People's Choice is Rowan Yarns 10% - 50% off MSRP at the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!

People's Choice is Rowan Yarns 10% - 50% off MSRP at the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!

For a quick recap on the Salem Witch Trials, there are a dozen or so girls and an adult woman or two, who suffer under the bewitching spells of a few accused and soon to be accused witches. These witches are showing themselves to the bewitched as shapes and are named here and there. When news spreads of the "shape" being named, the others who are afflicted also begin to see the same shapes appearing to them. Coincidence? At this time, Tituba, Sarah Osburne, Sarah Good, Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse are all accused of witchcraft and await their punishment imprisoned in Salem Jail. Attention has been brought to Giles Corey and John Proctor for their outspokeness or odd behaviors. Who next will appear to the girls and earn theirselves a cell in Salem Jail, or possibly even a worse end.....

Rebecca Nurse, the last of our accused witches, had two sisters, one of whom was Sarah Cloyce who was outraged at the treatment and accusations towards her sister. After Rebecca's imprisonment, Sarah stopped attending the church run by Reverend Parris. Neighbor's of Sarah though eventually persuaded her to attend the Sunday service. All was quiet in the church; the bewitched girls sitting happily now that all the witches were imprisoned. Sarah Cloyce entered the church and as soon as Parris began the Sunday sermon - which focused on who and how many devils were actually in the church - Sarah stood up and left the church, slamming the door behind her. She was now the talk of the community and the girls again began to fall into fits and were seeing visions of a group of witches removed from the community gathering nearby to receive the unholy sacrament of red bread and bloody wine. One of the girls cried "Oh Sarah Cloyce, I did not expect to see you here!" An arrest warrant was issued immediately for Sarah.

Sarah sat before the magistrates on April 11, 1692. During the examination, the girls maintained their fits, except for Mary Walcott who calmly sat with her knitting, so intent on the clicking of her needles and only to look up during the trial to confirm a report or two. No devils rioted within her and she ignored those around her.....

(I think these girls just needed more challenging knitting! Plus it seems to suppress fits and convulsions - not bad).

Of course, Mary Walcott did confirm Abigails sighting of two witches sitting near the magistrates - namely John Procter sitting with a dog under the table.

At the end of this day, Sarah Cloyce joined her sister, Rebecca, in Salem Prison and John Proctors household had new things to worry about - arrest warrants....

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?
Sale Dates and Times:
October 10, 2008, 12:00 PM ESTthrough October 14, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yes, this sale extends through to Tuesday due to the Monday holiday!
Happy Columbus Day to the US and Happy Thanksgiving to Canada!

People's Choice from Wednesday's Survey Results for "Witch" Yarn should be on Sale this Weekend.....

Rowan Yarns - 10% - 50% off MSRP

Dream in Color Sale Pattern of the Day

Dream in Color Tulip Baby Cardigan P-604 is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)

This cardigan uses 8 different colorways in Dream In Color Classy yarn.

Survey Says!
Please visit our blog to vote on this weekends question - blog.yarnandfiber.com

Poll results for - Oct 9-10

Question: If I owned a giant pumpkin, I would

• Make it into a giant jack-o-lantern (29%)
• Invite everyone I knew for a pumpkin pie bake-off (16%)
• Carve it out and put wheels on it and drive it around town on Halloween (29%)
• Raffle it off and spend the money on orange yarn (29%)
  

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

Giant Pumpkins and a Sale on Prism Yarns, Queensland Yarns and Jaeger Yarns at the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!

What's on Sale Today? Prism Yarns, Queensland Yarns and Jaeger Yarns at the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!

Hooked on the Salem Witch Trials? Can't get enough of the gloom and doom? Well, to keep everyone on their toes, a quick break from Salem Village in 1692 and to the year 2008 in Topsfield MA at the Topsfield Fairgrounds.

Note: This material may be upsetting if you suffer from a fear of jack-o-lanterns.

So, what can be as interesting as the Salem Witch Trials? The Giant Pumpkin competition of course!

Every year at the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts, members of the New England Pumpkin Growers Association of New England (http://www.bigpumpkins.com/) gather and compete to try win first prize for the heaviest pumpkin for the year but also to beat the current world record (1689 lbs in September of 2007. This was more fun than you can imagine! Pumpkins begin arriving as early as 6:00 AM and the weigh-off starts promptly at 8:30 AM.

Now imagine walking into a giant arena and it is filled with giant pumpkins... breathtaking! Forklifts and burly men worked very hard - and smiled all the time (the were having too much fun lifting these pumpkins) - bringing the pumpkins from their resting pallets to the scales. These babies were enourmous!

