Hillsborough Yarn Shop :: Blog

Knitter's Pride shawl pins.

2012-02-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Knitter's Pride Dreamz circular needles have quickly become our bestselling circulars, and as such, are forever being reordered. This week's big box of Knitter's Pride circs had something else going for it, too. Alongside the usual needles were these pretty wooden shawl pins.

Like the Knitter's Pride needles and hooks, these shawl pins are lightweight, sturdy, and inexpensive. A nice addition to our shawl pin collection, I think, and a fine way to keep a scarf, wrap, or buttonless cardigan closed. Take a look at them when next you're seeking such a closure.

Hello, Rialto Lace.

2012-02-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

When the Spring/Summer issue of Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine arrived last month, we noticed that several of the patterns called for a brand new Debbie Bliss yarn: Rialto Lace. Debbie Bliss's Rialto line of yarns are all composed of springy 100% superwash merino wool, and we've had great luck at the shop with three weights: Rialto Aran, Rialto DK, and Rialto 4-ply, which I've used for many pairs of socks and one crazy sweater. The Rialto yarns are soft to the touch, wear well, wash easily, and have beautiful stitch definition. The mere existence of a lace-weight Rialto yarn meant that we had to have it at the shop, and so, of course, Anne ordered it.

This week, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace arrived, and with it, a Rialto Lace booklet, which shows the yarn made up in sweaters as well as shawls.

Take a peek at this new yarn and browse through the book for inspiration. You can find them both on the teacart.

Strikketøj.

2012-02-22T20:21:00.002-05:00

The newest book by Danish designer Helga Isager has arrived at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop.

Strikketøj is a pattern collection well-described by its subtitle: Knitting Designs Inspired by the Pop Culture of the 20th Century. Isager offers a pair of patterns for every decade of the 20th century, meant to reflect something of the style of the time.

Often, she pairs an adult pattern with a child's pattern, and both are equally chic. If you're interested in unusual children's knitting patterns, Helga Isager's designs are worth a look.

Strikketøj is a must-see for those seeking new uses for Isager yarns. Have a look next time you're in the shop!

The Principles of Knitting.

2012-02-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a book that has been much-anticipated, a healthily revised version of a classic knitting tome: The Principles of Knitting, by June Hemmons Hiatt.

As I've expressed here on the blog before, I have a great love of serious knitting resource books. I don't need a lot of beautiful photography, though I'm in no way opposed to it, and while pattern collections can be wonderfully inspiring, there is nothing more exciting to me than a knitting book packed full of text, charts, and diagrams. The Principles of Knitting is right up my alley in this manner, as it is something of an encyclopedia of knitting at 736 pages. It is a thick, heavy book, one best perused at a table, with time and concentration.

Hiatt takes an analytical approach to the craft, cataloguing many versions of many techniques and offering an informed opinion on their best applications. As the length of the book suggests, Hiatt does not use words sparingly, as so many knitting technique books do. Instead, Hiatt takes all the room that is necessary to clearly and deliberately explain a technique, even one as deceptively simple as holding the yarn.

For someone who learns best from written instructions, this is a real treat, a book tailored to that very learning style. For me, The Principles of Knitting is a perfect fit, a big, beautiful book that I'm happy to page through for pleasure as well as instruction. If you have ever wanted a book of every imaginable cast-on, or have wondered which kind of increase or decrease to use, and why there are so many, The Principles of Knitting deserves your attention. It is a book to grow with, and one that reflects how much there is to learn and to do with knitting needles and yarn.

If I've intrigued you, come by the shop and see the book for yourself, where you'll find it weighing down the teacart importantly, a mere stack of two copies tall enough to tower over all the other new releases. See you at the shop.

Works in progress: short row edition.

2012-02-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

This month, perhaps more than most, Anne's desk at the shop has often been crowded by multiple works in progress. She has (ahem) a small handful of projects started, many of which will grow up to be shop samples, showing off particular yarns in patterns for which they are particularly well-suited. At the moment, I have only one project going at the shop, but more at home, lest you think I'm gloating. The impulse to cast on with an exciting new yarn is strong, and succumb to it we do. Here are two of the latest works in progress you're likely to catch us stitching on in quiet moments at the shop.

Anne is working on a shawl with the wooly, self-striping Kauni yarn, knowing that Nancy's Wiggle Wrap is not a permanent installation in the shop. When the Wiggle Wrap leaves us, we'll need something that shows what Kauni can do, and this shawl will do that very well.

The pattern is Wingspan, available as a free download on Ravelry, and it is an excellent example of just one of the many shapes that can be accomplished using short rows.

Myself, I'm at work on a ruffle scarf, another pattern full of short rows, albeit much shorter short rows. These rows are sometimes only 4 stitches long, short enough that I taught myself to knit backwards to save time on turning the needles around between short rows. If the pattern looks familiar, that's because we already have one ruffle scarf hanging in the shop, which I wrote about on the blog last May. That one was made with two yarns held together, and because of this, it's fuzzy, dense, and warm. With Spring on its way, and Cascade's Ultra Pima yarn unswatched, we thought a thinner cotton ruffle scarf was in order.

That's what we're up to, or part of what we're up to, at any rate. What are you working on lately?

Interweave Knits.

2012-02-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

The Spring 2012 issue of Interweave Knits is here!

Flipping through this new issue, I saw many familiar yarns in action. The bulky Cascade Eco Wool was put to good use in this textured vest.

Here's a little shawl made from Tahki Coast, and a vest from the ever-popular Malabrigo Rios.

Another Tahki yarn makes an appearance in this lace-edged hoodie: Tahki Cotton Classic, a worsted-weight mercerized cotton.

You can find this issue of Interweave Knits on the teacart, surrounded by all the latest books and magazines, and if any of these yarns move you, you can find them at the shop as well. See you soon!

Hello, Araucania Ruca.

2012-02-13T12:54:00.000-05:00

This drop stitch scarf, lent to us by Amy, has been getting a lot of attention since we put it up at the shop a few weeks ago. Like Nancy's Kauni shawl, it wont be at the shop forever, so I thought I'd document it here on the blog.

The yarn is Araucania Ruca, a dk-weight yarn made of 100% sugarcane fiber, and it's a particularly good match for the pattern. Plant fibers like sugarcane, bamboo, and cotton all lack elasticity, giving them a tendency to stretch out of shape. For some projects, that would be a disadvantage to account for by changing needle size or even adding an elastic thread, but for a drop stitch scarf, it's a perfect fit. The elongated stitches of the seafoam stitch pattern drape beautifully in a plant fiber.

Amy's scarf has gotten a lot of knitters interested in the Ruca yarn, so we ordered a few new colors to give aspiring drop stitch scarf makers more options. We were disappointed to discover that Araucania no longer produces the same colorway that Amy used, but we got two similar colorways for those that want the same look.

Take a look at the Ruca when you're seeking a smooth, shiny plant fiber, and if you'd like to make a drop stitch scarf of your own, you can download the pattern for free on Ravelry. See you at the shop!

Dream in Color.

2012-02-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Two new yarns arrived at the shop this week from Dream In Color, a Chicago-based producer of hand-dyed yarns. We've had their Classy yarn, a washable worsted weight wool that I've written about here on the blog before, as well as their fingering- and lace-weight wools, which are named Smooshy and Baby, respectively. This week, we got a Smooshy upgrade: eight colors of Smooshy With Cashmere, which boasts 400 yards and 20% cashmere content. This yarn is a real treat for the hands, a smooshier Smooshy.

We also received six colors of a new lace-weight yarn from Dream in Color called It's Native, so-called because the wool and mohair fiber it's made of is grown, spun, and dyed in the United States. Anne makes sure that we offer yarns manufactured in the U.S. whenever possible, and it's great to see more and more of them show up at the shop. It's Native comes in generous skeins, too: 1000 yards can get you through a lace shawl, several scarves, or an entire Whisper Cardigan.

Check out these two latest offerings from Dream in Color next time you're seeking fingering-or lace-weight yarns. See you at the shop!

Malabrigo Sock.

2012-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

A box from Malabrigo is always met with excitement on our part. The bigger the box, the more excitement, and this week's box was a big, big box. We got a few new colors in Malabrigo Lace and a few in Arroyo, but the big excitement with the big box was all about Malabrigo Sock.

Malabrigo Sock is always a hot commodity at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. The colors, the softness, and the long waiting period between shipments all conspire to make it disappear quickly from our shelves. It's always a relief to have Malabrigo Sock yarn in stock, and so appealing to see all the colors together. It has me daydreaming about colorwork socks, but what else is new.

Have you used Malabrigo Sock before? I'm always curious what people are making with it--socks, scarves, shawls, sweaters, hats, baby things--because it has so many applications. Let us know what you've used it for and how you like it, and if you haven't yet had the pleasure, give Malabrigo Sock a try and see what all the fuss is about!

For the hands and the feet: two new books.

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

From Martingale & Co. this week, we received two new books. One will help you clothe your hands, and the other, your feet. Let's take a closer look.

There are many ways to knit small circumferences in the round, and it's a good thing, too, because preferences vary from knitter to knitter. Some love double points and some loathe them. Some are happy using the magic loop on one long circular, while the mere thought of magic loop knitting sets others on edge. Some prefer knitting small circumferences like mittens or socks on two circular needles, and this new book is for them. Knitting Circles Around Mittens and More, by Antje Gillingham, is a collection of patterns for mitts and mittens using two circular needles.

Along with the patterns comes helpful information about modifying existing patterns to use two circulars instead of double points, as well as instruction on knitting two mittens at once. If knitting in the round on two circulars is your kind of thing, this book may be, too.

Now, for the feet: Knitting Scandinavian Slippers and Socks, by Laura Farson, is for lovers of colorwork. Many of the patterns use worsted weight yarn to create cushy slippers, but some are for fingering weight yarns, as well. Here are some of the stranded designs you'll find inside:

Take a look at these and other new books next time you're in the shop.

Knitter's Pride needles and hooks.

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

This week, we got three boxes brimming with nothing but knitting needles and crochet hooks. We had been missing some sizes in the Crystal Palace bamboo single and double pointed needles, so one box was dedicated to those. The other two were all Knitter's Pride, a relatively new line that seems to have become a favorite.

The Knitter's Pride Dreamz circular needles have been quite popular since their initial arrival back in October. We can't seem to keep all the various sizes in all four lengths in stock, hence this week's two boxes worth.

The Dreamz interchangeable circular sets have sold out over and over again, so this time we wised up and ordered twice as many. We also have extra cords in 16", 24", 32", and 40" which are compatible with the Dreamz interchangeable set.

We now have the Knitter's Pride Symfonie Rose interchangeable needles as well, a beautiful set in a sturdy case like a jewelry box.

Knitter's Pride also makes square needles, in single and double points as well as circulars, and we're proud to boast all three. The square needles are ergonomically designed, making them easier to hold and easier on your hands. The double points have been particularly well-received by those who try them. Many knitters have skeptically purchased square needles only to return later singing their praises. Give them a try, and let us know what you think.

We made sure to get something for the crocheters, too: Dreamz hooks in a wide range of sizes, as well as afghan hooks that can be attached to the single cords for Tunisian crochet.

Whatever needles or hooks you're seeking, we hope you can find them here. We make an effort to keep a variety of knitting and crochet tools in stock in a variety of sizes. See you at the shop!

