Once in a Very Blue Moon SALE
On December 31st, New Years Eve, there is a blue moon. For those of you unaware of this magical phenomenon, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. Cool, yes? We think so (hence the whole Blue Moon Fiber Arts thing), Since we are all about blue moons and believe that one falling on New Years Eve might be a bit of magic that we are more than happy to honor in kind. But wait it gets even better yet. It is also a lunar eclipse. Powerful moon mojo indeed.
In celebration we are doing something very special, rare even. We are doing something we have never done before. We are taking some of your recommendations and few thoughts of our own and are having, first, an online RARE GEM sale. (And not just any rare gems either these are rare gem mill ends.) Second, an open house here at Blue Moon all day December 31st. And, third, a worldwide blue moon cast on. Our offering to the moon that is eclipsed in blue.
So here is how we see all of this fun working.
On December 31st Blue Moon Thursday at 2:13pm EST (11:13am PST) we are offering Lightweight and Mediumweight Mill End Rare Gems in 4 color categories.
Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. I”ll put the descriptions below along with the cost.
We will keep these up for as long as supplies last. So if you go to the website and they are no longer there, then we ran out. Sorry.
We are also limiting the number you can purchase so everyone has a chance to buy some. The limit is 2 per color category and weight for a grand total of 16 so really not too limiting after all.
These are non-returnable.
We have not offered the rare gems online before because they are very hard to put in a color grouping. These are one of a kind non repeatable colorways. We are doing our best to categorize them but make no promises. We cannot exchange them so if you are unhappy with a the color you got we suggest you trade amongst yourselves.
I don’t think it will. I have yet to meet a rare gem I did not like or love. (I might have a small rare gem problem.)
Also keep in mind these are mill ends—they cost a lot less because they have a knot or two or a loosely plied section, etc. For those of you who have purchased mill ends before, yes these are $1.00 more than usual because they are rare gems.
Open House
When: 10:00am to 10:00pm
Where: Here at Blue Moon
What and How and Why: Bring knitting or spinning and yourselves. Carpool if you can as there are not a lot of parking options.
Bring a snack and yes we will have yarn for sale. Kind of like a very very small barn sale. And you can shop the wall of sock.
And we can all cast on together and visit and watch the moon rise (Of course it will be clear! Seriously? It’s going to go to all of this trouble to show us its power and not be visible. I think not.)
Eclipsing Blue Moon Cast On
My new bf Steve had the following suggestion, which I like a whole lot.
“To celebrate the Blue Moon this month I am going to cast on a pair of socks on the 31st using the yarn I dyed in Port Ludlow. I plan to finish the pair before the next Blue Moon (which looks like it is in August 2012).”
I love this idea and considered complicating the hell out it with a special project we would all do and a special colorway…and on and on and yet on again. It was exhausting and was while it was still little yarn thoughts so…
Instead I say we just all cast on something on the same day. (I see a Guinness record don’t you?)
It can be something you knit until the next blue moon or something you finish in a week. It can be socks or a shawl or a sweater in blue or green or orange…really whatever our woolley hearts desire. Here is what I am doing:
I am casting on a pair of sock for my friend Meg and am going to give them to her on August 9th. I think I can finish then by then, right? Shh… do not tell her.
So I think that covers everything. If you have any questions email us or put them in the comments here.
Our address is on the website and google maps will get you here. Whatever you do, do not (really) turn on Chapman Grange Road. Big Mistake!
Once in a Blue Moon Rare Gems Mill End Sale
Rare Gems are one of a kind colorways created by overdyeing existing colorways. This process creates a many hued skein of color wonder. This are non repeatable colors.
Because of this we have them grouped in four general color schemes that cover a broad spectrum and describe the predominant colors in that skein of yarn. Say you order from the Earth category you will see mostly brown-type hues but there also might be a pop in pink or green. That is the joy of these. Please look at each one carefully before ordering.
There are no returns on Rare Gems for color selection. And this batch that we are offering you now are also Mill Ends so please keep that in mind.
Earth
Picture a big pile of fallen leaves. There are as many earthy hues as plants and leaves have returned to the soil. All shades of browns speckled with green and gold and a spot or two of red maybe and maybe some muddiness as it all breaks down.These rare gems are created by overdyeing from the earthy brown end of things.
