Subscribe to our regional news list and get two free downloadable patterns!

You’ll need to click to sign up here, then click to confirm in the email we’ll send you.

Then, we’ll send you two free pattern download links, as well as information about regional happenings of interest.

Two free pdf patterns? Yes! One is our Alpine Topper pattern – a favorite for knitters, and the other is our Organic Cottolin Tea Towel pattern, a favorite weaving pattern.

Here again is the link to sign-up:

http://halcyonyarn.com/users/email-invite.php

FiberME 2013: Come see what Maine has to offer

Why FiberME 2013?

You won’t want to miss FiberME 2013, this year’s new and revised week long fiber tour of fabulous Maine fiber sites.  Artists’ studios, farms, mills, galleries, and educational locations are so interesting and all while you enjoy the beauty of coastal Maine in the peak of summer. While you can find a list of all of the weeks visits and activities on our website, we wanted to fill in some details about two of the new visits that we’re excited about for this summer.

The newly founded Maine Top Mill in Waldoboro is a new venue this summer.  The Mill started up operations in April, 2012, as a center for processing small batch, high grade top from local alpacas and sheep, offering small farmers and growers a place to have their high quality fiber processed, and contributing to sustainable local fiber production while helping to sustain a rural farming lifestyle.

The Maine Top Mill is also an educational center with a classroom/workspace where classes in grading, animal nutrition, and fiber arts are being scheduled.

The Maine Top Mill is involved in several areas of research including animal nutrition, fiber blending to foster better quality and stronger animals and fiber, and creating new combinations of compatible natural fiber blends. Some of their early experiments in fiber blending include bamboo and silk.

Cloud Hollow Farm in Waldoboro owned by Bob and Erin Weintraub will be another high point of our tour.  The Weintraubs breed animals recognized for high quality fiber, plus they offer stud service and sell their animals for fiber production and companionship.

The Maine Top Mill and Cloud Hollow Farm are excellent examples of ongoing efforts to strengthen a sustainable rural farm lifestyle in Maine.  Both Cloud Hollow Farm and Maine Top Mill have researched and installed more efficient lighting (through the use of LED lights), solar technology for  heating and hot water, and introduced waterfowl (ducks and geese) for pest control. Both are dedicated to developing a higher quality lifestyle and a gentler impact on Maine’s environment.

For more information, check out all the details of FiberME 2013. Learn about each day’s destinations and the artists we’ll be visiting. More postings are coming soon but don’t wait to sign up!

Tour Maine, see its vibrant fiber arts: announcing FiberME 2013

Last year’s FiberME  - a 5 day tour of all things fiber in the beautiful state of Maine – was such a success, we couldn’t wait to start planning FiberME 2013. The dates are set and the final details are being worked out as we speak. This year we’ve added a special day in Bath with a ‘make it and take it’ class in the morning with Maine rug hooking artist Susie Stephenson and a fiber craft fair in the afternoon with fiber artists from all over the state. The tour will kick off Sunday, August 4th, with a Welcome Reception at Halcyon Yarn and we will close out the week Friday afternoon, August 9, with a traditional Lobster Bake on the shore.

Details will be posted on our website as soon as they are available. For immediate inquiries, feel free to contact me directly by e-mail at classes@halcyonyarn.com or call 1-800-341-0282 Wednesday-Friday and ask for Jane.

It’s going to be an exciting time.  I hope you join us.

Awesome fiber arts classes, don’t miss out on our latest

Here’s what’s happening with classes at Halcyon Yarn. Click through the title link for the complete details of each. Remember, we no longer send class lists through the mail, so check our website, halcyonyarn.com, for the most up to date information.

Visit NETA Spa Knit and Spin, then visit us and save!

To encourage and support your fiber addictions Halcyon Yarn is offering a 15% discount on purchases over $50 (in-store only, excludes floor looms, special orders, classes, and bulk 3 pricing), to all Spa, Knit & Spin 2013 attendees who visit the store Friday and Saturday, February 1st and 2nd. To take advantage of these great savings all you have to do is mention you’re attending Spa, Knit and Spin 2013. That’s right, it’s that easy! We decided no coupon is necessary. Halcyon Yarn will be open Friday, February 1, 2013, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday, February 2, 2013, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Closed Sunday.

Check Out the Winter and Spring Classes at Halcyon Yarn

Start the new year out with new ideas and a new craft. Hone your skills.  HOW? Take a class at Halcyon Yarn. Nearby customers have the luxury of being able to drop in, but even if you’re not “right next door” consider getting away for a weekend to our “cool little city” of Bath, Maine and join us for a class.

