Hello, Sandnes Garn Tynn Line.

Posted by Julia on April 16, 2024

We’re pleased to welcome another yarn from Sandnes Garn in Norway: meet Tynn Line!

Sandnes Garn Tynn Line:

light fingering weight
3-ply
53% cotton, 33% viscose, 14% linen
240 yards/50g
$7.50 each

Like Sandnes Garn Line, Tynn Line is composed of a unique blend of plant fibers, making it perfect for a variety of knit and crochet projects. It’s cool and breathable for warm weather garments, comfortable and absorbent for homeware items – all in all, a lovely addition to our fingering weight section.

What to make with Tynn Line? Here are some pattern ideas!

Garments:

“Skyline Tee,” by Tori You – saddle shoulder tee with ribbed sleeves
“Moon Set Tee,” by Ozetta – drop shoulder v-neck tee
“Cumulus Tee,” by PetiteKnit – top-down, rounded v-neck, stockinette tee
“Anker Tee,” by PetiteKnit – top-down, ribbed yoke tee
“Shore Tee,” by Anne Ventzel – top-down eyelet tee, knit holding lace and fingering weight yarns together
“Outline Tee,” by Jessie Maed – cropped tee with drop-stitch detail
“Outline Tank,” by Jessie Maed – cropped tank with drop-stitch detail
“Camisole No. 4,” by My Favorite Things – broken rib tank

Homewares:

“Linen Stitch Hand Towels,” by Purl Soho – 2 color hand towels
“French Market Bag,” by PetiteKnit – knotted openwork bag, knit holding 3 strands together
“Breeze Bag,” by PetiteKnit – mesh lace bag, knit holding two fingering weight yarns together
“Florence Bag,” by PetiteKnit – mesh lace purse, knit holding 3 strands together
“Four Points Baby Blanket,” by Purl Soho – crocheted baby blanket with triangular color blocks
“Knit Four Points Baby Blanket,” by Purl Soho – baby blanket with triangular color blocks

Look for Sandnes Garn Tynn Line in the fingering weight section here at HYS, and check out other Sandnes Garn yarns while you’re here – find Tynn Silk Mohair in the lace weight section, Sunday in the fingering weight section, Double Sunday in the DK weight section, and Line in the worsted weight section.

Hello, Isager Eco Baby.

Posted by Julia on April 5, 2024

Another new yarn from Isager! Meet Eco Baby.

Isager Eco Baby:

DK weight
undyed
chainette
68% baby alpaca, 32% organic cotton
164 yards/50g
$10 each

Eco Baby is a cousin to Eco Soft, both composed of baby alpaca and organic cotton, chain-plied into lofty, elastic yarns. Eco Baby is a smaller gauge, less fuzzy, and somehow even softer than Eco Soft!

“Field Sweater,” by Camilla Vad, photo © Camilla Vad

Like many of you, we first became aware of this yarn when we saw it in Camilla Vad’s “Field Sweater,” a pullover with a stunning texture pattern at the yoke, reminiscent of wheat sheaves. There’s a “Field Cardigan,” too, along with “Field Mittens,” “Field Beret,” and “Field Slipover” – Eco Baby is a lovely choice for any of these patterns.

Anne gilded the lily on her “Field Slipover,” adding a strand of Isager Silk Mohair to her already soft Eco Baby. The result is a decadent, cuddly fabric with a fuzzy halo that still shows the texture pattern beautifully.

You have to touch this one for yourself – come by the shop to give it a squeeze!

Our supply of Isager Silk Mohair is at an all time high, with more colors than ever. Matching shades of Eco Baby and Silk Mohair blend together seamlessly, but these undyed shades can be livened up with colors of a similar value, as well. Here are some ideas!

There are so many more color combinations to try – look for Isager Eco Baby and Silk Mohair in the DK and lace weight sections, respectively. We can’t wait to see what you put together!

Hello, Cascade Botanika.

Posted by Julia on March 26, 2024

Spring is here – time to reach for plant fiber yarns! Meet our newest arrival, Cascade Botanika.