My favorite pumpkin, which I spotted the moment I sat down (really shiny and quite pretty) actually won the prize for the Prettiest Pumpkin! I clapped and cheered ... this was really a fun event to attend. Here she is on her way to receiving her prize.Everytime they would put a pumpkin on a scale, all eyes would go to the weight reader and I swear no one would breathe until the reader stopped.. Then whoops and claps would break out - a good time was has by all! The winner of this years competition is shown below - a whooping 1484 lbs.... that's a lot of pumpkin pie!

The Topsfield Fair be open until the evening of Monday, October 13. The winner of the giant pumpkin contest is displayed in the Fruits and Vegetables building. They also sell giant pumpkin seeds in this building - good luck if you decide to try to grow one!

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?

Sale Dates and Times:October 9, 2008, 12:00 PM EST
through October 10, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Prism Yarns - 15% off MSRP

Queensland Yarns - 10% off MSRP

Jaegar Yarns - 40% off MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Day

Dream in Color Oakleaf 3/4 Shawl is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)

Dream in Color Oakleaf 3/4 Shawl designed by Karen Joan Raz uses 2 skeins of Dream in Color Baby Lace weight yarn and a US size 5 - 32 inch circular needle. A very beautiful shawl!

Survey Says!

Please visit our blog to vote on todays question - blog.yarnandfiber.com

Poll results for - Oct 8-9

Question: What yarn would you like to see for the weekend sale starting this Friday?

• Rowan Yarn (64%)
• Prism Yarn (7%)
• Queensland Collection (17%)
• Noro Yarn (again) (28%)

So I guess the secret is out for the weekend sale then! :)

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:
All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

Araucania Yarns and Ella Rae Yarns are Bewitching at 50% off MSRP today during the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!

Araucania Yarns and Ella Rae Yarns are Bewitching at 50% off MSRP today during the Yarn and Fiber Fall Sale Spooktacular!


Ah, but we have only begun with the accusations!

Please recall, that during Abigail’s first interview with the Reverend Lawson, she sees a shape enter the room. This shape was none other that a charitable woman of 71 years of age. It appears as though this matriarch of the Nurse homestead. The Nurse family had bonded together and through 20 or more years of hard labor, were becoming landowners of quite a large piece of property. The Puritans believed that you died at the same status you were born; they did not believe that through hard work a family could change their social status. The Nurse homestead was therefore looked upon strangely by the community but nothing could be proven as to why they so easily were able to succeed in life.

When Abigails sees the Shape of old Rebecca Nurse taunting her, the Reverend Lawson is saddened. Rebecca, being a hard working and charitable member of the community, is a far reach for witchcraft accusations. Soon though, all of the girls pick up on this news and start to wail that Rebecca Nurse is coming to them as a Shape and terrorizing them. The mother of Ann Putnam joins in this spectacle and is now the first adult to be in the throes of bewitchment.

The Porters, upstanding citizens in the community both in religion and social status, pay a visit to their friend Rebecca Nurse and find her very ill in bed. When the Porters tell Rebecca about their visit, she is very surprised. After awhile the Porters leave the Nurse homestead and tell the accusers that Rebecca Nurse is innocent of witchcraft. Meanwhile, during Martha Corey’s trial, the girls cry out Rebecca’s name at least two hundred times. The community is forced by this to override the Porters report, and issue an arrest warrant for old Rebecca Nurse. When Rebecca stands before the Magistrate Hathorne, she is asked “Are you an innocent person relating to this witchcraft?”, before Rebecca could answer the girls go crazy with shrieks and convulsions. Finally, Rebecca answers when the noise boils down, “O Lord, help me!” and spread her hands. At this time girls again go crazy and begin to duplicate every move made by Rebecca as though completely possessed. This was taken as a sign of her practicing her witchcraft. Magistrate Hathorne watches Rebecca Nurse closely and makes the opinion that she must be guilty as any innocent woman should be weeping at such allegations. The reasoning here, witches do not have tears, hence Rebecca Nurse is most definitely a witch.

The charge was read to Rebecca Nurse, not just for witchcraft but for being a murderer as well. Children had been “appearing” to the elder Ann Putnam and telling her it was the Witch Nurse who had murdered them. Rebecca denied all charges, and finally at noon, Hathorne had her led from the meeting house as the daily sermon was about to begin.