Amimono, Autumn/Winter 2008.

2012-02-04T08:20:00.000-05:00

Hot off the presses this collection is not. Say, "Hello, again," to Amimono Knit Collection, circa Autumn/Winter 2008.

Though it's out of print, Anne was able to score one last reorder of Helga Isager's lovely 2008 collection. I've always admired the cover sweater, Olive, for its stylish simplicity. Knit with any of the Isager yarns, this would make a lightweight, elegantly draped pullover. Page through, and you'll also find a cape, a long vest, and a trio of brioche patterns: hat, scarf, and sweater.

If you haven't seen this collection before, come by and take a look at this artful use of Isager yarns.

Berroco Inca Gold and Jasper, on sale!

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, we were saddened to discover that Berroco has discontinued two of their yarns, Inca Gold and Jasper. Because we're unable to continue carrying them, we're now offering them at a discounted price.

Inca Gold is a springy blend of merino and silk coming in a lovely range of solid colors and boasting excellent stitch definition. At five stitches to the inch, it could be used for almost anything: hats, scarves, sweaters, vests, mitts, whatever. If you've been admiring a pattern that calls for worsted weight yarn, consider Inca Gold.

Jasper is a self-striping, single-ply merino in an aran weight. Like Inca Gold, Jasper is a very versatile yarn. Some of our knitters have used it for sweaters, and others have put it to good use in hats and scarves. This has been a popular yarn, and we're sad to see it go. Come and get it while it's still here, and know that we have sweater quantities of many colors!

A Handknit Romance.

2012-01-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

A new book arrived from Interweave this week: Jennie Atkinson's A Handknit Romance: 22 Vintage Designs with Lovely Details.

The first thing I noticed in this book was the use of Swans Island Organic Merino Fingering yarn. The mere mention of Swans Island tends to stop me in my tracks, that I might join in gushing over their spectacular yarn.

Those of you who appreciate fine yarns at small gauges will appreciate A Handknit Romance, especially if you have a fondness for traditional feminine details. Take a look next time you're in the shop.

(More) new shelves.

2012-01-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, we're at it again. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that we're always at it, where "it" is "rearranging shelves and their contents in a constant attempt to better arrange the shop." We are blessed with an enormous collection of fibers, such that we must use every square inch of our shop to store and display them. When last I reported changes in shop setup, we had added two new shelves and given the cotton tree a new home in the corner. We admired and enjoyed the new configuration for about a week before we started to wonder if more shelves would make it even better. Anne ordered two more shelves, which were assembled and moved into the shop early this week.

Our goal is to get baskets of yarn off of the floor and onto shelves, where they are more easily seen. The two newest shelves are steps in that direction.

We also moved many of our silk yarns into the second room, where they live by the Malabrigo shelf. Aren't they a pretty pair, the silks and Malabrigo yarns?

Yes, we're satisfied with this latest development. For now! You can expect nothing less than constant change here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, whether it's new yarn, new books, new classes, or new shelves. We aim to always improve.

Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine.

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

It was nearly 70 degrees out yesterday (in late January, might I remind you), and we just got the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine. In late January. Might I remind you. The unseasonably warm weather has been somewhat disconcerting, but also beautiful, so perhaps this early nudge towards warm-weather knitting is well-timed, after all.

You'll find this new issue along with the other latest books and magazines on the teacart. See you at the shop!

Books, new and old.

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

We got a box of books in the mail last week, some of which were new, and others of which were merely in need of being reordered. From the department of Books That Have Sold Well That We Are Pleased To See On The Shelves Again:

The Magic Loop: Working Around On One Needle, by Bev Galeskas
The Knitter's Book of Socks, by Clara Parkes
My Grandmother's Knitting: Family Stories and Inspired Knits from Top Designers, by Larissa Brown, featuring contributions from Meg Swansen, Jared Flood, Cookie A., Norah Gaughan, and many more
Coastal Knits: a Collaboration Between Friends on Opposite Shores, by Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig

And from the rather more exciting department of Books That Have Never Before Graced Our Shelves:

Stashbuster Knits: Tips, Tricks, and 21 Beautiful Projects for Using Your Favorite Leftover Yarn, by Melissa Leapman
Brave New Knits: 26 Projects and Personalities from the Knitting Blogosphere, by Julie Turjoman

Look for these and other knitting and crochet books at the shop. Hope you find something inspiring within their pages.

More works in progress.

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

About a month ago, I posted pictures of two of the works in progress that hang around the shop. Anne and I always have at least two samples for the shop on the needles--one on her needles and one on mine. Because the urge to talk about what we make and what we see others making is strong, we find ourselves talking about these projects at many points throughout the day. When the process is enjoyable, we'll tell anyone who will listen about how soft the yarn is, how incredible the color. Since I last brought this conversation to the blog, two new works in progress have sprung up.

I'm working on a simple drop stitch scarf with the new Malabrigo Arroyo. This pattern is a particularly good choice for variegated yarns like this, as the elongated stitches highlight a stretch of color in the yarn that would otherwise be distributed differently along the row. We're used to variegated yarns striping and pooling in stockinette and other texture patterns, but the drop stitch scarf pools differently, purposefully.

Within three rows, I had the pattern memorized, and since then, it feels like it's been knitting itself.

Anne is also working on a scarf, but hers is made from the Swans Island Organic Merino in the fingering weight. The pattern came from our perpetual calendar, 365 Knitting Stitches a Year, a nice resource to turn to when you intend to make a scarf and don't intend to use a pattern. Flip through the calendar, pick an attractive stitch pattern, cast on an appropriate number of stitches for said pattern, and go until you run out of yarn. A formula for scarf success.

This one will look particularly lovely when it's blocked, I imagine. I can't wait to see it. In the meantime, come by the shop to see these two very special yarns in action, and listen to us go on about them. See you soon!

Bergere de France Berlaine, on sale!

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you've been to the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, you're probably already familiar with the sale trunk.

Just in front of the desk, a trunk overflows with discounted yarns. The contents of the trunk are ever-changing, and this week, we added something new: Bergere de France Berlaine, a dk weight superwash wool.

Most of the yarns in the sale trunk are dwindling in quantity, with only a handful of skeins in any one color. Not so for Berlaine--if there's not enough for your project in the trunk, just ask us for more, and we'll gladly check our stash in the back room. We may even have sweater quantities of this lovely stuff in a few colors, depending on the sweater. The machine-washability of this yarn makes it particularly well suited to children's things, or the kinds of accessories that sometimes need to be thrown into the wash. Dig into the sale trunk, folks! There's plenty of good, inexpensive yarn waiting there.

Hello, String Theory Selku.

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, we got a box from String Theory, which is always cause for excitement. This box in particular was full of Selku, a 3-ply sport-weight blend of silk and merino wool. Selku is a yarn that I've written about before, which we've only stocked in a small handful of colors up until this week. This shipment brought five new colors of Selku, rounding out our collection in a truly lovely way.

Though I haven't had a chance to work with Selku yet, I have stalked it enough on Ravelry to know that it's a perfect choice for a special scarf or shawl. The weight and shine of the silk paired with the elasticity of merino should make for beautiful stitch definition and an elegant drape. Anne wants to use Selku to make the cover sweater from Connie Chang Chinchio's Textured Stitches. Yes, our minds are buzzing, but we've yet to cast on. What would you make from this stunning stuff?

Come by the shop to ooh and ahh, to pet the yarn and consider the possibilities. See you soon!

Creative Knitting.

2012-01-17T20:35:00.000-05:00

Here is the March 2012 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine, having arrived about six weeks before said month will grace us with its presence. The garments inside this issue are for transitional weather: shawls and tunics, lightweight knits for layering. Myself, I'm not quite ready for the spring magazines. I haven't yet gotten my fill of winter knitting. Those of you who are ready to look ahead to warmer weather ought to peer into these pages, however.

Find it on the teacart, surrounded, as can be expected, by the latest knitting and crochet books and magazines.

Wiggle Wrap.

2012-01-15T15:05:00.001-05:00

If you've been in the shop in the past week, you may have noticed a new sample hanging on the wall. There are many sweaters, shawls, hats, scarves, and bags competing for your attention, of course, so it's possible you missed this latest knit shawl. It's quite striking, though, and wont be in the shop forever, so I thought I'd document it here.

The pattern is "Wiggle Wrap," by Sally Brandl, and it's knit with two balls of Kauni Effektgarn. One ball is a bright, fiery colorway and the other is dark, with deep blues and purples. The two, themselves self-striping, are striped against one another, creating multiple levels of stripes and gradations of color. The premise is simple but the effect is impressive. I'd like to see one in a pair of neutral colorways, or a black-and-white skein with a wild rainbow skein. Get to work, knitters.

Come by the shop to see the Wiggle Wrap while it's still here, and check the Kauni Patterns binder for more Kauni inspiration.

(Many thanks to Nancy for lending us her shawl!)

Knitting with Two Colors.

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Back in November, I wrote about two of my favorite new colorwork resources: Alice Starmore's Charts for Color Knitting and Mary Jane Mucklestone's 200 Fair Isle Motifs. I remember the feeling of contentment I had in placing those two on my bookshelf at home, thinking, "This completes my colorwork library." That, however, was before Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen's Knitting with Two Colors appeared. Now, having seen this new book from Schoolhouse Press, gaps appear in my colorwork library where none existed before. Where was the technical detail on preparing for and cutting steeks? The guidance on altering existing colorwork patterns, and designing your own? Ways to incorporate shaping into a colorwork sweater without completely confusing the patterning? The hows, whys, and whether-or-nots of various hems, borders, and necklines? Why, here they are, calmly and clearly explained by these two most experienced colorwork knitters, Swansen and Detjen.

Knitting with Two Colors is neither a book of sweater patterns nor a book of colorwork charts, but truly a book of techniques, a slim paperback volume that is absolutely bursting with information. I can imagine no better companion to Starmore's Charts for Color Knitting or Mucklestone's 200 Fair Isle Motifs than Swansen and Detjen's Knitting with Two Colors. Colorwork enthusiasts, and anyone else who's curious, should take a look at this book, and take home a copy if there's an ambitious colorwork project in your future. Find it on the teacart.

Cleaning up our act. Some more.

2012-01-11T19:36:00.001-05:00

We've done some more furniture rearranging this week at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop.

The cotton tree switched places with the corner chair, making it easier for those who sit and knit at the shop to socialize while they do so.

In the interest of using what little space we have more wisely, we acquired a new pair of bookshelves. The Jo Sharp yarns have been gathered on one of them, and the Isager yarns on another.

This gave us more room for the Kauni and the Swans Island, which settled where the Isager yarns used to live.

The whole process was a bit like a game of musical chairs, except that every basket of yarn and every stack of books found a seat when the music stopped. We're so pleased with the newly organized space. Come by and see the difference!

Cowls.

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

We're often asked if we know a good cowl pattern, or have a book of them. This request has been particularly common in the past month or so, so I thought I'd give a virtual version of my in-shop answer. A book of cowls: unfortunately, no. A good cowl pattern: here are four, and all the better because they are free.

To some, a cowl is a tube designed to fit closely around the neck, almost like a dickey. A turtleneck detached from its sweater. Here is one such cowl, in simple 2x2 ribbing, knit with the soft and slightly shiny Debbie Bliss Andes, a dk weight blend of alpaca and silk. The pattern is available at the shop--just ask for the Andes cowl.

