the knitter with little time and so worth while to a child with cold hands! I invite you to help in this project……it’s a great summer project too!

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IF YOU KNIT OR CROCHET……CAN YOU HELP AND BECOME A PART OF GATHERING HANDS?
Just drop me an email: gifts@maine-crafts.com

Together we can make a difference!

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Deliver or mail Mittens or Richie’s Caps to:

Rosemary’s Gift & Yarn Shop
39 Roosevelt Trail
Windham, Maine 04062

I do sincerely thank you for your continued support of Rosemary’s Gift &Yarn Shop.

Rosemary Libby