Cascade Botanika:

sport weight
speckled with natural dyes
100% organic cotton
328 yards/100g
$12.50 each

Botanika is a soft and smooth organic cotton yarn, dyed with natural pigments sourced from plant leaves, roots and flowers. We have six speckled colors, dyed with the likes of indigo, madder, marigold, and mulberry leaf.

What to make with Botanika? Here are some pattern ideas in adult sizes:

“Tide Loop Tee,” by Other Loops – top-down textured tee
“Roadtripper Tee,” by Ozetta – top down henley neck raglan tee
“Outline Tee,” by Jessie Maed – cropped drop stitch tee
“Hermeline,” by Audrey Borrego – cap sleeve tee with twisted stitch panel
“Sintara,” by Audrey Borrego – top-down textured raglan tee

Soft, smooth, machine washable cotton is ideal for baby things, too – here are a few patterns to consider:

“French Macaroon,” by the Noble Thread – garter stitch color block pullover
“Veggie Patch Cardigan,” by Lisa Chemery – texture striped cardigan
“Clean + Simple Baby Dress,” by Purl Soho – sleeveless dress with linen stitch bodice
“Colorful Wedges Baby Blanket,” by Purl Soho – garter stitch blanket with short row triangles, 2-6 colors

Look for Cascade Botanika in the sport weight section here at HYS, along with other plant fiber yarns, like Kelbourne Woolens Skipper, Mojave, and Cascade Ultra Pima Fine!

Back in stock: Sandnes Garn Line.

Posted by Julia on March 22, 2024

Sandnes Garn Line has become a staple since we introduced it last March – we’re delighted to have a fresh supply and loads of new colors, just in time for spring!

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.

Above is my “Anker’s Summer Shirt,” a top-down, seamless PetiteKnit pattern, suitable for a knitter’s first sweater. Here are more pattern ideas for Line:

“Peacock Tee Solo,” by Lene Holme Samsøe – feather and fan lace yoke tee
“Sommer Ella Solo,” by Lene Holme Samsøe – leaf/lace yoke tee
“Sommerknus,” by Elsebeth Judith – textured tee
“Purl Strings,” by Heidi Kirrmaier – tee with textured stripes
“Anker’s Summer Shirt,” by PetiteKnit – ribbed yoke tee
“June Top,” by PetiteKnit – stockinette tank
“Cold Shoulder Crop,” by Park Williams – mock turtleneck tee with mesh cap sleeves
“Tolsta Tee,” by Rebecca Clowe – top down raglan tee with options for customization

Look for my “Anker’s Summer Shirt” on display at the shop, and find Sandnes Garn Line in our worsted weight section!

Back in stock: Bamboo Pop!

Posted by Julia on March 15, 2024

Universal Bamboo Pop is back!

Universal Bamboo Pop:

DK weight
solid and variegated shades
50% cotton, 50% bamboo
292 yds/100g
$11 each

This DK weight plant fiber blend is smooth, soft, and cool to the touch, ideal for warm weather stitching. It’s been particularly popular for making Knitted Knockers – soft, comfortable, knit prosthetics for breast cancer patients. Since 2015, we’ve collected them here at our shop to donate to UNC’s cancer center a few times a year. Read more about the project on the Knitted Knockers website!

Anne made the “Hitchhiker” shawl above with Bamboo Pop – check it out next time you’re here at the shop. What else to make with Bamboo Pop? Here are some ideas!

Tees and tanks:

“Anker’s Summer Shirt,” by PetiteKnit – top-down tee with ribbed circular yoke
“Sommerknus,” by Elsebeth Judith – textured tee
“Simple Tee,” by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas – cap- or long-sleeved tee, worked flat and seamed
“Me Oh My Tee,” by Park Williams – cropped tee
“Yume,” by Isabell Kraemer – lace yoke tee
“My Little Secret Crop,” by Jessie Maed – ribbed cropped tank top

Accessories:

“Easy Folded Poncho,” by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas – stockinette poncho with optional cowl
“Two-Color Cotton Cowl,” by Purl Soho – two-color brioche cowl
“Loreley,” by Melanie Berg – two-color triangular lace shawl
“Boneyard Shawl,” by Stephen West – triangular textured shawl
“Once Were Weavers,” by Francoise Danoy – triangular lace and drop stitch shawl

Come by the shop to plan your springtime knitting! We look forward to seeing you there.

