Berroco Peruvia: now on sale!

Posted by Julia on December 22, 2014

UPDATE: As of 12/26/2014, we are totally sold out of Berroco Peruvia! *************************************************************

It’s always bittersweet news when yarns are discontinued. On the one hand, we’re sad to see good yarns go. On the other, we’re happy to announce that said yarn is now on sale. We’re now offering Berroco Peruvia at over 25% off!

Peruvia is an aran weight single ply wool with 174 yards on each 100 gram skein. It’s fuzzy but sturdy, suitable for felting projects, and comes in a range of heathered shades. One skein is enough for a hat or a pair of mittens; a few more will make a scarf or shawlette.

Sale yarns have been going very quickly lately… come by the shop soon to snag a few skeins of Berroco Peruvia before it disappears!

A reminder: all sales are final on discounted yarn. There can be no returns or exchanges, nor special orders–the discount applies only to what we currently have in stock. Thanks!

Last minute gifts.

Posted by Julia on December 20, 2014

I know many of you have been busily stitching gifts this holiday season, and Anne and I are right there with you, knitting up until almost the last minute. We recently got these cute gift tags in, with care instructions on the back, so you can send your handmade gifts off with all the relevant information.

You may not have time to start making a holiday gift at this point, as Hannukah is well under way and Christmas is nearly here. (Though a skein of Malabrigo Rasta can make a hat or cowl in as few as four hours, I hear…) If you still have gifts to procure, take heart: here are a few last minute gift ideas from the Hillsborough Yarn Shop.

A pretty shawl pin is a nice accompaniment to a handmade scarf, shawl, or wrap, and gift enough on its own, as well. We just got these tiny twig-shaped shawl pins in from Jul, and we have lots of other shawl pins to choose from, too.

From the stocking stuffer department: Lilly Brushes are excellent tools for de-pilling natural fiber garments, and we’ve got plenty in stock. A bottle of Gloves in a Bottle makes a great little gift, too; this hand lotion saves me every winter. For knitters on your list, also consider Sirka counters, stitch markers, sachets of lavender, and other notions you can never have too many of.

Knitters and crocheters love to choose their own materials, tools, and books, making a gift certificate to a local yarn shop a real treat. Whether you come by the shop, give us a call, or order online, we’re happy to connect you with a Hillsborough Yarn Shop gift certificate in any denomination.

Thanks for thinking of our shop as a source for a gift this holiday season! We appreciate your support so much, and wish you the happiest holidays.

Back in stock: Binkwaffle bags.

Posted by Julia on December 18, 2014

I’m so happy to report that Binkwaffle bags are back in stock!

Our first batch of Binkwaffle project bags sold out in no time, thanks to their clever reversible design and whimsical prints. This next group is a mix of small and large bags, each one a unique combination of fabrics. That means there’s only one of each here at the shop, and we can’t guarantee that the same fabrics will be available next time we order; it’s a fun surprise to see what Holly at Binkwaffle comes up with next!

They’re sure to go quickly, so if you want one for a holiday gift or for yourself, come by soon to snag it.

See you at the shop!

Vogue Knitting.

Posted by Julia on December 16, 2014

The latest issue of Vogue Knitting is here!

This issue features a great article on Barbara Walker, author of the amazing four volume Treasury of Knitting Patterns published by Schoolhouse Press.

As a nod to Walker, many of the patterns in this issue include two-color mosaic motifs, a genre of stitch patterns to which she has contributed tremendously.

Mosaic knitting is created by slipping some stitches and knitting others, working with just one color on any given row.

Meg Swansen’s Vogue column covers increases this time around, the how, when, and why of them.

Come by the shop to pick up a copy of Vogue Knitting! We hope you find your winter knitting inspiration here.

Yokes.

Posted by Julia on December 13, 2014

Yokes is here!

Yokes is writer and designer Kate Davies’ newest book, and one that we’ve been eagerly anticipating since October, when she started posting previews on her blog.

I’ve been reading her blog for years now, admiring her patterns and appreciating her written voice.

An historian as well as a knitwear designer, Davies approaches her subject with academic rigor, and because of this, Yokes is so much more than a collection of inspiring sweaters.