The Villagers had taken to getting little of their work done on these days and were known to picnic in pastures before the days sermon was to begin. The witch trials were much to exciting to miss!

Not everyone though agreed with Lawson who’s sermon had the entire community “Arm yourselves against Satan and pray, pray, pray for these innocent girls. Allow no pardon to the witchcraft and devil’s work which is occurring in Salem Village” John Proctor, had come to town to pick up his beloved, Mary Warren and during the sermon gave voice to some very strong and very public remarks about the girls. “They should be at the whipping post – soon they will have us all be devils and witches.” He felt the witches were the bedeviled girls themselves. “Hang them” he stated. Such a statement never should have been shouted in public in Salem Village.

Sorry John Proctor… you just put your name on the list… and it was your own suggestion!

In connection with modern day fiber arts, it should be noted that Salem Village, as well as being a farming community, was set up as a fishing port. The knitted sweater is quite young as a form of garment; the first known sweaters date back only to the 17th century. Fisherman wore hand-knitted sweaters so they could stay warm and free to move about their boats without being caught on the rigging and other parts of the boat. Sweaters knit for and worn by fishermen were known as Guernseys or Ganseys. Each village had its signature pattern. Sadly, one of the reasons for this was to help identify the bodies of men who dissappear at sea. A classic guernsey pattern is shown below in this wonderful Penny Straker Pattern "John's Guernsey Pattern" knit using worsted weight wool. Hey, wait a minute, "John's Guernsey Pattern", John Proctor suggesting the hanging... what a coincidence.... hmmmm....

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?
Sale Dates and Times:
October 8, 2008, 12:00 PM EST through October 8, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Araucania Yarns - 50% off MSRP

Ella Rae Yarns - 50% off MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Day

Dream in Color Sleepwalker Socks Pattern is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)

Pattern requires only 1 skeins of Dream In Color Smooshy

Survey Says!
Please visit our blog to vote on todays question - blog.yarnandfiber.com

Poll results for - Oct 7-8

Question: Your favorite Halloween Treat is?

• Eating Candy Corn by the handfuls -30%


• Hiding giant bags of candy around the house and trick or treating all year long - 35%


• Telling your friends you like their mask secretly knowing they aren't wearing one - 20%


• Reading about the Salem Witch Trials on this blog :) - 25%

So if I hid more bags of candy through the Salem Witch Trial story, that may make it a better read? :) I voted on the hidden candy as well..... :)

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:

All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

More Bewitching Sales include Debbie Bliss Yarns, Nashua Handknits Yarns and Cherry Tree Hill Yarns! Plus more Martha Corey news from 1692....

Welcome to
The Yarn and Fiber Company Fall Sale Spooktacular Event

So taking up where we left off...

Martha Corey has been accused of being a witch and her arrest warrant was issued but it fell on Saturday and couldn't be administered until Monday. This allowed Martha to attend church one more time before imprisonment. And in fact, Martha attended church twice!

But first, Deodat Lawson, the former minister of Salem Village, had come from Boston on Saturday afternoon to observe the latest happenings in Salem Village. News of the witchcraft accusations in his former parish was starting to spread and he wanted to investigate a report that his former dead wife and daughter (gone for two years) had been victims of sorcery.

Lawson immediately began to witness the girls odd behavior upon checking into the inn and witnessing Mary Walcott shrieking that a witch was biting her. Upon examination of her wrists, he was cautious in his record-taking and used the word "apparently" quite often. He later in the evening, went to the parsonage to consult with Parris and was unable to speak with Parris because of the constant outcries of Abigail who was in full possession. She ran through the house screaming, Whish, Whish and then began to push away a Shape which had entered the room. Abigail when asked what she was doing shrilly responded "Don't you see her?" and then began to scream "No, I won't, that is the devil's book!" and began to push the invisable object away. Soon, Abigail ran into the fireplace, threw firebrands through the room and tried to fly up the chimney.

The next morning, Lawson being the visiting minister, came to the pulpit very tired. He had spent many hours of the late evening praying for the people of Salem Village and asking God to save these harmless little innocent children. Abigail arrived at church rosy cheeked after a good nights sleep. As Lawson looked around the room, he realized the Martha Corey had attended the morning service. The girls began their charade during services, taking turns, and shrieking that they were being pinched and stricken. Martha Corey, steadfastedly just sat in her seat and ignored all that was going on around her. The girls continued until they were so disruptive that Lawson stopped the service. Never had this ever occurred with severe punishment, but no one mentioned a word to the girls behavior.

