LYS Day 2023!

Posted by Julia on April 25, 2023

We’re looking forward to Local Yarn Store Day, this Saturday, April 29th! Come to our shop on LYS Day for 25% off featured yarns, 50% off select books, and special Casapinka colorways from Dream in Color. Read on for more info…

LYS Day is about celebrating brick-and-mortar yarn shops and appreciating all that they offer. Here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, we are proud of our selection of high quality yarns, books and tools, and our customer service. Our mission is to provide knitters and other fiber artists with quality materials and help connect them with the knowledge they need to make things they’re proud of.

All the yarn in our shop is sorted by gauge, with sections marked Lace weight, Worsted weight, Bulky weight, and so on. We hope this makes it easier to sort through our robust selection to find the yarn that’s right for your project! For LYS Day, we’re offering 25% off one featured yarn in each gauge section:

Lace weight: Neighborhood Fiber Co. Loft
Fingering weight: Koigu KPPPM
Sport weight: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberwolle
DK weight: Kelbourne Woolens Scout
Worsted weight: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter
Aran weight: Fibre Co. & Make Aran
Bulky weight: Ewe Ewe Yarns Baa Baa Bulky
Super-bulky weight: Malabrigo Noventa

You can read about all our featured yarns on the links above, and look for the yellow signs to find them here at the shop on LYS Day!

We’re also offering an unprecedented 50% discount on select books! Look for the brown bookshelves in the front room of the shop – they’re packed with all kinds of pattern and technique books, so give yourself plenty of time to browse.

Stay tuned for a peek at Dream in Color’s special Casapinka colorways for LYS Day – we’ll share them on the blog this Friday. Come by the Hillsborough Yarn Shop this Saturday to celebrate LYS Day and get some great deals! We’re open from 11 am – 5:30 pm, masks required for entry. See you at the shop!

A reminder: all discounted yarns are final sale, no returns or exchanges. Discount applies only to in-stock items, no special orders. Thanks for understanding!

Goodbye, Shibui Knits – 40% off!

Posted by Julia on January 3, 2023

As many of you have already heard, Shibui Knits is no more, and though we’re sad to see them go, we’re happy to offer you a discount – 40% off all in-stock Shibui yarns and patterns!

We are so sad to say goodbye to Shibui, a company whose luxurious yarns and distinctive design aesthetic have been a part of our shop for 10 of our 16 years in business. Over the years, we hosted Shibui trunk shows and mix parties, eagerly anticipated their new yarns and colorways each season, and knit many of their patterns. Now, after a tough couple of years, the folks at Shibui have decided to close up shop, and we’re sending them off with a sale.

As of now, we have over a dozen different Shibui yarns, some in many colors and some in a dwindling few, some in sweater quantities and others in short supply. The best way to see them is to come in and shop around – we’ve created three sale sections especially for Shibui.

Lace weight: Cima, Lunar, Pebble, Pure Cashmere, Silk Cloud, and Tweed Silk Cloud.
- Pattern ideas: “Alexandra’s Airplane Scarf,” “Riverine,” “Athos”

Fingering weight: Koan and Reed.
- Pattern ideas: “Ascend,” “Calla,” “Athens”

Sport weight: Fern and Twig.
- Pattern ideas: “Slope,” “Crete,” “Simple Tee”
DK weight: Echo, Haven, Nest, and Vine.
- Pattern ideas: “Sophie Scarf,” “Post,” “Easy Folded Poncho”

We have a small selection of Shibui kits at 40% off, too – look for these near the sale trunk!

Come by to pick up your favorite Shibui yarns before they’re gone for good, and shop early for best selection! We’re open from 11am – 5:30 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays; masks required for entry.

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

16 years of HYS!

Posted by Julia on October 20, 2022

October 2022 marks the 16 year anniversary of the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, a milestone we’re proud to have reached! Anne’s goal has remained the same since she first opened the shop in 2006: to bring the best natural fiber yarns, tools, and publications to stitchers in the Triangle. By that measure, in my opinion, Anne has succeeded tremendously, and I am so proud to be on her team, spending my days in this special shop.

