Millicent’s News

September 2006

 

Millicent’s Yarns & More

27 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502

Winter Shop Hours:  Tues – Sat, 10 –5,
Wed open late until 8
Sunday 1:30-4

Sundays at Millicent’s

After Labor Day weekend, we will be open on Sundays during the fall and winter seasons, 1:30 to 4:00.   I know that for many of you, it is the only time you can get into the shop to take classes or browse.  Please note: We will be closed the last Sunday of each month.

 

Afghan Challenge  -  Join in the Fun!

You can think of this as a Block-A-Month project.  The beauty of this challenge is its economical approach to buying yarn. The yarn of choice is Manos del Uruguay and it is moderately expensive.  Purchasing enough to knit an entire afghan is out of many folks’ budgets.  But, buying one skein per month is very manageable, and that is what we will be doing!  Please sign up in advance for this challenge. Fees for each session is $5.00.  Please purchase your yarn and needles at Millicent’s.

(US Size 9 is recommended --- make accommodations to suit your personal tension)

 

Our Afghan Challenge will be held on the first Wednesday evening of every month, starting Sept. 6, and first Sunday afternoon of every month, working around holidays.

 

Here is a year’s worth of dates for you who like to mark your calendars:

Wednesday meetings (5 – 6:30 pm) – 9/6/06, 10/4, 11/1, 12/6, 1/3/07, 2/7, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2, 6/6,

7/11, 8/1, 9/5, 10/3 (afghan construction time)

Sunday meetings (2:00 to 3:30pm) – 9/10/06, 10/8, 11/4, 12/3, 1/7/07, 2/3, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 6/3,

7/1, 8/5, 9/9, 10/7 (afghan construction time)

 

Our Afghan Challenge group has increased to 28 knitters in the last few weeks!!! 

 

To those of you who have already signed up or are about to sign up:  please please please select your first skein of yarn before the meeting time so that we are not winding 28+ skeins at one time.  ALSO, because our numbers are so large, please bring a folding chair, even a lawn chair, to supplement our limited sitting selection.  Thanks! 

 

New Yarns for Fall

The new yarns are coming in all during August and September.  We already have some wonderful yarns from Trendsetter – ribbons for scarves and thick and thin for anything soft and yummy.  Look for a lot of self-striping yarns.  They are definitely THE THING for this season.  We will also have new machine washable wools in a variety of weights from Dale of Norway and Cascade.  Also new are yarns from Colinette, the makers of the hand-dyed afghan kits from Wales.  Tagliatelli is a wool ribbon yarn – two skeins alone make a fun short pullover or cardigan.  Be sure to stop in regularly – boxes arrive daily!

 

Kids’ Activities at Millicent’s

KID’S KNIT:  Tuesdays between 3:30 and 4:30 have become our established Kids Knit time.  We have “kids” between the ages of 6 and 16 gather to knit together.   There is a graduated kind of activity going on – the youngest are working on a knitting spool.  Some then graduate to a knitting board.  The oldest – teenagers from public, private and home schools -- are working advanced knitting projects (the kind with two and sometimes four sticks!) and are creating beaded bags, fingerless gloves with a mitten-top cover-up, socks, and complex felted bags.  The younger and the older intermingle effortlessly and politely.  There seems to be a mutual respect for one another’s efforts.  Kids Knit costs $5.00 per hour plus project materials – first lesson is free.  This is a drop-in time although I recommend that your child attend at least one month at a time.  (Moms are invited to start knitting during this hour as well.  Moms gather on the comfy chairs and learn at their own pace.  Mel’s attention is first with the kids, but any other free time can go to moms.  Moms also knit at this time for $5.00 per hour plus materials).

 

CRAFTS FOR KIDS:  Thursdays between 3:30 and 4:30 in September starts a series of monthly project classes for children: Crafts for Kids. Children between the ages of eight and eighteen are welcome to join us.  We will be exploring the following topics: 

Weaving, September 7, 14, 21, 28;

Needlepoint, October 5, 12, 19, 27; 

Needle Felting (sculpting with wool), November 2, 9, 16, and Nov. 30. 

