Driving to the shop today, listening to my Chris Isaak cd , the song Big Wide Wonderful World came on (one of my favorites). As I was listening to the words, I thought to myself it is a big wide wonderful world that we live in. It’s not always easy, things don’t always go the way we want or expect them to, but take a look at that big beautiful sky and know without a doubt, it is a wonderful world that we live in. With our wonderful world in mind, we are calling for all helmet liners that you are holding on to. We will be delivering to a very large brigade of the Army. They will be leaving around Thanksgiving. We are waiting for an exact number but have been told to expect it to be between 1500-2000 soldiers leaving for Afghanistan. The Major I have been talking with was very excited to hear that his soldiers were receiving these. I believe we have close to 1000 waiting to leave and we need more. We need them here by next Thursday. Please keep knitting and crocheting them! As I was typing this I received a call from another woman whose son and his battalion are in desperate need of helmet liners, please find it in your heart to knit more of these wonderful, yet so useful little items. We are contributing in a very large way to the war efforts and your time, money and concern are so appreciated. Remember we are also saving a soldier money by providing one for them in stead of them having to buy something issued by the military. If you know people who do not knit or crochet, we need little notes of inspiration to put in the hats. If you are connected to a school, can you please have your school children write notes, or even just draw a picture. The little notes mean as much to the soldiers as the helmet liners do. We also need to have cash donations for those that can knit but cannot afford to buy the yarn. Let’s keep it going! To date we have collected and or delivered over 2800 helmet liners! Remember gauge is very important especially if you are crocheting. Be sure the ribbing is 7 inches long. I want to take a moment here to thank Jennifer Duffer. Jenn kept telling me about a very popular pattern on Ravelry. She kept telling me and kept telling me, until finally I took a look at what she was talking about and let me tell you; the Swirl Shawl was what started my love affair with JoJoland Yarns. Fantastic yarns at a truly reasonable price, wonderful colors, wonderful feel to all of their yarns and wonderful people to deal with. So thanks Jenn, JoJoland has fast become one of my favorite companies to work with. If there is any doubt, check out the swirl shawl, the entrelac wrap, the vine and flower lace wrap, the reversible cable hat, and the Melody Dragon Wrap. These have all been quite popular and if you listen to Gayle Davis, she is trying to knit with every color in the Rhythm Superwash and I am not far behind her. Blocking Kits, well, they are on back order again. If you haven’t seen them yet, I have mine at the shop. I love it. It looks like a giant puzzle and you can put the pieces together where you need them. The kit comes with this fabulous water proof bag, the blocking pieces, a cover cloth and t pins. Just arrived as I was typing was our wonderful new scissors from Bryson. Priced at $8.95, they are so cute in all different colors, extremely sharp and a beautiful little carrying case. The Addi Clicks just keep selling out. We have two more sets in the new packaging. The new sets come with a US 5, instead of the 10.5 in the old sets. They are in a gorgeous case that fits into most purses and snaps closed. Now would be the time to thank the "younger generation" of new knitters. Not only are they environmentally conscious, but very aware of their babies health. What am I talking about I can hear some of you saying. Well, these young ladies have introduced me to Soakers. At first I didn’t understand and was sort of grossed out at the thought of felted wool against a babies bottom. Finally a new knitter brought one in that she had bought, showing how an insert goes next to their skin, not the wool. In other words, they take the place of plastic pants. I applaud all of you and our land fills really appreciate you. Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to Cindy Taylor. Cindy lost her Mom on Sunday Next we are asking you to send positive thoughts and good wishes to Vicki Thompson, 25, oldest daughter of Leslie, my fantastic Scottish friend. Her kidney transplant is scheduled for Nov. 11, in Scotland. Shirley Binder, our thoughts are with you as you are recovering! Know how much we care about you. Kim Bennet, my thoughts are with your family and any other families who are affected by today’s economy. We will all get through this together. Speaking of economic hard times, I am adding a link to my website of businesses that need our support, remember that 3/50 project. If we do not support brick and mortar businesses they won’t be around. Remember your sole owner shops, like dog groomers, nail techs, your hair dresser, Williams Tile with no chemical grout cleaning services can be thrown in here. All of our tradesmen are having a very hard time right now, alteration shops, florists Yarn Heaven is coming up on 17 years in business. (Three weeks from now). Wow, is all I can say. When I started with that little 500sq ft space behind the Six Flags Mall here in Arlington, never did I imagine that I would be celebrating 17 years in business, 5 maybe, 10 at the most. Never did I realize how much fun, frustration, tears and laughter, never did I realize how much I did NOT know but would soon learn, never did I realize how close I would come to lots of you, and distant from some of you and the knowledge I would gain from all of you. It has been one of the most thrilling roller coaster rides I have ever been on. I am thanking you all now because even with my best intentions, I seem to only get an update out once a month. Keeping this in mind, I will start tomorrow finding yarns to put at 17% off. I am cleaning out the old to bring in some wonderful NEW!! Some yarns are going for 50%-60% off. There are still some needles, including double points that we have on sale as we are closing out the line. We are also closing out the Jawoll Sock Yarn from Berroco and replacing it with hand painted Bearfoot from Mountian Colors. We also have a fairly large order of hanpainted Twizzle coming in. Their popular new yarn River Twist is on back order for over 4 months. Remember we can special order their hand painted yarns for you. Thank you all for your continued support. It is very appreciated. Remember we NEED HELMET LINERS, so please keep them coming!

November 3, 2009 Update