To others, a cowl is a long loop of a scarf, designed to be wrapped around the neck twice. We have two cowls that meet this description, the first of which is available online, and the second, at the shop. Meet the Big Herringbone Cowl (above) and the Moebius Cowl (below). We used a worsted-weight merino/silk blend and a mohair/silk blend, respectively.

Somewhere between the two shapes is this newest cowl, knit from String Theory Merino DK. The Purl Ridge Cowl pattern is also available as a free pattern from the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, as of Thursday afternoon, when I bound off, wove in the ends, and immediately tried it on. Cozy.

My challenge to you: choose a color.

String Theory, as I have gushed several times in as many weeks, does incredible things with yarn and dye. My photographs don't do it justice. Come and see the stuff with your own two eyes!

Hello, Alpaca 1.

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

When Anne returned from her trip to Denmark in August, she came back with many stories and many knitting ideas. The first one that she realized was simple: a triangular garter stitch shawl in Isager Alpaca 1, a 2-ply lace-weight yarn that at the time, we had just recently ordered in a pretty little spectrum of colors. Anne had seen one like it in Marianne Isager's shop, and was determined to recreate it as a shop sample here. It may be a simple shawl, a "nothing pattern," as Anne often describes it, but it has been a huge hit.

The particular combination of this yarn at this gauge makes simple garter stitch look new and somehow complicated. I've seen seasoned knitters puzzle over the shawl, asking about the stitch pattern. The texture is truly unusual, stretchy and fuzzy and light. Sometimes I wrap it around my neck like a scarf while I'm rearranging the Alpaca 1 basket, and I must say, it tempts one.

Having nearly run out of Isager Alpaca 1 due to the beguiling nature of the garter stitch shawl, it was time for a reorder at the start of the new year. As I put out the new colors, I felt content seeing them all together again, and daydreamed a bit about which color I'd choose if I were making one myself. What would you choose?

The next time you're in the market for a mindless knit with exquisite yarn, consider the Alpaca 1 shawl. Try it on next time you're in the shop and see if you're not tempted.

Lantern Moon bags.

2012-01-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

A small box filled with small silk bags came from Lantern Moon last week. Anne strung them up on the wall, which has become our default eye-pleasing and space-saving method for displaying bags.

These Lantern Moon bags are narrow and long, and I think would happily accommodate a small scarf project on straight needles, or a sock-in-progress. One customer suggested that a bottle of wine would fit nicely, and I can't disagree. Whatever works.

Be sure to admire them the next time you're in the shop. See you soon!

2012.

2012-01-02T12:32:00.000-05:00

I spent much of this new year's eve weekend with a burgeoning pair of socks, made with Malabrigo's newest yarn, Arroyo. I turned the heel on the first sock, then cast on for the second while watching a movie on new year's eve. On new year's day, the socks came with me to a friend's house, where we talked and laughed and drank tea. This morning as I sipped my coffee, knitted my socks, and listened to a podcast, I had an impulse to photograph the scene, and thought to myself: oh, man. What a blogger thing to do.

It's been almost a year since I started this Hillsborough Yarn Shop blog, and since then I've grown accustomed to that impulse to photograph anything yarn-related, and have often given into it. When people come in showing off amazing work, or Phyllis looks particularly wonderful in a shop sample, or we move some furniture around, I pull out my little camera. When we amass great piles of hats or great piles of yarn, the camera comes out. After a year of moments like these, it seems to make perfect sense to photograph my morning coffee, so long as a sock-in-progress is near. I'm having such fun with the blog, and the beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to thank you all for reading, and for commenting, and for coming into the shop and saying, "You must be Julia, from the blog!" I'm looking forward to another year of documenting the goings-on at the shop. Happy new year, everyone!

String Theory. Once more.

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

The String Theory Caper Sock yarn all but disappeared from our shelves in a matter of weeks. Not yet ready to cast on, or even settle on a project befitting this luxurious cashmere and wool blend, I held off on the skein of Caper Sock that had caught my eye. When the last skein in that colorway was sold, I pouted for a minute, then remembered that we were expecting a shipment from String Theory this week. Not only were we awaiting one backordered color each in Selku and Merino DK, but Anne had also ordered another 24 skeins of Caper Sock.

By the time we'd refilled the half-empty cubby that Caper Sock calls home, I had to hold off yet again, for there were at least four colors vying for my attention.

When my Arroyo socks are done, I might be ready to choose a color. Until then, it's all yours, String Theory lovers. Enjoy this new selection of colors in Caper Sock!

Vogue Knitting.

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Winter issue of Vogue Knitting has arrived and taken center stage on the teacart.

In this issue, you'll find the usual selection of unusual garments that we've come to expect from Vogue, including knitted capes, skirts, and turbans. There are sweaters as well, of course, and hats, mittens, and socks. Take a look next time you're in the shop.

And.

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Along with Arroyo, we received a handful of much-needed new colors in Malabrigo Rios, Sock, and Lace. We also got a shiny new shelf to display all the Malabrigo yarns together. The Sock is still with all the other fingering weight yarns in the front room, but now the Worsted, Twist, Rios, Silky Merino, Arroyo, and Lace can be found all in one place. Let's have a look at the new colors, shall we?

In Rios, as you can see in the photo above, we got Pearl Ten, Teal Feather, Paris Night, and several other colors whose fanciful names have already left me. Lovers of turquoises, blues, and greens will be happy with the current selection.

In Sock, we got only four colors: Terracotta, Ochre, Boticelli Red, and Persia. A manageable number of colors to choose from when you decide you simply must get a skein while they're still in stock.

After almost a year of stocking Lace in only one color, we suddenly find ourselves with an embarrassment of riches: a basket full of choices, each skein a different color. (I confess: I gave up halfway through the Saroyan, seduced by the String Theory Merino DK, which was the next shop sample on the to-knit list. The half-scarf blocked beautifully, though, and gives one a good sense of how the Lace works up.)

Alright, Malabrigo lovers, that concludes the tour of The Latest. Come by the shop to see it all for yourself.

Hello, Malabrigo Arroyo.

2011-12-25T13:31:00.001-05:00

I've written before about the popularity of Malabrigo yarns. Known for their softness and many other fine qualities, Malabrigo yarns are always welcomed with great excitement. This week, in the midst of the busiest shopping days we've seen all year, we were treated to something really special: the arrival of a new Malabrigo yarn.

Arroyo, a sport-weight washable merino, has been on order for the better part of the past year, so Anne and I were nothing short of thrilled to finally see it in person. We weren't alone in our excitement, either. There are those among us who memorize Malabrigo colorways, can identify Archangel, Arco Iris, or Indiecita from only a cursory glance. Arroyo comes in those memorable colors and 17 others, many of which have never before been seen at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. Here are a few of them, ready to be newly memorized.

Immediately, of course, I began thinking of socks. Could I make socks with Arroyo, and could I do it in one 335 yard skein alone? What size needle would make a strong enough fabric for socks, and what stitch pattern would ensure that it remained stretchy? You won't be surprised to know that I took a skein home on Saturday afternoon, the better to answer such questions in the future. All projects have been set aside in order to experiment with Arroyo. I'll be sure to let you know what I come up with. Happy holidays, everyone, I'll see you at the shop!

Simply Crochet.

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Another little something for the crocheters came in this week: Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day, by Robyn Chachula. This new collection features patterns from a variety of designers, including the well-known Doris Chan and Kristin Omdahl, whose books we also keep in stock.

Come by the shop to take a look!

Interweave Crochet.

2011-12-21T20:34:00.000-05:00

Another new winter magazine just settled in on the teacart, this time with a focus on crochet.

The leafy pullover on the cover of the magazine is made in Malabrigo Worsted, a favorite yarn for its plush softness. This issue has more accessories than sweaters, however. Look here for crocheted socks, mittens, and wraps.

See you at the shop.

String Theory. Again.

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Anne and I were so completely sold on String Theory that it was less than a week between our first and second orders. Their Caper Sock, Bluestocking, and Merino DK yarns have been capturing the attention of many since they arrived at the shop two weeks ago. During those two weeks, however, Anne became fixated on another String Theory yarn: Selku, a 3-ply sport-weight blend of silk and merino wool. Though it's not technically available for wholesale, we found ourselves making repeat visits to the String Theory website to pick out colors for a yarn that we weren't even sure we could stock. Soon, Anne gave them a call and asked "pretty please," which is, in short, how we wound up with a box full of Selku on Friday.

Like Jitterbug, the Selku came to us in open, untwisted hanks.

Anne and I twisted them up, tucked them into a basket, and made room for them on the teacart, where you'll find them now.

The teacart has become, for the moment, a small fiber shrine to Maine, with two yarns each from Swans Island and String Theory, and a few copies of Coastal Knits placed strategically nearby. Come by to worship at said shrine, pet these and other new yarns, and daydream about your next project. See you at the shop.

Folk Socks.

2011-12-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here is an older book, made new this year with revisions and updated content. First published in 1994, Nancy Bush's Folk Socks is back in print and back on our shelves.

With its long historical preamble, various heel- and toe-shaping techniques, and colorwork patterns, Folk Socks is right up my alley.

In thumbing through this excellent book, I was particularly struck by a simple pair of socks, knit in gray and white with only one small stranded motif.

With the abundance of stitch dictionaries, sock books, and color combinations I have available, I'm likely to add more color, more patterning, more complication to my colorwork socks, all in an attempt to try as many new things as possible in any given sock. These socks, and this book, reminded me that beautiful socks need not be covered from cuff to toe in patterning. One well-chosen motif can go a long way. And oh, this book has me aching for more colorwork socks!

Come by the shop to see Folk Socks for yourself, and be talked into colorwork sock-knitting by yours truly.

Textured Stitches.

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

We just got a new collection of patterns from Interweave, a classy book by Connie Chang Chinchio called Textured Stitches: Knitted Sweaters and Accessories with Smart Details.

Upon glancing through the book, I was impressed by the stylish, tailored shapes, and the carefully chosen stitch patterns that adorn them. Take a look inside:

Find it with the latest magazines and books on the teacart.

Works in progress.

2011-12-13T20:54:00.000-05:00

Because of the nature of a yarn shop, Anne and I probably spend more time talking with people about their projects in the future tense than we do checking up on older projects, both finished and unfinished. There is much more to chat about if one has not begun one's project: what fiber to choose, and then what yarn, and what color? How much of it? What size needles or hook, and where to turn if a particular technique is unfamiliar? Finished and unfinished works carry all these conversations with them as well, of course, but not always with the same exuberance that drives one to begin. Occasionally, though, a break occurs in the project planning and a question comes: what are you working on now? With this question in mind, I submit these two works in progress, one of Anne's and one of my own.

Anne is working on a pair of socks of late, "happy socks," as she describes them. The pattern is simple, fundamental, even, and has been worked so many times that at this point, it can be summoned from her memory. Ribbed socks can be such a comfort in this way. The yarn is Claudia Hand Painted, in a fingering weight. Many a knitter has reached out to touch this sock-to-be, then rushed over to the Claudia cubby for a few skeins of their own.