Pick up this book, and you’ll learn about Swedish Bohus yokes, the Icelandic lopapeysa, classic Shetland motifs, Elizabeth Zimmermann’s seamless innovations, and the connections between all of the above.

As a lover of circular yoke sweaters, particularly those adorned with colorwork, I was quick to add Yokes to my own knitting library. I’ve been reading it before bed this week, savoring the text and photos. Davies speaks my mind when she writes, “I am happy spending days working away on acres of plain stockinette, if, at the end of it, there is the yoke’s delicious promise.”

I am knitting one such sweater right now, in fact: “Puffin Sweater,” a design from Davies’ Colors of Shetland. I’ve knit the body and one and a half sleeves, looking forward all the while to the colorful chevron yoke. (Almost there!)

Anne has fallen for a sweater from Yokes, “Frost at Midnight.” This beaded yoke is knit in a delicate lace-weight yarn called Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace, a shimmering blend of merino and silk, which, oh by the way, we now stock at the shop.

We have only a few shades in stock, but will happily order whichever color you’d like. Come by to see the colorcard!

Look for Kate Davies’ Yokes on the teacart in the front room. It will make a perfect holiday gift for the history-loving knitter in your life, and if that knitter happens to be you, send your nearest and dearest in for a copy. See you there!

More for crocheters.

Posted by Julia on December 11, 2014

It’s rare that a week goes by without a new magazine or book popping up here at the shop. This week, our three newest publications are all for crocheters: one book and two magazines.

Brenda K.B. Anderson’s Crochet Ever After is a whimsical collection of crochet projects inspired by classic fairy tales.

Patterns for scarves, cowls, slippers, bags, and more are grouped by the kind of characters that inspired them: heroines, fairy princesses, witches, and the like.

Crocheted sock patterns can sometimes be hard to find; flipping through Crochet Ever After, I spotted this handsome pair, made with longtime HYS favorite, Malabrigo Sock, a springy fingering weight merino in beautiful hand-dyed colorways.

The current issue of Interweave Crochet has plenty of sweaters inside, just the kind of project you might like to hunker down with this winter.

Rohn Strong’s top-down “Frisco Cardi” is also made with Malabrigo Sock, making for a lightweight garment.

Make It! Crochet is a new Interweave publication, filled with small projects that are friendly and accessible for beginner crocheters: hats, scarves, and the like.

Make It! Crochet also features a helpful article on crochet symbols and stitch diagrams, which can sometimes feel like a hurdle to reading crochet patterns. Don’t let them intimidate you–let this article be your guide.

Come by the shop to peruse these latest crochet resources, along with our ever-growing collection of knitting magazines and books. See you there!

Schacht Cricket Loom.

Posted by Julia on December 9, 2014

Last week, we announced that the Hillsborough Yarn Shop has become a Schacht dealer, and I promised a closer look at the Schacht products we carry. Over the weekend, I put the Zoom Loom in the spotlight here on the blog. Next up: the Cricket Loom.

The Cricket Loom is a small and simple rigid heddle loom, ideal for first-time weavers. The box you see above includes not only the Cricket Loom, but also a warping peg, threading hook, 2 stick shuttles, table clamps, two balls of yarn, and clear instructions; in short: everything you need to start weaving.

When our shop Cricket Loom arrived earlier this year, I was sent home with it and with the enviable task of learning to use it. I’d never woven before, but the instructions made it easy to assemble, warp, and weave on the Cricket. My first attempts were uneven and humbling, but before long, I was producing smooth woven fabric that I was proud of. In just a couple of evenings, I’d gone through the yarn that comes with the Cricket and turned to my stash.

I used Berroco Pure Pima to weave a small kitchen towel, experimented with a variety of lace weight yarns to weave one scarf (pictured above), and then another in bits of worsted weight, from Yarn Hollow Photograph to Berroco Ultra Alpaca.
Before each new woven project, I studied Jane Patrick’s Weaver’s Idea Book, which is full of inspiration and information in equal measure.

