Hello, Sandnes Garn Line!

Posted by Julia on March 21, 2023

Spring weather is here, which means it’s time for plant fibers – meet the newest addition here at our shop, Sandnes Garn Line!

Sandnes Garn Line:

light worsted weight
53% cotton, 33% viscose, 14% linen
120 yards/50g
$7.50 each

Line is a light worsted weight plant fiber blend that knits up at 5 stitches per inch on a US 6 needle.

It’s soft, cool, machine washable, and drapes beautifully, qualities that make it ideal for warm weather garments.

“Anker’s Summer Shirt,” by PetiteKnit, photo © PetiteKnit

I’ve cast on for a shop sample in Line, PetiteKnit’s “Anker’s Summer Shirt.” Like every PetiteKnit pattern I’ve tried so far, it’s approachable, practical, and appealing, both to knit and to wear.

Here are some other patterns that would be lovely in Line:

“Sommerknus,” by Elsebeth Judith – textured tee
“Purl Strings,” by Heidi Kirrmaier – tee with textured stripes
“Fine Sand,” by Heidi Kirrmaier – open front stockinette cardigan
“June Top,” by PetiteKnit – stockinette tank
“Cold Shoulder Crop,” by Park Williams – mock turtleneck tee with mesh cap sleeves
“Sommer Ella Solo,” by Lene Holme Samsøe – leaf/lace yoke tee

Look for Sandnes Garn Line in our worsted weight section!

Back in stock: Kelbourne Woolens Mojave.

Posted by Julia on March 17, 2023

A fresh batch of Kelbourne Woolens Mojave is here, perfectly timed for warm-weather stitching!

Kelbourne Woolens Mojave:

sport weight
60% cotton, 40% linen
185 yards/50g
$11 each

Mojave is cool to the touch, smooth and soft but also strong, with the beautiful drape we expect from plant fiber yarns. The color palette has something for everyone, from subtle neutrals to blazing brights.

What to make with Mojave? Here are some ideas for knitters and crocheters!

Knit with Mojave:

“Rift,” by Jacqueline Cieslak – oversized boxy tee
“Anker’s Summer Shirt,” by PetiteKnit – tee with ribbed yoke
“Sea Breeze Sweater Vest,” by Park Williams – mesh vest
“Outline Tank,” by Jessie Maed – cropped tank with drop-stitch detail
“Look At My Holes,” by James Watts – mesh tee
“Desert Queen,” by Meghan Kelly – scoop-neck tank with eyelet detail
“Trigono Tee,” by Kate Gagnon Osborn – textured tee

Crochet with Mojave:

“Canyon,” by Amy Gunderson – lace-edged tank top
“Water Clover,” by Isa Catepillán – lace tee
“Sub Rosa,” by Lana Jois – cap sleeve tee with square motifs
“Palms,” by Padma R – Tunisian crochet wrap
“Dusty Plum Dress,” by Moon Eldridge – striped dress
“Fae Tank,” by Abigail Haze – child’s tank top

I knit this Churchmouse “Simple Tee” with Kelbourne Woolens Mojave, and it hangs here at our shop to give a sense of how the yarn knits up – look for it next time you’re here, and check out Mojave in our sport weight section!

New colors in Fibre Co. Meadow!

Posted by Julia on April 15, 2022

This week brought us fresh new colors in Fibre Co. Meadow!

Fibre Co. Meadow:

lace weight
hand-dyed
40% merino, 25% llama, 20% silk, 15% linen
545 yards/100g
$28 each

Though you’ll find Meadow in our lace weight section, it also works well in light fingering weight patterns, knitting up comfortably on a wide range of needle sizes.

Meadow’s unique and tweedy blend of plant and animal fibers give it loft and drape, perfect attributes for summery shawls. Here are some pattern ideas!

“Twinleaf,” by Grace Anna Farrow – garter stitch, stripes, short rows
“Allium,” by Grace Anna Farrow – triangular, mesh lace, mosaic
“Summer Meadow,” by Janina Kallio – triangular, garter stitch, eyelets
“Hydrangea Shawl,” by Courtney Kelley – triangular, faroese, lace
“Rewilding Shawl,” by Helen Stewart – triangular, asymmetric, eyelets, tassels
“Planting Seeds,” by Helen Stewart – crescent shaped, three-color, mosaic

Look for Meadow in our lace weight section, or order online for local pickup or shipping!

