Festival of Trees: Our Fibertastic Christmas Tree

The Festival of Trees is a local tradition, and one that we love here at Halcyon Yarn. Local businesses and groups are invited to decorate a Christmas tree which will be auctioned to benefit our local YMCA. Each year has a theme. This year’s theme, “A  Red Hot Christmas” was tailor made for Ruby Celebration Year.  Friends and staff have put together another fun and festive, fiber-filled Christmas tree.  If you happen through Bath, Maine, the trees are on display at the Winter Street Center, and well worth a visit. More information and a schedule is available as a pdf. If you can’t make it, here are some photos of the tree and adornments. Happy Holidays!

Collecting Hats, Mittens and Scarves for Needy Children

With the cold weather upon us and the holidays knocking at our doors, it’s only natural to think of those less fortunate than ourselves who may need help braving the cold. Every year, as part of the Caps for Kids campaign Halcyon Yarn collects hats, mittens and scarves for needy children in our area. Feel free to download the free hat pattern or include the printed version in your order, or use a favorite pattern of your own.

It began with a simple request to collect hand knits that local folks had knit or crocheted for random children, and didn’t know where to bring them. Halcyon Yarn devised a simple solution and a large community drop box was created at our local shop. In the later years since its beginning, hats and mittens have been sent from all over the country. Hand knits are received throughout the year and stored until the local call for, “Caps For Kids” is announced immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday.

So if you have left over yarn and a little compassion we’d like to encourage you to make at least one item this winter season and donate it to someone in need. Those of you in other 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.

As for those of you in our local Bath/Brunswick Maine area, here is Halcyon Yarn’s official call… “Caps For Kids”

Now collecting 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. With the help of area non-profits the items will be distributed to local schools, Head Start programs, and the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program on December 19th, just in time for the holiday break.

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

Halcyon Yarn 40 Day Advent Calendar Countdown

“40 days to the next 40 years!” Take advantage of our upcoming advent calendar. It’s packed with special deals and a finale of huge prizes to ring in the new year!

2011 has been a wonderful year for Halcyon Yarn. It has marked 40 years in business, our Ruby Anniversary. Throughout the year we have celebrated with special offerings, events and limited edition products. Help us wrap up our year long celebration in style and usher in 2012 by joining us for our 40 day advent calendar countdown.

Starting Tuesday November 22, Halcyon Yarn will begin counting down the last 40 days of 2011. Just as with traditional advent calendars, we’ll offer surprises each day in the form of discounts, deals and rewards on some of your favorite items. To take advantage of these specials offers you must know the advent code of the day. Simply visit our home page www.halcyonyarn.com and click on the 40 Day Advent Calendar Countdown icon to view the special that day and receive the advent code. The information will also be posted in the store for those of you fortunate enough to stop by in person. Each offer is good for a limited time. Once it’s gone, you’ll have to wait for the next surprise offer. It all culminates December 31 when we’ll have a huge grand prize drawing to celebrate the new year. Every purchase made using an advent code automatically qualifies you for the drawing. The more you shop the more you’ll save and the more chances you’ll have to win additional prizes!

Remember – each code is only good for purchases made on that day and cannot be applied to previous purchases. 

Here’s what you can look forward to with the 40 Day Advent Calendar…

Mondays and Tuesdays are a Super Scavenger Hunt!

Each week on these days you’ll have to search out a different item based on our clue… when you find the item you’ll get that day’s advent code. Enter the code at check-out and purchases over $40 ship for free*!

*Offer good toward US ground or equivalent credit toward international or expedited shipping. Excludes floor looms.

Advent code is good for orders placed between 7:00 am Monday and 7:00 am Wednesday (eastern standard time).

Wednesdays & Thursdays are Quick Kits & Perfect Presents Days!

Mid week we’ll be giving you the advent code right up front. Use the code and you’ll receive 20% off our featured kit or gift idea. These are presents and projects for every craft and style. Several of these items will only be available as part of our advent events – you don’t want to miss these goodies!

Advent code is good for orders placed between 7:00 am Wednesday and 7:00 am Friday (eastern standard time).

Friday, Saturday & Sunday it’s time for some BIG IDEAS!

When you shop with the advent code on BIG IDEA weekends you’ll be rewarded with a gift now and big savings later! These are the days to make that splurge or plan that big project of which you’ve been dreaming! Whether you buy that one big ticket item or you put together just the right yarns for that amazing sweater or blanket you’ve been wanting to create – these weekends offer just the reason to do it!

All purchases over $100 will receive a high quality Halcyon Yarn Ruby Anniversary ceramic travel mug while supplies last. That’s a $15.95 value. PLUS….

• Spend between $100 – $149 and receive a $15 Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate to be used Feb thru April 2012.
• Spend between $150 – $299 and receive a $30 Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate to be used Feb thru April 2012.
• Spend $300 or more and receive a $50 Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate to be used Feb thru April 2012.

Advent code is good for orders placed between 7:00 am Friday and 7:00 am Monday (eastern standard time). Big Idea orders receive only one gift certificate from the above denominations per order; i.e. a maximum of one $50 gift certificate, regardless of order total.