We’re debuting fun new classes, such as Braiding Beyond Rugs: Braid a Tote or Purse, Weave a Treasure Pouch and Build a Twig Trellis. Some of our most popular classes like Going to the Dogs: Introduction to Needle Felting and Felt Inspirations are back by popular demand. A word to the wise, sign-up early before these classes fill. Looking for a new craft? We have those classes too.

Consider Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving, Beginning Four Shaft Weaving, Beginning Knitting, Beginning Rug Hooking: A Different Approach or Intro to Drop Spindle. These are just a few of the classes being offered at Halcyon Yarn this spring. Check out all the classes we have scheduled through May, 2013 and see complete class details by visiting our our website. Additional classes will be added so check back often.

New Rug Hooking and Rigid Heddle Groups to Begin at Halcyon Yarn

Halcyon Yarn is excited to offer great new opportunities for local rug hookers and rigid heddle weavers to learn and share. Both interest groups will be held at Halcyon Yarn in our classroom.

Attention all Rug Hookers:

You are invited to Halcyon Yarn’s new Rug Hooking Group led by Susie Stephenson. It’s first meeting was held Wednesday, January 2. What a great success. If you missed this meeting, join us next time. The meetings will be held the 1st Wednesday of every month from, 1:00 – 8:00 pm.  This is an absolutely free drop in group.  Bring a snack, bring your supper, come in before the kids get home from school or after work or after you have fixed dinner. Bring your current project to work on and enjoy the company of other rug hookers.  Chat about new ideas for projects, materials you like to use or have never used, new techniques, material sources – anything you like. Celebrate the New Year and hook in the ‘community’  of fellow rug hookers.

The Rug Hooking group will be ongoing – every 1st Wednesday of the month, 1:00 – 8:00 pm meeting in the 3rd floor classroom at Halcyon Yarn.

Attention all Rigid Heddle weavers:

Join Halcyon Yarn’s new interest group for Rigid Heddle Weavers led by Liz Johnson.  The 1st meeting will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.  This is a free drop in group: bring your rigid heddle loom and weave.  Bring show and tell and ideas to share.  Enjoy a few hours in the ‘community’ of other rigid heddle weavers.

This group will meet the last Wednesday of each month in the 3rd floor classroom at Halcyon Yarn.  There is a coffee / tea machine and water in the frig.  Bring a snack or you lunch.

This is an absolutely free group dedicated to sharing ideas and inspiring each other.  Celebrate the New Year and join this group!

Superstorm Sandy and Caps for Kids

Every year Halcyon Yarn collects hats, mittens, and scarves to donate to children in need. The wares are made by friends, customers, staff, and arrive from both near and far. For over 15 years the Caps for Kids donations have been a testament to the generosity of this wonderful knitting community. Seeing the donations accumulate in the store always helps to make the holidays feel extra special.

Usually we distribute donated wares locally. This year, in response to a request from one of our suppliers, Knitting Fever, we are also able to aid victims of Superstorm Sandy. Knitting Fever is acting as a distribution point, accepting donations from Local Yarn Stores and individuals form across the country. They are then passing donations along to Local Yarn Stores and non-profits in New York and New Jersey who are working to get donations to where they are most needed.  We’re so happy that our locally created  mittens and hats are finding new hands and hearts to keep warm (75 mittens and 25 hats!).

Most of the donations pictured above were knit by a wonderfully prolific local knitter.  Nancy uses donated yarn to make her creations, and is a long time supporter of our Caps for Kids program and an inspiration to us!

While we have sent round-one along already, there is still time to donate to the Caps for Kids program. Donations that arrive in the following weeks will be distributed in Maine, with the help of area non-profits. Items will be distributed to local schools, Head Start programs, and the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in December, just in time for the holiday break. Also note, there are local efforts in many parts of the country. Please consider donating to a local charity in your area. We know your generosity will be greatly appreciated and you’ll feel great about helping others stay warm this winter season.

Caps For Kids details

We collect hand knit or crocheted hats, mittens, cowls or scarves for ages 4-12, male and female colors. Please use machine washable yarns, or specify cleaning instructions on the garment.  Mail or drop items off at 12 School Street, Bath, ME 04530 during our regular business hours by December 17th.

Feel free to download the free hat pattern or include the printed version in your order, or use a favorite pattern of your own.