Merilin + Dingley Dell.

Posted by Julia on July 24, 2021

In the heat of the summer, we see more and more knitters looking for lightweight tops and tees to knit, and Isabell Kraemer’s name often comes to mind. She’s a prolific sweater designer, and many of her patterns offer a short-sleeved option – think “Yume,” “Laia,” and “Ooh La La.”

“Dingley Dell,” by Isabell Kraemer. Photo © Isabell Kraemer

“Dingley Dell” is her latest, a color block tee made in a wool/linen blend, and I think Isager Merilin would be perfect for it.

Isager Merilin:

light fingering weight
80% wool, 20% linen
228 yards/50 g
$11 each

Depending on what size you make, you’ll need between 2-4 balls each in two colors – check the sizing on Ravelry, and know that we’re happy to help you calculate yardage! Here are a few more color ideas…

Make an in-store shopping appointment to select your own color combination, or pick from the options above and order online for local pickup or shipping!

Koan + Ascend.

Posted by Julia on June 25, 2021

“Ascend” is a brand new pattern by Lucinda Iglesias, a bias-knit wrap with bold stripes at each end.

“Ascend,” by Lucinda Iglesias, knit with Shibui Koan in White, Abyss, and Ash.

Shibui Koan is a cool and lightweight blend of 70% linen and 30% mulberry silk, fibers known for drape and shimmer – they truly shine in this elegant warm weather accessory.

Shibui Koan:

light fingering weight
70% linen, 30% silk
248 yards/50 g
$21 each; $105 for 5 skeins needed to knit “Ascend”

“Ascend,” by Lucinda Iglesias, knit with Shibui Koan in Ivory, Pollen, and Graphite.

Shibui shows “Ascend” in two neutral colorways, one with a pop of Pollen; we’ve come up with a few more combinations!

The pattern is free when you buy 5 skeins of Shibui Koan for the project – we’ll print a copy and include it in your order. Pick your favorite color combination and order online for local pickup or shipping, or make an in-store shopping appointment to choose for yourself!

Reed and Pebble, Grass and Stone.

Posted by Julia on May 5, 2021

“Grass and Stone” is a brand new pattern by Elizabeth Elliott, a bias-knit scarf with subtle part-row stripes of single and doubled yarn at each end.

The yarns are Shibui Reed and Pebble, the first a linen chainette and the second a tweedy blend of recycled silk, merino, and cashmere. Reed brings drape and Pebble brings softness, creating a unique fiber blend that’s just right for a warm-weather accessory.

“Grass and Stone” is 8″ wide, and available in two lengths – 72″ or 90″. The 72″ scarf requires 2 Reed and 3 Pebble, while the 90″ scarf requires 3 of each.

Shibui Reed: fingering weight, chainette, 100% linen, 246 yards/50g; $20 each

Shibui Pebble: lace weight, 48% recycled silk, 36% merino wool, 16% cashmere, 224 yards/25g; $21.50 each

Reed and Pebble make an intriguing combination, even in matching colors – these fibers each take the dye a little differently.

Combining different colors can be good fun, of course – here’s a low-contrast pair that should blend together in a gentle marl.

The pattern is free when you buy Reed and Pebble for the project – we’ll print a copy and include it in your order. Pick your favorite color combination and order online for local pickup or shipping!

New colors from Shibui.

Posted by Julia on March 29, 2021

We’re delighted to have three new colors from Shibui! Pacific, Lotus, and Majesty are now available in Cima, Koan, and Silk Cloud.

“Elate,” by Britt-Marie Brehmer, knit with Shibui Cima and Koan in Lotus.

As we looked through Shibui’s Spring 2021 pattern collection, Anne and I were particularly taken with “Elate,” by Britt-Marie Brehmer.