I'm still working on my Saroyan, a scarf out of Malabrigo Lace yarn. I work on it only during quiet moments at the shop, and thus, am progressing slowly. Still, there is something to be said for the patience that knitting teaches us, and pleasure in the process. The yarn is soft and fine, the pattern well-written, and let's not kid ourselves: this is totally not the only knitting project I have going at the moment. I have a sweater half-finished, two sock patterns half-written, another pair on the needles, and about thirty other knitting ideas competing for the title of Next New Project. Never a dull moment, I tell you.

So, what are you working on now?

Knitter's Pride interchangeable circular needles.

2011-12-11T20:23:00.001-05:00

Interchangeable circular needle sets are no doubt topping many a knitter's wish list this season. Their appeal can be traced not only to their convenience and compactness, but also to a kind of cuteness: pairs of needle points are lined up in a little case, with a pocket for cords of different lengths. The Knitter's Pride Dreamz interchangeable needle set is even more appealing due to the fact that each needle size is a different color, which makes it easy to find a matching pair of points.

They're pretty things, these needles. Put them on your own wish list, and remember that we also have interchangeable circular needle sets from Addi and Lantern Moon, along with all kinds of other desirable knitterly gifts. See you at the shop!

Hello, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK.

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Debbie Bliss yarns have become something of a staple at the shop over the years. Her Cashmerino yarns are soft, machine washable, and come in a wide range of colors and weights, from sport to super-bulky. Patterns for Debbie Bliss yarns are plentiful and reliable. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK may not be the latest, most exciting new yarn, but we've been quietly keeping it in stock since Anne opened the shop five years ago, and it's made many a knitter happy over those years.

A few weeks ago, we added several new colors to our Cashmerino DK collection and replenished some that were low in quantity. Pleased by the new, expanded spectrum, I snapped a picture or two, which were soon forgotten in the excitement surrounding newer yarns.

Shame on me, forgetting Cashmerino DK like that! A yarn that I've used to make sweaters for myself and for my two-year-old niece, that I've saved the scraps of for colorwork hats, that I've recommended over and over again to those seeking soft, washable yarns for all kinds of projects. A yarn that Anne turned to just a few months ago to make fingerless mitts for her daughter. We have wonderful new yarns coming in all the time, it seems, but they are surrounded by equally lovely yarns, many of which have been at the shop for years. Cashmerino DK is one of them, so consider it when looking for a dk weight wool in solid colors. See you at the shop!

Hello, String Theory.

2011-12-07T19:42:00.001-05:00

I know I said we were elated at the arrival of Jitterbug last week--and really, we were! But that was before yesterday's shipment from String Theory, a new yarn company for us. Yesterday, excitement erupted at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop as Anne pulled skein after skein of beautiful hand-dyed yarn out of the box, passing them around to an appreciative group of knitters who petted, hugged, and admired the new yarn with great delight. Several of them decided they couldn't leave without a skein, and so they were here and gone before they even made it onto the shelf. Luckily, there is still plenty to show off. Have a look at what all of the fuss is about.

String Theory is a small company out of Blue Hill, Maine, a two-woman operation that has been getting a lot of attention recently. String Theory was recently profiled in Coastal Knits, a lovely pattern collection that we're forever reordering. Clara Parkes mentioned them in a recent post on Knitter's Review, which led me back to her Knitter's Book of Socks, where I found patterns using both of the String Theory sock yarns we just got in.

String Theory's Caper Sock is a luxurious fingering weight yarn, a blend of superwash merino, cashmere, and nylon. Cookie A's pattern from Knitter's Book of Socks, below, uses the Caper Sock yarn with lovely results.

Bluestocking, on the other hand, is perhaps the more interesting of the two String Theory sock yarns because of its fiber content: 80% Bluefaced Leicester wool and 20% nylon. Bluefaced Leicester is a particular breed of sheep known for its long, strong fibers, which ought to make a particularly durable pair of socks. (Care to learn more about breed-specific wools? Put Clara Parkes' Knitter's Book of Wool on your holiday wish list, or give it to yourself as a gift. Fascinating stuff!) It's rare and exciting to see a yarn label that specifies the breed of sheep whose wool is inside it, with the exception of the ubiquitous Merino. I can't wait to give Bluestocking a try, perhaps using Ann Budd's pattern from Knitter's Book of Socks.

The third and final kind of yarn we received from String Theory this week is their Merino DK, a name which speaks for itself. I can add little else to describe it, though I'll mention that it's superwash, squishy and soft, and that each 100 gram skein is packed with 280 yards. At a dk weight, that can easily take you through a hat, cowl, pair of mittens, or maybe even a scarf.

Come by the shop and we'll be sure to show you in person all that I've shown you here. Forgive us if we can hardly contain our delight: we love yarn, we love knitting, and we are utterly irrepressible. See you at the shop!

Goknit project bags.

2011-12-05T10:40:00.001-05:00

We replenished our supply of Goknit project bags this week at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. These colorful, lightweight drawstring bags have been favorites for both practical and aesthetic purposes. They look so appealing all together, in fact, that we put them right up on the wall.

We have two sizes available, the better to accommodate the range of projects that we knitters and crocheters tote around. The smaller Goknit pouch is just right for a hat or a pair of socks, and the larger will comfortably hold sweaters-to-be.

Either of these bags would make a nice gift for a knitter, as the need for places to store works in progress is unending. Paired, perhaps, with a gift certificate to the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, I can think of no more welcome present this holiday season.

Come by the shop to pick up a Goknit project bag for a friend or for yourself.

Jitterbug. Again.

2011-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

You would not believe the gasps of delight that accompanied this week's much anticipated shipment of Colinette Jitterbug. (I know I say things like that a lot--it seems that weekly, we receive boxes of gasp-inducing yarns--but I'm just reporting the facts, here. We're an excitable bunch.) Unlike most yarns, the Jitterbug comes to us in bunches of untwisted hanks, which makes for a dramatic entrance.

After oohing and aahing over each color as it emerged from the box, Anne and I got right to work twisting up each hank.

Jitterbug, as I've written before, is a tightly-plied, squishy, merino yarn in fingering weight which comes to us all the way from Wales. We've carried primarily variegated colorways thus far, but the semisolid colorways have been so tempting that we finally, happily gave in.

I went home with a skein of Jitterbug in a golden yellow to make myself a pair of bright, wild socks. There are several other projects awaiting my attention, but it's quite possible that I'll put them all aside to cast on with this yarn, for which I've heard nothing but rave reviews.

One such rave-reviewer is Anne, who made a little something out of Jitterbug for herself earlier this year.

No big deal, just one of the most amazing sweaters we have in the shop, an exquisite design from Marianne Isager's Japanese Inspired Knits. Come by to examine Anne's sweater in close, glorious detail, and to snag a skein of Jitterbug for yourself.

See you at the shop!

Magazine week.

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

The magazine-makers of the world have been working overtime, it seems. Last week brought two new issues, Creative Knitting and Interweave Knits. I'd barely flipped through them when three more new magazines arrived. Rest assured, if you come by the shop this week, you're likely to find at least one compelling new project among these glossy pages.

Koigu Magazine is back with a nice follow-up to their premiere issue, which I wrote a bit about back in May. Look here for inspired and unusual uses of fingering weight and variegated yarns.

Knit Simple is here, too, full of cardigans, among other things.

The most impressive, in my opinion, has been Interweave Knits Accessories. The thing itself is stylishly designed, and the patterns are many and varied.

Cowls, hats, socks, mitts, and shawls--the kind of projects that knitters often make for gifts. It's a gift-giving season we're in, and it was gift-knitting that came to mind when I paged through this magazine. Take a look.

See you at the shop.

Swans Island. Again.

2011-11-29T19:39:00.001-05:00

Every time we get a box from Swans Island, Anne and I exchange an open-mouthed look of delight. It's so exciting to open those boxes, to see the new colors and welcome back those that we'd already sold out of.

And those are just the reorders. Our joy is doubled when we pull aside a bag of Swans Island yarn to reveal a packet of Swans Island patterns! There were so many in our most recent shipment that we had to get a bigger binder.

Below, you can take a peek inside the Swans Island Patterns binder, though I must say, it really deserves a full-on browse. Start here and if you like what you see, come by the shop to see the rest! You'll be Swans Island junkies like us in no time.

Interweave Knits.

2011-11-27T12:42:00.001-05:00

What's that? Another new winter magazine already? Hello, Interweave Knits.

I like the look of Betty's Pullover... what are your favorite projects from this issue?

Creative Knitting.

2011-11-25T12:09:00.001-05:00

We recently welcomed another winter knitting magazine to our growing collection.

Find the January issue of Creative Knitting on the teacart. Hope you're all enjoying the holiday weekend, sneaking a few stitches here and there between rounds of leftovers. See you at the shop soon!

Knit Noro, and Knit Noro Accessories.

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

A beautiful new book just landed on the teacart last week: Knit Noro Accessories, a sibling of the also-beautiful Knit Noro, which came out earlier this year. If you're a fan of Noro yarns, which gradually self-stripe in surprising color combinations, you should certainly take a look at both of these books. In fact, why don't you take a peek right now? From Knit Noro Accessories:

From Knit Noro:

If you like the look of those patterns, you're likely to enjoy both collections. Come by to take a closer look and admire our collection of Noro yarns, as well. See you at the shop!

Claudia Hand Painted Yarns. Again.

2011-11-21T20:29:00.000-05:00

We first welcomed Claudia Hand Painted Yarns to the Hillsborough Yarn Shop only a few months ago, but already it's been such a hit that we decided to order more. We made up a few more kits for the Double Silk T-Shirt and Cardigan, replacing the color combinations that flew out of the shop when we first got them in stock. We also made up kits for the Warm Me Up pullover sweater, also knit with the Claudia Hand Painted Silk Lace.

For those of you who'd like to find other uses for the Silk Lace, we're also offering that yarn separately outside of the kit. Each shining skein is 1100 yards long, so one could easily get you through a sizeable lace shawl.

The most exciting part of the most recent Claudia shipment for me, however, was this:

A handful of new colors in the Fingering yarn. Anne generously let me pick out the colors from Claudia's tremendous selection, and as you might have predicted, I went with the semisolid colorways instead of the variegated. These colors are vivid, rich, and complement one another nicely, if I do say so myself. Any of them would make a stellar pair of Interrupted socks, no?

Come by to see these new beauties and the rest of the Claudia Hand Painted Yarns.

Knitter's Pride Cubics.

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Knitter's Pride Dreamz circulars have been a huge hit. We hadn't even received our complete order when it was time to reorder sizes we had already sold out of. I've not yet tried them myself, but the positive feedback I'm hearing suggests pointy points, smooth joins, and flexible cables: all good qualities to find in circular needles. This time when we reordered them, Anne decided to try out their single and double pointed needles as well. The double points aren't quite here yet, but if it's straight needles you like, take a look at these Knitter's Pride Cubics!

Like the Dreamz circulars, the Cubics straight needles are made from laminated birch. While they lack the rainbow of colors that Dreamz circulars boast, they have the advantage of a square shape, which is reportedly easier on the hands than your average needle. Try them out and tell us what you think!

P.S.

2011-11-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

Along with our Malabrigo Lace, we got a handful of bags of Malabrigo Rios in whatever colors were available. It wasn't a big Rios shipment, but it was enough to brighten the display, and to allow us to breathe easier, knowing there were sweater quantities of a few colors, if needed.

