1st Annual Circles Book Fair

We hear people talking about the books they've loved and the ones they didn't find so helpful all the time. We watch customers agonize over which book will suit them. It can be so hard to tell from the pictures. There are so many to choose from!

The best way to get sense whether a book will suit your needs is to talk to someone who has used it. We can't carry every book, much less read them all. You might not run into anyone who can review a book for you when you visit a shop.

So, we've come up with a solution: the Circles Book Fair. Bring your favorites - make sure to put your name in them - and talk to others about theirs. While you're talking and perusing, you can make a list of the books you want. We'll be placing a custom book order for the book fair participants. Get 15% off any books you order that day.

Yes - your own gaggle of reviewers and a 15% discount. That's our kind of event.

Please join us:

This Sunday, April 30th
1-5pm
at Circles - 555 Amory Street, JP

See you there!

Fashion Preview for Knitters

Marcia Cleary of Knittingbag.com returns to lead us through another preview of the upcoming Fall fashions with a knitterly eye.

We'll discuss the trends seen on the New York runways and what kinds of knitted pieces would complement them. Marcia brings samples of her designs for a bit of a mini knit fashion show. She has keen eye for the simple details that make things fashionable, without being trendy, and her joy for the subect matter is infectious. This is sure to be another delightful evening that will light up your weekend and inspire you to pick up the needles and get creative.

Please join us:
Friday, May 12th, 6:30 pm

Learn About our El Salvador Travel Circle

Dean Stevens will be at Circles on Thursday, April 7th at 7pm to introduce us to the work he does in El Salvador and to answer any questions you may have about what our Travel Circle experience might be like.

Dean is a warm, entertaining and remarkable man. This is sure to be an inspiring experience. If you are interested in going to El Salvador with us, want to find out what we plan on doing there, or simply want to learn more about Dean's work, please join us.


Thursday, April 7th, 7pm
at Circles

Survey Says...

Wow, thank you for your support and participation.

249 people responded to our survey. 239 of you said you either liked our community ownership idea or needed to know more. Only 10 said they didn't like the idea.

I'd say that's a fairly positive response. Given that the only information we gave was a general idea of selling shares to our community for $100, I'm delighted at the reception.

We'll be publishing a FAQ sheet soon so that you get the further information you requested. Please be patient as we go through this process. We have to consult attorneys, change the corporate structure of Circles, and register the shares with the State of Massachusetts. We're still looking into the viability of it all and we'll keep you posted here and on our forum.

If this is successful, we are likely the first yarn store in the nation to be community owned. Wouldn't that be exciting?!

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to post them here, on our forum or in an email to me at allison at circles-salon.com

Thank you all for your support.

Surveying Your Interest

Everyone on our email list has been sent a letter about upcoming changes at Circles. In it there is a link to an online survey where we are trying to gauge your interest in these changes. If your email link is not working, please use the one below.

In brief, we would like to change the ownership model of Circles. Rather than two owners, we are going to share ownership with the Circles community. If this offering is successful, we will gather enough resources - financial and human - to pursue several opportunies for additional income streams to secure the long-term prosperity of Circles. Who better to share the results of those opportunies with than our community?

Many of the details of this are to be determined in the very near future - a few weeks at most. Shares will be $100 each and we will offer 3,000 shares. While we would encourage shareholders to participate in the management and running of the business, it would be unrealistic to expect that everyone can or that we could manage such a huge 'staff'. Mainly, the shareholders will elect a board of directors. Beyond that, individuals may participate where they feel able.

We have created a short survey - 4 questions - to get a sense of how you, our community, will respond to this idea. Please click here to particpate in our survey.

Also, we are keenly interested in your questions. We will be gathering them to prepare a more detailed presentation of the offering. You can post questions in the comments here or email me at allison_at_circles-salon.com. (replace the "_at_" with an @)

With great appreciation for your time and input,
Allison

Circles' Seeds of Intention Scarf

Hi everyone,

We've started a Seeds of Intention Scarf - from the "Changing Patterns" book - here at Circles.

Our intention: to foster a painless and prosperous transition here at Circles.

The project is on the needles in the Sitting Room and we invite everyone to come and knit a row or two, as we continue to build our vision of community.

