Tag Archives: children’s things

Hit the books.

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We got lots of new books in this week at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. Some of them ended up on the teacart, where they’re sure to capture attention, but not all new books are so lucky. The teacart is small, after all, and can’t show off everything at once, so some new books get tucked on the shelf with little fanfare. Here’s a round up of the newest titles available at the shop, so these books can have a proper introduction. 

  • Entree to Entrelac: The Definitive Guide from a Biased Knitter, by Gwen Bortner
  • Wonderland: Modern Baby and Children’s Knitting Patterns 
  • Knitting for Little Feet: 40 Booties, Socks, and Slippers for Babies and Kids 
  • Cute and Easy Baby Knits: 25 Adorable Projects for 0-3 Year-Olds, by Susie Johns
  • Crochet So Fine: Exquisite Designs with Fine Yarns, by Kristin Omdahl
  • Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters, by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss
  • Crochet Lace Innovations, by Doris Chan
  • The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn, by Clara Parkes
  • The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber, by Clara Parkes
  • Double Knitting: Reversible Two-Color Designs, by M’lou Baber
  • My Grandmother’s Knitting: Family Stories and Inspired Knits from Top Designers, by Larissa Brown, featuring Ysolda Teague, Jared Flood, Meg Swansen, Cookie A., and many more

If any of these books strike your fancy, come to the shop to check them out in person, and if you’re having trouble finding one in particular, just ask us where we’ve hidden them!

Of mice and monkeys.

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For the past few weeks, Anne and I have been knitting animals. We worked on them during the quieter moments at the shop, and so they lingered, unfinished, for some time. Then, over the weekend, one mouse and one monkey emerged, knitted and stuffed, their features embroidered. You should see us morph into children as we hug our finished products, using tiny voices and giggling. Knitted animals are irresistible that way, it turns out. Anne’s mother can attest to this, as well. No one is immune to the charms of a handknit monkey.

Anne designed this monkey for Averette of Purple Crow Books, a wonderful local bookstore on King Street in Hillsborough. Averette did the knitting and Anne did the finishing, and now the completed monkey sits in the window at the Purple Crow. In his lap is the children’s book on which he was based, It’s A Book, by Lane Smith.

Back at the shop, the mouse remains. Phoebe goes with a children’s book that bears her name, Phoebe’s Sweater, by Joanna Johnson. It’s a sweet story about a mouse whose mother knits her a sweater, accompanied by knitting patterns for a matching child-sized sweater. Or, if you’re the animal-knitting type, a mouse-sized sweater, and a stuffed mouse to wear it.
Look for Phoebe near the baby pattern books in the yarn shop, where you’ll find many other stuffed animals to knit, if you’re so inclined. Stop by Purple Crow Books, too, especially if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of doing so.