I just knit a very simple garter stitch cowl for my sister out of Rios and loved every stitch for its stretchy, springy softness. Next time you're shopping around for washable worsted weight yarn, consider Rios!

Hello, Malabrigo Lace.

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Malabrigo is known for its rich colors and buttery softness, as well as for its own popularity. Because of its fine qualities and popularity among knitters and crocheters, it's hard to get a hold of, and it's hard to keep in stock. Periodically, we're able to replenish our collection of particular Malabrigo yarns, and this time around, we were able to finally get our hands on some Malabrigo Lace.

The Lace is a single ply made from baby merino wool, used as often for garments as it is for lace shawls. Faced with the pleasurable challenge of working up a shop sample in Malabrigo Lace, I spent at least an hour roaming around Ravelry looking at what others had used it for before I settled on a pattern. As of now, I'm about a dozen rows into Saroyan, a lovely, lacy, leafy scarf that's available as a free download on Ravelry. I'm not far enough along to share pictures yet, though I'll surely do so as it grows. When I started working on it, someone commented, "That's not really your kind of thing, is it?" and while it's not, that's part of why I chose it. I rarely knit lace patterns, I rarely knit scarves, I wouldn't have chosen this particular color for myself--but I'm having such fun! It feels good to reach out of my comfort zone and knit something different. If you'd like to make a lace-weight Saroyan of your own--or a Citron, or a Featherweight Cardigan, or any number of other things--come by the shop and we'll talk Malabrigo Lace.

Hello, Crock-O-Dye.

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, it became clear that we were getting low on Crock-O-Dye. Crock-O-Dye is a fingering weight yarn from Knit One Crochet Too, a variegated blend of wool, silk, and nylon. It's meant for socks, but does just as well in a shawl, scarf, sweater, hat, or fingerless mitts... or wherever else you'd like to use fingering weight yarn. Slowly over the past half year or so, our stock went down. We ran out of the hot pink colorway, then we ran out of the sage green, then the sky blue... and then last week, suddenly we realized we had only two colors left. Time to reorder.

It's always satisfying to replenish our inventory of any particular yarn. The colors look much happier when they're together. Come by the shop to welcome back Crock-O-Dye, and see what else is new!

Seamless Crochet.

2011-11-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Another new title from Interweave has arrived this week: Seamless Crochet, by Kristin Omdahl.

Omdahl offers up a series of crocheted motifs to be joined as they're made, rather than sewn together after the fact. The book is also filled with projects that put this technique to good use. Have a look at some of these pretty pictures, wont you?

Find this and other new books on the teacart.

Katia Fabula. Once more.

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know I've written about this yarn twice before, but it's time, once more, to remind you of the existence of Katia Fabula. Super-bulky, very soft, machine-washable merino wool which we now carry in a whopping 8 colors. Have a look!

I have a feeling that as the holidays grow nearer, this yarn will begin to look more and more appealing to those of us who've been putting off gift-knitting. A hat in Fabula could likely be a knit in two sittings, maybe one if you're really pressed for time, and a scarf wouldn't take too much longer if you cast on narrowly... just saying.

See you at the shop!

Cleaning up our act.

2011-11-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

If you've been at the shop in the past few days, perhaps you noticed something missing. Something that used to sit behind Anne or myself at the checkout desk. Something large, gray, and dusty. Something with an internet connection which I've often described as "glacial."

Yes: we got rid of the desktop computer. It served us well for the past five years, but now we're enjoying our speedy new laptop, as well as our new desk set-up.

We sorted through Anne's personal book collection, too, creating a library of shop resources.

We're thrilled with the change in our little corner of the shop, and we hope you are, too!

Coastal Knits.

2011-11-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Those of you who regularly cruise knitting blogs have probably already heard a lot about Coastal Knits, a collaboration by designers Hannah Fettig and Alana Dakos. I know I've been running into it online quite a bit lately. This book boasts the current most popular new pattern, according to Ravelry: the Rocky Coast Cardigan. If you haven't seen the book on Ravelry, perhaps you saw that Swans Island linked to it, and that Clara Parkes reviewed it. I admit, I was intrigued. If your interest is similarly peaked, come by the shop to take a look at it yourself, because we just got it in stock this week.

Surprise! It's exactly as beautiful as everyone has been saying it is. Coastal Knits is full of great patterns for sweaters and accessories, and studded with stories and photos showcasing the landscapes and places that inspired these designs. A nice touch: the book includes a bookmark with the yarn and yardage requirements for each pattern, making for easier yarn shopping. And they've given us another excuse to knit with the lovely Swans Island Organic Merino yarn in fingering weight!

(Like we need an excuse.) Come by the shop to take a look!

Crochet Accessories and Jane Austen Knits.

2011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Two new magazines arrived this week from the busy people at Interweave: a little something for the crocheters...

...and a little something for the knitters.

Find them on the teacart, where new books and magazines are constantly crowding one another out, competing for your attention.

Two new colorwork resources.

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

It seems we've been getting tons of exciting new books this fall, one right after another. I confess, I've added about four new knitting books to my collection at home in the past month alone. Two of those have already been carefully reviewed here on the blog, but the other two have not yet had their moment in the sun. Given my proclivity towards stranded colorwork, it may come as no surprise that these two new titles focus on that technique in particular.

Alice Starmore's Charts for Color Knitting is exactly what it sounds like: a book of charts. Not a book of sweater or hat patterns with charts, just a book of charts. Starmore begins with a chapter on designing simply shaped, drop-shoulder colorwork sweaters, and ends with "A Word on Colour," but in between, she leaves the knitter alone with pages upon pages of charts. The charts are organized by place of origin, so that in flipping through the book, one can glimpse the color-knitting culture of Norway, then Sweden, then Russia, then South America, and onward. In addition, Starmore also offers charts she's adapted from ancient manuscripts, architecture, carpets, jewelry, and stonework, and encourages knitters to do the same. Colorwork charts are easily invented, after all--graph paper and a little color knitting experience is all that's needed.

Mary Jane Mucklestone's new 200 Fair Isle Motifs is similar to Starmore's Charts, but focused on the particular Scottish colorwork tradition for which it is named. The book begins with clear tutorials on all kinds of techniques used in Fair Isle knitting, from swatching to steeking to correcting mistakes. For those overwhelmed by the endless possible color combinations (all of us?), there is a little tutorial on color theory. Then come the 200 motifs. Mucklestone has organized these motifs by the number of rows and stitches in each pattern repeat, making it easy to find a pattern that divides evenly into the number of stitches you're working with on any given project--hat, socks, sweater, etc. Each chart is shown not only in the traditional black-dots-on-a-white-grid style, but also in a color photograph, a color variation, and an all-over version, giving the knitter a jump start on adapting these patterns for many uses.

These two books have me itching to cast on for something new. I am utterly overwhelmed by the number of half-formed knitting ideas rushing around in my mind, which is, by the way, a most pleasant experience. I am so excited by these two books, which complement one another beautifully. Until I figure out exactly what my next colorwork project will be, I'm enjoying simply poring over Starmore's black and white charts and Mucklestone's brightly colored motifs, inundated with ideas.

Vogue Knitting.

2011-10-31T10:30:00.000-04:00

The Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting is here.

Find it on the teacart!

The Knitter's Book of Socks.

2011-10-29T08:23:00.000-04:00

Clara Parkes has done it again, and by "done it again," I mean "provided a practical, beautiful, fascinating, rigorous resource for knitters." From the author of Knitter's Review, the woman who brought us The Knitter's Book of Yarn and The Knitter's Book of Wool, here's The Knitter's Book of Socks.

If you're a sock knitter, this is an indispensable book. If you're an aspiring sock knitter, this book may be a good place to start. While many of the patterns include cables, lace, or colorwork, the first is an introductory-level sock with a simple texture pattern, using worsted weight yarn. Once you've worked up a pair of those, you'll likely be ready and eager to dip your toes into some of the more complicated patterns. Also: those of you who are worried that your knitted socks will be too baggy or too tight, not stretchy enough, or that they'll fall apart after one wear will be encouraged and emboldened by The Knitter's Book of Socks. Parkes spends entire chapters on the effects of various fibers, twists, plies, and stitch patterns on the structure of a sock, giving knitters the information they need to avoid the potential pitfalls that may concern them.

The patterns come from an astounding group of designers, using all kinds of techniques to make socks in a wide range of styles. Cat Bordhi, Lucy Neatby, Ann Budd, Norah Gaughan, Nancy Bush, Cookie A, and Jared Flood all make appearances, as does a favorite new yarn of ours: the Swans Island Organic Merino, in fingering-weight.

I'm almost halfway through a sweater using this yarn, and had never considered it for socks, as it's hand-wash only. Then I came upon Parkes' ode to hand-washing hand-knit socks, which made the task sound more pleasant than inconvenient. Having just accidentally felted a pair of colorwork socks, I'm ready to make the switch to hand-washing, and it sounds like my socks will look better and last longer that way. Suffice it to say, I'm reconsidering putting that beautiful Swans Island yarn on my feet, and I have no doubt that The Knitter's Book of Socks will change the way I pair yarns and sock patterns, making me a better, more educated sock knitter. Come by the shop to peruse this new book, and plan your next pair of socks!

Tvinni.

2011-10-27T20:27:00.001-04:00

Anne and I recently decided that we needed more colors of Isager Tvinni (pronounced, incidentally, "tweenie." In case you were curious), a fingering-weight merino from Denmark. We pored over the colorcard, comparing the awe-inspiring array of available colors to our small Tvinni collection, carefully selecting those colors that would play well together and reflect a wider spectrum. Today we received a box which brought these new colors, along with six more copies of Tutto a Mano. I was forced to reorganize the Isager island, petting each yarn and sorting them by color. It's a hard job, you know, but someone has to do it.

Take a look at our updated Tvinni collection, and see if you're not inspired to knit it right up.

Habu.

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

For the past few weeks, Anne has been hard at work on a sweater, a sample for the shop knit from a Habu kit. The yarn is a fine, slubbed cotton, and the pattern is in the Japanese style, with little to no written instructions. Instead, Anne's knitting is guided by a simple diagram, a few numbers, and a post-it note with tally-marks for each knitted row. When asked what she's knitting, she holds up the diagram and says, "This is the entire pattern," which always elicits a raised brow. Japanese patterns may seem mysterious and complicated, but Anne assures us that this is not so. When the sweater is done, she promises a class on Japanese pattern reading.

Just in time for this proposed class, our selection of Habu kits has expanded.

I've written before about the Kusha Kusha scarf kit, which also features a Japanese pattern. Now, three sweaters are joining the Kusha Kusha kits.

Come by the shop to chat with Anne about Japanese patterns, and to take a closer look at our expanded Habu collection. If a class on Japanese pattern reading appeals to you, let us know, and we'll alert you when the class is scheduled. See you soon!

Purple caps.

2011-10-23T11:47:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all the knitters and crocheters who made purple baby caps this year, we were able to send off a big box of 174 purple caps to the good people at the Period of Purple Crying project. They're working to educate new parents and other caregivers that an infant's increased crying is totally normal, and that it is never okay to shake an infant in frustration, that real harm can be done that way. These purple caps will go home with newborns throughout North Carolina along with information about the Period of Purple Crying.

Once again, thank you so much to everyone who participated!