More of the same behavior occurred during the afternoon services. Martha Corey had attended this service as well knowing that she would return to this same spot on Monday to stand before her accusers. The girls began their wailing again and Abigail pointed to the ceiling exclaming that Martha Corey sits on the upper beam. All the girls agreed to this and the parents could see nothing. Finally, one of the parents hushed her girls and told them to sit quietly. Eventually all the girls quieted down and the services continued. Martha Corey sat with a small smile on her face during the entire ordeal.

On Monday, Martha was properly accused of being a witch and her husband, Giles Corey, was called to testify. Giles, a stupid blundering man, said nothing to help her, but rather allowed the questioning to lead him in a direction that pointedly hurt Martha. Giles told the accusers that he found it very difficult to pray with Martha around and that she often was found in a "sort of prayer" late at night that confused him. This didn't not help Martha and in addition, the accusers wondered what else Giles may be concealing...?

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?

Sale Dates and Times:

October 7, 2008, 12:00 PM EST through October 8, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Debbie Bliss Yarns - 15% off MSRP

Nashua Handknits Yarns - 25% off MSRP

Cherry Tree Hill Yarns - 15% off MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Day
Dream in Color Dream Scarf Pattern is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)
Pattern requires 3 skeins of Dream In Color Classy
Sample is shown using #160 Blue Lagoon, #110 Cool Fire and #140 Spring Tickle. This scarf is knit in the round so you will need a size US #8- 16" circular needle. This is a very fun project!

Survey Says!

Please visit our blog to vote on todays question - blog.yarnandfiber.com

Poll results for - Oct 6-7

Question: Would you have dressed like a witch for Halloween in 1692?

• Yes, most definitely as a witch - 23%
• No, I would have dressed like a pilgrim - 19%
• No, I would have dressed like futuristic Hans Solo/Princess Leia costumes - 28%
• I would have dressed like a giant pumpkin - 14%
• I would have dressed my LYS owner as a witch - 33%

33% !!! Well then, your wish is my command... in Salem, dressed as a witch in October, researching for this blog and working on my Wisteria Sweater by Kate Gilbert in Twist Collective using RY Cashmere Tweed... it is fabulous!

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

GGH, Lana Grossa, Louisa Harding and Mirasol Yarns for the Yarn and Fiber Company Fall Sale Spooktacular Event!

Welcome to

The Yarn and Fiber Company Fall Sale Spooktacular Event

Finally, it's Monday! Have you been wondering what fate poor religious Martha Corey will meet when accused and tried for witchcraft for bewitching the innocent children in Salem Village....

Naughty girls! Martha was sent to prison on March 21, 1692 and hung on the gallows on Sept 22, 1692.

Martha Corey, a newcomer to Salem Village was known for her outspokeness and opininated comments and managed to mostly be right all of the time. She said it the way she saw and felt as though the girls would pretty much grow out of their behavior. Her headstrong disbelief of witches and her continued comments placing blame back at the girls caused a stir and the gossip began... how could she say such things when already three witches had been tried and found guilty! When Ann Putnam, a former disciple of Tituba's, threw herself into a trance during one of her interviews and named Martha Corey as a witch, the neighbors gossip turned into "I told you so!" When Ann was further examined and asked to talk more in-depth about Martha, she claimed that she could no longer see Martha in her vision - Martha must have cast a spell on her to blind and therefore quiet her.

Martha Corey was sitting at her spinning wheel, alone in her kitchen, when her triers came to talk with her about the accusations. Martha stated, "I know why you are here - my ears have told me I am in the lead of all the gossip. What are you going to do to make these silly accusations and the gossip stop as there are no such things as witches." Although her triers had come completely open minded about Martha, they left in complete contempt with her as she had made sarcastic jokes and completely put down the whole theory of witchcraft. They felt she should have been shocked by the accusations and being a religious women, she should have understood that the devil is always at play tempting in many arenas including witchcraft. That she should state that there is no such thing as witches, showed her defiance. (Didn't we already conclude she was outspoken and opiniated - why did they expect her to be timid - possibly she was spinning a yarn that was coming out at the wrong gauge, thus, making her cranky?)

Her arrest warrant was issued but it fell on Saturday and couldn't be administered until Monday (weekends off I guess in Puritan times) and Martha was allowed one more Sunday before imprisonment. One more Sunday at Church...... (to be continued)

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?