We will take a break in December and continue in January with embroidery.

Tuition fees will be $20.00 for each topic (four lessons) plus material fees which can range between $5.00 and $25 depending upon the complexity of the project.  Please register early so that we can have the right amount of materials for your child.  Classes are limited to 6.

 

Looking for Helpers at Millicent’s Yarns & More: 

YOU CAN BE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES!

We are looking for help in our shop over from August through April and beyond.  We particularly need help on Wednesdays, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, some Fridays, and Saturdays.  We pay our help with “yarn dollars.”  For every hour worked, you keep a tab of your hours.  Then anything in the shop can be purchased with the yarn dollars you earn. 

Are you the right person for working at Millicent’s?  We are looking for folk who are comfortable with hard work, great with people, and are willing to learn. Organizational skills, polite telephone manners, and a willingness to clean and tidy is a plus.  Good listening skills are very important. A sense of humor helps a lot.  Some skill in knitting and/or crochet is sought, but even if your skills are elementary, that will be enough.  Don’t be afraid about not being able to answer customers’ questions; Mel is always with you to do that.  What will you gain helping out at Millicent’s?  You will learn so much just by listening and watching.  You will get to see and touch all the new yarns and other products coming into the shop.  You will get some insight into the inner workings of a retail business.  You will get to examine all the new books and magazines before anyone else!  You will meet upbeat people and enjoy Mel’s humor!

EVEN A FEW HOURS AT A TIME CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL.  YOU’LL HAVE FUN!

 

The Mad Hat Show – Call for Entries August 22-26

The Mad Hat Show is calling for hats, caps, bonnets, and headgear in two and three-dimensions and in expected and unexpected mediums.  The show, like last year’s Bag Show, will be held at three galleries:  the Connoisseur Shop, the Emporium on Baltimore Street and Millicent’s Yarns & More.  Now is the time to set your creativity free!  What can you make that can be worn on the head or can suggest being worn on the head?  Show dates:  September 2 to October 13. Entries can be dropped off at Millicent’s or at The Emporium on Baltimore Street between Tuesday, August 22 and Saturday, August 26, between 11 and 5.  This is coming up fast so get going!! 

 

All work is encouraged to be for sale.  A 25% commission is taken from any sale by the host gallery. This show takes place in a public space; therefore sponsors reserve the right to withdraw any entrees deemed not appropriate.  Although great care will be taken, sponsors are not responsible for the safety of submitted works.

 

Fiber Arts Show at the Gilchrist Museum of Arts

From Sept. 10 through Oct. 8, the C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts at 104 Washington Street, will be hosting an exhibition by the Fiber Arts Study Group of Washington, a member of the Creative Crafts Council.  The Council is an association of fine arts guilds in the D.C. area.

 

Fiber arts includes any objects made for the sake of creative expression from some sort of fiber.  Members work in many media including art quilts, altered and art books, bead work, crochet, dolls, embellishments, felting, fiber collage, knitting, silk painting, soft sculpture, surface design, wearable art, weaving, and woven wire.  The opening reception will be held at the Gilchrist Museum on Sept. 10 from 1-4 pm.  Members of the group will be available to discuss their work.  The exhibit will continue from Thursday – Sunday from 1-4 through October 8.

 

 

Appalachian Festival -- Saturday, September 23

A one-day Festival of Appalachian arts and crafts, music and cooking will take place at Frostburg State University on Saturday, September 23.  There will be demonstrations, concerts, a fiddle-banjo-mandolin contest, and a wagon train!  Millicent’s will be setting up a tent to demonstrate fiber arts:  knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, embroidery.  I am looking for volunteers to help me demonstrate the traditional crafts we are keeping alive.  The Festival is also looking for volunteers for the Kids’ Tent and for general assistance.  If you’d like to help at the Millicent’s tent, please call Mel at 301-722-8100.  If you’d like to help at the Festival itself, please call Kara Rogers Thomas, professor of folklore and folklife at 301-687-3124.