We like to celebrate with a sale – this Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22, everything in stock will be 16% off, with the exception of the already discounted yarns in our Sale Trunk. This is the time to treat yourself to some exciting new yarns, splurge on an inspiring book, and save on that special project you’ve been wanting to start this fall. We’re happy to apply the sweet 16% discount to prepaid special orders made during the Anniversary Sale, provided that the yarn in question is available – some of the yarn companies we deal with are still experiencing long backorders and sourcing delays.

We are still requiring masks in the shop, and no longer accept cash or checks – debit and credit cards only, please. You can read all our in-store shopping policies here. Thanks for your cooperation!

A reminder: all sales are final on discounted items; there will be no exchanges or returns. Thanks!

Swans Island, now on sale!

Posted by Julia on July 8, 2022

Everything in the shop is 15% off during July, our Annual Inventory Sale month, but there are a few items we’ve marked down even further – including every yarn we carry from Swans Island, now 40% off!

We’ve been carrying Swans Island here at the shop for over a decade, and we’ve always loved working with their thoughtfully produced hand-dyed yarns. They’ve decided to sell their yarn directly rather than through retailers like us, so we’re sending them off with a sale!

Swans Island Natural Collection: fingering weight, 100% certified organic merino wool, hand dyed, 525 yards/100 g; $32 each, $19.20 on sale
- Pattern ideas: Caitlin Hunter’s “Tegna” tee, Veera Valimaki’s “Color Affection” shawl

Swans Island All American Sport: sport weight, hand-dyed, 100% Rambouillet wool, 185 yards/40 g; $12.50 each, $7.50 on sale
- Pattern ideas: Melynda Bernardi’s “Paige Mitts,” Swans Island’s “Slalom Ski Hat”

Swans Island All American Worsted: heavy worsted/aran weight, hand-dyed, 75% Rambouillet wool, 25% alpaca, 210 yards/80 g; $24 each, $14.40 on sale
- Pattern ideas: Stephen West’s “Dustland Hat,” Michele Rose Orne’s “Celtic Mitts”

Swans Island Natural Colors Worsted:organic merino wool, 250 yards/100 g, $32 each, $19.20 on sale
- Pattern ideas: Breean Elyse Miller’s “The Anna Cowl,” Tin Can Knits “Antler Toque”

Come by during July to get a great deal on Swans Island and all your favorite yarns, needles, notions, books and magazines! We’re open from 11am – 5:30 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays; masks required for entry.

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

Annual Inventory Sale!

Posted by Julia on July 1, 2022

July is here, and that means it’s time for our Annual Inventory Sale!

From July 1 – 30, everything in the shop is discounted by 15%. If you’ve had your eye on a special skein, or have been planning a big project or two, now is the time to take the leap!

Pick up a few limited edition skeins from the Koigu Collector’s Club, treat yourself to a new book or the latest issues of Pom Pom, MDK, and Making, stock up on your favorite yarns, grab a Binkwaffle bag while you’re at it.

Come by during July to get a great deal on your favorite yarns, needles, notions, books and magazines! We’re open from 11am – 5:30 pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays; masks required for entry.

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

Anniversary Sale!

Posted by Julia on October 17, 2021

October marks the 15 year anniversary of the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, a milestone we’re proud to have reached! Anne’s goal has remained the same since she first opened the shop in 2006: to bring the best natural fiber yarns, tools, and publications to stitchers in the Triangle. By that measure, in my opinion, Anne has succeeded tremendously, and I am so proud to be on her team, spending my days in this special shop.

We like to celebrate with a sale – from October 19 – 23, everything in stock will be 15% off, with the exception of the already discounted yarns in our Sale Trunk. This is the time to treat yourself to some exciting new yarns, splurge on an inspiring book, and save on that special project you’ve been wanting to start this fall. We’re happy to apply the 15% discount to prepaid special orders made during the Anniversary Sale, provided that the yarn in question is available – many of the yarn companies we deal with have experienced long backorders and shipping delays this past year.

We are still limiting occupancy at the shop to 5 or fewer shoppers at a time – if you come by when we’re at capacity, we’ll ask you to wait outside until someone leaves. You can read all our in-store shopping policies here – thanks for your cooperation!

A reminder: all sales are final on discounted items; there will be no exchanges or returns. Thanks!

Books and magazines are on sale, too!