Sale Dates and Times:
October 6, 2008, 12:00 PM EST through October 7, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Louisa Harding Yarns - 25% off MSRP

Mirasol Yarns - 20% off MSRP

GGH Yarns - 40% off MSRP

Lana Grossa Sock and Luxury Yarns - 20% MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Day

Dream in Color Ma Belle Childs Sweater Pattern is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)
Pattern requires 2-3 skeins of Dream In Color Classy

Sweater sizes are:

Finished Chest Measurement of 27-33 inches - 2 skeins, 31-33 inches -3 skeins

Survey Says!

Please visit our blog to vote on todays question - blog.yarnandfiber.com

Poll results for - Oct 3 -6
Question: Who would you accuse of being a witch?

• Your Mother 26%
• Your Mother-in-Law 30%
• Your Spouse 15%
• Your Local Yarn Shop Owner :) 39 % Hey I resemble that remark :) Good thing I know you are only kidding though - right?

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

Bewitching Noro Yarn and Misti Alpaca Yarn Join the Spooktacular Sales Event at the Yarn and Fiber Company

Welcome to
The Yarn and Fiber Company Fall Sale Spooktacular Event

Are you ready for more Spooktacular sales on your favorites yarns? Hold on to your broom... we are lifting off for more fascinating facts about the Salem Witch Trials first, then onto the sale!

Guilt ridden Betty Parris, daughter to Reverend Parris, was becoming very withdrawn and often appeared to be in trance-like states. She would be sitting with her needle work, and staring at the wall, and would be startled to the point of screaming when spoken to my her mother. When asked to explain her odd behavior, she would merely babble as her guilt would keep her from speaking openly. When in church she would sob openly over her Bible and this would draw unwelcome attention. Soon, the other girls began to act in a very similar manner as they also began to think about what their meddlings in black magic and the consequences when their parents/community found out.

As the girls began to act out in multiple households, the entire Salem Village became aware of this "illness". A physician was called in and after working through his entire book of probably diagnosis and eliminating each - as the girls were all in very good health - he diagnosed the girls as being possessed by the devil. The village was appalled and eagerly searched for a scapegoat.

At this point, the girls were actually quite pleased that the village was looking past them for a source of this "witchcraft". They acted out regularly to keep up the "excitement" as it was drawing lots of attention to themselves. It is noted several times in the books I am using to write this that their outbursts occurred during times of spinning and knitting. (Maybe it was just a tough lace stitch they were trying to master?!! :)

In February of 1692, the Reverend Parris along with other leaders in the community began a pointed questionning of the girls. Eventually, after many episodes of acting out during the questionning, the girls became to talk and fingers were pointed. The community sighed relief as the first accusations of witchcraft in Salem Village were announced. Top of the list was Tituba followed by Sarah Osborne and Sarah Good. Oddly enough, Sarah Osburne was accused of witchcraft as she had not been attending church for over 14 months due to scandalous tattling by others regarding her living in sin with her future husband.... so she must be up to something. In actuality, she was bed-ridden and couldn't get to church. Sarah Good was accused because she was slovenly and a pest begging from door to door and usually found sleeping in hay mounds as she was married to a landless husband. Pity was not a virtue in the Puritan community so this was an easy way to place blame on those the community considered outcasts.

In March 1-5, all three accused witches go before the magistrates and Tituba confesses to witchcraft. All three go to prison.

On March 6-19, the girls accused Martha Corey, a respectable member of the church, of bewitching them.... on March 21st, Marth is examined and ...... (to be continued)

A Direct Connection to the Salem Witch Trials
Susannah Martin, hung from the gallows on July 19th for witchcraft and avid knitter and spinner is the ancester of Debbi B also an avid knitter and spinner... Is knitting and spinning hereditary? Debbi tells us that she is related to Susannah directly through her mother's father's mother's side. Did Susannah pass her love of knitting onto to her daughters grandsons greatgranddaughter? Do you think Susannah had her palm read by Tituba and was told to pass her spinning wheel and leftover wool to Debbi? I wonder if Debbi B goes into spells when her lace knitting doesn't quite go as planned? Do you think she will dress as a Knitting Witch for Halloween? Do you wonder who Debbi B is? If so, here is her blog link http://www.adayinthelifeofdebbi.typepad.com/. Thanks Debbi for sharing!

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?

Weekend Sale Dates and Times:

October 3, 2008, 12:00 PM EST through October 6, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Noro Yarns - 15% - 50% Off MSRP

Misti Alpaca Yarns - 15% MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Weekend
In Reverse Scarf Pattern is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)

Pattern requires two skeins of Dream In Color Classy

Survey Says!