Thank you,
Allison

Friday's event is from 6-9pm

It has been brought to our attention that our post below about "Changing Patterns" did not give the time of the event. We really do want you come!

Daena Giardella and Wren Ross will be here this Friday, from 6-9 pm to discuss their new book about examining the patterns of change in your life and using knitting as a tool for processing change. There are two knitting patterns in the book and we have yarn available to make those patterns. (Purchasing yarn is not a requirement for attendance, though it may be self-evident how working on one of the patterns might enrich the experience.)

Also, the books are here if you'd like to pick up your copy ahead of time.

See you there!

Allison

Sunrise Circles Jacket

The Sunrise Circles Jacket from the latest issue of Interweave Knits, will be our next knit along project.

Order and pre-pay for the yarn by this Sunday, March 5th and receive approximately 20% off the regular retail price.

You can download a PDF of the pattern instructions here.

The yarn used is Karabella's Soft Tweed. It comes in approximately 20 beautiful colors. We have the color card at Circles, or you can go to their web site to get an online approximation.

Depending on the size you make, it will take anywhere from 8-14 skeins. Order and pre-pay, and the cost per skein will $7.50. After March 5th, the cost will be $9.35 per skein.

We'll determine the starting date once the yarn has arrived at Circles. You can join the already buzzing board on our forum here.

Please join us, as we all work our way through this beautiful and technically intriquing project!

"Changing Patterns" announcement

What do Tinking, Frogging, Toads, Princes, UFOs & the meaning of knots have to do with improving the quality of your life?





Wren Ross and Daena Giardella are pleased to announce the release of their new book.
CHANGING PATTERNS: Discovering the Fabric of Your Creativity. Published by Hay House. Join us for some Author Events!! (See below.)


CHANGING PATTERNS invites readers to explore the power of creativity as a vital tool for self-development, change, and fulfillment. It helps people find ways to overcome the patterns that keep them from being creative in order to live a more meaningful life.


"If you long to reclaim your creative self, look no further- the journey is outlined right here in the pages of this wonderful book! By exploring the complexity and joy of the creative process and then giving you an opportunity to use it, Daena and Wren offer a unique way to unwrap your creative gifts so you can share them with the world!"
Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of Take Time for Your Life


In the first part of this book, Daena Giardella takes a fascinating look at how developing a dynamic relationship with your creative process can change your life. By understanding the psychological stages of the creative process, learning to define your unique work cycles, and making peace with your inner critic, you’ll learn to overcome the obstacles that keep you stuck, so you can finally allow creativity to take center stage in your life with passion and confidence.

In the second part, Wren Ross invites you to experience the power of the creative process using knitting as an active form of meditation. “Knitting is a profound metaphor for life,” says Ross, “by observing how you begin and end a project, get out of tangles, and deal with mistakes, you'll see how the act of creation can teach you a lot about yourself.” Included are two simple and beautiful projects designed to help you reflect upon your personal life patterns.

Available at Circles the night of the event.
Item #7563…ISBN: 1-4019-0756-3
USA $14.95 • CAN $19.95 • UK £9.99


Come to an Author Event! They will be lively performances with an interactive discussion that will stimulate each participant's connection to his/her creative passion!

(Be sure to call ahead (617/924-9596) or check our web site http://www.creativityinlife.com
since new events are being booked each day and times may change.)

Sponsoring the Knitting Olympics

So, have you heard of the Knitting Olympics. Only the Yarn Harlot could create such a knitting frenzy. Knitters everywhere are diving into their Olympic trial workouts to prepare for the opening ceremonies on February 10th.

And now you can join Team Boston. When you do, you can get a 10% discount on the materials for your project. 15% on the day of the opening ceremonies. (We figure you'll need a little relief from all that "Oh, how did this day get here so soon" pre-competition anxiety at that point.)

Knitter's start your needles......

First report from TNNA

I was at the Spring/Summer TNNA trade show last week in San Diego. There is a lot to share, so I'll just get started here. I'll post more on the Circles message board.

First, I want to thank Susan Wells of the The Grove for hosting me in her lovely home and introducing me to her shop and community. I can't think of a nicer way to do a business trip and I look forward to building bonds between our stores. Her shop is beautiful and includes a book and gift store, as well. If you're in San Diego, its a must see.



