Knitscene Accessories.

Posted by Julia on May 29, 2014

Yet another new magazine is here: Knitscene Accessories 2014!

This annual special issue is packed with patterns and tutorials for summertime stitching, when small projects feel just right. Here’s a cowl knit in Shibui Cima, and a scarf knit in Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball.

There are plenty of pleasing patterns in this issue, but I’m most impressed by the articles, which teach how to cable without a cable needle, convert top-down sock patterns to toe-up and vice versa, and double-knit.

Come by the shop to grab a copy of Knitscene Accessories!

Solefull Socks.

Posted by Julia on May 27, 2014

An exciting new book was recently excerpted in the Summer 2014 issue of Interweave Knits, and it caught the attention of many sock-knitters. I’m happy to say that you can now find the book on our teacart: Solefull Socks, by Betty Salpekar.

Salpekar has developed a new method of sock construction that has you knit the whole sole first, working in the round “from the ground up,” as she says. This allows you to knit reenforcement yarn through the whole sole of a sock, or make it thicker and more cushioned, if you like.

These socks are neither toe-up nor top-down, and this new approach brings with it all kinds of new design ideas.

I’m intrigued by this innovative new sock construction, and have enjoyed paging through Salpekar’s book. Come by the shop to take a closer look at Soulfull Socks and all the latest books and magazines!

Post-Market Sale spotlight: Sublime Cashmere/Merino/Silk DK.

Posted by Julia on May 25, 2014

From Friday May 23rd through June 29th, we will have select yarns discounted during our Post-Market Sale: single skeins will be reduced by 30% and full bags of 10 will be 40% off! Throughout the sale, I’ll be highlighting some of these yarns and giving ideas for what to make with them. Today: spotlight on Sublime Cashmere/Merino/Silk DK.

Sublime’s Cashmere/Merino/Silk DK is a springy, many-plied dk weight yarn composed of all the fibers it’s named for. Cashmere makes it oh-so-soft, merino wool brings a pleasant bouncy quality, and silk gives this yarn a slight lustre.

It’s well-behaved on the needles or hook, machine-washable, and comes in a huge range of colors, from pastels to jewel tones to crayon-brights to neutrals.

All of these qualities make it perfectly suited to a range of projects, garments and accessories alike, for babies, children, and adults.

Sublime Cashmere/Merino Silk DK is also a great choice for blanket-making. Consider the “Honeycomb Stroller Blanket,” “Neat Ripple Pattern,” “Missoni Inspired Chevron Blanket,” and “Granny Stripes”–all free blanket patterns that encourage freewheeling color-mixing, one of the major joys of blankets, I think.

The pattern I keep thinking of, however, requires only 7 skeins–Purl Soho’s “Super Easy Baby Blanket,” a simple color-block garter stitch crib blanket. That’s why each of the photos today show groups of 7 colors. Once I started playing the “Super Easy Baby Blanket” colorway game, I had a hard time stopping.

Look for more pattern ideas for Sublime Cashmere/Merino/Silk DK on our “Post-Market Sale” Pinterest board, and come by the shop soon to have the best selection of this gorgeous yarn at this nice price. Here at the beginning of the sale, we have full bags available in many colors, but they may not last long–hope to see you at the shop soon!

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!

Post-Market Sale!

Posted by Julia on May 22, 2014

In the past, we’ve prepared for our trips to Market with a “Going to Market Sale,” discounting older stock to make room for all the new yarns we’ll order for the Fall and Winter. This year, TNNA came a month early, so rather than a “Going to Market Sale,” we’re announcing a “Post-Market Sale!”

From Friday May 23rd through June 29th, we will have select yarns on sale: single skeins will be reduced by 30% and full bags of 10 will be 40% off!

Post-Market Sale yarns include: Sublime Organic Merino DK, Baby Cotton Kapok DK, Organic Cotton DK, Cashmere/Merino/Silk DK and Aran, Sirdar Juicy DK, Ella Rae Classic Wool, Noro Niji, Debbie Bliss Stella , and Le Fibre Nobili Super Tajmahal.

These are beautiful yarns in all kinds of fibers and colors, suitable for many types of knit and crochet projects. Come by between May 23rd and June 29th to take advantage of our Post-Market Sale, and do stop in early for best selections!

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!

Show and tell.

Posted by Julia on May 20, 2014

It’s time again for show-and-tell! We’re fortunate to see many knit and crochet projects come through the shop, and when I’m able, I like to photograph them and share them here on the blog.

René brought in her “Celeste,” a beautiful beaded lace shawl knit in Swans Island Organic Merino Fingering.

René designed, named, and knit this shawl for her sister, and the pattern can be found in Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders.

Jane fell in love with Grace Anna Farrow’s “Twinleaf” shawl at last year’s Fibre Company Trunk Show and recently completed one of her own.

Knit in Fibre Company Meadow, this two-color garter stitch shawl is elegant in its simplicity, decorated with thin stripes and shaped with short-rows. I love Jane’s color-combination: ”Fennel” and “Cornflower.”

