Stitch Therapy Brooklyn: BE PART OF THE CURE: Light the Night Walk

Sunday, September 25, 2011

BE PART OF THE CURE: Light the Night Walk

My long time friend Suzanne Donaldson is walking for the cause --

EVERY FOUR MINUTES—yes it's a cancer letter!—someone is diagnosed and every 10 minutes someone passes from blood cancer. As many of you know, I happen to be the one in that equation who wasdiagnosed 5 years ago and faced it again this Christmas. Is there an oddersaying than Christmas chemo? I don't think so. In addition, I just successfullyfinished an 8 week protocol that has me feeling better, stronger, and happierthan I have been in years!

So then I got home to get in bed and read thepaper the other night, it became very clear to me that I need to throw myselfback into an effort that is near and dear to me. I was in the obit section,grieving over two people I don't know. Dr. Bruce Dan, who so brilliantly madethe public aware of toxic shock syndrome, died at age 64 after a brilliantcareer of research and awareness, from a complication from a bone marrowtransplant for leukemia. The other brave soul, Andy Whitfield, only 39, Australianand super hot (think of TV show Spartacus; he was the lead), died ofnon-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Two out of the three obits on page were fromblood cancers. I was stunned and realized I cannot wait any longer to fundraisefor my walk, Light the Night, which will talk place on 0ctober 14th.
Help me do something about it.

Walk with me across a bridge on October 5th,2011 in LLS’s annual Light the Night walk. If you live in Brooklyn, I won'ttell that you carry on and get yourselves home that night. But the other lotwill walk proudly with me supporting a cause that impacts my life in so manyways. Visit here to join us:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn11/TeamHairy

If you're afraid of heights, just donate.

For those of you who know me well, I am not aquitter. I now embrace the needles and the reminder in my bod that life is soincredibly wonderful.

So walk, read this article in NY Times, “An Immune System Trained the Kill Cancer” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/13gene.html), donate, spread the word, and most of allhelp me raise awareness. Get your blood checked yearly and call me if you needreminding.
Donate now!!!

http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn11/sdonaldcsq

If you are a Glamour staffer we are teaming upwith SELF, Teen Vogue, and Vanity Fair for one big team! Should be super fun!

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YELP FILTERED REVIEWS

... I stopped in about a year ago with the idea I would make a hat for my husband. It was a very busy day and I watched Maxcine's curt manner in dealing with her customers. I mustered up the courage to ask for help and was surprised. She took the time to help me select what I would need and directed me to a website that would teach me the basics. I walked out of there with everything I needed to get started and with minimal damage to my psyche.

I was a little intimidated to go back but did. When I returned after completing my hat I left feeling like I could do anything. They were so encouraging and supportive of my finished project. I signed up that day for one of their free knitting circles to learn how to make a mitten.

They have helped my pick new projects based on my skill level and what would be a challenge to help me advance my skill. So one year later I have completed a dozen hats, two sweaters, a scarf and mitten. I have learned cables and lace and some basic shaping for my sweaters.

... The owner Maxcine has always been welcoming to me and really helpful with picking out the yarn I need. Maybe people are expecting free lessons and lots of free advice without buying yarn? I would stop getting offended so easily and give her a chance. She's knowledgeable and really good at what she does. Her yarn is gorgeous and she offers good classes too for people looking for a project.

... The new location on 5th Avenue is very convenient and the yarn selection is great. There are lots of knit/crochet samples to give inspiration too, which is helpful when I want to knit but don't have a particular project in mind. I have always gotten good help and advice here too, even though I can be pretty indecisive about colors and fibers.

... I love this place! I have been a customer since day one and have always been able to find a fantastic selection of yarns to choose from for a project. Note the tag line of the store "a fine yarn store" - so you will not find cheap stuff but it is all high quality. The yarns carried are beautiful and soft. You will find it is easy to work with, priced well for what you are getting and great customer service and support after you have made a purchase. (If you are a beginner, learn to work with good yarn on a small project - it will be more forgiving in the long run). For a store of this size, there is a wide range of patterns, books and tools - if you don't see something, all you have to do is ask. Maxcine is great at making recommendations for substitutions.