Okay, I finally sat with the Adrienne Vittadini rep and ordered her pattern books. If you're not familiar with her finely detailed stylish work you might want to get acquainted here.

It was a joy to go to a trade show that did not focus on novelty yarns. The yarn manufacturers really highlighted luxury fibers. Silk was the fiber that caught my attention. Remember, this show was for spring and summer knitting. There was also a lot of nylon, but frankly, the samples and swatches of those yarns felt rather stiff and scratchy.



We have a local entry in the luxury yarn category. Jamaica Plain based Tilli Tomas offers silk yarns with beads, sequins, crystals and more. We'll be launching her line at Circles with a trunk show/reception. Keep checking for the date.





Last year, I fell in love with Artyarns' Regal Silk. Now there is some wonderful pattern support, too. We're getting plenty in for those Annie Modesitt "Corset" tanks.

Speaking of Annie Modesitt. She's the one that designed the Twisted Float Shrug which we're doing as a knit along soon. (Ordering deadline is this weekend!) I sat in on a workshop that she taught in San Diego and had a wonderful time. i learned some combination knitting and her method of cabling without a cable needle. She has a delightful presence and, though, it was at the end of a long day, I and everyone else in the workshop were smiling the whole time. It turns out that the shrug was designed with Artyarns yarns, but Vogue insisted that the sample in the magazine be made with Lorna's Laces. I think either yarns would be spectacular.

The surprise yarn find was Orchid from Harrisville. I've always thought of Harrisville as the Land's End of yarn. Solid, traditional shetland yarns that aren't at all stylish. The yarn is designed to be rugged and the colors are very simple. Then comes Orchid. They have redesigned Orchid. The description currently on their site is not updated. Orchid is now a blend of mohair, fine wool and cashmere. And the colors are rich. I'll be meeting with the sales rep from Harrisville soon and we'll get some of this yarn in. We'll all be so pleasantly surpised. Especially since this lovely yarn is reasonably priced.

I think that's enough for now. A little teaser. Check in at the Circles message board to hear more about patterns and accessories. (Accessories were the highlight of the show....)

Knitting Reflection with Wren Ross

Wren Ross and her partner Daena Giardella have a book coming out soon. Its about the patterns of change in our life and how to understand and work with change. In the second part of the book Wren writes about how to use knitting to reflect upon pattern in your life. She includes two simple projects for self-reflection:

Wren will be at Circles on Friday, March 3 to sign books and to get us started on a piece of reflective knitting. You can try her Seeds of Intention scarf or Cape of Constant Change. We'll have materials available and you'll receive 10% off at the book signing event.

For those of us who have experienced Wren before, we know how warm, creative and entertaining she is. If you haven't had the pleasure, I highly recommend that you come and enjoy.

Shall we make this one a pot luck?

New Yarn in the New Year

Have you been in lately to see some of our new yarns?

From Misti Alpaca we have the scrumptious Chunky Baby Alpaca and the Super Chunky Alpaca/Wool Blend (its like putting your hand into a silky cloud.)

From Plassard we have the boucle Bibop, the mohair Flore, the self-striping Symphonie, the thick & thin Versatile, the multi-color Rhapsody and the multi color ribbon Mineral.

From Karabella we have several colors of Gossamer just in and new colors of Barbados for that capelet everyone's going gaga over. As always, we continue to bring in new colors of Aurora, as well.

We have slew of those super bulky hand-dyes from Delly's Delights Farm. (Ask about the scribble lace cardi that Allison is designing with this...)

The immediately popular Shelridge Farm sock yarn has been replenished. But hurry, its walking out the door at a rapid pace.

A recent addition to our artisan collection is the super bulky cashmere/lambswool blend from Pasticcio. Can you say, "Yum!"?

First Circle of the Year

Sunday circle will begin, as usual, at 10am. In this first circle of 2006, we will invite an auspicious new year with 30 minutes of silent knitting.

To honor the silence please observe the following if you enter between 10 & 10:30:

• Put outer wear and non-knitting items down outside the sitting room.
• Have your knitting out and ready to go.
• Remove yarn from bags that rustle.
• Turn off all cell phones.
• Be sure to make silent greetings. (We create a connected circle by acknowledging one another.)
• Enjoy the silence. Its always over before you know it!