Poll results for Oct 2 - Oct 3

Question: Would you have Tituba

• Read your palm - 25%


• Predict your future with tea leaves - 25%


• Hypnotize your friend and make them do the chicken dance - 8%


• Ask her to finish your garments and weave in the ends - 50% (I agree!)

And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.

"Witch" Yarn Today is On Sale at the Yarn and Fiber Company

Welcome to The Yarn and Fiber Company Fall Sale Spooktacular Event. Are you ready for more Salem Witch Trial madness? Are you ready for more Spooktacular sales on your favorites yarns? Hold on to your broom... we are lifting off for more fascinating facts about the Salem Witch Trials.

If you recall we left off yesterday reading about ....

The Salem Witch Trials lasted only one year, Spring of 1692 to Spring of 1693 but the story continues to astound. It all began when Elizabeth Parris (age 9)and her cousin Abigail Williams (age 11) were playing with Tituba (age unknown) who had traveled from Barbados with Elizabeth's father, Reverend Samual Parris, from a trip in Barbados. Tituba loved idling with the girls, rather than attending to her chores, and filled Abigail and Elizabeths leisure time with tricks and spells. The girls adored Tituba. Knowing full well that if their father/uncle found out about this, they would be in plenty of trouble, continued to egg on Tituba to show them more and more. Tituba loved the attention and pulled on stories of voodoo she overhead from Barbardos. Soon, the girls told their friends of Tituba and her tricks and eventually all of the older girls in the neighborhood would gather in the Parris kitchen and be entertained by Tituba - all of this kept a secret from the adults in the household.

The girls eventually took their antics to a higher level - Tituba became their teacher in things such as fortune telling, palmistry and other small sorceries. Some of the girls would marry and when bad luck came upon them, they would turn to Tituba for help. Tituba role became in these girls eyes as somewhat of a high priestess. All of this still being kept as a dark secret as it was considered forbidden by the religious community and the arts involved considered black magic.

The mix of the severe religious upbringing and keeping this dark secret caused the girls to suffer from the consequences of guilt (or fear of being caught) and also to suffer from the craving for further knowledge (remember, there wasn't much more excitement occuring in this village other than the chores).

This guilt caused Betty in particular to become very withdrawn and to appear in trance-like states. She would be sitting with her needle work, and staring at the wall, and would be startled to the point of screaming when spoken to my her mother. When asked to explain her odd behavior, she would merely babble as her guilt would keep her from speaking openly. When in church she would sob openly over her Bible and this would draw unwelcome attention. Soon, the other girls began to act in a very similar manner as they also began to think about what they were doing...... (to be continued)

Commonalities to our craft:
The girls were expected to work on needle work, spinning or knitting during their day to be proper girls, and were more apt to think about what they were keeping as a secret while working with their handiwork - thus, drawing attention to themselves for acting strangely and possibly, even worse, causing them to drop stitches resulting in more frogging and less efficiency in producing their garments, socks, etc. Thus, the modern day fiber artist still will draw attention to themselves and their craft, by bringing their "work" out into the public. Many will find interesting gazes upon their work and followed up by strange looks by the observers. This strange looks while knitting and dropping stitches have not changed, just the reason for the looks.

An update on the Teddy Bear Drive:
I forgot to post a picture yesterday of this cute bear! So sorry! The direct link to the free pattern for this bear is http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/harry/harrybear.html

"Witch" Yarn is On Sale Today at the Yarn and Fiber Company?

Sale Dates and Times:
October 2, 2008, 12:00 PM EST through October 3, 2008 11:59 AM EST

Yarn Sale - In Stock Quantities Only:

Berroco Yarns - 15% Off MSRP

Sandes Garn Yarns - 40% off MSRP

Austermann Step and Step Duett Sock Yarns - 30% off MSRP

Dream in Color Pattern of the Day - Sweet Dreams Sock Pattern #651
Pattern is only $2.50 (50% below MSRP)

Pattern requires one skein of Dream In Color Smooshy

Poll results for Oct 1 - Oct 2 - Survey Says!

Question: If you lived in 1692, would you have been knitting a:

Shawl - 77%, Snook - 6%, Sweater - 3% and a Cozie for your tea pot - 2%


And Finally - The Rules of the Sale:
All items purchased on sale are final sales. Sale applies to in-stock items only. In the event that an item cannot be found in our physical inventory a substitution or refund will be offered. The sale discount cannot be combined with other discounts. Each weekday, a new sale will be announced through our blog at 12:00 EST. Please try to checkout by 11:59 AM EST to be sure to receive the sale price.