118 m a d r o n e l a n e , b a i n b r i d g e i s l a n d, wa 9 8110t e l e 2 0 6 . 7 8 0 . 2 6 8 6 c h u r c h m o u s e y a r n s . c o m
H A PP Y HOL IDAYS
2017
HOLIDAY HOURS: Open eveRY DAY 10–6, THURSDAYS ’TIL 8.CLOSeD THAnkSgIvIng DAY, CHRISTmAS DAY & new YeAR’S DAY.
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them
we call them ordinary things.”
– HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
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A Q u i c k N o t e
Growing up in north(ish) regions of Canada (Bainbridge Island is still “down south” to my people!),
I developed a nostalgic fondness for snowy landscapes and indoor pursuits. The icicles and engine block heaters of inland Quebec… The wet snows of a mountainous fjord on British Columbia’s north coast… It’s easy to romanticize winter when Dad does all the shoveling and Mum wipes our red noses! Ordinary miracles indeed. You can’t throw a snowball these days without hitting an article or book about ‘hygge’ (pronounced, roughly, hoo-guh, it’s now in the English dictionary), the Danish art of living (see page 5). Even the latest issue of National Geographic explores the scientifically verified soaring happiness quotient of the Danes! The notion of hygge was so embraced (some might say exploited) by publishers and promoters in the UK last year that The Guardian declared it ripe for parody. But, as with other traditions that have run the gauntlet of ‘trend’ (remember Feng Shui? remember “knitting is the new yoga?”), when the hype goes away, the time-honored heart of hygge will still be with us, as it ever was. While the closest English equivalent to hygge might be ‘coziness’, the concept has more subtle aspects: the tangible—a mug of cocoa, wool socks, sprigs of evergreen; the intangible—candlelight
in a window, the scent of spices, the satisfaction of working with our hands; and the philosophical—“choosing rustic over new, simple over posh and ambience over excitement” (so says the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen!). But lest the intimate becomes insular, we would do well to remember these other key words in the hygge code: convivial,
friendly, welcoming… After all, you don’t really do hygge alone! This holiday season, we’re resting in the down-to-earth simplicity of the Nordic lifestyle. Born in a landscape at once inhospitable and exquisite, even at its
most traditional, Nordic design feels intrinsically modern. From Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Latvia, Estonia… immigrants attracted to the seas and fjords of the North American west coast or the trees and tundras of the middle west, looked to lighten and brighten the short days with pale, reflective color, bringing their plain and graphic knits with them. Perhaps it’s our purpose, wherever we might live, to cozy up our world with wool. As always, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for wrapping up another year with us.
P.S. Don’t miss the holiday events, workshops and get-togethers on page 15.
Kit Hutchin
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N o r d i c N e s t i n g
Feather your nest with the clean quietude of a snow day. * A
wooden box of twelve Santa Lucia ornaments, precision cut in
pale veneer, add a filigreed frosting to tree, gift or window. * Mom
to “five littles” in the Puyallup Valley, Kjerste of Wax & Wool, Etc.
scented a batch of her hand poured soy candles just for us. A
mix of blue spruce, Baltic sea salt, amber and bright citrus, aptly
named ‘Fjord’. * Made in Reykjavik since 1933 by Nói Síríus,
Traditional Icelandic Chocolate “has probably been to every mountain
top in Iceland.” In bittersweet, milk and toffee sea salt. * Handmade
in Portland, Brass & Ink enamel tags are stamped with hugs, kisses
and snowflakes. Nifty for pendants, zipper pulls or packages. * A
flurry of charted snowflakes tell a nostalgic winter’s tale on Amy
Christoffers’ ‘Hanne’ mittens. In worsted-weight Berroco Ultra
Alpaca, totally doable in time for giving.
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H a p p y H y g g eThe lighting of a candle. A quiet meal with friends.
Decorating the tree. Knitting for an hour each evening.