Knit in the New Year

For many of us, New Year's Day marks the end of the 'holiday season'. It is a time to look back at what has passed and dream of the possibilities ahead. Though different calendars mark the New Year on different days, celebrating the New Year has been a tradition throughout the world for as long as anyone can recall. For all the differences we find amongst cultures, the New Year's communal feast is a thread that connects us all.

Why feasts? Giving each other gifts, especially the gift of food in the cold of winter, is to wish for a bountiful year . Bringing food across a threshold symbolizes the beginning an auspicious year.

So, please bring an offering for the table and sit with us while we knit in a new year of joy and prosperity together. We look forward to seeing you there.

PS: Go to our Yahoo group database to let us know what you're bringing to the pot luck.

2nd Anniversary info

We're celebrating this Saturday, November 19th from Noon until.....

This event is public, so please feel free to pass your invitation along to friends, or send them to our Yahoo Group to sign up for classes, massages and the pot luck.

There will be mini-workshops available. The workshop is free with the purchase of materials. All the materials are $25 or less. Here is the list of workshops:

1:00 _ I-cord Button Bracelets
1:45 _ Magicly Looped Baby Hats
2:15 _ Cushie Cabled Headband
3:00 _ Double Knit Washcloth/Trivet
3:45 _ Loop Stitch Scarf
4:30 _ Silk "Hankie" Knitting

see the Yahoo Group database for further descriptions.

You can also sign up for a Hand Massage or a Shiatsu Shoulder Treatment. These are available from 1:00-4:30 and the registry for those can also be found on the Yahoo Group database.

Please remember to make a contribution to the pot luck. We have requested that you bring something in the categories listed below according to the first letter of your last name:

A-D Appetizers
E-H Salads/Vegies
I-M Entrees
N-Q Fruit/Desserts
R-U Drinks
V-Z Paper Goods

Thank you and see you there!

Circles Yahoo Group

If you're trying to register for classes, massages or the pot luck this Saturday, you do that on our Yahoo Group. (Sorry, everyone, we don't have the message board up quite yet.)

Here's how:
Go here for our Home Page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/circles-salon/

If you have a Yahoo ID, you can join the group by clicking on the blue JOIN THIS GROUP button on the right side of the screen.

If you don't have a Yahoo ID, you will need to create a Yahoo id first. Its free and you just associate it with your regular email address. There is a button to register with Yahoo on our home page, or you can:

GO here to create an ID:

http://login.yahoo.com/config/login?.src=fpctx&.done=http://www.yahoo.com

Once, you've joined the group, click on the DATABASE option in the navigation bar to the left.

For MASSAGES, click on the table, then choose a time in that table and click Edit Record. You can then put your name in the name field.

For CLASSES, choose the table and then ADD a record to put your name on the list. Be sure to include your Yahoo ID, so that I can contact you about any materials you may need to bring.

If you have questions, please email me: allison@circles-salon.com or call 617-524-5500.

See you Saturday!

Allison

Hold the Date

We've set the date for the 2nd Anniversay Party. (I think at 5 we should have a formal Circles Knit Ball!)

Mark your calendars: Saturday, November 19th, Noon til whenever.

Massages, Quickies, Pot Luck, Knitting All Day. Stay tuned for more details....

Yarn Photos

I said I'd get some photos up. Here are a few of the yarns that I brought back from Rhinebeck:

The one to the right is the mohair/wool sock yarn from Chasing Rainbows. Each one lovingly handpainted. No dyelots. One skein makes a pair of socks. Of course, you don't have to limit it to socks!



A photo can't do this yarn justice. It's Kid Mohair with the natural loops. It feels quite silky and with the sumptuous colors.....

2nd Anniversay Planning Mtg

Its time to celebrate another year! Who better to celebrate with than our customers? Last year's anniversary party was so much fun - massages, color workshops, food, champagne. If you would like to help us plan an equally enjoyable one this year, please come to our organizing meeting:

Sunday, October 23rd
1:00 pm
Circles Classroom
Please bring a snack


Thank you!