Grand Prize Drawing

In addition to all the great deals and savings you’ll find along the way, there’s even more to look forward to at the end our Advent Calendar Countdown! Remember, each time you make a purchase using an advent code you will be entered into our Grand Prize Drawing to be held December 31st, 2011 and announced on Tuesday January 2nd, 2012. With each entry you have a chance to win one of ten great prizes!

We’ll be giving away…

• 3 Ruby Eco-Bags containing a collection of Halcyon Yarn Signature Patterns plus a $50 Gift Certificate.
• 2 Sets of 4 Halcyon Yarn Ruby Anniversary travel mugs in a Ruby Eco Bag
• 2 Ruby Long Reach Project Bags made by Maine’s own Port Canvas Company
• 2 Yarn Store In A Box including a binder and sleeves
• 1 $150 Gift Certificate

Please remember whether you’re making your purchases online, over the phone or in person, you must use the advent code to be eligible for the special that day and to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing.

Yarn Catalog XIV now online

We think you’ll love the ease with which you can now combine your Halcyon Yarn online and paper catalog browsing!

With Yarn Catalog XIV just out this week, we wanted to share the catalog with as many as possible. For those unfamiliar, the yarn catalog is a great way to see yarn colors and all the related items you’ll need, along with great pattern suggestions from staff and friends of Halcyon. Plus with the online version it’s easy to share pages with your friends.

We’re celebrating green and “eco” this year – a great time to start e-Publishing our print catalog. But, for some the print catalog is a requirement: It has truer color reproductions, and doesn’t require an internet connection. If you didn’t sign up yet to have a paper catalog and would like one please let us know here or call 800-341-0282 and it will arrive in the mail soon!

Now get busy planning and doing, stitching and weaving, There’s still plenty of time to create for the holidays.

Halcyon

p.s. and feel free to email your Santa some convenient links to your favorite pages too.

p.p.s. Now that we have this newest catalog online, we’re going back and make the Equipment catalog have the same interactivity. Let us know how we can improve the interface – suggestions are welcome!

It’s All About You, Small Businesses and American Express!

Saturday, November 26, 2011-Mark your calendar! It’s the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express and Halcyon Yarn is proud to participate both in store and online.

• Here’s the easy part for you:  register your eligible American Express card for the Small Business Saturday offer by calling American Express (see the customer service number on the back of your card).
•  and then go shopping!! You’ll get a one-time $25 statement credit when you register an eligible American Express® Card and use that Card for a purchase of $25 or more at a small business (like Halcyon Yarn) on November 26th. Registration is limited. Terms and Conditions apply.

Here at Halcyon Yarn, we will be open on Saturday November 26th from 9:00am-4:00pm and will record online orders from 12:01am-noon. Come out and support small business and get a jump start on holiday shopping done too!

The Best of Knitscene and Other New Books

The Best of Knitscene

Some great new books have made their way to the shelves here at Halcyon Yarn. Our new arrivals cover a range of fiber crafts. There are books for felters, weavers, spinners, rug hookers and knitters. Here’s a list of the latest and greatest, as well as an in depth look at a staff favorite, The Best of Knitscene  by Lisa Shroyer.

Let’s start with The Best of Knitscene, a collection of simple, stylish & spirited knits,  20 varied patterns from well known designers, like Cecily Glowik and Connie Chang Chinchio. Hats, shawls, mitts, bags, socks, pullovers and cardigans for real knitters and real people.  Imagine, chic knits that average knitters can create and patterns that put fashion at your finger tips. Many of these garments and accessories will become favorites to turn to again and again. It’s always nice to take a peek inside a book so we’ve chosen to highlight a few patterns from within its pages.

	Central Park Hoodie is a classic worsted weight design that would look great in Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed.
Lamb’s Pride Bulky provides a great selection of colors for the Heather Hoodie Vest.
	Cascade Eco & Eco Plus are the bulky yarns of choice for the Helleborus Yoke.
Cascade Eco & Eco Plus are also the bulky yarns of choice for the Berkshire Dolman Sleeve.

500 Felt Objects: Creative Explorations of a Remarkable Material

Felters will be amazed by the collection of juried works of art found in 500 Felt Objects: Creative Explorations of a Remarkable Material . This diverse group of items showcases the limitless possibilities of felt as an artistic medium.

From Felt to Fabric: New Techniques in Nuno Felting takes Nuno felting in a whole new direction by using nuno pre-felts Merino Prefelt - Dyed and multi-layering techniques.

From Felt to Fabric: New Techniques in Nuno Felting Merino Prefelt - Dyed

Old Swedish Weavings from North to South

You’ll love the wonderful collection of everyday Swedish weaving from 1850-1950 found in Old Swedish Weavings from North to South . Each project includes in-depth drawdowns, charts, descriptions and diagrams.

Color and Texture in Weaving – What  a great reference on mixing yarn types and colors to create woven textiles with modern flair! Appropriate for all weaving abilities. PRE ORDER NOW!