Fire
Red hot warmth. All shades of fire here from rich and warm reds and oranges to bright hot in your face ones. Be careful when you open these…we would not want you to get a color burn.
Air
Sky blue pink, silvery greens, overcast yellow…all those hazy colors that are muted in any way. A hazy lazy summer day of color.
Water
When light hits water, it reflects and shimmers. It creates jewels. These water colors are overdyed with blues or greens, which gives us our jewelish sea tones. You will find some of the red end of the spectrum here but it will be a cool jewel red. Azure… emerald… amethyst…. The world most certainly is our color oyster.
Pricing
Lightweight $15.00
Mediumweight $17.00
A merry and magical Blue Moon and New Year to all!
Comments are closed.
Tina,
Thank you so much for offering your rare gems to those of us who don’t usually have a chance to purchase them! I can’t wait to make an order!
Hope your holidays were merry, and a happy early blue moon to you.
I’m tempted to fly up to Oregon to join you, but alas, that is not feasible. I’ll content myself with casting on, using the STR I dyed at the Port Ludlow retreat, which just happens to be blue. A very happy Blue Moon, and 2010, to you all at BMFA.
What a great idea!!! Question though Tina, limit of 2 in each color category, with 4 catgegories comes out to a limit of 8 per person, not 16. So I’m wondering which is the typo, the 2 or the 16??
Happy Blue Moon!!!
AWESOME! I am so there! I was going out to Warren for a New Years Eve party anyways.
Is the 2:13 EST AM or PM on December 31? And if it is AM, does that mean it is technically going up at 11:13 PM PST on December 30 or 31?
I have my yarn, pattern and needles all ready to go for a pair of socks. I have named my very special colorway “Son of Depraved Dyer”. Since it is a sequel, it is not nearly as good as the original, but I think it is destined to become one of may all time favorites anyway!
Happy New Year!
Oh Tina!! Wow, a chance to purchase Rare Gems for those of us on the other side of the country, and not able to visit Blue Moon in person. This is truly exciting. And being one of a kind colorways, and not being sure exactly what one gets makes this that much more fun! I love surprises! I did not know about the eclipse, and that so totally rocks! I have once, a long time ago, set up my camera and tripod to take pictures of a lunar eclipse-a beautiful sight.
I so love the idea of a Blue Moon cast on-an auspicious time. I am now going stash diving for a Blue Moon blue skein, and will spend the afternoon looking for just the perfect pattern to cast on for the event. ( I seem to recall a pattern that is called Moonflower-will check that one out) I only know it will be a pair of socks.
Today I’m winding some Twisted for the Shawl that Jazz- to be cast on Dec 31.
For the person who wanted to know how Tina arrived at a limit of 16 – don’t forget that you have a lightweight and mediumweight option, so if the limit is 2 per color-category and per weight that means a total of 16. For example 2 lightweights in colorway-category Earth and 2 medumweights in colorway-category Earth. Tina can correct me if I’m wrong.
For those of us who are local and contemplating the trek out to the barn, will you have roving available? I’ve been planning to purchase some of the Firestar in Valkyrie to blend in with some black llama I have and was wondering if I could save the shipping?
Happy Blue Moon Tina!! What fun is this going to be! I’m with Steve…I think I shall cast on a pair of socks with yarn from Port Ludlow on New Year’s Eve! Snowboarder and I are hoping to head to Tahoe Thursday (hmmmm….not sure I could convince him of a detour to Scappoose)!
Awesome! I am delighted. I will break out a Port Ludlow original for this one! And I will celebrate at a distance while watching a bad movie I am sure. hehe
Off to pick the pattern, but heavens, I should really do a club kit!
Mary-Ellen: I read it as in each weight you can buy two skeins in each color color category which would be 8 lightweight & 8 mediumweight for a total of 16.
Holy cow batman! I sure hope I am one of the lucky ones to get in on the sale.
I am so, so happy for the Blue Moon Blue Moon festivities!! (yes, that double Blue Moon is not a typo because this month’s blue moon is definitely dedicated to our dear Blue Moon!!
I’m also planning to cast on for a Blue Moon project on Thursday. I don’t know what yet, but I want to use a BMFA yarn in a colourway with lots of blue in it.