On our shelves, you’ll find 15″ Cricket Looms, floor stands, and reeds. The Cricket comes with an 8-dent reed, which is perfect for weaving with worsted weight yarn. For lace or fingering weight yarns, consider a 12-dent reed; for sport or dk weight yarn, a 10-dent reed; and for bulky weight yarn, a 5-dent reed.

Come by the shop to try weaving on our display Cricket Loom, check out our cubby of weaving books and dvds, and consider going home with a Cricket of your own. I can’t tell you how exciting it has been to start at the beginning, learning new words and techniques, enjoying the novelty of creating a fabric so different than what my knitting needles or crochet hooks make. I highly recommend taking on a new craft! See you at the shop.

Show and tell: a lace shawl and a handful of hats.

Posted by Julia on December 7, 2014

I’m always collecting photos of the beautiful finished pieces knitters and crocheters bring in to share with us, garments that started their lives as HYS yarns. Time for another round of show-and-tell!

Pat knit this delicate beaded lace shawl in Shibui Cima, a soft alpaca/merino blend with excellent stitch definition.

The pattern is “Diospyros,” from Andrea Jurgrau’s New Vintage Lace, and Pat’s rendition is far lovelier in person than my photos could capture.

Anne recently finished her “Bayard” hat, knit with Isager Alpaca 2 and the new Isager Tweed. I love how the flecks of color in the Tweed pop out between slim stripes of Alpaca 2.

Valerie has been working on “Bayard,” as well–not one, but two!

It’s neat to see how the colors play together in such small stripes, blending in or setting one another off, depending upon the level of contrast.

Margaretta knit this cozy hat in no time flat, thanks to the super-soft and super-bulky Malabrigo Rasta. She made one modification, which was to braid the ties rather than make a crocheted chain; a nice touch.

Last-minute gift-knitters, take note–this “Tasseled Earflap Hat” is a free pattern that uses just one skein, and could take as few as four hours to complete!

Thanks to everyone who starts and shares their projects at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop! We feel lucky to be surrounded by such creative people.

Schacht Zoom Loom.

Posted by Julia on December 5, 2014

Last week, we announced that the Hillsborough Yarn Shop has become a Schacht dealer, and I promised a closer look at the Schacht products we carry. First up: the Zoom Loom.

The Zoom Loom is Schacht’s littlest loom, a pin loom for weaving small squares of fabric. It comes with clear instructions, and is accessible enough for weavers-to-be from age 10 on up.

Anne has been experimenting with the Zoom Loom, learning to use it and seeing what happens when different fibers and gauges of yarn are used.

What to do with these squares? On their own they can be coasters, or sewn on as pockets. When you make a slew of them, they can be pieced together into scarves, shawls, bags, holiday ornaments, pincushions, blankets, and more. The Schacht website is full of ideas and inspiration for the Zoom Loom, and you’ll find others on our Pinterest “Weaving” board.

The clever Deb Essen, of DJE Handwovens, has come up with another use for Zoom Loom squares: Swatch Critters! Her kits include yarn and instruction for transforming a stack of squares into a stuffed sheep, frog, or dragon, among other creatures. A Zoom Loom and Swatch Critter kit would make a stellar gift this holiday season!

Intrigued? Come by the shop to get a closer look at our weaving supplies. Try your hand at pin-loom weaving on our display Zoom Loom, which has a square in progress, ready to weave. Keep your eye on the blog in the coming weeks for a closer look at the Schacht Cricket Loom. In the meantime, see you at the shop!

Isager “Tokyo” kits.

Posted by Julia on December 3, 2014

If you haunt Ravelry like we do, you may already be aware of Marianne Isager’s latest design: “Tokyo,” a geometric striped shawl knit with her Spinni and Alpaca 1 yarns.

When “Tokyo” caught our eye, we learned that the pattern is only available in kit form. What could we do but order some for the shop?

“Tokyo” comes in three colorways, “Light,” “Medium,” and “Dark,” and we now have one of each on the shelf.

We spotted the “Dark” colorway advertised in the latest issue of Twist Collective, an intriguing blend of heathered charcoal and deep jewel tones, with a pop of salmon orange and red.

If you’ve been seeking a “Tokyo” kit, know that you can get it here, or send someone who loves you to the shop to get you a special holiday gift. See you there!