The coming Labor Day weekend signifies more than just the first holiday weekend for Austin students or even the end of summer. It also marks one year since roaring fires devastated Bastrop as well as other areas all over the hill country. Drought conditions and strong winds combined to burn thousands of acres and cause millions of dollars in damage.
What was even more powerful than the flames, however, was the strength of the community in supporting victims in any way possible. Knitters did their own part by donating to Phoenix Rising, gifting a treasured yarn in order to give comfort and crafting distraction to those who lost their stashes along with everything else.
Yarnorama was one of the central fiber figures, located on the edge of the fires in Paige and driving the Phoenix program. A year later, owner Susan Fricks acknowledges that even now things are not all back to normal, but that it is nonetheless time to celebrate 'renewal, recovery, and new beginnings'.
With that, the store kicked off a sale for summer's end, taking 15% off of all yarns and fibers throughout this week. The 30% off clearance section of the store saw an influx of stock to make room for new items, and every purchase made enters customers into a drawing for a copy of the Color Affection pattern as well as 3 skeins of FiberObsessions yarn to knit it with.
It all culminates in a celebration on Sunday afternoon. Starting around 1 p.m., they'll eat some cake, draw the winner for the prize and enjoy the company of fellow crafters. After a year that has seen many changes in the area and the store, there's no better way to mark this anniversary.
For more on Austin knitting, literature, and more, visit my personal blog, the knitlit twit.
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