Habu.

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!

Schoolhouse Press.

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.

Lakedale Shawl class.

I've just posted a new fall class on the website, a 3 session class focused on a pattern from Malabrigo Book 3: the texured, ruffled Lakedale Shawl. The pattern calls for Malabrigo sock yarn (which, by the way, is finally scheduled to be back in stock at the shop sometime this week...!), but Katherine, who will teach the class, made hers in one of my favorites: Marion Foale 3 ply wool, held doubled throughout.

This shawl is currently on display in the shop, so if you're thinking about taking the class, come and touch it, admire it, try it on.

Check out other beautiful renditions of the Lakedale Shawl on Ravelry. We have many other exciting classes scheduled, so if this one isn't quite what you're looking for, check out our website to see what else is slated for the fall. Learn to knit the February Lady Sweater or a cute pair of cabled mittens, or learn to knit, period--we have beginner classes, too. Marsha is also teaching a series of fantastic one-session troubleshooting-type classes on reading your knitting, fixing mistakes, and unraveling the mystery that is gauge. And: there are more classes coming that are only in the planning stages now. Stay tuned, friends. See you at the shop!

Summer classes.

We have a handful of new classes scheduled for the coming months, all centered around projects you may have seen around the shop lately:

• Have you seen the newest issue of Vogue Knitting magazine? Katherine is teaching a class on the cover project, a cabled capelet. If you're interested in learning to cable and to knit in the round, this may be the class for you. 

• Have you seen the ruffled scarf hanging from the lamp by the desk? Christy's Ruffle Scarf class was a hit, so we're offering it again. It was neat to see all the different combinations of yarn that her students chose, with fibers ranging from cotton to wool to silk to angora, and weights ranging from lace to dk to bulky. Some self-striping, some solid, some variegated, some tweedy. The ruffle scarf is endlessly variable. If you've learned to knit and you're ready to move on from your first garter stitch scarf, this may be the class for you.

• Have you seen the two baby cardigans hanging in the shop window? Christy's version might be even cuter. If you're eager to figure out the basics of sweater knitting before you take on an adult-sized sweater, let Christy walk you through this baby cardigan in a two-part class beginning in late August.

• Have you seen a pink and purple hat hanging out by the Katia Fabula? Learn to make one yourself, with Christy as your teacher. If you'd like to learn to knit in the round and construct a basic hat with a ribbed brim, this may be the class for you.

If any of these classes appeal to you, read more about them and register on our website. Look out for a new class from Marion in the coming week, as well! She's putting the finishing touches on an original mitten pattern which is sure to make for a fun and informative class.

Ruffle Scarf. Etc.

I've written before about our shop swatches. While some swatches are just little samplers with garter, stockinette, rib, and seed stitch, others take the form of actual garments.

Nordstrom Knock-Off Scarf.

They're always pretty simple, patterns that let the yarn do most of the work, are easily memorized, and quickly explained. Lately, though, we've begun to write them up.

Haze Kerchief.

Too often, I've found myself scribbling instructions for these projects on a post-it, or the back of a receipt. And while these patterns don't require much more information than a post-it could convey, a carefully written and clearly printed pattern is preferable, wouldn't you agree? If you're inspired enough by one of our swatch/samples to want to recreate it, you deserve a pattern. And now, for most, there is a pattern that we'll be happy to hand over, free when you buy the yarn.

Ruffle Scarf.

For the Ruffle Scarf, there is not only a pattern, but an upcoming class. Suitable for a beginner knitter, ready to take a step up from their first garter stitch scarf, the Ruffle Scarf class is a one-time evening class, taking place on Wednesday, June 15th. Take a look at the description on the website and sign up if you're interested!

Finished.

You can now find my finished Chambered Nautilus Tam on the teacart, draped over the book that inspired and instructed me to make it. I'm so pleased with it! The spiral construction was fascinating, the yarn was soft and pleasant, and the result is quite fetching. Anne's mother wears it well:

We're thinking that the Chambered Nautilus Tam would make a good class. What do you think? If you're interested in such a thing, get in touch with us and let us know.

Preparing for classes.

Marion is a hard working knitter. She comes into the shop, settles down in her normal spot on the couch, and spreads out her notes and charts to work on the project in the photo below.

This is her Vogue Sleeveless Tunic, knit in Cascade 220 Superwash Sport, a top that will be the focus of her upcoming class. Marion's getting a head start on the project before the class begins on April 30th, working out the kinks so she can guide her students through the pattern with ease. 

Accomplished knitter that she is, Marion has altered the pattern somewhat, working the front and back together in one flat piece rather than two, giving her one less seam to sew. Additionally, finding the cable chart too small and too fussy to read, Marion has written up line by line instructions, which will come along with the original pattern in her class. There's still one space left in that class, by the way. If you'd like to fill it and join Marion in creating a beautiful garment for spring, head over to the shop website to register. Marion is also teaching an upcoming class on magic loop socks, a kind of level 2 class for those who have already learned the magic loop method and would like to add cable or lace patterns to their toe-up socks. There are plenty of spaces in that class, so register now for what's sure to be an enlightening experience!

Familiar cottons.

