Mother, Mother, Maya! Yes You Maya.

According to archaeological evidence, there was a strong connection between Mayan women and weaving. So strong that they took their tools to their graves. Even the rich women.

And isn't that what we all want to do. Take our stash with us? Many of us would need a small pyramid to take our stash with us.

There's a story that needle workers relate about going to hell.

When a needle worker dies and goes to hell, (I guess she's a bad bad needle worker because as we all know, crafters of any kind are normally angels who spread glitter and rainbows everywhere) she/he is offered a comfortable easy chair with a cozy fire. Beverages and snacks are readily available. There is excellent lighting. Within reach there are unlimited patterns, threads and fabrics. Time is unlimited. Everything that a needle worker could desire is there.

Except the needle. No needles at all. Nothing to fashion a needle with.

So be aware that you would rather stitch in heaven. They give you needles there.

But while you're here you have to provide your own crafting supplies.

Which is where we come in. To make it easier for you we are providing a super fantastic yarn spectacular every single week.

Berroco Maya is a worsted weight (4) chainette yarn. 85% pima cotton and 15% baby alpaca.
It comes in several lovely colors that work well together. Think sweaters and shawls. This stuff is so soft and it will be hard to choose a color - if there's still a choice.

Berroco Maya 

(125m/137yds.)

Regular $10.50

Sale: $2.63

Don't forget to check out our pattern books that go with this yarn. We have several with gorgeous patterns.

So yes. You maya buya some yarna.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Posted by Anna Maria Junus (who won't be able to restrain herself this week).

Bag It!

Some of you may not realize it, but...we are not just a yarn store. I know. It's shocking. In fact, we didn't even start off as a yarn store. It's just that over the years yarn has slowly been taking over like ivy that sneaks along the floor and crawls up the walls, so that now it's a sea of yarn with a couple of small islands of OTHER STUFF.

Large Tote

Backpack

Last week we got in a shipment of bags. And no, that does not mean nasty customers. I mean like regular bags that you carry stuff in.  Tote bags, messenger bags, cosmetic bags...bags of different shapes and sizes. Bags for books, bags for yarn, bags for OTHER STUFF.

And you may be like me and say "they're white and boring," even though
they're actually off white.

But you can do some pretty neat stuff
with these bags and make them not

boring and not white. They are blank canvases ready for you to go crazy with your imagination and make these bags uniquely yours. Think Picasso, or Monet, or Liberace (Liberace is too an artist, just in a different art).  And we have all the supplies you need to do it with because we
carry OTHER STUFF.

Decorated Tote

1. Fabric dye. Dye them any color you want. Even tie dyed. You can go sophisticated or wild. Do a solid color or sponge paint on top. It's your bag. There's no such thing as wrong.
2. We have Aunt Martha's Transfers. You can use them with fabric markers or embroidery floss. Or you can draw right on your bag, or use a pattern from some other source.
3. Faux leather sheets and felt squares. Applique! Even if you don't sew we have fabric glue.
4. Waste canvas lets you cross stitch right onto your bag.
5. Crochet, tat, or knit some doilies and attach them onto your bag. Or you can even make an amigurumi animal and have it hang out on your bag like a little mascot or good luck charm.
6. We have a flower loom for making flowers. Or you can knit or crochet flowers and other small

   

   Decorated Messenger

   things for your bag.
7. We have buttons! Lots of buttons. From elegant to outrageously cute. Be prepared to be accosted by children of all ages who will want your buttons.
8. Chains, charms and beads. See above problem with these.  
9. Think yarn is just worsted weight wool? Well then you haven't been to our store. We have (take a deep breath), frilly, fabric, fur, ladder, lace, ribbon, bobble, pearl, sequin, and metallic yarns and threads to play with. Now say that last line three times really fast.
10. Pom poms! We have them ready made or you can make your own with our pom pom makers in all kinds of sizes - no not cheerleader size, that would look stupid on your bag. Okay, maybe not stupid. Prove me wrong.
11. Show your Canadian pride. We have Canada flag patches as well as other iron on patches. You can go with the professor look. Or make sure you take your bag with you while travelling and show that Canada flag. That way people will know that you're not voting for Trump. 
12. Want to waterproof that bag? For the rain not for scuba diving. We have  Iron-On Clear Cover.



Cosmetic Bag

13. If this is a gift you can stick a label on it saying it's from you and how much you love them because see this beautiful bag you made for them. And then you can ask them for a favor.

The rebel Jute Bag

Once you've done your bag, take a picture and send it to us. We'll post it to show off all your incredible talent and ingenuity. We celebrate talent and ingenuity around here.

Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who may or may not make a bag but had fun coming up with ideas for one).

The Silence in the Fields

I have been told by reliable sources that there are some of you who every Monday morning, eagerly await the news of our 75% off sale. You sit there at your computers, with your coffee. The kids have gone to school. You have a moment to breathe, or maybe you're at work checking Facebook every few minutes, waiting, waiting, having tissues ready to catch the drool or a fan to cool you down when your temperature rises once you see what's on sale. You hope the phone doesn't ring, or that no one comes to the door, or that a client or your boss doesn't interrupt you with talk. You wait, not saying a word.