Schoolhouse Press.

2011-10-21T22:02:00.000-04:00

I have a lot of favorite things in the shop. From time to time, some unsuspecting customer will ask me what my favorite yarn is, and the answer they get is lengthy, a handful of yarns at least, and only represents my favorites of that particular moment. We have so many yarns that I love to knit with, and so many more that I'm aching to work with but have not yet gotten to. The same can be said for books, though I am slightly more focused in that department. I keep my knitting library relatively small, favoring reference types over project-based books, usually. When I look at my own collection, it closely mimics one shelf at the shop in particular: the Schoolhouse Press and Elizabeth Zimmermann shelf.

We devote a shelf to Schoolhouse Press publications partially for organizational reasons, but primarily to honor the output of a particularly outstanding book publisher. Schoolhouse Press was founded by knitting heroine Elizabeth Zimmermann in the mid 1950's and is now run by Zimmermann's daughter, Meg Swansen. The Schoolhouse Press shelf is my favorite for a reason: the books that are found there are stuffed with information that liberates knitters from patterns, encourages experimentation, and urges you to be the boss of your own knitting.

And now, we've collected all our single patterns from Schoolhouse Press into one binder. Zimmermann's classic Baby Surprise Jacket can be found there, along with the updated version: the Adult, Baby, and Child Surprise Jacket, and others--the Tomten, the Green Sweater, and now, the Square-Rigged Vest. There have been several developments, you see, since last we spoke of my Square-Rigged Vest. Anne insisted that it become a class, and I agreed to teach it. (It's half-filled, so if you're interested, register now!) A phone call to Schoolhouse Press solved the problem of the pattern being out of print--they kindly reprinted it for us, which is why you'll now find it in the Schoolhouse Press pattern binder. With every new publication, and kindnesses such as these, Schoolhouse Press gives us another reason to appreciate and admire them. Come by the shop to join us in our admiration, and I'll gladly point you towards my favorite shelf in the shop.

KnitScene.

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fall is just starting to feel like fall, and now this: the Winter 2011 issue of KnitScene. Come on, cold weather, catch up with the knitting magazines!

Find it where the newest magazines are always found, on the teacart.

Happy birthday, Hillsborough Yarn Shop!

2011-10-18T20:34:00.001-04:00

Five years ago today, Anne officially opened the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. For me, as well as for many others, the shop is more than a shop. It's the reason I (re)learned to knit, a skill and passion that has become a very important part of my life. A Hillsborough native, I noticed the new business on Churton Street back in 2006 and thought: perhaps I'd like to knit? Five years later, I feel strange if a day goes by without at least a few knitted rows. The shop has since become many things to me: a source of inspiration, a place for meeting fascinating people, and (lucky me!) my job. A big, resounding thank you to Anne for the welcoming, inspiring space she's created!

As Anne is quick to point out, our customers have at least as much to do with our success as she does. As a thank you to all of you, we're having a sale and celebration this weekend. We're offering a 15% discount on absolutely everything in the shop, with the exception of classes, and that which is already discounted. Come in anytime this Friday, Saturday or Sunday, October 21st, 22nd, or 23rd, and we'll pour you a glass of champagne, offer you a cupcake, and take 15% off the price of your purchase. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hello, ArtYarns.

2011-10-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Perhaps you recognize this basket of soft, shiny yarns.

That's our stash of ArtYarns, some of the most indulgent skeins in the shop. The sheen of silk, the halo of mohair, and the sparkle of beads and sequins all conspire to create a glamorous yarn, a treat for the hands as well as the eyes. Although one skein is small, it's enough to create a little kerchief, just as Anne knit up in white. When you're considering treating yourself to a skein of ArtYarns Beaded Silk and Mohair, take a look at the sample to get a sense of how much fabric can come from one skein.

One of the new things Anne ordered for the shop this fall came from ArtYarns: kits with enough smooth, soft, and sparkly yarn to create a knit or crochet shawl.

You'll find them just beneath the ArtYarns basket, by the desk. Come by the shop to take a closer look.

Isager adoration. Again.

2011-10-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the past month, two new books of patterns have come out using Isager yarns. For all the attention they have gotten in the shop, I was surprised to realize that I hadn't introduced them here on the blog. Forgive the belatedness of this announcement, if you would, and take a peek at some new ideas for these incredible yarns.

First, we have No. 1, No. 2, No. 3..., a collection of 9 designs for Isager yarns by a variety of Danish designers. Some favorites:

Next, here's Tutto a Mano, which includes patterns from Marianne Isager along with several other designers, many of which make good use of Isager yarns.

Some (more) favorites:

Two stunning collections, ready for the attention of any and all Isager adorers. Come by the shop to take a closer look!

The Knitter's Life List.

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a rare case, indeed: not only can this new book be found in our shop, but our shop can also be found in this new book.

The Knitter's Life List, by Gwen Steege, is a compendium of knitting inspirations. Steege offers an introduction to practically every facet of knitting culture: tools, fiber, techniques, reference books, and particular people and places, each one placed in the greater context of the knitting world at large. If that sounds like a lot of information at once, that's because it is. It's not the sort of book you sit down and read from cover to cover, though. The Knitter's Life List would be best enjoyed, I think, by perusing at random, allowing yourself to be pleasantly surprised by the many directions it may point you in. One such direction is toward your local yarn shop, as Steege suggests in the "Explore your LYS" section of this book. She profiles two yarn shops, one on the east coast and one on the west, telling the stories of the owners and the unique communities they've created among their knitters. And who is profiled? Why, it's your local yarn shop, that is, the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. We could not be more proud and delighted to be included in this book! Come by to pick up your very own copy and see where it takes you.

The Best of KnitScene.

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Another new title from Interweave has found its way to the teacart.

The Best of KnitScene is a collection of patterns from KnitScene magazine, as its title makes evident, but it has a lot of other information as well. A friendly introduction to the world of knitting from patterns, this book offers short, clear explanations of a variety of knitting techniques that could otherwise appear intimidating, such as fair-isle, cables, and lace.

It's primarily a collection of sweaters, but there are some socks in there, too, along with hats and other accessories.

The Best of KnitScene would make a nice gift for an adventurous intermediate knitter who has advanced past the obligatory scarf, hat, and fingerless mitts, and is ready for the next step up. Some patterns would be a piece of cake for such a knitter, while others would be an exciting challenge, making this one book a collection to keep said knitter busy for quite some time. Come by the shop to flip through it and see what you think.

Hello, Briggs and Little Sport.

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Recently I completed a project that had been stuffed in the bottom of a basket for about a year. I'm not a monogamous knitter, but lingering unfinished projects do bother me a bit. Every once in a while, I'd remember this particular project, a half-completed colorwork vest, and worry about it a little. Would I ever finish it? Why did I put it down again? There must have been something intimidating ahead in the pattern, something scary enough that I'd hide the whole thing away and spend a year knitting other things. When I pulled out the pattern, an out-of-print Meg Swansen gem called the Square-Rigged Vest, it was immediately clear why I had stopped when I did. After casting on at the bottom edge and knitting happily round and round in the color pattern, I'd reached the armpit, where I'd have to plan for steeks. I've cut my knitting before, but something about the little bit of math and boldness required for this next step tripped me up. Coming back to it a year later, I was pleased to find myself excited rather than nervous at the prospect of steeking, and in a matter of weeks the whole project was done.

The yarn is Briggs and Little Sport, an unsung hero of a yarn. A rustic, single ply, 100% wool yarn, Briggs and Little Sport is quite affordable, comes in an astonishing array of colors, and has a sticky quality to it--all of which make it perfectly suited to stranded colorwork knitting. Once knit, the stitches cling to each other, which is handy for steeking, since it takes some serious pulling and stretching for the cut stitches to unravel.

Briggs and Little Sport is often passed over, I think, because it isn't soft to the touch. It took some time to get used to it, but soon my fingers were accustomed to the texture of the yarn and enjoying the process. I was promised by those who had knit with it before that it would soften with washing and I can't tell you how right they were. It's not cashmere or anything, but then, that's exactly what I love about this classic, wooly yarn.

If you're considering a colorwork project, Briggs and Little Sport is certainly worth your attention, but I've seen it used successfully in other ways as well. Marion and several of her students have made February Lady Sweaters holding the Briggs and Little doubled to obtain a worsted-weight gauge. When I searched for the yarn on Ravelry, I found that many knitters are using it for socks, shawls, mittens, and hats, as well as sweaters. Come by the shop to visit this unsung hero and consider how you might make use of it. See you soon!

Knitter's Pride.

2011-10-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

I've written before about the range of needles and hooks we offer at the shop. Today, I'm here not to summarize our collection, but to introduce the latest line of circular knitting needles: Knitter's Pride Dreamz.

These circulars are made from laminated compressed birch, and come in 16", 24", 32", and 40" lengths in a wide range of sizes. They also come, as you may have noticed, in a wide range of colors, making them pretty as well as functional. For those of you who loved the colorful (and sadly discontinued) Lana Grossa laminated circulars, this may be just the substitute. Come by the shop to look through these candy-colored needles, and enjoy having yet another variety to choose from when shopping for circulars. We hope you'll give them a try and let us know what you think!

Hello, Classy.

2011-10-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

If you've ever come into the shop looking for washable worsted weight wool, you're not alone. This seems to be one of our most common requests. Wool is soft, warm, wonderfully stretchy, and has many applications, all of which are qualities that draw knitters and crocheters to wool yarns. Many of those knitters and crocheters (as well as those they knit and crochet for) are also looking for yarns that can be machine washed without fear of accidental felting. Enter superwash wool. We've got a lot of it, and the rich, tonally-variegated Classy, from Dream In Color, is one of the first stops on the Washable Worsted Weight Wool Tour at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. Our stock had been dwindling, but a recent order got us back up to date on many colors that had been marked with the dreaded "L," which stands for "Last," as in, "Last skein in stock. Sorry!" Now there is a good chance that we have a sweater's worth of most any color one could select from the Classy basket. Dig in, you makers of hats, mitts, baby sweaters and blankets, and rest easy: there's no accidental felting in this yarn's future.

Swans Island hat and mitts.

2011-10-05T23:27:00.001-04:00

Though Anne and I were both beside ourselves with excitement over the arrival of the new Swans Island yarn, it's possible I was more excited, because she had assigned me the task of swatching it. I began by looking through their patterns for inspiration--a good starting place, as their patterns are beautiful in their simplicity, allowing the knitter to relax and enjoy the yarn. I chose the Harbor Hat pattern, which progressed quickly, and soon I had completed it, with more than half the skein to spare. Back to the Swans Island pattern binder I went, this time, for the Blackberry Mitts.

The completed set now lives on the teacart with the Swans Island yarn, perched atop the basket, ready to be inspected by those who are curious just how this stuff knits up. Allow me to spoil the surprise: the yarn is wonderfully soft, smooth, and consistent. The patterns are easy to follow and quick to knit. Our love affair with Swans Island continues. In fact, I've started a sweater for myself out of the fingering weight Swans Island, the New Zealand Pullover from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knit One Knit All. At 7 stitches to the inch, it'll be a while before it looks like much, but I will surely do some show and tell once it begins to resemble a sweater.

Come in and admire the Swans Island yarn and patterns if you haven't yet done so, and slip your hands inside these mitts. See you soon!

knit.wear.

