Community Yarn Swap and Collection for African Midwives

This coming Saturday 5/30, from 10am-3pm, we'll be having our first ever COMMUNITY YARN SWAP! We are so excited as this has been a much requested event so we're looking forward to providing a venue for this opportunity and, if we're honest, this chance to clean out our own stashes... There are a couple rules

• Yarn must be full balls/skeins/hanks (no scraps this time, sorry)

• Yarn must have a tag that describes fiber content (for allergy purposes)

• Yarn must be clean (no stains) and not have any exceptionally strong scents (smoke, perfume, air freshener, etc. also for allergy purposes. The wool-y scent of lanolin is fine)

That's it! So clean out your stash to grab those unloved/underloved yarns that have been hanging out and need a new home. The swap will begin as soon as we open at 10am and will continue until we close at 3pm. There will be tables to place your offering and pick up new-to-you yarns. There will also be boxes for a collection which is discussed in more detail at the bottom of the page. We've had a few frequently asked questions which you can see the answers to below:

• Q: Do we have to bring home anything that doesn't get picked up?

• A: No! You may leave your offerings and go home with your finds. Any and all yarn left over will be donated to Sno-Vally Senior Center in Carnation, to help provide supplies for their seniors to participate in yarn-based arts and crafts, filling a big need in the community

• Q: Can I bring acylic? What about polyster or another synthetic fiber? How about yarn brands you don't carry?

• A: Yes! Please do, as there are many people who love/need/use these types of fibers. All yarn and yarn brands are fair game as long as you make sure they follow the above rules regarding it being a full skein, labeled, and clean

• Q: What about notions? Notion tins? Needles? Knitting or crochet tools? Project bags?

• A: Yes, please! Bring them and add them to the swap. We're sure someone else will want them. If not, we'll find a good home for them, either with the Sno-Valley Senior Center or with a school that has a stitching club, as appropriate

• Q: I can't make it on Saturday but I have yarn I'd like to add to the swap or collection boxes. Is there are way to do that?

• A: Not a problem, just drop it by the shop sometime during the week, prior to the swap and we'll make sure it gets added to the tables

• Q: I have a big stash that needs clean out but I'm trying to be good about not bringing yarn home. Do I have to take some yarn home with me?

• A: Good on you! Nope, as stated above, all yarn left over will be donated to Sno-Vally Senior Center who needs and appreciates the donation and there is absolutely NO obligation to take X number of skeins home with you, regardless of how much you brought

• Q: Is the swap going to be at the shop?

• A: Yes, at least for this first one. We're not sure what kind of turn out to expect (hopefully large!) so we'll be clearing out our front space to make room for swapping tables and boxes for collection. If the event if successful, we may consider partnering with another business for another one in the future

Please email or call us if you have any other questions for us to answer

During the swap, we'll also be collecting yarns, needles, and notions for a customer who teaches midwives in Africa how to knit. She made the following requests for her students:

• DK or Worsted weight yarn soft enough for babies (any fiber is fine as long as it's soft)

• Size 8 circular needles is her greatest need but can accept up to a size 10

• Stitch markers

So if you have something you can donate to her teaching supplies, please bring it Saturday or drop it by the shop before then. If you drop it off prior, please make sure to note to the staff that it is for the African midwives as opposed to the yarn swap It's going to be a super fun Saturday, we hope to see you there!