Store Hours Change

Dear Patron Saints: Thank you for your interest, involvement, curiosity and willingness to share in the brave new adventure called Off the Beaten Path Yarnhouse (OTBP). Thank you for all the feedback, kindness and support in making this one of the most innovative yarn shops in our area! Because of the help and feedback provided, OTBP has been able to bring in wonderful yarns never before seen and now enjoyed. Willingness to try new yarns and patterns has been essential in getting to know whether they will be trustworthy as well as beautiful. The world isn't just about wool anymore; although a good wool cannot be beat! OTBP now brings Louet's Riverstone here in gorgeous, soft, reliably feltable colors!

Over the last 2 years, OTBP has learned a great deal; especially about its Patron Saints (customers). You're open-minded, helpful, kind to others, understanding and easy to know. Many have shared their projects, time and been patient with our newest knitters. Some are designing and teaching! Groups have grown and many have been with us since day one! Thank you for the referrals and friends sent!

While dedicated to local, family and global fiber companies who are industry leaders and going green, we are also striving to improve OTBP's footprint as well. OTBP will begin new hours reflecting what has been learned over the past two seasons. It will allow us to conserve on clerking hours, heating, air conditioning and lighting resources; all of which can be translated into NEW YARNS!

A traffic pattern has emerged and there is clarity about when most knitters come to visit and shop for yarn and/or inspiration. Most show up between 3 and 8 PM on Tuesday; Noon to 8 PM on Wednesday and Thursday; and Fridays and Saturdays between 10 AM and 4 PM. Folks are always partying between Noon and 4 PM on Sundays. These hours will now be OTBP's "Official" seasonal hours of operation. Summer hours may vary.

However; to those of you who must shop during the other hours, OTBP feels your needs are just as important and will honor appointments on an individual basis. Coming in from out-of-town or out-of-state? Give a call on the appointment line at 608-279-KNIT (5648) and reserve a time. Please leave a name, number and desired time of shopping. Safari(s) are welcome! 48 hours notice and a confirmation number is required.


Classes will be scheduled and held during "off-hours" by appointment. Candace Eisner Strick will teach here on December 9th and 10th before speaking at the Madison Knitters' Guild on December 10th, 2007. Sign up early as space is limited.

Groups may also meet during "off-hours" by calling the appointment line.

We are beginning a new chapter! We hope you will all remain on board and let us know how we are serving your needs personally as well as a community.

Happy Knitting!!

Knittin' for A Cause: Knitting for Charity

HI there! Rexie here!

We are organizing a group for those of us who want to knit or crochet something for charity. Although that day has not been set as of yet, keep an eye out for an announcement when it takes off! In the meantime...you are invited to knit afghan squares that you can drop off at the shop during business hours. When we have enough (49 per afghan) we will set a special date when others can join in and help put all the squares together. Once complete the afghans will be distributed locally to our neighboring Seniors. I have a wonderful Senior lady, Lucile, that lives right across from me and she is the sweetest neighbor I have ever had the pleasure of living next to. I aim to knit her an afghan before the new year. This was inspired by Warm Up America. Suggested square sizes are 7-9 inches and patterns can be found here: http://www.warmupamerica.com/patterns.html . Squares may be knit or crocheted out of worsted yarn.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are many local charities that accept hand-knit items for donation including the Human Society of Dane County. Why not stop on in to the shop to pick up a hand out that lists them and what they accept. While you are there, peruse the endless sea of yarns, sit down for a cuppa-tea or coffee, and relax with a WIP (work in progress).

Some national charities that accept hand-knit items that you may not be aware of include:
Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project who distribute your hand-knit UNISEX scarves to orphans entering into college to remind them they are not alone. Click the link to read more information about Foundation and the Red Scarf Project and where to send them. They shortened the deadline to send in scarfs this year from Sept 1st-Oct 15th because last year they received over 15,000 scarves...of which they had many leftover to send to neighboring charities to distribute! They are also putting a limit on how many people should make and that is up to 5 per person. Talk about a success!! WOW!! Bring in your Red UNISEX scarves to OTBP and we can send one giant package in care of OTBP. Don't forget include care tags(PDF) with your red scarf and if you like, include a nice card with information of how to contact you so that the recipient (if they choose to) can get a-hold of you to say thanks.

More to come! Keep your eyes peeled!