2011-10-03T17:19:00.000-04:00

Behold: the premiere issue of knit.wear, a brand new knitting magazine from Interweave. Billing itself as a collection of "simple handknits for the thoughtful knitter," knit.wear is packed with clean, modern-looking sweater patterns. Anne and I were impressed with this stylish new magazine. What do you think?

Come by the shop to flip through the premiere issue and see all else that is new.

Chiffon.

2011-10-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Let this be my last Cascade addendum, the last of the contents of those 40 pound boxes to be introduced: say hello to a sumptuous new fingering weight yarn from Cascade, called Heritage Silk.

A few months ago, when we first ordered Heritage Silk, Anne got a single skein for us to knit up as a shop sample. That skein was passed to me, and as soon as I had wound it into a ball, I knew that I would love this yarn for socks. It's a smooth yarn with the kind of high twist that makes for excellent stitch definition and well-wearing socks. Made from 85% no-nonsense superwash wool and 15% shiny, glamorous silk, Cascade Heritage Silk is a nice blend of basic and indulgent. I tried to knit a sock that reflected those qualities, and this is what I came up with: meet Chiffon.

Like my first sock pattern, Interrupted, Chiffon is knit from cuff to toe with a short-row heel, but is dressed up a bit with three bands of ruching. Come by the shop to see a sample of Chiffon, which you'll find tucked into a cubby on the sock wall with the Heritage Silk yarn. Download the pattern for free on Ravelry, and please let me know what you think!

Weekend Hats.

2011-09-29T20:01:00.000-04:00

Knitted hats are wonderfully useful things. For the knitter, they work on several levels. We often recommend a hat as a second or third project for beginners, as they give the relatively new knitter the opportunity to learn a few new skills: decreasing and working in the round, both with a circular needle and double pointed needles. For more experienced knitters, hats are wonderfully small canvases on which to play with different kinds of designs, from colorwork to cables to lace. Designer, innovator, and all-around knitting heroine Elizabeth Zimmermann often suggested using a hat as a swatch for a bigger project, so that one might find out their honest-to-goodness in-the-round gauge for that project. Another thing about knitted hats is that they make great gifts. They are substantial and happily received, yet small enough that the knitter can give one away without feeling too sad to see them go.

This week, we got a new collection of hat patterns which show off all the fine qualities of knitted hats. Weekend Hats is compiled by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre, authors of last year's New England Knits, and features patterns from a bunch of other great designers, including Jared Flood, Mary Jane Mucklestone, Kate Gagnon Osborn, and Kirsten Kapur. Here's a peek inside:

All three of these hats were made with yarns that we carry, by the way--Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Malabrigo Worsted, and Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball, respectively. Come by the shop for more hat inspiration!

Knit Simple.

2011-09-28T20:00:00.000-04:00

What's that? Another new magazine, flush with cold-weather knitting inspiration?

They just keep on coming. Check out the holiday issue of Knit Simple, which can be found on the teacart.

Cascade addendum.

2011-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Along with all of that yarn from Cascade, we also got a beautiful sample sweater, the Cable Lovers' Pullover, knit in Eco +.

The pattern is available as a free download from Cascade's website, along with a handful of other patterns for Eco +. In fact, Cascade offers a selection of free patterns for nearly all of their yarns, including those that I mentioned here yesterday, Lana d'Oro, Eco Duo, and Magnum.

If you've been considering making a sweater in Eco +, come by and examine this sample to get a sense of the weight, stitch definition, or size. You're always welcome to try on any of our samples--just ask, and we'll be happy to pull one down for you. See you soon!

Wintry wools.

2011-09-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

If you've noticed a leaning towards finer-gauge yarns around here, that's astute. Marion Foale, Kauni, Malabrigo Sock, Isager... these and other thin yarns get a lot of attention on the blog as well as in the shop. Both Anne and I are often happiest working with fingering or lace weight yarns and tiny needles. Don't let that fool you, though. The Hillsborough Yarn Shop is well-stocked in heavier weight yarns of many kinds. We are even more well stocked this week, having received two 40 pound boxes from Cascade. Some of those pounds can be attributed to the worsted weight Lana d'Oro and the aran weight Eco Duo, both of which are soft and fuzzy blends of wool and alpaca.

Most of the weight in those boxes, though, is due to these chunkier yarns: Eco + and Magnum. Each one thicker than the last. The Eco + is a bulky weight wool with a gauge of about 3.5 stitches to the inch on a size 10 needle. It comes in enormous skeins of 478 yards, making it possible to knit an adult sweater in just 3 or 4 skeins, depending on the size. Eco + comes in a wide spectrum of solid and heathered colors, a spectrum we had only barely dipped into before this last reorder. Now we have about 18 different colors to choose from.

Meanwhile, the super bulky Cascade Magnum is easily the thickest yarn we carry, at 1.5 stitches per inch on a size 15 needle. This is a yarn for serious instant gratification knitting. Want to knit a hat in an evening? Reach for this yarn.

Come by the shop to say hello to these wintry wools from Cascade, and to begin dreaming up projects for these cozy, thick yarns.

Knitting Traditions.

2011-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

All of the fall knitting and crochet magazines are full of project ideas, cozy sweaters or shawls that you want to cast on for immediately. Not every magazine, though, is packed with great reading material. Knitting Traditions has that advantage over all the other knitting magazines. Pick it up if you're interested in reading about the history of knitting, learning more about techniques from different eras and many parts of the world. The fall 2011 issue just arrived, and a stack of them has made a home on the teacart.

Come to the shop to take a look!

Hello, Swans Island.

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

I could not possibly be more excited to introduce you all to this thrilling new yarn, an organic, hand-dyed merino from the Maine-based company Swans Island.

If you've been in the shop in the past two days, then you know that our excitement for this yarn has been obvious, reflected not only in our squeals of delight and our ear-to-ear grins, but also in its placement: front and center on the teacart.

Swans Island Organic Merino is spun and dyed in Maine, and comes in two weights, a worsted and a fingering. The worsted is put up in 100 gram skeins with 250 yards each, while the fingering boasts 525 yards to the skein. These details blur into the background, however, when you touch this yarn. Immediately, the yarn's main feature is obvious: it is incredibly, amazingly soft. The secret to this softness is in the gentle, minimal processing that comes with ecologically-friendly natural dyes, which you can read more about on the Swans Island website. My new hero, Clara Parkes, author of the Knitter's Book of Wool, wrote a characteristically in-depth review of the Swans Island Worsted on her blog, Knitter's Review--a great resource if you're thinking of giving this yarn a try. And if you're thinking of giving it a try but don't know what to knit, check out the first wave of Swans Island patterns, which can be found in a binder between the two Swans Island baskets.

Myself, I'm the lucky girl who gets to knit up a shop sample with this wondrous stuff, a hat, which I've just cast on for. Only four rows in, I can already tell you that this yarn is a dream. I have several Swans Island sweater daydreams floating around in my head, competing with one another. I'm so excited, I have no idea which to cast on for!

The Knitter's Book of Wool.

2011-09-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Though I breezed right past it in last week's round up of the shop's newest books, there is one book in particular that I am really excited about: The Knitter's Book of Wool, by Clara Parkes. I flipped through it once or twice at the shop, and quickly realized it was the kind of serious resource I'd have to take home to add to my own knitter's library. I spent the better part of a Sunday with this book, learning more about yarn in general and wool in particular than ever before in one sitting. Though I am a serious and devoted lover of wool, and though I consider it by far my favorite fiber for knitting, I realized as soon as I began reading that I actually don't know as much about it as I thought I did. Different spinning and dyeing processes, different breeds of sheep and respectively different qualities of wool, the variety of ways and reasons to combine wool with other fibers--all of these pieces of the puzzle I had only a vague understanding of.

The Knitter's Book of Wool brings specificity and clarity to these issues, which only makes sense, given the author. Clara Parkes is the author of The Knitter's Book of Yarn, a similar tome which tackles fibers of all kinds, and of Knitter's Review, a weekly e-newsletter where she reviews yarns, knitting books, needles, and other knitter's tools. For each yarn reviewed, she describes not only the experience of knitting, but also the washing and wearing, making sense of the fiber content and best uses for the yarn along the way. Parkes brings this same thoroughness to every aspect of wool, from sheep to skein, in this book. And then there are patterns, of course, from well-known designers like Cat Bordhi, Pam Allen, and Nancy Bush, for sweaters, mittens, shawls, and scarves, among other things. The patterns, too, are full of helpful information regarding the behavior of wool yarns.

I reached for The Knitter's Book of Wool because I wanted to know more about wool, and now I do, of course, but what really excited me about it is that it made me aware of how very much more there is to know about wool, and how much can be gained from looking more closely at each skein. It is the kind of book that makes you want to read more books, and I know I'll return to it regularly, for information as well as inspiration.

Come to the shop to peruse Clara Parkes' books for yourself, and in doing so, become a more informed lover of fiber.

Misti Alpaca.

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

A while back, I wrote about our cotton tree, a twirling stand which holds most of our cotton yarns. What I didn't mention then was that the cotton tree has a cold-weather cousin, the alpaca tree, another twirling stand that is home to most of our alpaca yarns. This week, just as the temperature dropped outside, the alpaca tree got some attention. I moved one alpaca blend, Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Light, off of the tree to make room for some of the other alpaca yarns that were crowding it.

The Ultra Alpaca Light, a favorite of mine, got a nice new home by the other sport-weight yarns, and an armful of new skeins from Misti Alpaca took its place. We've carried Misti Alpaca yarns for some time now, but the skeins were dwindling in number, so it was time to replenish. We got a handful of new colors in the Tonos Worsted, a semisolid blend of merino and alpaca, which fills out the selection nicely.

We also got Misti Alpaca's Tonos Chunky, the bulky weight version of the Tonos Worsted.

Come by the shop to pet these and other lovely, fuzzy yarns on the alpaca tree.

Hit the books.

2011-09-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

We got lots of new books in this week at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. Some of them ended up on the teacart, where they're sure to capture attention, but not all new books are so lucky. The teacart is small, after all, and can't show off everything at once, so some new books get tucked on the shelf with little fanfare. Here's a round up of the newest titles available at the shop, so these books can have a proper introduction.

Entree to Entrelac: The Definitive Guide from a Biased Knitter, by Gwen Bortner
Wonderland: Modern Baby and Children's Knitting Patterns
Knitting for Little Feet: 40 Booties, Socks, and Slippers for Babies and Kids
Cute and Easy Baby Knits: 25 Adorable Projects for 0-3 Year-Olds, by Susie Johns

Crochet So Fine: Exquisite Designs with Fine Yarns, by Kristin Omdahl
Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today's Top Crocheters, by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
Crochet Lace Innovations, by Doris Chan

The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn, by Clara Parkes
The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber, by Clara Parkes
Double Knitting: Reversible Two-Color Designs, by M'lou Baber
My Grandmother's Knitting: Family Stories and Inspired Knits from Top Designers, by Larissa Brown, featuring Ysolda Teague, Jared Flood, Meg Swansen, Cookie A., and many more

If any of these books strike your fancy, come to the shop to check them out in person, and if you're having trouble finding one in particular, just ask us where we've hidden them!

Interweave Crochet.

2011-09-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

The Fall magazines keep on coming, and with them, the promise of cooler weather soon. Here's one for the crocheters.

