YOUR local yarn shop!

You've probably noticed the new VBYC motto here on the blog and everywhere else where there's mention of YOUR local yarn shop. I say "new", but really, the motto isn't new at all. It's actually always been YOUR local yarn shop, because YOU are the the ones who make it what it is. Without YOU, there would be no VBYC. A couple weeks back, one of the knitters was relaxing in the shop working a baby afghan. She glanced down at her pattern and noticed a little reminder at the bottom, printed there in bold face by the designer. She was taken by it and read it aloud. It went something like "A local yarn shop is a treasure. Support your local yarn shop." What a fantastic reminder to all of us, both me and you. Seems to me the message from the pattern leaflet pretty much repeats our "new" motto. It's important never to take things for granted, especially these days. Also, it's important for us yarn folks to appreciate our local fiber community and to do that every day. In our work we support each other in our endeavor to prepare terrific fiber creations for ourselves and those special to us. What a joy it is to see a yarn that sits in the bin find a home to be worked into something that will be used and bring happiness to someone. Wearing a knitted or crocheted garment handmade by a friend, relative, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, or partner is like being hugged by them all day long. You know they thought of you as they purled, knitted, trebbled, or chained. And when you see the stitches accenting your outfit for the day, you are reminded of them, their love for you, the time taken to select yarn, to create something beautiful with you in mind, and to give it to you to use. Our job, both yours and mine, is to foster the giving of self. And oh, the rewards that come back to us! It's hard work, that, and requires much patience. As the guys assembled last night for Men's Club, a little girl sat learning to knit. Brand new needles, brand new yarn, eager eyes, and fingers learning new movements, looping loops. A bit of frustration, a split strand, a few sighs. "It does get easier" came the encouragement from the guys, many of whom themselves had recently learned to knit. Patience. "And in the end, the reward is great." Vermilion Bay Yarn is YOUR local yarn shop. Support it and let it support you. The reminder printed on the bottom of the pattern spoke of a treasure. And it's right. Every person, regardless of age, gender, or whatever, who walks through the VBYC door is both a treasure and part of a larger treasure. YOUR local yarn shop celebrates community. There's no mold to fit, no dress code, no hairstyle requirement. Just be YOU. Embrace that. Celebrate it. VBYC does.