Veteran's Day

As we drive to work, shop, enjoy each other's company today, let us take a moment or more to thank all those men and women before us and present who have unselfishly protected this country for the sake of freedom and the persuit of happiness.

I proudly could be called a "retired" military brat. My mother remarried when I was 12 to a wonderful man we fondly called "Sam". That was not his given name by his parents but by my sisters and I for the man who came into our lives and was in the military. Remember Uncle Sam wants YOU! campaign and posters? That is how Carl became Sam. He graduated from the Naval Academy and served in the United States Navy most of his career - there was a short stint in the Army before the Naval Academy. He served through the Korean War and Vietnam. Though he was not always physically there as he served his country, he was there for us. He passed away 13 years ago from prostate cancer, but I will always remember how proud he was to be in the Navy. We saw a part of the military life both wonderful and sad that has been an experience of a life time. .

Last year, I met a wonderful woman who was in the store visiting her hometown of Natick. She was a military naval nurse veteran of WWII and the Korean War. Her stories were fascinating. Just six weeks ago I met a amazing woman who was an army nurse during the Vietnam War. She spoke one evening, sitting in the store, just the two of us about the war and over 40 years later, still shed a tear for those she was not able to save. My brother in law now also serves in the military and has been to Afghanistan and Iraq many times. Let's be proud of our "soldiers". We salute you all.

There is a parade to honor the veterans today in Natick, I am presuming, because there are "no parking" bags over the meters this morning as I arrived. We are still open and do know you can park in the parking lot at the end of our building.

Happy Birthday!

It is hard to believe we opened our doors to our new location one year ago today. There has been a lot of hard work and long hours put in in the last year . The most valuable part of all of this is the absolutely wonderful people we have met along the way from our new yarn reps, new co-op members, as well as the ones who have been with us throughout the years, and last but most importantly our customers who have now become our friends.

We are thrilled when people walk in for the first time and we can show them around our "home". We are so excited when people come back and share their life stories and their stitch work with us. The people who have come in to buy a hand crafted item from our co-op members have really appreciated the work and time involved in creating a one of a kind item. You all have brought us gifts, through your kind works, your purchases and spreading the word about us.

Someone was just visiting last week and said she was not a craft person, she was in to purchase a hand crafted item, but felt when she walked in the door that she was at home. We feel the same way and so glad that others understand.

Thank you to all of you who have helped to make our first year in Natick a success!

Berroco Trunk Night

Thank you to all who were able to join us Friday evening. Andra was running late due to traffic but she arrived with flair as always and everyone helped her unpack the suitcase and started trying on garments! It always more fun with you have friends around to try things on and get their opinion. We had such a great time we are thinking of holding this event again when the spring/summer lines are available.

For those of you whom we ordered yarn for you, the order was placed today and we will be calling you as soon as Mr. UPS arrives with the box.

Berroco just released this great one sheet free patterns with the purchase of the yarn to go with them. No more heading to the computer to find them on their website or on to Ravelry. We will have them behind the register so just ask to look at them when selecting your yarn.

This weekend was my sister, Sheri's birthday. She surprised me with a visit- the first one to the area in 6.5 years! It was wonderful that she also was here for the Berroco event and got to meet so many of you. Thank you for making her feel welcomed.

Tonight is Stitch Night! It is always a great monthly evening of fun! Hope you are able to join us.

Berroco will be here!

We are very excited about our exclusive Berroco trunk show tonight from 6 pm to 8 pm. Andra from Berroco will be here with some great garments, free patterns and wonderful advice! You are welcome to try any of the items on also. Bring or wear in your Berroco fashions. We hope to take pictures to post them on this blog tomorrow. Come for as long as you like. All Berroco pattern books and yarns will be 15% off this evening only! Let the fun begin!

Classes galore!

Today was a busy day with people calling and coming in to sign up for our Mitten class night week for 2 sessions. It is a great time to pick up a new skill that can be portable and fast. We are thinking cold weather projects that make great gifts. We are thrilled our mitten class is FULL.

Puppy Snips are back in stock in all the colors! They are perfect for the person on the go. Squeeze the feet and the "head" comes off to display a great little pair of snips to cut your thread or yarn. Don't miss out our your favorit color- we can only purchase them as an asssoted bunch.