Maxcine, the owner is warm, friendly, smart, skilled and seeks to encourage a community of knitters that have a place to come to meet each other and build their skill. Maxcine is a fantastic teacher - really knows her stuff! I have to say that my knitting skills have improved tremendously since I have become a customer and I have met some great people as well.

I have seen Maxcine take time with new customers and exhibit patience that was unbelievable. One should consider that this is a small store and Maxcine has to cover all roles on a busy day (that includes administrative needs that all small business owners have to endure). So expecting her to give you a 30 minute lesson when you did not buy the yarn or pattern from her is a bit much. Because Maxcine understands the importance of cultivating a customer base, walk in help is always available - whether you purchased from her or not.

I highly recommend that you stop in, take some time to browse, meet the owner, take a class and support the place. Make up your own mind about the service.

... There is an integrity to the store that I don't often see, and I think it reflects the proprietary attitude of Maxine, the owner. That's why I was a bit puzzled to read on this site that others aren't of this opinion. Yes, Maxine is a stickler about the quality of the yarns she offers and I don't think she is the kind of person who will carry something just because it will "sell." I think that indicates a respect for the efforts of her customers, who will be spending many hours working on a project. I often see Maxine perusing yarn samples and researching different brands, as well as seeking feedback from her customers. So it's not surprise that the the store is constantly evolving and growing. There is always something new to try out, while trusted core yarns are also available in a different selection of colors from the last season. I find this refreshing, when so many businesses fall back on dusty formulas and become stagnant, or chase trends and lose sight of the basics.

I like to touch yarns, and look at pattern books to be inspired, and this is very much encouraged here. Maxine always takes time to find out what you want to work on and I can always trust her to tell me if a yarn she carries may not work for a particular project I have in mind. Any other knitter can always go on-line to find yarns, but the hands-on approach at this store works if you want sound and honest advice. It's good to know that the owner knows her stuff and will share her knowledge and experience with you.

In the past, I've been rather intimidated and turned off by the clique-like quality of regulars in other stores. At Stitch Therapy, I've found that the customers are genuinely open and communicative as they are diverse. It certainly helps you feel welcome when the owner makes the extra effort to introduce her customers to each other, whether they are regulars or newcomers. Thanks to Maxine, I've met a number of lovely, creative individuals here and I think that says says something about this store.

... Stitch Therapy is my happy place - and it's all mine.
Maxcine is a warm, kind, calm, clear, direct, giving and welcoming person, who also happens to be one of the most knowledgeable and gifted people I know with regard to knitting.

I am sometimes what people might call a "difficult client." I am constantly changing pattern gauges, am stubborn, sometimes don't understand what is being explained to me, and am always wanting more and more yarn at reasonable prices.

Whichever it is, Maxcine simply smiles and when I'm done, she suggests yarns for my new adventure. There are many times I look for yarn, patterns or tools for well over an hour while I pick her brain. Then I decide to buy nothing. She always welcomes me to sit , chat and knit at my leisure.

I, for one, am very grateful that cell phone calls are not allowed in the store - mostly because it keeps the space peaceful.

The yarns range in price and if you know yarns, you will quickly realize Maxcine does not carry run-of-the-mill yarns so you are getting a much better quality for your money. And there are always lovely yarns in the sale corner.

Over the years, and because of Maxcine's introductions, I have become friendly with many Stitch Therapy knitters. It's to the point that when any of us happens to show up on the same day, we have something of a family reunion; the chattering and sharing of projects seems endless.

It's a wonderful place to visit, shop and enjoy...the regulars are very warm and no matter how experienced or not we are, we all learn many things from each other. New customers are always welcomed by other knitters because they may become new friends.

...Nice cozy shop, excellent service, and a sense that when your buying from this place that your also buying into the community

Sunday, September 25, 2011

BE PART OF THE CURE: Light the Night Walk

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