Millicent's • Great Yarns • Personal Service • Mountain Air

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

It’s Holiday Time – whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa – it is a time of year for reuniting with family, for good cheer to chase away the winter darkness, and for gift giving. And of course, that’s where Millicent’s Yarns & More comes into your life!

P.S. This is a long newsletter – don’t miss the good stuff in the middle and the end!

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Not too many years ago when we lived in Vermont, I’d start my annual hinting campaign about this time of year. I wasn’t too subtle, I have to confess. I’d walk around the house (but only when Dick was home) singing,

“All I want for Christmas is

agiftcertificatetomyfavoriteyarnshop!

agiftcertificatetomyfavoriteyarnshop!!

agiftcertificatetomyfavoriteyarnshop!!!”

He’d get the hint (duh!) and I would be a happy knitter for months on end. Let’s face it, when

Momma-knitter is happy, then everyone is happy. If Momma-knitter ain’t got nothin’ to do, then – watch out -- she’ll find trouble!

GIFT REGISTRY

Every year at this time we open a Gift Registry for you. This is an important tool, although it is nothing more than a looseleaf notebook. Each of you can open a page and list books or yarns or fiber things that you would never imagine buying for yourself. These are great suggestions for your family and friends who are reluctant to put envelopes in your hand at holiday time. You can guide them toward gifts you would really like to receive rather than thanking them for yet another mug or polyester too-small and too-risque and not-warm-enough nightie! So please, open your page ASAP!

SPECIAL GIFTS

You’ll see that there is a table set up in the middle of the shop with special gifts for knitters and crocheters. We have brought in many different kinds of needle holders, high quality scissors (and scissor protectors – which you are going to want with high quality scissors), great bags for carry projects or for sitting next to your knitting chair. We have selected some to be on view – there are other fabric choices which we’d be happy to show you.

Zecca, maker of polymer buttons, has come out with a fun holiday card. You can give your best friend a gift card with a large Zecca button mounted on the front. These buttons are bright and fun and creative, and are fun to sew onto bags or coats or even use as closures for your favorite shawl. The cards are priced at $8.50 and make a fun little gift.

And speaking of shawls, we have brought in polymer, beaded, brass, pewter and now fused glass shawl and scarf pins that are things of beauty. These can be used as decorative pins on sweaters or coats as well and make terrific small gifts, ranging in price from $12.50 o $40.00.

BOOKS – BOOKS – BOOKS – BOOKS

How many of you knew that I have a Master’s Degree in English? I hope that you are all saying “Ah-ha!” right now – “Ah-ha, that’s why she brings in so many books!” It’s true – life without books is no life at all for an English major. On the other hand, I feel certain that you want to see the most recent knitting, crocheting, embroidery books out there – and I bring them in regularly. The good ones get re-ordered many times over. We have just received many new titles this month -- come in to browse!

We also have oldies-but-goodies in stock:

The Little Box of Scarves

Hip Knit Hats

Knitter’s Stash

Knitters Travel Guide 2006

Big Girl Knits

The newest books are on the shelves surrounding the counter or on the turning book displays. Take some time to browse and put some titles on your gift registry list. You’ll never know what Santa may bring unless you give him a really big hint!

TRIANGULAR LOOMS – and other equipment

While I do have several 2-foot, three-foot, and square looms in the shop for sale, any of the larger looms for continuous thread weaving will have to be ordered. Ordering now may get you a loom by the holidays. If you have asked for a 7-foot adjustable triangular loom for the holidays, please have your Santa come in soon to place an order! See below for details on our May workshop with one of the greatest teachers on continuous weaving on Tri-Looms. What a great gift that would be!

We do have rigid heddle looms which sit on a table at the shop for any interested to-be weaver. These Ashford looms are easy to warp and make great scarves, table runners, or placemats. A good instructional book can get you going easily. Spinning wheels are also available.

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

We bring in only the highest quality fiber arts craft kits from Harrisville Designs of New Hampshire for you to give to your children and grandchildren. We have potholder looms, children’s tapestry looms, cross-stitch kits, needlepoint kits, knitting kits for beginners.

A great hit for the 6 to 66 age-group is the Authentic Knitting Board. The knitting board allows a non-knitter to create lush, double-thick knitted fabric with little skill. Our Authentic Knitting Boards are wooden and come with their own carrying case, instructions and patterns for scarves and hats.

We also encourage you to give a gift certificate to your child who has learned to knit or crochet. A gift certificate gives them the empowering opportunity to pick out what they want, and to learn from Millicent’s staff how to make good choices. Gift certificates for classes are also ideal. Remember that teens and college students can take any class for half the tuition fee (why?? – this is our way of encouraging the current younger generation to take up the craft! And . . . because I used to be a school teacher, and I miss seeing kids and watching them learn. So, kid’s classes are a joy for me as well as the kids!).

Do you need some assurance that your gift can last a lifetime? Many many knitters come to me as adults who say “You know, my mother taught me when I was around six, but I haven’t done anything for years!” Or “My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a child.” Or “I learned to knit in school (or Girl Scouts or 4-H), and I really want to get back to it now.” It’s all proof to me!!

BETH BROWN-REINSEL WORKSHOP: APRIL 2007

Yes, this is getting to be a tradition! Beth Brown-Reinsel is returning to Millicent’s on the weekend of April 14 and 15, 2007. She will be offering this TWO-DAY WORKSHOP on the Fana Cardigan, a traditional Norwegian Sweater. The Fana Cardigan is an easy-to knit, two-color sweater with a single steek down the front which we will reinforce with sewing machines and then CUT!!! This workshop will be great for those of you who have been practicing your stranded color-work (aka FairIsle knitting) in hats and Christmas stockings.