Look for it on the teacart!

Namaste. Again.

2011-09-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

New to our collection of Namaste bags: Cali Zuma in lime green.

Even newer: Skinny Mini notions cases. Small, sturdy, cute. Tuck a little pair of scissors in there, a handful of crochet hooks, a pack of stitch markers, a measuring tape; whatever you need with you.

And they come (of course) in the full range of Namaste colors. Find them near the Zuma bags in the second room. See you at the shop!

The sock wall.

2011-09-11T11:30:00.000-04:00

When you first enter the shop, the wall facing you is the one with most of our sock yarns. Over the past month or two, I've been slowly going through this corner of the shop, trying to bring more order to the sock yarns and getting as many baskets off the floor as space allowed. This past Thursday brought the biggest change for the sock wall: a new set of cubbies and a new shelving arrangement. What do you think?

Our intent was to make a little more room for movement, and to make it easier to see the embarrassment of riches that is our sock yarn collection. Anne and I keep drifting over to this part of the shop and just staring, then saying simply: "We have a lot of sock yarn."

Come by the shop to check out the new set-up, and see all the sock yarn that was hidden in the corner, now brought to light!

60 More Quick Knits.

2011-09-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Since I first wrote about Cascade 220 Superwash Sport back in February, it has become one of our best-selling yarns, in spite of the fact that we had no pattern support for it. It's been a go-to for both knit and crocheted baby things, due to its stellar washability, and used for colorwork of all kinds, due to its wide spectrum of colors. Those who are comfortable designing their own sweaters, socks, and hats have used Cascade 220 Superwash Sport, and those who like to work from patterns have found that it makes a good substitute for yarns of all kinds, between a sport and a dk gauge. There have been many excuses to work with this yarn, and this week, we received a new book which promises 60 more.

Hats, mittens and scarves of many kinds, all made from Cascade 220 Sport, the hand-wash-only fraternal twin to Cascade 220 Superwash Sport. We actually don't carry the 220 Sport, but as is so often the case, the 220 Superwash Sport makes an excellent substitute. The 220 Sport has slightly more yardage, so you'll want to do a little math when you're choosing 220 Superwash Sport yarn for these projects, but that's the only caveat. Knit with Superwash Sport and your mittens wont felt onto your hands, and neither will your hats when they are accidentally thrown in the washing machine.

Here's a peek inside the book:

And that's only a tenth of it. Find it on the teacart, which is just brimming with fall knit and crochet inspiration.

Helen Hamann scarf kits.

2011-09-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

The season of shop sample knitting continues unabated. As soon as the Linen Stitch Scarf sample was completed, I cast on for this next piece, a sample to show off two new things at once. The yarn is a new dk weight washable merino from Plymouth, and the pattern, Retro Scarf, is one we have both on its own and as a kit from designer Helen Hamann. Because of the scarf's interesting construction, I thought I'd better show it in progress as well as finished. As of today, I'm about halfway done, and it looks like this:

Those three long strips will one day be braided, then joined together for a stretch, then separated again at the other end of the scarf. Interesting, no? The yarn is a pleasure to work with, a springy merino with excellent stitch definition.

I'd love to see the Retro Scarf made up in Helen Hamann's alpaca yarn, for which the pattern is written--I bet that would make a lovely scarf. Check out the kits for yourself, if this project appeals, or if you'd rather substitute yarn, as I did for this sample, I'd be happy to show you a few options.

See you at the shop!

Interrupted.

2011-09-06T05:30:00.000-04:00

A customer and I were chatting recently about the joys of sock knitting. Specifically, we were waxing rhapsodic on the joys of simple sock knitting--not the intricate colorwork socks that I often daydream of, nor socks adorned with various combinations of cable twists and lace, but basic stockinette or ribbed socks. "Socks are friends," she said, and by that I think she meant that socks need not be impressive to entertain and comfort the knitter. Simple socks can be worked up while watching a movie, or waiting at a doctor's office, or any of the many other places we end up waiting, for that matter. When you reach for knitting to keep your hands busy, but not necessarily your mind, simple socks are often just the thing.

Interrupted is a sock pattern of my own design, which I hope will satisfy knitters looking for simple socks. Knit with the tempting Claudia Hand Painted Fingering yarn, these socks are simple enough to allow variegated colorways to shine and interesting enough to support a more subdued color.

The brightly-colored sock pictured above can be found at the shop, tucked into the cubby where the Claudia Hand Painted Fingering yarn lives. Come by the shop to inspect the sock in person, which should give you a good idea of how the yarn knits up: soft but sturdy. Download the pattern for free on Ravelry, and please let me know what you think!

Linen Stitch All Knit Scarf.

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

For the past month or two, Anne and I have been working on shop samples at an accelerated rate. As new yarns and kits arrive for fall, new ideas for showing them off are coming to us faster than we can knit them up. Eventually, though, we do finish them, and then proudly display them with the yarn, offering a tangible example of that yarn's potential. Here is one such project, the Linen Stitch All Knit Scarf, which Anne and I passed back and forth, each knitting a few rows here and there until it was completed.

The Linen Stitch All Knit Scarf is available as a kit from Schaefer Yarn, and includes the pattern and three 2oz skeins of Schaefer Heather, a fingering weight blend of superwash merino, silk, and nylon. Worked in linen stitch in the round, this scarf has a woven look to it and a simple but unusual construction.

Around and around you go, never having to purl, and then at the end a small portion of your knitting is unraveled and braided to create fringe.

As I've mentioned here before, Schaefer Yarn names their variegated colorways after memorable women, from Elizabeth Zimmermann to Gloria Steinem to Jane Addams. Not only does each skein honor a memorable woman, each of the six color combinations honors a memorable female fiber artist: Sheila Hicks, Anni Albers, Diane Itter, Lenore Tawney, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Claire Zeisler.

Come by the shop to try on the scarf and see these beautiful colors in person, and don't resist the urge to get lost on google image search, exploring the work of the incredible artists these kits are named for.

Interweave Knits: Holiday Gifts.

2011-09-03T20:27:00.000-04:00

New to the shop this week: Interweave's yearly reminder to start working on holiday gifts before it's too late. The 2011 issue of Holiday Gifts is full of ideas, from hats and mitts like those pictured on the cover to socks, scarves, shawls, children's things, and other garments. Here, take a look inside.

Find it on the teacart!

Isobel.

2011-09-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know I've already gushed at length about the Marion Foale 3 ply wool. But we got something really special in the mail last week: a handknit sample from Marion Foale Knitting Collection 1, a sweater named Isobel.

This picture hardly captures the color, and certainly obscures the detailed work that went into this piece. You just have to see it in person. The yarn is soft and light, the finishing work is immaculate, and it brings to life a pattern that is undeniably intriguing in the book. Yet another reason to pick up Marion Foale's Knitting Collection 1, and a fantastic illustration of how her yarn knits up: beautifully.

Brightside Wool.

2011-08-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

We were approached recently by a woman who, as a former sheep owner, had an excess of unspun wool. She showed Anne a few puffs of roving, dyed in a handful of solid hues, and explained that this one was 100% Shetland wool, while that one was a blend of Cotswold and Shetland, with some Lambswool mixed in. Anne petted the roving as the woman asked, would you like to carry it at the shop? Why, yes!

We have only a modest selection of wool for spinning at the shop, namely Great Adirondack's hand-dyed Blue Faced Leicester, so we were only too happy to take on a small selection of locally produced roving. Look for Brightside Wool roving right alongside the Great Adirondack roving, near the desk.

Claudia Hand Painted Yarns.

2011-08-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

With August comes the new Fall yarns, and here is one of our most exciting acquisitions of the season: Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, out of Harrisonburg, VA. Anne fell in love with a silk sweater she saw at TNNA in June, and the rest is history, which is to say, the makings of that silk sweater are now in the shop. We've put kits together with 2 skeins of the Claudia Hand Painted Silk Lace in different but complimentary colorways, which are held together throughout the knitting of either a cardigan or a t-shirt. The kits include the yarn, the pattern, and a Hillsborough Yarn Shop project bag.

Obsessive sock knitter that I am, though, the real excitement for me is the Claudia Hand Painted Fingering yarn. Made of 100% extra fine merino, hand painted in bright variegated colorways, this yarn is squishy and soft but tightly plied, which should make for luxurious but long-wearing socks.

I've already knit a sample sock for the shop with this yarn, so you can get a feel for how it knits up. The pattern for said sample sock is forthcoming--a pattern of my own design, which I'm excited to release into the world as soon as I'm done editing it. Til then, you'll be delighted to know that there are many wonderful free patterns for Claudia Hand Painted Fingering yarn. If you're looking for a way to use this yarn, try Skew, Herringbone Rib Socks, or Roll Top Socks, ankle socks which actually take only one 50 gram skein. The Claudia Hand Painted Fingering yarn is about equivalent to Koigu in weight and yardage, so it's a perfect substitute if any patterns for Koigu should happen to catch your eye.

Come by the shop to see Claudia Hand Painted yarns in person, to squeeze some skeins and admire the vivid colors!

Debbie Bliss Magazine.

2011-08-27T20:21:00.000-04:00

Another round of fall knitting inspiration has come to the Hillsborough Yarn Shop in magazine form. Hello again, Debbie Bliss Magazine!

Read more about the fall issue of Debbie Bliss Magazine on her website and come by the shop for a perusal.

I hope everyone's been safe in this storm. See you at the shop!

Needle felting.

2011-08-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

This week, we got some beautiful new needle felting kits from Fiber Trends.

The kit comes with everything you need to start needle felting: instructions, needles, a foam mat to work on, and twelve colorful puffs of roving. If you're interested in needle felting, check out one of the Ravelry groups devoted to the craft: Needle Me This. There, you'll find many pictures that answer the question, what can you make with needle felting? From embellishments for knitted or felted items to sculptural representations of creatures real and imaginary, there is a lot you can do with this technique, particularly if garments are not your thing. I'm not a needle-felter myself, but my good friend Andrea (who regular blog readers may recognize as a gifted sock-knitter) has done some particularly interesting work with needle felting and stop-motion animation. (Check it out, if you would, and don't be too shy to leave a comment!) Anne just ordered some new books on needle felting for the shop, so we can look forward to those, as well, for further information and inspiration on the topic.

Here's to the forever-expanding possibilities for creating with fiber. See you at the shop!

Kusha Kusha.

2011-08-23T09:00:00.003-04:00

The Kusha Kusha scarf gets a lot of attention at the shop. This is in part because of its unusual, organic-looking shape, almost like a strand of kelp. Another reason to take note of this scarf is its fiber content. Kusha Kusha is knit with two strands of lace weight yarn held together, one of which is 100% merino wool, the other of which is stainless steel wrapped in silk. The stainless steel gives memory to the yarn and the resulting fabric, so that you can crinkle it up or stretch it out and it holds its shape.

The Kusha Kusha scarf comes as a kit from Habu Textiles, complete with the pattern and a cone of each yarn. We've carried these kits at the shop for some time, but our supply was getting low. When we reordered this past week, we got many more colors than we'd ever had before, a spectrum of elegant pairings.

Make sure to take a look at this unusual scarf the next time you're in the shop. If you're curious to see what others have done with this kit and pattern, check out the Kushua Kusha Love group on Ravelry. See you at the shop!