Twisted ribbing and slipped stitches give this simple tee textural interest, and the yarn combination is an intriguing blend of plant and animal fibers – Cima and Koan held together throughout.

Shibui Cima:

lace weight
70% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool
328 yards/50 g
$16.50 each

Shibui Koan:

light fingering weight
70% linen, 30% silk
248 yards/50 g
$21 each

Lace weight Cima brings softness and elasticity in the form of merino and alpaca, while light fingering weight Koan lends coolness and drape with its linen and silk content.

Pick matching shades in Cima and Koan for a solid look, or similar shades for a subtle marl.

Pick your favorite color combination and order online for local pickup or shipping!

“Elate,” by Britt-Marie Brehmer, knit with Shibui Cima and Koan in Lotus.

New colors in Kelbourne Woolens Mojave.

Posted by Julia on July 13, 2020

Last week brought five new colors in Kelbourne Woolens Mojave!

Mojave is a sport weight blend of 60% cotton and 40% linen, with 185 yards on each 50 gram skein. It’s composed of five tiny 2ply yarns twisted together, for a yarn that’s smooth and soft but also strong, with the beautiful drape we expect from plant fiber yarns.

Mojave is perfect for warm weather stitching – here are some ideas for knitters and crocheters!

Knit with Mojave:

“Rift,” by Jacqueline Cieslak – oversized boxy tee
“Desert Queen,” by Meghan Kelly – scoop-neck tank with eyelet detail
“Keane Wonder,” by Meghan Kelly – racerback tank with short row shaping
“Trigono Tee,” by Kate Gagnon Osborn – textured tee
“June,” by Julie Weisenburger – puff sleeve pullover

Crochet with Mojave:

“Canyon,” by Amy Gunderson – lace-edged tank top
“Water Clover,” by Isa Catepillán – lace tee
“Palms,” by Padma R – Tunisian crochet wrap
“Succulent,” by Michele DuNaier – lace shawl
“Dusty Plum Dress,” by Moon Eldridge – striped dress
“Fae Tank,” by Abigail Haze – child’s tank top

Order online for local pickup or USPS Priority Mail Shipping – do so during July for 15% off!

Just a reminder–all sales are final on discounted items; there can be no exchanges or returns. Thanks!

Amirisu, Issue 20.

Posted by Julia on June 19, 2020

A new issue of Amirisu is here!

Amirisu is a knitting magazine based in Japan, each issue filled with articles, interviews, and patterns from designers all over the world.

This is Amirisu’s 20th issue since starting the magazine in 2012, an accomplishment that founders Tokuko and Meri discuss in an interview.

This issue features designs by Paula Pereira, Alice Caetano, Justyna Lorkowska, and more.

I spotted a couple of familiar names in a feature on linen blends for summer – Shibui Twig and Isager Merilin, both of which are available here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop.

Another Isager yarn shows up in this issue – Tvinni, a light fingering weight wool from Denmark.

Issue 20 of Amirisu is $24 – order online and we’ll ship it to you or you can come by to pick it up!

Hello, Shibui Koan.

Posted by Julia on February 26, 2020

We’ve just unpacked the latest yarn from Shibui – meet Koan!

Shibui Koan is a fingering weight blend of 70% linen and 30% mulberry silk, with 248 yards on each 50 gram skein. These fibers are known for drape and sheen, qualities that define Koan.

Shibui is known for their penchant for combining yarns two or three strands at a time, a way of creating unique fiber blends. Because of this, most of their colors are available across most of their yarns, and all but two of the Koan colors are familiar favorites.

Crete and Paloma are brand new colors for Shibui, bright pops of aqua and pink that electrify the whole color palette.

What to make with Koan? A new pattern collection is coming soon to answer that question, but until then, look to the Shibui archives. Koan is a great substitute for Reed, so the “Athens” tank and “Octave” wrap would look great in this new yarn. From independent designers, I spotted the “Westbound” tee, “Albers Shawl,” and “Natsu Cardigan” in Reed – substitute Koan for a little extra shine.

Look for Shibui Koan in the fingering weight section here at our shop, and check out our other Shibui yarns while you’re here – we have them all, from lace to worsted weight!