During Beth’s last two visits to Millicent’s we have learned what an excellent and patient teacher she is. She understands learners, encourages questions, and travels around the room checking on all projects. She is a joy. The nice thing is that Beth finds her visits to Millicent’s a joy as well: she remarks on how supportive we are to one-another and on the lack of mean competitive spirit. But, of course . . . that is what we are all about!

Final costs are still in negotiation. A downpayment of $50 will secure a spot for you. This workshop fills up quickly – please make your reservation soon.

Travelers to Cumberland can either stay at our local Holiday Inn or at the Inn at Walnut Bottom, a charming bed and breakfast a three minute drive from our shop.

CAROL LEIGH’S TRI LOOM WORKSHOP: MAY 2007

Hurrah, another of our successful workshops will be repeated this year! Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser of Hillcreek Fiber Studio from Columbia, MO, will come to Millicent’s following the Maryland Sheep and Wool Show to give a THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, May 9, 10 and 11, 2007 on Continuous Strand Weaving on Triangle, Square, and Rectangular Looms. Fiber-istas get hooked on the beauty and simplicity of what Carol Leigh calls the “magical continuous strand weaving method.” Because there is no preliminary warping of these looms, they give weavers an immediate sense of the woven structure – in other words, this is the weaving method for those of us who need gratification early on in our projects! This is a wonderful method for beginners and can be utilized with great skill with more advanced techniques.

What can you make with triangular looms? head scarves, shoulder scarves, shawls, blankets. Add the triangular shape with the continuous weave on a square loom and you have the raw materials for garments. Work on the Rectangular Loom and you have table runners, throws, long shawls.

During the 2007 three-day workshop, students will complete a full 7-foot Triangle Shawl as well as learn some intermediate and advanced techniques such as twill, leno lace, log cabin, double weave, plus color patterns such as tartan plaids and color blending. Some students may choose to work on square looms. Students should bring their own looms or may rent looms for $15. Our first evening meal together will be included in the price of the workshop, although students will be responsible for all other meals. Students are asked to purchase all yarns from Millicent’s Yarns & More. Travelers to Cumberland can either stay at our local Holiday Inn or at the Inn at Walnut Bottom, a charming bed and breakfast a three minute drive from our shop.

The fee for this workshop is $175. A $50 downpayment will secure a spot for you. We have a limit of 12 participants. This workshop fills up quickly with participants from afar. As a local weaver (or wanna-be), you’ll want to make your reservation now!

ANNUAL SCARF AND HAT SALE

Our annual custom is to sell hats and scarves on display at Millicent’s during the two weeks before Christmas. Those for sale will be marked clearly. This is a wonderful opportunity for you non-knitters to give unique handmade gifts to your loved ones.

IRS SALE - December 26 through December 30

IRS Sale?? Inventory Reduction Sale – of course! Come to Millicent’s with your gift certificate in hand and watch how far your gift dollars can stretch! Here’s how our IRS Sale will work:

Buy $50.00 in yarn, receive $5.00 off your purchase

Buy $100 in yarn, receive $12.50 off your purchase

Buy $150 in yarn, receive $22.50 off your purchase

Buy $200 in yarn, receive $35.00 off your purchase

Buy $250 in yarn, receive $50.00 off your purchase

Special class in December: NEEDLEFELTING FOR ADULTS

So many people have taken note of the needlefelted gnomes in our shop and have asked for a class that we will make that happen: Dana Alt who produces the gnomes (and the skinny turkey) has agreed to teach us during the week between Christmas and New Year. Please let me know of your interest and we will get back to you with details.

AFGHAN CHALLENGE- Join in the Fun!

Our Afghan Challenge will be held on the first Wednesday evening of every month and first Sunday afternoon of every month, working around holidays. Newcomers are always welcome.

Upcoming meetings are Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2:00 to 3:30 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 5:00 to 6:30.

Here is a listing of dates for 2007:

Wednesday meetings (5 – 6:30 pm) –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) –1/7/07, 2/3, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 6/3, 7/1, 8/5, 9/9, 10/7 (afghan construction time)

Please note: we are running low on certain colors in our selection of Manos. If you can give me a sense of the colors you would be using in the remaining 8 months, I will try to have a supply of them. However, we do still have a wonderful selection of colors in every color family.

KID’S KNIT: Tuesdays between 3:30 and 4:30 have become our established Kids Knit time. We have “kids” from 6-year-olds and up gather to knit together. 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.

NEW!! TEENS KNIT: Wednesdays between 3:30 to 4:30

Because so many young children are attending the Kids Knit on Tuesdays, we want to offer a time just for teens (middle school and high school students). We will be able to present projects more appropriate to teens. Teens are also welcome on Tuesdays if Wednesdays don’t work for their schedules.

CRAFTS FOR KIDS: Thursdays between 3:30 and 4:30 Crafts for Kids will start up again on January 4. These are 4 week classes. Tuition fees are $20 and families are asked to purchase all materials at Millicent’s Yarns and More. Class topics for 2007 Crafts for Kids are as follows:

Please note: November needle-felters have two classes remaining which will take place Thursday,

The feedback from visitors to Stitches East 2006 in Baltimore is that there was a lot to see (although not as much as at The Maryland Sheep and Wool Show), and that it was great fun.

If you want to attend classes, you’ll have to sign up the day the brochure reaches your hands – otherwise there’s not a chance! Still, attending a conference like this is a wonderful opportunity to rub shoulders with others who share your passion for knitting! And who knows, you might run into some famous designer!

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 8:00 on Wednesday evenings. $2.00

Millicent’s News

December 2006