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Show and tell: little critters.

Time for another round of show and tell! Sharing finished projects from our crafty community is an ongoing part of our daily Instagram posts, but I have a glorious backlog of projects I want to share here on the blog, too. Today, let’s admire these cute critters!

Rosi knit this “Fox (Knit a Teddy)” with Berroco Ultra Wool, a cozy washable wool that’s perfect for toy-making. Check out the fox wearing a “Raincoat (Knit a Teddy)” below!

Ross also made a “Panda (Knit a Teddy)” dressed as a “Doctor (Knit a Teddy),” using Ewe Ewe Sporty in the perfect scrubs color. Patterns by Sarah Gasson.

This “Tearoom Elephant” is Rosi’s handiwork, too, using Berroco Ultra Wool for the body and a mix of leftover yarns for the outfit. Pattern by Susan Hickson.

Victoria has fallen in love with toy-making, too – so far, she’s made “Mouche the Bear” and “Mina the Pig” from Cinthia Vallet’s oh-so-popular Mouche & Friends: Seamless Toys to Knit and Love. For both of them, Victoria chose CoopKnits Socks Yeah!, a soft and sturdy sock yarn.

Karin knit this “Turtles’ Journey Blanket” with Malabrigo Rios, choosing semisolid hand-dyed colorways to evoke sand, surf, and sea. Pattern by Heather Anderson.

Last but not least, here’s Katherine’s “Cody the Cattle Dog,” crocheted with Kelbourne Woolens Scout.

Thanks to Rosi, Victoria, Karin, Katherine, and everyone who starts their projects with a trip to the Hillsborough Yarn Shop! We love hearing your ideas and helping you find just the right yarns and tools to realize them. See you at the shop!

The trunk.

There’s a trunk in front of Anne’s desk, at the back of the shop, with its lid propped open to reveal what’s inside. Surprise: there’s yarn in there. But not just any yarn: sale yarn. Every once in a while, we have to face the fact that we must make room for new acquisitions. In … [more]


Starstruck.

Last week, we were treated to a visit from Jill McCorkle, who we are lucky to know not only as a local author, but also as a crocheter and regular customer. Even better: she brought a friend, author Alice Hoffman. Anne and I had such fun showing them around the shop and helping them pick out … [more]


The teacart.

Right as you walk into the shop, you’ll find a small wooden teacart, though you may not recognize it as such. We’ve disguised it by keeping it piled high with the newest additions to the shop: kits, books, magazines, and yarn, along with the ever present swift and ball-winder. If you’re curious about what’s new, … [more]


Michelle and Chloe.

Last Saturday, master knitter Michelle came into the shop with a dress-form (named Chloe) wearing her latest finished object, an intricately cabled pea coat from Shirley Paden’s Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits. It blew us all away, to the point that I could not resist asking to take their photo for the … [more]


We got a very large box from Berroco.

After much unpacking, admiring, reorganizing, and rearranging, it’s time to show off. New colors of Berroco Sox, stuffed into their cubby but eager to get out. We also have a new pattern book to go with–brightly colored children’s garments, taking advantage of the self-patterning quality of this yarn. A bright spectrum of Pure Pima, lounging … [more]


Andrea knits socks.

My friend Andrea has been a sometime knitter for a few years now, completing a scarf here, a patchwork blanket there, but focusing primarily on her animation projects (a subject worthy of an entire blog; go there and see this if animated wool peaks your curiosity). Recently, however, she has taken up knitting in a more … [more]


Cascade 220 Superwash Sport.

********* As of December 15th, 2015, we no longer have any Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in stock. ********* Allow me to introduce you to my favorite yarn of the moment. Simple, sturdy, yet soft, and suitable for most any project: Cascade 220 Superwash Sport. A few weeks ago, we had only a handful of colors. … [more]


Katia Fabula.

A lot of days at the yarn shop begin with a box.    This one arrived last Tuesday. Our UPS guy dropped it off in the back room where we could spread out its contents and find space to store them.  Inside, I found a few replacement bags of Noro Silk Garden Sock in colors … [more]