Posted by Julia on July 5, 2021

Though we are now open only by appointment, we are delighted to continue a longstanding tradition – July is our Annual Inventory Sale month!

From July 1st to the 31st, everything in the shop is discounted by 15%. In an earlier post, I highlighted some popular yarn and pattern pairings, but today, let’s look at one of our other best sellers: books and magazines!

52 Weeks of Shawls, from Laine Publishing ($52)
Strands of Joy, by Anna Johanna ($45)
Fair Isle Weekend, by Mary Jane Mucklestone ($42.95)

Amirisu, Issue 22 ($24)
Making: No. 9: Simple and No. 11: Dawn ($26 each)
Pom Pom Quarterly: Summer 2019, Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 ($18.50 each)
By Hand: Lookbook No. 7: British Columbia’s South Coast, Lookbook No. 13: Northern California, and Lookbook No. 15: Rhode Island ($25 each)
Laine Magazine: No. 8, No. 10, and No. 11 ($30 each)

Modern Daily Knitting Field Guides: Stripes, Big Joy, Master Class, Open, Painterly, Lopi, and Beginnings ($14.95 each)

Make an appointment to shop our sale during July, or order online for local pickup or shipping!

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

Annual Inventory Sale!

Posted by Julia on June 30, 2021

Though we are now open only by appointment, we are delighted to continue a longstanding tradition – July is our Annual Inventory Sale month!

From July 1st to the 31st, everything in the shop is discounted by 15%. If you’ve had your eye on a special skein, or have been planning a big project or two, now is the time to take the leap!

“Da Crofters Kep,” by Wilma Malcolmson, shown in Colourway 1. © shetland wool week

Here are some of the newest and most popular yarns and project ideas from our blog:

Make an appointment to shop our sale during July, or order online for local pickup or shipping!

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

Book Sale!

Posted by Julia on April 13, 2021

Local Yarn Store Day is coming up, and we’re celebrating all week long with a Book Sale!

All in-stock books and magazines are 25% off from April 13 – 17, making this a great time to indulge in an exciting new publication, or pick up an older title that escaped notice the first time around – we have an awful lot of books to choose from!

Browse some of the latest and most popular publications below:

Strands of Joy, by Anna Johanna ($45)
Fair Isle Weekend, by Mary Jane Mucklestone ($42.95)
Ready Set Raglan, by Pom Pom Press ($26.50)

Warm Hands, edited by Jeanette Sloan and Kate Davies ($27)
Custom Shawls, by Kate Atherly and Kim McBrian Evans ($27.50)
Eat & Knit, by Marianne Isager and Camilo’s Kitchen ($21.95)
Knitting Needles & Chopsticks, by Marianne Isager and Jens Rahbek Hansen ($21.95)

Making: No. 9: Simple and No. 10: Intricate ($26 each)
Pom Pom Quarterly: Summer 2019, Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Autumn 2020, and Spring 2021 ($18.50 each)
By Hand: Special Release No. 2 ($30), Lookbook No. 7: British Columbia’s South Coast and Lookbook No. 13: Northern California ($25 each)
Laine Magazine: No. 8 and No. 10 ($30 each)

Modern Daily Knitting Field Guides: Stripes, Fair Isle, Big Joy, Revolution, Master Class, Open, Painterly, Lopi ($14.95 each)

… and so much more! Place orders by phone or online for local pickup or shipping; we’ll take 25% all in-stock books and magazines ordered now through April 17. We’re more than happy to check our supply for any titles not listed here, just ask us – thanks for helping us make room for new books and magazines!

A reminder: all sales are final on discounted items; there will be no exchanges or returns. Thanks!

Sale Trunk!

Posted by Julia on September 18, 2020

Back when we were open in the usual way, our Sale Trunk was a special place where discontinued yarns would pop up at deep discounts. The selection changed frequently, and you never knew what treasures might be found there at 30% – 40% off.

Now that we’re closed to walk-in visits due to COVID-19, we’re delighted to bring our Sale Trunk to our website! You can browse it virtually on this page, then use our online order form to place requests. Quantities vary from color to color and yarn to yarn – some we have lots of, while others are the last of their kind. If you’re curious about any of them, reach out and ask!