IF YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BE AT THE MILLICENT’S TENT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AGAIN BEFORE SEPTEMBER 16 TO SOLIDIFY PLANS.

 

Stitches East in Baltimore -- November 2 – 5

This is more than wonderful.  Stitches East, sponsored by Knitter’s magazine, is one of the premier gatherings for knitters and it is happening in our state!   There are classes galore, plus a market place, book signings, demonstrations, a style show, a student mixer and banquet.  And who are some of the teachers??  Wow –they are some of the best:  Chris Bylsma, Lily Chin, Kaffe Fassett, Vivian Hoxbro, Melissa Leapman, Sally Melville, and our most beloved Beth Brown-Reinsel.  There are classes for beginners through advanced knitters, and I understand that classes are filling quickly.  You can visit online at knittinguniverse.com or phone 1-800-237-7099 to request a brochure.

 

Cross Stitch and Needlepoint at Millicent’s

I have found a source for small quality cross-stitch eyeglass carrier kits.  These will be with us by mid-month.  Like our needlepoint kits, these are zipped cases that can be opened almost completely to work the design and then zipped closed for immediate use.  We are also carrying needlepoint kits for pillow tops and for children’s wall decorations.  All these kits use cotton floss. 

 

 

The August Book and Pattern Sale Continues to Sept 1

Books and patterns are on sale for 20% off original prices.  Some patterns are reduced to a mere $0.95!!

Come get yours now!

 

Knitting for Good Causes:

The 5th Annual Pets on the Mall will be held October 14 from 12 to 3pm.  This is a fundraiser for the Animal Welfare Society of Allegany County and helps their programs such as Spay & Neuter, Classroom Education, and Micro-chipping.  There will be a silent auction at the event as part of the fundraiser.  Any person interested in knitting dog sweaters for the silent auction can contact the AWS at 301-724-0448.

 

Others knitting for good causes:  Penguins living on or near Australia’s Phillip Island have been affected by oil spills.  To protect the birds from the damaging pore-clogging effects of the oil, the Tasmanian Conservation Trust out a call for knitters to work up penguin-sized sweaters – an amazing 15,000 penguin warmers were received!!!

 

Our own knitters have once again supplied many tiny little knitted hats for newborns at Mississippi hospitals, and many soft knitted caps for cancer patients in the devastated areas as well.  Thank you for all who participated in this effort.

 

 

Join Our Knitting Community! 

Kids Knit takes place at Millicent’s on Tuesdays.  We have knitters ranging in age from 6 to 16.  This is instructional time – fees are $5.00/hour.  Moms are learning to knit with us at the same time.

Knit-ins for adults are every Wednesday are from 12 noon to 2:00 and every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00.  Fee: $2.00

Hook-Ups with a crochet focus are on Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 5:00.  Fee: $2.00

Knitter’s Night Out (otherwise known as Knitter’s Therapy Night) 5:00 to 7:00 on Wednesday evenings. $2.00

 

And on a personal note . . . .

After a slump in my knitting this summer, I have finally gotten back up to speed (Hurrah!)  Stop by to see the darling capelet knitted in Serenade, a cotton-angora blend yarns, just right for cooler evenings!              

Daughter Anna returns from Austria for a visit in mid-September.  She’ll be at the shop and she loves to help out!  You’re bound to see her.   Amy, Mel’s right hand at the shop and surrogate local daughter and, is having a girl (!) in December.  

Can anyone recommend a good mason to build some garden steps?  I’ll tell you the steps story when you’re in the shop next.  It’s a real winner!!

 
        Happy Knitting and Crocheting

and Tatting and Weaving and Spinning

and Embroidery

from

Millicent’s Yarns & More!

 

 

  

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Millicent's Knits and Yarns • 49 North Centre Street • Cumberland, Maryland 21502
phone 301-722-8100 • mel@millicentsyarns.com