New colors in Canopy Fingering.

Posted by Julia on November 7, 2016

Back in June, we selected new shades in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering, a luxurious fingering weight blend of alpaca, merino, and bamboo. One or two of those colors arrived shortly thereafter, but the rest were on backorder, so our small basket of Canopy Fingering remained nearly-empty. Then just last week, a box arrived from Kelbourne Woolens, packed up tight with our Canopy Fingering order, and this small basket looks so much happier!

Earlier this year, I knit a “3 Color Cashmere Cowl” with Canopy Fingering, and though it contains no cashmere, it’s perfectly suited to the pattern due to its drapey nature and soft hand.

My first impulse upon unpacking these new shades of Canopy Fingering was to make trios with this cowl in mind. Here’s a combination very close to what I used for the cowl above, brightened with a pop of blue: Macaw, Manatee, and Chiclet Tree.

Below are Obsidian, Crocus, and Purple Passion, for those who love purple.

For the next trio, I kept Obsidion for contrast but swapped out the purples for warmer, brighter shades, Red Ginger and Mango.

What colors would you pull from this candy-colored basket? Come by the shop to play the color game as you plan your next project!

Handwoven.

Posted by Julia on October 26, 2016

The latest issue of Handwoven magazine is here!

This issue focuses on mixing yarns of varied weights for different effects.

I was so happy to spot this feature by Kate Gagnon Osborn, of Kelbourne Woolens, about weaving with Fibre Company yarns like Meadow, Cumbria Worsted, Road to China Lace, Acadia, and Canopy Fingering.

Both halves of the Kelbourne Woolens’ team have backgrounds in weaving, and I’m thrilled to see it applied to these wonderful yarns that we’re used to seeing in a knit or crochet context.

Those of you who follow us on Instagram may already know that Schacht Cricket Looms are back in stock, along with Zoom Looms and copies of the inspiring Weavers Idea Book. Come by the shop to pick up a copy of Handwoven and plan your next weaving project!

knit.wear.

Posted by Julia on October 17, 2016

Update: this issue of knit.wear is sold out!

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The latest issue of knit.wear is here, and it’s flying off our shelves!

This stylish magazine from Interweave is notably garment-oriented, a publication with more sweater patterns than accessories.

I spotted some familiar yarns in this issue: a sweater knit in Shibui Pebble, with a bit of Shibui Cima on the bottom edge for a layered look, and a lace-edged poncho in Fibre Company Canopy Fingering.

Maybe it’s just because I’m finishing up a cardigan at the moment, but for me the standout feature of this issue was a new-to-me buttonband technique from designer Sarah Solomon.

Come by the shop to pick up a copy of knit.wear while they last!

Show and tell: accessories.

Posted by Julia on October 9, 2016

It’s been less than a month since my last “show and tell” blog post, but already there’s so much to share. Here are some of the finished projects that started life as yarn on our shelves!

Above is the “Rise” hat, knit by Robin, who is teaching an upcoming class on the subject here at the shop. She made it with two yarns held together throughout: Shibui’s newest yarn, Drift, and their classic Silk Cloud. This pattern is free with the purchase of Shibui yarns for the project, and features cozy cables and a tidy tubular cast-on.

Below is Robin’s “Rise” cowl, knit with Fibre Company Canopy Worsted and Shibui Silk Cloud held together throughout, an equally luxurious yarn combination for the project.

Here’s the subject of another upcoming class, Marsha’s “Super Fast Mittens,” a pattern she’s made available for sale here at the shop. Made with Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande, they’re quick and cozy, designed with ease of knitting in mind. Join the class for an introduction to double-pointed needles!

Peggy brought two finished accessories in for show and tell; above is her “Basket Whip” cowl, knit in the (sadly discontinued) Fibre Company Savannah, and below is her “Holden” shawl, knit in Geilsk Cotton/Wool. Both yarns are well-balanced blends of plant and animal fibers, lightweight from fibers like linen and cotton, but plush from merino wool.

Ruth knit this “Rhys” scarf in Fibre Company Knightsbridge, a fuzzy heathered blend of llama, merino, and silk. It’s a handsome piece, decorated with cables and texture patterns, and the yarn is so well-suited to a next-to-skin accessory.

Petra has been on a Steve Rousseau kick, knitting and crocheting several of his intricate shawls in a row. Her latest is this “Dimitri Rectangular Shawl,” knit in the lightweight, tweedy Shibui Pebble.

Thanks to everyone who shares their creations with us, those who gamely submit to my photography as well as those who’d rather not. We love seeing what you’re working on, and the pleasure and satisfaction that you derive from your finished projects.

See you at the shop!

Interweave Knits, Holiday 2016.

Posted by Julia on October 2, 2016

The Holiday 2016 issue of Interweave Knits has arrived!

This special issue features festive knits for giving and decorating during the holidays.

There are a variety of heirloom garments and accessories, of course, like this intricate cabled cape knit in Fibre Company Cumbria Fingering.

I particularly like this spread of patterns based on the knitterly illustrations of childrens’ book author Jan Brett. What a special gift this colorwork stocking would make with a copy of The Hat!

Come by the shop to browse the newest magazines and plan your holiday gift-making!

Hello, Fibre Company Tundra.

Posted by Julia on September 25, 2016

Meet the newest yarn here at the shop, and the star of our current trunk show: Fibre Company Tundra.