The contented feeling kindled by each of these small
rituals is the essence of ‘hygge’, the Danish word for the
moment you realize something good is happening. You
probably already have a hyggekrog, a particularly cozy
nook—just think of your favorite knitting spot. A pile
of huggable pillows is wholly hyggelig, or hygge-like. It’s
no coincidence that the English word ‘hug’ is a distant
descendant of hygge.
This page: Yuletide Mice, each $14. Emma Bridgewater Christmas Joy teacup and jug ornaments, each $31.
Previous page: Emma Bridgewater Christmas Joy Mug and Plates, $37–$47. ‘Jolly Wee Elf’ kit in Elemental Affects Shetland Fingering. From top: Free patterns for ‘XOXO Pillow’ in Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted; ‘Geometric Pillow’ in Berroco Ultra Wool; ‘Graphic Striped Pillow’ in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky. Churchmouse At Home ‘Woolly Wreath & Garland’ pattern with free pillow adaptation, in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky.
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‘ VERY WARM HE ADBAND’ IN 4 G AU GE S
Revisited from Holiday 2003, this little pattern comes courtesy of the ever-inspiring Shirley Grade, who operated the Yarn House in Wisconsin into her 80s! Thanks, Shirl.
Size: Approx. 3–4"/7–10cm wide (to adjust width, add or subtract stitches. Knit to an inch or two less than head size. Yarn: DK (worsted, chunky, super chunky); instructions given for DK-weight; heavier gauges in parentheses ( ). Needles: US 6 (8, 10, 15)/4 (5, 6, 10)mm. Gauge: Approx. 5½ (4½, 3½, 2½) sts = 1"/2.5cm.
Stitches slipped at the end of each row are knitted on the following row, resulting in an I-cord edging that smooshes the garter ridges closer for extra toastiness.
Cast on: Using long-tail method, cast on 20 (16, 12, 10) sts. Set-up: Knit 1 row. Row 1: Knit until 3 (3, 2, 2) sts remain on left needle, bring yarn forward between needles, slip remaining sts purlwise. Repeat Row 1 until band has to stretch just a little to fit around head. Bind off all sts. Using mattress stitch, seam ends together as invisibly as possible; weave in ends. Cast on another one—they’re great gifts!
Above, free patterns: ‘Earflap Hat’ in Blue Sky Fibers Techno. ‘Striped Tasselled Toque’ in Blue Sky Fibers Techno. ‘Very Warm Headband’ (pattern above) in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok (DK, red); Shibui Drift (worsted, black); Rowan Cocoon (chunky, cream); shown above on Kate in Blue Sky Fibers Bulky (super chunky, cream); ‘Fairest Isle Beanie’ in Rowan Valley Tweed.
Next page: Churchmouse Classics ‘Colorwork Cuffs & Mittens’ in Brooklyn Tweed Loft; ‘Yin & Yang Loop’ (free pattern) in Shibui Drift; ‘Geometric Scarf’ (free pattern) in Blue Sky Fibers Extra; Lone Kjeldsen’s ‘Luffe’ double layer family mittens in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok and Alpaca Silk; Churchmouse Classics ‘Magic Three-Yarn Scarf’ in Blue Sky Fibers Bulky.
W i n t e r W a l k s
The Swedes have a notion called
gökotta—to wake up early in the
morning and go outside to hear
the first birds sing. Have your
woollens waiting by the door, ready
to withstand the elements. In case
the fancy strikes.
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M e r r y M a k i n g
There are days we’re content to experience winter from the more hospitable side of the
window. Gluggaveður is the Icelandic word for weather that’s nice to see, but not be out
in. Big, plump flakes of snow (gorgeous but inevitably damp) or a bright, crystal clear
day (spectacular but deceptively frigid) are the best examples of ‘window-weather.’
Set up your projects near a bright window, watch the falling snow or the passage of the
sun, and busy your hands. Stitching ornaments, wrapping presents, tying bows—each
festive act of making is such a pleasure, and lends a personal touch to your celebrations.