We appreciate that. We love to hear from you. We love knowing that people care.

We've even had people standing outside our door before opening time, banging on the doors, afraid that someone else will snatch up the deal first, like it's Black Friday, or a one day Boxing Sale event.

So are you ready? I know you. You've probably already cheated and not read a thing but instead scrolled down to the announcement.

Which isn't fair because how am I supposed to surprise you?

Okay, okay, here it is.

We have two yarns from two different companies that are exactly the same. I'm sure there are spies in the yarn world. It's not the first time we've seen this. They infiltrate the yarn companies and report back to their supervisors, risking torture if caught, like being forced to sit alone in a room with knitting supplies just a couple of feet away - locked in glass cases.

And so this is the result. Two lovely identical yarns. Two different companies. Same price.

SMC Silenzio and Kertzer Meadows are 25% Alpaca, 25% Superwash Wool, and 50%  Acrylic in a chunky 60m/66yd balls. There are currently nine seven colors although that won't last long. Great for cowls, hats, scarves and mitts.

While writing this we had someone come in and buy some changing my color numbers.

SMC Silenzio & Kertzer Meadows

Regular: $6.00

Sale: $1.50

And as always, once it's gone, it's gone.

Posted by Anna Maria Junus happy employee who is showing restraint this week.

A Weekend to Remember

Berroco Weekend Chunky

Regular $8.50
Sale $2.13
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-weekend-chunky


Anna had Monday off and this is why I let her do this.
;) Lori

A Sheep, An Alpaca, and a Worm Walk Into a Bar...

Well folks, two weeks in a row we sold out of our weekly special on Thursday. And this morning we had someone in looking for the special before we even had a chance to put it out.

Which means, that unless you get here early, you may not have a chance. Tantrums in the store will not be tolerated should that happen. You will have to take them outside, which will look pretty silly to passersby.  Tantrums are for the bar across the street, although I suppose you could drown your sorrows there, but, why would you do that when we have so much wonderful yarn therapy?

Last week I mentioned the Mirasol company. Here's a statement from their website (although I do encourage you to look around it).

The philosophy behind the Mirasol Project is very simple, the Mirasol Project supports local  communities in Peru through the sales of the Mirasol Yarn Collection. Peru's heritage and culture of textile artistry is rich and ancient. The Mirasol Yarn Collection includes  yarn made from the animals bred by these communities for generations in the Peruvian highlands.  Without them we would not have this beautiful yarn. By purchasing the Mirasol Yarn Collection you are supporting the shepherds and their families  ensuring the continuation of this tradition. A portion of every purchase goes directly to the funding  of a centre in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno. So not only do you buy beautiful high quality yarn, but you also help support hard working families. Win! Win! We have another Mirasol yarn for sale this week (the lonely little Nuna did find a home - yeah). Sulka is 60% Merino Wool, 20% Alpaca, and 20% Silk It's 50m/55yds of chunky squishiness! What else could it be with those ingredients? We have seven beautiful colors. Think hats, scarves and cowls, or if you're really adventurous, a  multi-colored sweater. Mirasol Sulka Regular $9.00 Sale: $2.25 Unfortunately we don't have this color, but come in anyway and see what colors we do have.  And in case you missed it, here's the link to the Mirasol site. Mirasol Yarns And remember, no special orders, all sales are final and once it's gone, it's gone! Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who is still trying to come up with a punchline for the title).

When Sheep and Worm Cooperate Sale

One of the benefits of knitting besides handmade socks and the mental stability required to not kill your boss, your teenagers, the toddlers, or that person you married, is the opportunity to support women's businesses throughout the world.

Manos del Uraguay is one of them. Check out what Manos is all about.

Manos del Uraguay

No really, read it. It's interesting. Not only did these women create a way for other women to support their families, but they even started schools for their children.

Manos rocks. Okay, I guess they spin and dye too which is not as physical as it sounds when you say it out loud.

So this week's 75% off sale is one of the Manos yarns. This is a DK weight that knits up so soft you'll want to sleep under it and on it.

Manos Silk Blend

70% Merino, 30% Silk Kettle Dyed

150 yds/135 m

DK weight

Reg: $14.00

Sale: $3.50

Manos Silk Blend Topaz (which we do have)

We have six colors at the time of this post. There is enough of a couple of colors for a sweater. Think also hats, gloves, and cowls.

Oh, and included in this sale is one lonely ball of Nuna from Mirasol. Mirasol is another company that supports women, this time in Peru.

We don't know what to do with this ball of Nuna. It's been sitting here all alone for quite awhile. We think someone should give it a home. It's a lovely little yarn made with 40% merino, 40% silk and 20% bamboo. At 175m/191yds of sport weight, it would make a beautiful little lace scarf.

Our lonely terracotta Nuna

Regular price. $10.00

Sale price: $2.50

Last week we completely sold out of our special sale yarn two days before the sale was over. So it does happen. Once they're gone, they're gone!

Posted by Anna Maria Junus happy employee who is breaking my resolution for this sale.