Tundra is not a new yarn for the Fibre Company, but it’s one we haven’t had in stock before. This smooth and lustrous yarn is composed of 60% alpaca, 30% merino, and 10% silk. Most of the colors are bright and saturated, though we made sure to bring in a few cool neutrals, too.

Tundra is a bulky weight yarn, ideal for luxurious winter accessories, so keep it in mind as quick-to-make gifts begin to top your to-do list.

Kelbourne Woolens’ Tundra Collection is full of patterns that fit the bill, and if you hurry in, you can see them on display here at the shop and get Tundra at 10% off during the trunk show. See you there!

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

Tundra Collection Trunk Show!

Posted by Julia on September 22, 2016

A new Trunk Show has arrived to inspire and delight Hillsborough Yarn Shoppers! Come by soon to see the Tundra Collection and Tundra: Elements.

The Tundra Collection features hats, cowls, and other winter accessories knit in the soft, luxurious, and brand-new-to-the-shop Fibre Company Tundra. (More on that soon!)

None of these garments require more than 3 skeins of Tundra to make, so they’re quick, satisfying projects.

Tundra: Elements is a booklet of sweater patterns all derived from one simple design, a cozy raglan.

Add stripes or pockets, choose a hood, v-neck, henley, or turtleneck, and the look changes entirely, though the basic shape is the same.

We’re offering a 10% discount on Fibre Company Tundra during the Trunk Show, so hurry in to get this brand new yarn at a great price!

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

New colors from the Fibre Company.

Posted by Julia on September 21, 2016

Unpacking shipments is an exciting part of my work at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. Even if it’s not a new product I’m aching to take home myself, it’s always fun to see what’s in the box, and admire and sort colorful bags of yarn. That said, when the box holds something I do plan to take home, the unpacking is that much more exciting. It was with that extra excitement that I cracked open a big box of yarn from the Fibre Company last week.

This box was packed with new shades in Fibre Company Acadia and Cumbria Fingering, the latter of which was the object of my desire, and the makings of my next sweater.

Cumbria Fingering is a tightly-plied blend of 60% merino wool, 30% masham wool, and 10% mohair. For a yarn so sturdy, it’s awfully soft, and though the mohair makes it slightly fuzzy, it still has fantastic stitch definition.

We’ve seen that nice definition in two new shop samples, mittens from the Kelbourne Woolens Year of Mittens Knit-Along. Marsha knit the “August Mitten” (above) and Amy knit the “September Mitten” (below), which is the subject of an upcoming class. Read more about it and sign up on our Classes page!

The new shades of Acadia are particularly vibrant this season, a saturated little rainbow of six that fits beautifully into our existing selection.

Acadia’s silk slubs give it color and texture interest, so it doesn’t take fancy stitching to make this yarn shine; any one of these shades would make a lovely “Easy Folded Poncho” or pair of “Welted Fingerless Gloves,” simple knits that let the yarn take center stage. Look at Kelbourne Woolens’ Acadia Collection for more ideas.

I’m unpacking an awful lot of boxes these days, as fall is fast approaching and new yarns are arriving daily. Come by the shop to see what’s new from the Fibre Company and all our other favorites!

The Arranmore Collection.

Posted by Julia on August 30, 2016

With the arrival of Fibre Company’s exciting new yarn, Arranmore, comes a predictably lovely pattern collection from the design team at Kelbourne Woolens.

Inspired by traditional Irish knitwear, the Arranmore Collection features six sweaters, two hats, and a scarf.

Tweed yarns like Arranmore liven up simple stockinette, to be sure, but they do equally well in texture and cable patterns, and bring nuance to stranded colorwork.

Anne’s knitting “Carrowkeel” as a sample for the shop, using Arranmore in “Meara,” a deep blue with flecks of cobalt and red.

This cozy turtleneck is designed to be worn with positive ease, and looks like perfect North Carolina winter outerwear to me.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on a “Finn Valley” sample, using Arranmore’s “St. Claire,” a natural white with flecks of beige and pale blue that really lets the cables shine. I’m sorry to report that this color is currently on backorder; let us know if it tops your list so we can alert you when it arrives!

Look for the Arranmore Collection along with Arranmore yarn here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop!

Hello, Fibre Company Arranmore.

Posted by Julia on August 28, 2016

We’re excited to announce the newest yarn from the Fibre Company, Arranmore!

Arranmore is a bulky weight tweed, composed of 80% merino, 10% cashmere, and 10% silk. It knits up quickly at a gauge of 3.5 – 4.25 stitches per inch, using US 8-10 needles. Though it’s thick and warm, it’s not heavy; with 175 yards on each 100 gram skein, it’s quite lofty for a bulky yarn.

Arranmore is spun in a mill that traces its roots to the tweed industry of 19th century County Donegal in Ireland. Like any classic tweed, Arranmore is dotted with flecks of fiber in contrasting colors, and like any Fibre Company yarn, its colorways and fiber content have been thoughtfully fashioned. Read more about the fascinating process behind Arranmore on the Kelbourne Woolens blog!

Anne picked up two sweaters-worth of Arranmore on our TNNA trip so we could have shop samples ready before our order even came in. Though we’ve been knitting as fast as we can, and Arranmore truly seems to knit itself some days, our sweaters are still on the needles.

Keep your eye on the blog for more on the glorious pattern collection that accompanies Arranmore’s release!