So keep the ribbons and yarns and threads nearby, and your indispensable tools close at
hand—ready for the next time the weather looks best through the glass.
Above: Maja Stone Felt Ornament Kits, $28 (each kit makes 4). Posy Lough Cross-stitch Snowflake Ornament Kits $22 (each kit makes 5). Crystal Palace Bamboo Seaming Pins, $9/10 pins. Studio Carta Scissors: Paper, Pinking (shop only), Scarlet, and Black Silhouette, $31–$53. Studio Carta Tools: Tailor’s Tape, $14; Thimble, $5.50; Letter Opener, $27. Studio Carta Cotton Ribbons, $16–$32. Blackwing Pencils, set of 12, $21.95.
Previous page: As above, plus Plötulopi unspun Icelandic wool, $10.50/wheel; Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted $12/skein; Emma Bridgewater ‘Christmas in the Wild Wood’ mug, $42; Campbell’s Perfect Tea, $21/tin; Churchmouse Project Boxes, $25–$28.
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T o m t e n S p i r i t
“On small silent feet the Tomten moves about in the moonlight…” In The Tomten, a Swedish
folk story adapted by Astrid Lindgren (creator of the beloved Pippi Longstocking), this
gentle spirit keeps watch over a slumbering farm. He visits each winter-weary creature
(farmer and family included) to encourage them with dreams of spring. A tiny, bearded
man with a conical cap who resides in the rafters of the barn, he’s known as the nisse
in Denmark and Norway and the tonttu in Finland. After a year of well-being, you may
thank the tomten for his friendship on Christmas Eve by leaving him a bowl of julgrøt—
Christmas rice pudding—with a generous dab of butter (essential!).
Above: Chocolat Chaud, $18.50. Winter Maiden Ornaments, $14 each. ’Twas the Night Chocolate Mouse, $2.50. Shaggy Sheep Ornaments, $14 each. ‘Jolly Wee Elf’, as below. Hammond’s Peppermint: Stirrers, $6.95; Puffs $7.95/bag, $14.50/jar. Lakritsfabriken Swedish Licorice, sweet or salty: $4.75/small box, $11.50/large box.
Previous page: ‘Jolly Stocking Cap’ (free pattern) in Big Bad Wool Weepaca. Schoolhouse Press ‘Tomten Jacket’ in Berroco Ultra Wool. Churchmouse At Home ‘Basic Christmas Stockings’ in Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, and Churchmouse At Home ‘Jolly Wee Elf’ in Elemental Affects Shetland Fingering.
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T a k e T i m e
HOLIDAY TEA SHORTBREAD
We love crushing a little handful of tea leaves into shortbread. With the citrus, almond, clove and cinnamon notes of Harney & Sons Holiday Tea, so much the better. Pack them in an empty tea caddy or Tag-along tin for gifting.
Yield: Approx. 30 cookies.
1¼ cups all-purpose flour¹⁄ ³ cup granulated sugar¼ tsp kosher salt½ cup + 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes1 tbsp Harney & Sons Holiday Tea, finely chopped
Measure flour, sugar, salt, and tea into large bowl. Using cool hands (or two forks), rub in cold butter until no large pieces remain and mixture appears ‘sandy’; bring mixture together until it forms a ball. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap, roll into an even log
about 10" long. Wrap and chill in refrigerator until firm, 30-45 minutes. (Well-wrapped dough can be made ahead and kept in freezer up to a month; defrost in fridge before slicing.)
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with parchment. Lightly roll chilled dough log to smooth out any imperfections in the shape. Using a sharp knife, cut ¼" thick slices; place about 1" apart on baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or ’til edges are just starting to brown. Cool on rack.
Tip: No need to make the entire batch at once—you can slice and bake as needed.