I presume you mean 11:13 AM PST, since that conforms to 2:13 PM EST, no?
I’m going to try to catch the sale… but I have to work 🙁 and may miss out.
Hi Tina,
What a bunch of fun ideas!!!! I probably won’t be able to participate in the sale because I work on the 31st. But I am going to cast on with you all. I have a hank of geisha that I dyed in Port Ludlow with you. I have finally found a pattern for a lace wrap. The pattern is called “North Star,” I will cast on on the eclipsing blue moon, so that should be sufficiently celestial. I have never knit anything that is lace that is this large so it may take me until the next blue moon.
Thanks again for such a fun time in Port Ludlow! I would never have imagined the wonders of hand dyeing!
Laura
I would so be there if I could! So miss you! But I will definitely be casting-on that day, too! Maybe if my STR HW arrives in time; otherwise, it looks like it will be some Brick Peru for Sam’s “A Little Something”! Either project is slated for Stitches West!
I totally love Steve’s cast-on idea! I just finished my first Port Ludlow yarn project and have been eyeing the other skeins. A little push to find a project in the next couple days is just what I need. I’m also loving the thought that all of the Port Ludlow folks will be casting on together. Thank you!!
Will actually cast on 2 socks that day. One will be for Nathania out of the Port Ludlow yarn that we swapped. (Needs to be finished by camp.) The second will be for a sky themed sock in 2 colorways. (This pair has no definite finish line but the next Blue Moon sounds good to me.) Have yarn for the 2nd already wound need to get the first one ready.
Also this will done at a KIP gathering in Iowa City with other knitters at a local pub! (with really good pizza!) Happy Knitting everyone!
Oh my… How very exciting!
Sounds like a plan!!! I can’t get out to the west coast except by email, but I’m putting a sticky on my computer screen to remind me of the time that I can order. I’m hoping for 2 skeins in each colourway in lightweight-crossing my fingers and toes. I used up all my STR skeins knitting Christmas gifts(very well received), but I have one skein of Neptune’s Lair from Enchanted Knoll Farm that is VERY blue and will be suitable for the BLUE MOON cast on. I’ll just have to decide whose Christmas present(2010) I’m knitting. I wasn’t kidding when I said that I start knitting for next Christmas the minute the current one is over. I already have a pair of Lenore socks finished and bagged for next year. The Lenores that were gifted this Christmas in the Thraven colourway created a sensation!!!!! Ta!! Dah!!!!
So how wrong is it that I had a dream (nightmare) last night I was trying to buy the rare gems and it wouldn’t let me add them to my cart? It was so frustrating and I was freaking out saying “they will all be gone, they will all be gone”. I woke up all upset and my husband asked what my dream was about but I couldn’t really tell him, now could I? I mean, I’m pretty sure he is NOT going to want to know about this sale. (although when the box comes I think he might guess something was up).
I decided to copy my fellow campers and break out a Port Ludlow original…my “uncomfortable color” which has a lot of blue in it. And I’ll be making yoga socks because I’m starting to do yoga and most of the positions are rather “uncomfortable” for me right now.
I hope to have them done by 2010 camp! Hurray for the Blue Moon!
Yeah Mya! I agree that being new to Yoga is very uncomfortable. Guess we’ll both be joining the yoga crew at camp this year. I’m hoping Nathania can give me lots of pointers on how I’m doing in achieving poses as I have no yoga instructor other than on DVD/VHS. Sock camp yarn is one of the great things about camp. May you have something new to show us and may I have a gift for Nathania. Hugs and Happy Knitting, Alice
P.S. Have to go check out “Heavens Above” website to see when the eclipse happens and where so I can be outside if it’s viewable.
WOO HOO!! A Rare Gem Mill End sale! Hope I can score some Rare Gems, and I hope the server goddess is happy when the sale starts…just sayin’.
Sorry Alice but you can only see the lunar eclipse if you’re in Africa, Europe, Asia, or Australia.
The open house sounds fun..I live in St. Helens; if anyone wants to carpool get in touch with me.
Found a Sock Monkey kit in my stash, so that’s what I’m going to be casting on! Seems fitting, somehow.