Hello, Isager Eco Soft!

Posted by Julia on February 9, 2024

We love all things Isager here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, and are excited to bring a new Isager yarn into the shop – meet Eco Soft!

Isager Eco Soft:

aran weight
56% alpaca, 44% cotton
137 yards/50 g
$9.50 each

Eco Soft’s construction is a little unusual – undyed alpaca fiber is blown into an organic cotton chainette tube, resulting in a beautiful tonal yarn with a stunning halo, the cotton core seeming to glow through the alpaca fuzz. Garments and accessories made with Eco Soft are soft, cuddly, and warm, but lightweight.

Bailey has cast on for PetiteKnit’s “Cloud Sweater,” an oversized drop-shoulder pullover with a rolled funnel-neck. She was able to get the pattern gauge (17 stitches = 4″) with Eco Soft alone, though if you’re seeking extra warmth, you can certainly add a strand of Silk Mohair.

What else to knit with Eco Soft? Here are a few ideas…

“Lulu Slipover – Chunky Edition,” by PetiteKnit – turtleneck vest, buttoned at sides
“Flurry,” by Ankestrick – textured cardigan
“Eclair,” by Karin Fernandes – raglan pullover with split high/low hem
“Badger and Bloom,” by Anne Ventzel – colorwork yoke pullover
“Robinia Sweater,” by Anne Ventzel – colorwork stripe pullover
“Sweater No. 21,” by My Favorite Things – mesh lace pullover
“Levitate Wrap,” by My Favorite Things – oversized wrap cardigan
“Sophie Shawl,” by PetiteKnit – garter stitch shawl with i-cord edge
“Harris Hood,” by Cheryl Mokhtari – oversized hood

Look for Isager Eco Soft in the aran weight section here at HYS! We keep many other Isager yarns in stock as well, including Silk Mohair, Alpaca 2, Alpaca 3, Jensen, Boucle, and more…

Back in stock: Isager Bomulin.

Posted by Julia on June 27, 2023

Warm weather calls for plant fiber and lightweight yarns, so we’ve stocked up on Isager Bomulin, a light fingering weight blend of cotton and linen.

Isager Bomulin:

light fingering weight
65% cotton, 35% linen
230 yards/50g
$11 each

Plant fibers like these have little elasticity and a lot of drape, making them perfect for spring shawls and scarves, or loose-fitting warm-weather garments.

I’m a little late to the party, but I’ve just knit a “Ranunculus” as a sample for the shop, Midori Hirose’s always-popular textured yoke pullover. I picked a salmon pink shade of Isager Bomulin, holding it together with slightly lighter pink Isager Highland Wool for a bit of added softness, structure, and variation in color.

I’m really pleased with how these close-but-not-matching shades blend together in this garment, looking solid from a distance but gently marled upon closer inspection. Here are some more color combinations in Bomulin and Highland Wool that should have a similar effect!

Isager Merilin, a merino/linen blend, would also play well with Bomulin; here are four more low contrast combinations to consider for a “Ranunculus” of your own, or perhaps a PetiteKnit “Breeze Bag,” which calls for a similar combination of yarns.

Here’s Margaretta’s recently completed “Breeze Bag,” knit with Bomulin and Merilin held together throughout – perfect for farmer’s market flowers!

What else to knit with Bomulin? Here are a few ideas!

“Outline Tee,” by Jessie Maed – cropped tee with drop-stitch detail
“Outline Tank,” by Jessie Maed – cropped tank with drop-stitch detail
“Umbel Summer Top,” by Irene Lin – color block a-line tank
“Soleie Shell,” by Skeindeer Knits – lace edged tank
“Cumulus Top,” by PetiteKnit – camisole
“Shore Tee,” by Anne Ventzel – eyelet striped tee; held together with Isager Alpaca 1
“Tide Loop Tee,” by Other Loops – textured tee; held together with Isager Alpaca 1

Look for Isager Bomulin, Highland Wool, and Merilin in the fingering weight section here at HYS!