Color and Texture in Weaving

Learn to Spin with Anne Field

Learn to Spin with Anne Field covers all the basics for beginning spinners. The book is divided into four parts:  learning to spin, animal fibres, plant and manufactured fibres, and mixing and matching fibres.

Celebration XXI Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs , presented by Rug Hooking Magazine, shows 69 of the year’s best hand hooked rugs. Includes detailed photos, artist profiles and design inspiration.

Celebration XXI Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs

A Lifetime of Rug-Hooking

Take a look at the work of well-known Nova Scotia rug hooker Doris Eaton in A Lifetime of Rug-Hooking . Showing over eighty of her rugs as well as their inspirations, materials and techniques.

You’ll find the cutest booties, socks and slippers to knit for babies and kids in Knitting for Little Feet . Choose from forty different patterns. What a value – 40 patterns for only $22.95.

Knitting for Little Feet

Knits to Give

Knits to Give is a collection of knitted gifts from well known designer Debbie Bliss, a classic collection of great knitted gifts to make for friends and family. Patterns include shawls, scarves, a ladybug back pack, a zebra and more.

Designer Jenny Watson does it again with Noro City Girl ! The floral displays and scenery of a northern English town inspired this lovely collection. Be inspired by the beauty too! Features stylish wraps, cardigans, vests and pullovers.

Noro City Girl

My Grandmother's Knitting

My Grandmother's Knitting  is filled with wonderful stories and patterns that helped inspire knitters like Norah Gaughan, Teva Durham, Leigh Radford, Meg Swanson, Jared Flood and other popular contemporary knitwear designers.

Fun and quick to knit hats, caps, berets and cloches for the entire family abound in Weekend Hats .

Weekend Hats

Visual Quick Tips Knitting

If you’re looking for the perfect portable reference book, look no further than  Visual Quick Tips Knitting . Easy to find information on knitting at your fingertips. 230 pages of great information in a compact – fit in your bag – format.

Knitting Pleats  teaches you to understand and use pleats in your knitting to create 17 original garments and accessories. Includes patterns for stoles, hats, vests, bags and sweaters.

Knitting Pleats

Internet and Phone Customer Prizes: Great loot from our Open House

Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House and our special event “A Day with Richard Ashford” have come and gone. Both were a great success due in large part to the support of our customers. We’d like to extend a big thank you to all who were able to come and participate. For those of you from afar we’d like to offer an opportunity to experience some of our 40th Anniversary fun.  Take a peek at pictures below from our two events and enjoy door prizes from the comfort of your own home!

That’s right, we are offering door prizes, or perhaps we should call them “order prizes”, for our phone and internet customers.  Starting tonight, Wed, October 19th at midnight, every 40th order placed at Halcyon Yarn will receive a surprise door prize. Supplies are limited, so order soon. These are the same great door prizes we gave away at our Annual Open House. You might win Noro books and yarns or cashmere yarn and tote from Skacel. All you have to do to be eligible is place an order. Good luck!

Last Call for Halcyon Yarn Annual Open House

Halcyon Yarn’s Annual Open House will be upon in just a few short days! Come celebrate with us and take advantage of great savings. It comes just once a year, so you don’t want to miss it. Here’s everything you need to know…

When?

This Saturday, October 8th from 9am-4pm.

Where?

It’s held right here at Halcyon Yarn, 12 School St. Bath Maine.

What’s Happening?

We’ll have on-going demonstrations in weaving, spinning, felting, rug hooking, knitting and crocheting. Come see it all. Ask questions. Engage in conversations. Sign-up for a class.

Savings! All purchases that day will receive an additional discount of 10%-25% off. One lucky customer will actually receive 40% off in honor of Halcyon Yarn’s 40th Anniversary. How does it work? At check out we will have a collection of little red bags. Each bag will contain a piece of paper with a specific discount. You choose a bag and open it to reveal your discount. Want an opportunity to choose a second bag and take the bigger of the two discounts? Well, visit all our demonstrators and we’ll let you do just that!

Even Deeper Discounts on special yarns and discontinued books.

Knitter’s and weaver’s “stash bags” filled with an array of different yarns and sold at an extremely low price. A great value. Come early because they sell out fast.

Door Prizes! You could be a winner just by simply coming to Halcyon Yarn’s Open House. We’ll be giving away yarn, books and products. Our giveaways feature names like Noro, Swan’s Island, Cascade and Skacel. Come on in and see what it’s all about. When you arrive we’ll greet you and hand you a card. This special card could be your ticket to savings. Hold on to it and present it when checking out. If your card has the special code – YOU WIN A PRIZE!

Book signing. Maine’s own Robin Hansen will join us from 11am-1pm to sign copies of her new book Ultimate Mittens 28 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm. Be the first to own this great new book. Although not yet released to the public, Halcyon Yarn is lucky enough to have several copies for our special event.

As always, we’ll have seasonal refreshments on hand. So eat, drink and be merry.

Halcyon Yarn’s Open House is sure to be a great event.  So stop by for a quick hello or stay for the whole day. We hope to see you Saturday.

*Offer only applies to items purchased in store. Not valid on internet or mail order purchases. Bulk price 3, floor looms and special orders are not eligible.