Wish I could be there for the open house: it sounds wonderful. I will cast on a Blue Moon project; perhaps in my Sock Camp yarn I dyed, which is blue with a bit of moon-yellow!
Happy New Year to you and to all of you at Blue Moon!
How cool! I wish I could make it to the Open House. It would have been fun spending the day and then stopping at our Stonehenge on the way back home. Alas, I’ll be getting ready to spend my New Year’s Eve at a hockey game in Kennewick, WA (Tri-City Americans against Spokane Chiefs) with my youngest daughter and two of her friends. I know it will be a blast and be worth missing the other festivities. How often can you have a girls’ night out at a hockey game and have your team play against their arch rivals? That’s a Blue Moon celebration in the making! I’ll have to bring my own “hockey” sticks and CO for some Blue Moon fingerless mitts.
I’ll definitely be able to try to get my hands on some rare gems! It will be a fun and fabulous day for sure! Happy New Year to everyone! Thank you for all you do!!
I wonder how this will work – do we just hit the general site and find a magic link at the proper time? I sure hope the server doesn’t crash! Imagine the boatload of hits that are coming!!
we have imagines the hits that are coming and yes there will be magic buttons. blue moon magic buttons
I’m here – but cannot find out how to purchase or where the buttons are to get to the sale
In honor of this rare event I’m going to cast on two projects today. The first will be Sivia Harding’s Tibeten Clouds Beaded Stole using my Geisha skein from the retreat in lovely shades of bluish purple. That might just take me until the next new moon to finish!
I’ll also cast on my challenge skein as a neckwarmer for my boss who walked into my office the day after the retreat and asked what this beautiful thing was. I guess, since I dyed it with him in mind, I hit the mark. He rides a motorcycle in all kinds of weather and I know he’ll love it.
Yay! I ordered one of each “element” in Lightweight (plus a skein of Jonagold, which I had forgotten to order before). Can’t wait to see how they look.
My Blue Moon cast on projects are my “Queen of Beads” club kit (yes, from January. I got behind, and the only 2009 kits I’ve knitted are “In Season” and “Knetted”) and a shawlette using Ty-Dy sock yarn in Valentine-y burgundy/pink/tan/taupe.
THANK YOU TINA!
Momentary panic, but I found the Rare Gem Mill Ends under Shopping Online. Whew! Yay! I ordered one of each in both weights. Now off to prepare for the hockey game! Happy, Happy New Year! Enjoy the day and the Blue Moon!
On my first try, after I had logged in and chosen my first skeins, it said the site wasn’t responding and I had heart failure. Was it going to be Sock Summit all over again? Nothing ventured, nothing gained(I said, gritting my teeth!). I tried again. This time it worked though it sure took a long time to load each colourway page. I ordered 2 of each lightweight and then went to checkout to pay because I was afraid they might all disappear if I kept shopping. Once I was sure of 8 skeins of lightweight, I went back in and ordered 4 of mediumweight(with which I have not yet ever knit). It looks like a successful day for me and for Tina. I thought I had decided on the yarn to use for the Blue Moon cast on, but I’ve changed my mind and am going to use my precious skein of Dream In Color Starry in Midnight Derby(with real silver). My apologies, Tina, but I have used up all my STR yarn on Christmas presents. Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
Are they all gone?? I can’t find them!! Or am I looking in the wrong place?
Happy Blue Moon to you–I’m here knitting my Blackbirds, enjoying a very rare celestial event–meditating on world peace thru sock knitting—it could happen!
They all seem to be gone, as far as I can tell; is there any chance of a Water Rare Gem at Stitches West? Maybe even enough for a shawl? I’ve seen others with them and I’ve totally loved every one I ever saw.
p.s. And Happy New Year, Tina and crew!
Happy New Year everybody! I unfortunately missed the sale as we were en route to from Ottawa to my parent’s house yesterday, but it looks like you all found some lovely yarn! But even though I missed the shopping, I joined the knit-along. I cast on and was knitting a wrap in the car using some of the amazing Twisted River Rocked that I bought last month. Love it! I am using a simple ripple pattern (Crest of the Wave I think it is called). Thanks for suggesting the knit-along. It definitely made the 5 hour trip go much faster!
May your joys be many and your sorrows few in 2010!