One of the cornerstones of hygge is pausing to recognize the contentedness that small
rituals bring. And there’s no ritual more hyggelig—or more Churchmouse—than
brewing a cup of tea. Like hygge, a good cuppa enhances both solitude and friendship.
Each person approaches their tea a little differently. A splash of milk? In first? Or in after,
with a jolly good stir? One lump or two? With a biscuit? To dunk or not to dunk? And
then a refill. Maybe even two (what the Swedes call a tretår, essentially the ‘three-fill’).
But to truly bring hygge into your home, all you have to do is be mindful of a good
moment when it comes along, and take the time to enjoy it.
Next page: Rustic Bakery Cinnamon Twinkles $8.50. Harney & Sons Holiday, Celebration and White Christmas Teas, $4.95–$12.95. Oliver Pluff Cacao Mint Tea, $11. Butter Toffee Caramels $12. Lars Own Swedish Ginger Snaps: $6.95/box, $19.50/tin. ’Twas the Night Chocolate Mouse, $2.50. Steven Smith Teamaker Silent Night, $16.50. Rustic Bakery Vanilla Snowflakes, $8.50.
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E v e n t s & G e t T o g e t h e r s
OPEN TABLE (FREE!). A secret place to finish holiday projects, gifts or just unwind. All welcome!
TUESDAY MORNINGS 10am–12pmTHURSDAY EVENINGS 6–8pm, except Thanksgiving Day.SUNDAY MORNINGS 10am–12pm
‘DROP-IN’ CIRCLES. Finish up gift projects, get unstuck, or catch your breath with a staff teacher at your side.Maximum 6 students. $16 for two hours, $8 for one hour (second hour only, space permitting). $64 for a 10-hour pre-paid Circle Card (2 hours free!).
MONDAY MORNINGS 10am–12pm except Christmas & New Year’s Day.TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 2–4pmTHURSDAY MORNINGS 10am–12pm, except Thanksgiving Day.FRIDAY MORNINGS 10am–12pmSUNDAY AFTERNOONS 1–3pm
HOLIDAY TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPSSaturday, 12/2 A little hands-on practice and tips for tackling our holiday projects.
Each 45-minute class $10. Max. 6 students.1pm Loop stitch for wreaths, garlands, mitten cuffs and pillows.2pm Duplicate stitch for personalizing Stockings and Hot Water Bottle Cozies.3pm Kitchener graft for toes and loops.4pm ‘Wrap & turn’ for Jolly Wee Elves.
ON THE ISLAND
November 25, Saturday—VILLAGE TREE LIGHTING in Madrone Lane (that’s our street!), 6–7:30pm. Band music, carolers, Santa & the elves.
December 9, Saturday —DOWNTOWN FUN All merchants, all day.
December 26, Tuesday—BOXING DAY SALE Our Semi-Annual Clearance.
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS
11/23 Thanksgiving Day: Island store CLOSED—elves at work! Online open.
11/24 Holiday Kickoff: Welcome Blue Sky Bulky yarn, 10% off! One day only.
11/25 Small Business Saturday: FREE Churchmouse holiday pattern with every
purchase, online and in the shop (one per customer please). One day only.
11/27 Cyber Monday: Free domestic shipping, (coupon code COMFORT&JOY)
and free internation shipping over $150 (COMFORT&JOYINTL).
TWO-THIRDS SACHET Saturday 10:30am–1:30pm 12/9with Susanna HanssenNamed for its perfect proportions, this original design makes an ideal gift. Learn to knit with beads and add a pretty picot edging. Fill sachet with dried lavender or a favorite herbal mix, tie a ribbon around it and tuck it in with your winter woolies.Bring yarn and beads; pattern and lavender provided. Maximum: 7 students $45
Previous page: ‘Freyja’ lopapeysa cardigan with tradtional rose pattern, free on Ravelry, by Ragga Eiríksdóttir. In Plötulopi unspun Icelandic wool, $10.50/wheel.
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