Rosi finished her “One-Skein Zigzag Cowl” in Mirasol Nuna, as part of our informal “Zigzag Cowl” Knit-Along. Look for it at the shop in the sport-weight section, alongside my cowl in Ewe So Sporty.

I have a little show and tell, too. A few months ago, I designed and knit this little sweater for my niece, using three shades of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport.

I gathered some of my favorite books to guide me, using Elizabeth Zimmermann’s updated Knitting Workshop for seamless sweater construction, Ann Budd’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters for sizing, and Mary Jane Mucklestone’s 200 Fair Isle Motifs for some of the patterning. I had so much fun making this thing that it almost didn’t matter if it fit her or not–but I am so delighted that it does, and that she likes wearing it!

Thanks to everyone who starts and completes their projects at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop! We feel so lucky to be part of your creative process.

Interweave Knits.

Posted by Julia on May 18, 2014

The Summer 2014 issue of Interweave Knits is here!

Inside are all manner of summertime garments: tops and tees for warm weather, shawls and cardigans for chilly air-conditioning.

Thumbing through this issue, I saw some familiar yarns. Here’s Fibre Company Meadow, held double in a lace tank.

And here’s a little review of Sincere Sheep Equity Sport, a springy 100% Rambouillet wool with a pebbly, rustic texture.

I also came across an excerpt from Solefull Socks, a new book of clever sock designs that just arrived here at the shop–more on that soon!

In the meantime, come by the shop to pick up some Spring and Summer magazines for knit and crochet inspiration, and to plan your next project. See you there!

Still playing with Shibui.

Posted by Julia on May 15, 2014

I have many loves when it comes to yarn and knitting, but right now, Shibui is at the forefront. Each time new colors come in to the shop, I find myself pairing and grouping them again. With that in mind, indulge me in a few more color-combinations for Shibui projects–I can’t help myself.

Several of you have made or are making the “Gradient” cowl, a free pattern from Shibui which is worked with three strands of Silk Cloud held together. Periodically, one of those three strands is switched out for a different color, which makes a gentle transition from one color to the next–four colors in all. It’s easy to lose oneself on Ravelry looking at different “Gradient” cowls in their many colors…here are even more that I’d love to see made up.

With 21 shades of Silk Cloud so far, we have plenty to choose from. What four colors would you use for a “Gradient” cowl?

We also got new colors in Cima, a springy lace weight blend of alpaca and merino. I put these pairings together with two Shibui cowls in mind–“Kinetic” and “Mix No. 23.” The first has you blending the two colors for an ombre effect, and the second sets the two shades against one another in a bold double-knit motif.

We’re up to 20 shades in Cima now; come by the shop to play with them yourself, and consider Shibui’s yarns and patterns as you’re planning your next project!

On needle-felting.

Posted by Julia on May 13, 2014

Last week, as she prepared for a trip to New York for her granddaughter’s birthday, Anne began a new project.

Our sweet Romney Ridge Farm needle-felting kits caught her eye, and thinking of her granddaughter, Anne began crafting these little woolen critters.

The kits come with roving, felting needles, and detailed instructions to make the animals pictured.

In just one afternoon, Anne transformed these little puffs of wool roving into one songbird, then another, and finally a sheep.

If this kind of creature-creating appeals to you, come by the shop to pick up a needle-felting kit of your own. As Anne can attest, it’s quick, easy, and intuitive, even if you’ve never needle-felted before. See you at the shop!

Cliff hat colorways.

Posted by Julia on May 11, 2014

Our recent Shibui Mix Party resulted in a large Shibui order, which brought not only a new Shibui yarn, but plenty of new colors in Cima, Pebble, and Silk Cloud.

As I put out the new colors, I often arrange them in a spectrum, play with color combinations, and generally admire the stuff.

Thinking of the “Cliff Hat,” I began to group harmonious Pebble colorways in fives.

The “Cliff Hat” is a free pattern from Shibui knit using two strands of Pebble held together throughout, making a plush fabric that’s warm but lightweight.

The simple, graphic motif makes a great introduction to stranded colorwork, where two colors of yarn are in use on any given row.

If this is a project that interests you, consider signing up for Amy’s “Cliff Hat” class, beginning May 17th! We have a sample “Cliff Hat” on display at the shop, so you can try it on for size. Come on in to put together a “Cliff Hat” colorway of your own!

Vogue Crochet.

Posted by Julia on May 9, 2014

Another Spring magazine has found its way to the shop: Vogue Crochet is here.

This issue is full of crocheted garments and accessories, from sweaters and jackets to tunics and shawls.

I also spotted some helpful technique articles: one on crocheted edgings, and one showing how to increase and decrease in pattern to shape crocheted pieces.

Come by the shop to take a closer look at this issue of Vogue Crochet. You’ll find it on the teacart among the latest books and magazines. See you there!