New project bags from Classic Elite called Blossom arrived today. Everyone who works in the store wants them! They are made out of a cotton blend and fully lined. They are made in the USA also.



Books are in! Cowl Girls, is just what it says, a book full of cowls! Weaver's Companion and Crocheter's Companion are great pocket reference books for people on the go. New England Knits is back in stock. There are so many more for weavers, knitters and crocheters, please stop by and look.

The last session of the beginner hand spinning workshop is tonight. This has been a great small class with people just "flying" through their fiber. As a treat because they have advanced so fast, they will have the opportunity to use a drum carder, carding Ll lama and then spinning it. They also will have the chance to try Navajo plying and plying from the same ball of singles.

Heaven on earth!

Today marks a day in our nation, for those who are old enough and are citizens, to vote, to have a voice. We have wars going on in the Middle East but in downtown Natick, we have heaven on earth, well at least to touch and view. Today, a large box from Knitting Fever Distributors with Debbie Bliss DK cashmerino arrived in assorted colors. YUM!

The best part about it is, it is soft and machine washable! Feast your eyes and just feel it. It is great for baby wear as well as adult.

The next item and certainly where we feel heaven on earth comes into play was the Debbie Bliss "Andes", 65% baby alpaca and 35% mulberry silk. The colors are shown to the left.

In the same box was Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran. Luxurious and can be worked with larger needles so the project just flies. We have neutral tones in burgundy, tan, dark brown and gray.

Unique Boutique brought in great items for Hanukkah as well as totes and hand bags. Yesterday, Patty brought in scented hot pads. The aroma of cinnamon and other scents makes you think of apple pie and holidays. For those who love her dog biscuits, hurry in, they don't last long!

It is the beginner knitting class members last class tonight. They have done extremely well. It will be fun to see their items as well as encourage them to continue on their new passion.

Finally, we have a "feel good" story again. Some may know that we have been the target of some shoplifters.We are better equipped to deal with them now but in the meantime, some wonderful hand crafted items as well as hand dyed and painted yarns disappeared. A woman who works next door to us had heard the story and brought in vintage bears and rabbits she has made from old quilts, too tattered to fix but great for stuffed animals. She offered them to us to sell and to use the money to compensate those who had lost merchandise through the hands of others. We are overwhelmed with her generosity and kindness towards strangers. Her animals are beautiful! We will proudly sell them and in turn will also make a donation to her charity of choice. Again, a little heaven on earth in Natick Center.

The life of a hand dyer...

Remember I talked about hand dying some yarn for Kate a couple of days ago? Well here it is almost dry! It is a beautiful heather blue color. It will be ready to take to the store on Thursday for our stitch group that meets on Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 NOON.

Many nights we are crawling around the portable dryers as yarn and roving are strung throughout our family room. I am very lucky to have such an understanding husband.

This week is a week of transition for our co-op members. They will be taking Halloween themed items out and be bringing more handcrafted items in for Thanksgiving and the holidays. We always have local Honey from Rosemarie's bees as well as new all natural honey candies. These make great hostess gifts as well as Charlotte's holiday table runners and place mats.

On to another subject, for those of you in the Saturday morning class who just LOVED the poncho the woman from CT wore, we have the pattern! It is in one of our booklets by Classic Elite. The Montana yarn is also on its way. I can't wait to stitch this one myself. It will be wonderful over a jacket or coat or worn alone. It is made on US 13 needles so it should whip up in no time! Elaine, our representative was in to place the order for Montana but she also teased us with the Spring line. She also brought in more of Audrey by Schaeffer Yarns. There is a beautiful shawl made with a free pattern from Schaeffer that is inspiring everyone to use this wool/silk blend.

Elaine also brought us some Chris yarn from Schaeffer. This is beautifully hand painted yarn in a worsted weight and the best thing is the softness as well as it is super wash so it is machine washable!

The Clapotis Wrap class was tonight with Jessica. It sounds like everyone really progressed in the class. They have two weeks to do "homework" and then will come back in for a second session.

Tomorrow evening is the last class for the Beginner Knitting Class. This group has really excelled and most have made at least two projects in just six weeks. It is always with mixed emotions I say, "See you soon" to a class ending. Many come back again.

The Sock Yarn-One Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns that go way Beyond Socks! book by Judy Durant arrived this afternoon. What a terrific book once again!