Getting a box in the mail is exciting. I think we can all agree on this. Getting a box in the mail at the shop is just as exciting, it turns out, even though it happens very frequently. It's even exciting to get a box in the mail when we already know what will be inside, because we ordered it. Even when what's inside is an old, familiar yarn, ordered simply to restock, somehow it's still exciting enough that I feel like documenting it.

Part of the excitement is in the unpacking: cutting into a box and glimpsing its contents for the first time. Also worth photographing, apparently.

The best part, though, is the satisfaction that comes with seeing all the colors together--the old colors that haven't sold yet and the new old colors that we're welcoming back. The yarn just looks happier when its full range of colors is represented. 

So: welcome back, Takhi Mia, whose swatch I just finished last week. And a special welcome to the new Takhi Mia Handpaints, pictured above in plastic, and below in its new home on the cotton tree. 

Welcome back, Fantasy Naturale. This Plymouth yarn is one sturdy, worsted weight, mercerized cotton. A basic, inexpensive yarn with many possibilities. I've seen sweaters for adults as well as babies made from Fantasy Naturale, and hats, and blankets, and washcloths. Look for it on the bottom of the cotton tree.

Welcome back, Soft Cotton. Like Fantasy Naturale, this yarn is sturdy and inexpensive, but it does tend to be a little bit softer. Hence the name. Soft Cotton used to live in the front room of the shop in a little basket near the window, but since we replenished its colors it graduated to a larger basket near the other cottons. 

Welcome back, Mandarin Petit. This fingering weight yarn is, like the rest, 100% cotton, and is thus very versatile. Washcloths, baby things, summer tops, even socks. 

We've seen Mandarin Petit put to particularly good use with Lucy Neatby's Celestial Sweater for Small People, a pattern you can find in our "Babies" pattern binder. We also offer a class on this sweater, taught by Carol, which begins on April 3rd. As of now, there are still two spaces left. If you want one of them, sign up on the shop website. Come by the shop to see a sample Celestial Sweater hanging in our window, and to welcome back these familiar cottons.

Reading material.

It hasn't been a huge week-or-so for new yarns, though I do have a few to share in the coming days. There have been new books arriving, though, in their trademark smaller, heavier boxes. New yarn is exciting, of course, but I must say, I get a particular thrill opening a box of knitting books. My fondness for resource-type knitting books having already been expressed, this may come as no surprise. Join me, then, in welcoming a smattering of the latest books.

60 Quick Baby Knits: Blankets, Booties, Sweaters & More in Cascade 220 Superwash, from Sixth & Spring Books. But why, you might ask, do we carry this book, when we don't carry Cascade 220 Superwash (at least, not in the worsted weight--we've got sport weight)? The answer: we are all about yarn substitution. We have at least eight worsted weight washable wools that I can think of off the top of my head, not to mention worsted weight cottons, which are also popular for baby things. A good pattern is a good pattern, and there is no one right yarn for any given pattern. Confused about how to substitute yarn? Just ask. Figuring out which yarn to use for a pattern is one of my favorite pastimes. 

The Knitting Answer Book, by Margaret Radcliffe. A small but thorough reference guide, perfect for a new knitter, or anyone who has ever wanted a knitting reference right in their knitting bag.

Fresh Vests to Knit, by Edie Eckman. A booklet for those knitters that seek only vest patterns.

A trio of toe-up sock books came in to join the other sock books: Socks From the Toe Up and Toe Up Socks For Every Body, both by Wendy Johnson, and Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks, by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. Marion's magic loop sock class has inspired many knitters to work socks from the toe up, rather than cuff-down, and our growing collection of toe-up sock books reflects this. If you're looking to choose between these titles, Marion is a wonderful source, as I'm pretty sure she's read and knit from nearly every one. As of now, there are still three spaces in Marion's next magic loop sock class, by the way. Interested?

Anna Zilboorg.

About a month ago, on Valentine's Day, the Hillsborough Yarn Shop hosted designer Anna Zilboorg for a special workshop on embellishing knitted garments with embroidery. As the class was much larger than our usual groups of four to six, we met at the public library to learn embroidery from Anna.

The workshop was inspired by an incredible embroidered sweater that Anna wore into the shop one day. Anne and everyone else who happened to witness this sweater requested a class from Anna, and happily, she agreed.

Anna's sweater features a twisted stitch pattern from one of Barbara Walker's stitch dictionaries, striking embroidery along the traveling stitches, and the most perfect handknit buttonhole I've seen. The directions for this buttonhole are in Anna Zilboorg's Knitting for Anarchists, a fantastic resource.

It was a truly wonderful day, spent learning new techniques and admiring the talent of not only Anna Zilboorg herself, but also all of the knitters gathered to learn from her. I have no doubt that everyone left newly inspired, ready to embellish, experiment, and invent. Myself, I left inspired to pull a few favorite knitting resource books down from the shelf. Anna's sweater construction has really stayed with me since the workshop, and design ideas are percolating...

Those of you who are sorry to have missed the workshop can still get in on the Zilboorg craze that has swept the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. We carry Anna Zilboorg's books, Knitting for Anarchists and Magnificent Mittens & Socks, as well as the Jan/Feb issue of PieceWork, which features Anna's pattern for embroidered socks. Additionally, Nancy will soon be leading a knit-along at the shop for those interested in designing a sweater using Anna Zilboorg's method, a truly unique construction that wowed us all at the workshop. Check out the course description on the shop website if you're interested.