get squirrely!

Where Country Fiber Warms the Big City How much do we love squirrels? Enough to create this cozy patchwork tree in our front window, with the hope that it will inspire you to enter our HANDMADE SQUIRREL CONTEST! Use any materials you like to create a handmade squirrel, pack up their tiny suitcase, and send them to Brooklyn for a visit. The squirrels will be displayed in the tree in our front window until the judging and Squirrel Party on May 15th (details to follow!). We will be giving away some wonderful prizes! 1st Prize: $200 Brooklyn General Store gift certificate (valid for one year). 2nd Prize: $100 Brooklyn General Store gift certificate (valid for one year). 3rd Prize: $50 Brooklyn General Store gift certificate (valid for one year). Youth Prizes (0-15 yrs): Three squirrels will each be awarded one $50 Brooklyn General Store gift certificate (valid for one year). So take a few minutes to go outside with your journal or sketchbook, get a breath of fresh air, and commune with a our nut-gathering friends, and give yourself permission to get creative! This is a great springtime activity to do with kids! Please see our most recent blog post at www.brooklyngeneral.com for the Official Contest Rules. Need some Squirrel Contest inspiration? We made this flirty girl with Ecological Woolfrom Cascade. We were attracted to the 100% Peruvian Highland wool because of its natural, chemical-free and un-dyed colors. This soft but durable yarn has beautiful volume and stitch definition. For an all-wool yarn this is so fluffy and soft--perfect for knitting nature. Rowan's PureLife Organic Wool Naturally Dyedis grown in an environmentally and socially responsible way from sheep grazed on land free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It is dyed using natural sustainable plant dyes. British Sheep Breeds Undyedis shorn and blended from four classic British sheep breeds, then spun into five beautiful un-dyed shades with the natural lanolin content maintained. Two more prefect, natural yarn choices. We're not the only ones to be inspired by squirrels and their furry friends--the latest Echino Collectionfeatures squirrels, along with birds, horses, and rabbits in a print that is at once sweet and classic and bold and modern. Why not try your hand at a felted squirrel? The shop has a nice selection of fiber, felting tools, and felting books--everything you need to get started. Whether you sew, knit, crochet or felt your squirrel, we have many books to help you along! Need a little help getting started? The next Toy Knittingclass begins April 16!