Hello, Kelbourne Woolens Skipper.

Posted by Julia on June 9, 2023

Meet the latest from Kelbourne Woolens, a soft, versatile cotton in 16 colors!

Kelbourne Woolens Skipper:

sport weight
4ply
100% unmercerized Tanguis cotton
137 yds/50g
$8.50 each

When developing their first 100% cotton yarn, the Kelbourne Woolens team was thoughtful in selecting Tanguis cotton from Peru, an economical and environmentally friendly choice. Tanguis cotton was developed to be more resistant to cotton wilt, and thus requires less water to grow in Peru’s climate. The fiber is absorbent, moisture wicking, and resists pilling, due to a “long, but not too long, staple fiber length,” in the words of the folks at KW.

What to make with Skipper? Here are some pattern ideas in adult sizes:

“Roadtripper Tee,” by Ozetta – top down henley neck raglan tee
“Outline Tee,” by Jessie Maed – cropped drop stitch tee
“Hermeline,” by Audrey Borrego – cap sleeve tee with twisted stitch panel
“Ship Shape,” by Heidi Kirrmaier – striped boat neck pullover
“Sol,” by Jacqueline Cieslak – cropped or full length tank with asymmetric lace panel
“Rigmor Tee,” by PetiteKnit – lace raglan tee

Soft, smooth, machine washable cotton is ideal for baby things, too – here are a few patterns to consider:

“Colorful Wedges Baby Blanket,” by Purl Soho – garter stitch blanket with short row triangles, 2-6 colors
“Garter Rib Baby Blanket,” by Orange Flower Yarn – textured rib baby blanket
“French Macaroon,” by the Noble Thread – garter stitch color block pullover
“Norwegian Fir Top Down Cardigan,” by OGE Knitwear Designs – garter stitch cardigan with lace at raglan
“Anna’s Summer Cardigan,” by PetiteKnit – eyelet cardigan

Look for Kelbourne Woolens Skipper in the sport weight section here at HYS, along with Mojave, KW’s cotton/linen blend!

Back in stock: Isager Japansk Bomuld.

Posted by Julia on June 2, 2023

Our most recent Isager order included a bundle of Japansk Bomuld, a lustrous lace weight cotton tape.

Isager Japansk Bomuld:

lace weight
flat tape
100% cotton
344 yards, 50 g
$15 each

Japansk Bomuld has been around for about five years, but remains one of the most unique plant fiber yarns in our shop. The knit fabric is crunchy and cool to the touch, ideal for spring and summer tops and accessories.

I used 3 shades of Japansk Bomuld to knit a Churchmouse “Alexandra’s Airplane Scarf” as a shop sample, a trio that made high contrast stripes towards the middle of the scarf, and low contrast at one end.

Though the Isager Japansk Bomuld palette is small, there are plenty of intriguing color trios available – here are a few to consider.

What else to knit with Japansk Bomuld? Hold it together with Silk Mohair for Midori Hirose’s “Ranunculus” or Ragnhild Vaaland’s “Blink” pullover, or hold 3 strands together for PetiteKnit’s “French Market Bag.”

Look for Isager Japansk Bomuld in the lace weight section here at HYS!

Back in stock + new colors: Brooklyn Tweed Dapple!

Posted by Julia on April 18, 2023

Dapple is Brooklyn Tweed’s DK weight blend of organic cotton and merino, a soft and fluffy yarn that’s been very popular around here. We’re delighted to report that five new colors just arrived, and we restocked others, too!

Brooklyn Tweed Dapple:

DK weight
woolen-spun, tonally dyed
60% merino wool, 40% organic cotton
165 yards/50 g
$15.25 each

Dapple is tonally dyed, meaning skeins in the same colorway differ from one another even in the same dye lot. Some are lighter, some are darker, some almost look marled! This isn’t immediately apparent when looking at one skein of Dapple at a time, so I’ve laid out big groups in a few colorways to give a better sense of the variety.

You can see each color laid out this way on our first Dapple blog post, and we’re happy to show you all the skeins we have in a given color when you’re here shopping in person.