Tag Archives: gift ideas

Lumos Knitting Light.

Posted by on

Lumos Knitting Lights were by far the most popular gift item here at HYS this holiday season – we reordered them again and again! Now that they’re back in stock for the fourth time, I figured it was time for a proper introduction here on the blog.

A friend and avid knitter recommended these to us years ago – she swears by them for comfort and clarity, an endorsement that resonated when a wholesale opportunity came up. When our first shipment of Lumos Knitting Lights arrived at the shop, Anne and I each purchased two – an endorsement of our own!

This gadget sits comfortably around the neck and shines directly onto your work, be it knitting, crochet, hand quilting, or embroidery. The Lumos Knitting Light is flexible and easy to adjust, with three color temperatures and dimmer.

Look for them in our notions section here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop!

Della Q Maker’s Circular Needlecase.

Posted by on

Brand new from Della Q!

The Maker’s Circular Needlecase is a zippered canvas bag for storing circular needles. It opens up accordion style, revealing eleven pockets for any size or length of circular needle.

One of those pockets holds a sheet of blank stickers so you can label your needle sections as your collection requires.

Della Q Maker’s Circular Needlecase are $50 each, and available in Orange, Plum, Maroon, and Teal. Look for them here at HYS, along with a wide selection of circular needles from Knitter’s Pride and Addi!

Kurier Waxed Canvas Project Bags.

Posted by on

We’ve been searching for a new source for project bags lately, and are so pleased to have found Kurier!

Kurier Waxed Canvas Project Bags:

  • Heavy weight American made waxed canvas
  • Drawstring closure, 9” leather wristlet, removable brass stitch marker holder, four interior pockets
  • Approximate dimensions: 10” H | 10” W | 5” D
  • $98 each

Kurier is a shop in Portland, Maine, featuring handmade clogs and bags by in-house designer, Jasmine Clayton. Her Waxed Canvas Project Bags are pleasingly sturdy, generously sized, and fully lined, with plenty of pockets.

We currently have Waxed Canvas Project Bags in Moss, Slate, Buttercup, and Rose – look for them with our Della Q Circular Needlecases here at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop!

52 Weeks of Easy Knits.

Posted by on

52 Weeks of Easy Knits ($50) is the latest book from Laine, an inspiring tome packed with 52 approachable patterns for garments and accessories. Let’s take a look inside!

This is the third in Laine’s ambitious 52 Weeks series, and instead of focusing on a particular kind of garment, it invites knitters of all skill levels to cast on for pleasing, uncomplicated projects.

The book begins with an introduction to yarn choice, pattern reading, cast-ons, bind-offs, finishing – all manner of techniques.

The patterns themselves are fun, modern, and varied. You’ll find colorblock cardigans, slip stitch socks, bobbled shawls, striped scarves, ribbed beanies, textured mittens, and more within these pages.

You can see them all on Ravelry, a virtual way to browse the book; the list of designers is impressive, including Isabell Kraemer, Sylvia Watts-Cherry, Veera Välimäki, Jonna Hietala, Paula Pereira, George Cullen, Meiju K-P, among many others.

52 Weeks of Easy Knits is $50, not a bad price for 52 patterns – look for it here at the shop, or order online for local pickup or shipping!

Back in stock: Binkwaffles!

Posted by on

We’re so happy to have a fresh supply of Binkwaffle bags on our shelves!

Binkwaffles are colorful, reversible, dumpling-shaped project bags. Knitters and crocheters love them because they’re both functional and whimsical.

Left to right: Bogolan, Candy Blue, Aiden

We have three colorways available in the small size, which is just right for toting a hat, sock, cowl, or pair of mitts in progress.

Small Binkwaffle bags are $48 each – hurry in if there’s a particular print you’d like to snag, these tend to sell quickly! We’re also happy to take your order online for local pickup or shipping – just fill out our online order form.

Back in stock: Plystre Project Pouches.

Posted by on

We’re delighted to have Plystre Project Pouches back in stock!

Plystre is a small company based in Oslo, Norway, that focuses on creating effortless, functional bags for knitters. They’re made from sturdy 100% cotton canvas, lined with the same, and close up securely with a zipper. The wrist strap is made of leather, sure to age beautifully and soften with use.

Inside is where all the excitement is – a variety of pockets line the interior of the Project Pouch, perfect for storing notions, needles, your phone, and other essentials along with the project at hand. One of the larger pockets has eyelets you can thread your yarn through to prevent tangling.

The bags are $65, and available for local pickup or shipping via USPS Priority Mail ($8)  –  fill out our online order form if you’d like one!

Ready Set Raglan.

Posted by on

Ready Set Raglan is here!

This new book from Pom Pom Press is all about raglan-sleeve pullovers, complete with patterns, tutorials, and inspiring modifications.

It’s a follow-up to Pom Pom’s excellent beginner book, Knit How, and invites improving knitters to take another step forward in their knitting skills.

The patterns are beautiful in their simplicity, which also makes them a blank slate for modifications – the section on “Variations and Adjustments” will see you through different sleeve and body lengths, necklines, and more, while the “Exploring Color” chapter covers stripes, marling, and color combinations.

Any knitters on your list this holiday season? Ready Set Raglan makes an excellent gift. Copies are $26.50 each – order online for local pickup or shipping!

HYS Hat Club: Quarter 2!

Posted by on

The HYS Hat Club continues, and we’re opening it up for Quarter 2 signups!

HYS Hat Club is a subscription of thoughtfully curated hat projects for knitters, pairing yarns and patterns to keep you entertained all year long. Each quarter includes three hat projects (one per month), and a few other surprises along the way.

HYS Hat Club, October 2020 – “Gault,” by Jared Flood, 2 skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Arbor, and a sample of Brooklyn Tweed Dapple.

Patterns: Expect patterns from a variety of designers, using all kinds of techniques, including cables and other texture patterns, stranded colorwork, mosaic knitting, marling, and more. 

Fiber: We love the elasticity of wool for hat-making, so there’ll be plenty of it, and all kinds, sometimes blended with other fibers, like cashmere, cotton, mohair, or silk.

Gauge: The yarns will vary in gauge, from fingering weight up to bulky. 

Color: Choose from four color palettes – warm, cool, neutral, and surprise; select a second palette if you’d like a bit more variety throughout the quarter.

Price, terms, and timing: 

Cost for HYS Hat Club Quarter 2, local pickup option: $150

Cost for HYS Hat Club Quarter 2, USPS shipping option: $174

Prepay for the first quarter by Saturday, December 19th, and expect an email early in January letting you know that your first HYS Hat Club order is ready for pickup or shipping. All HYS Hat Club sales are final, no returns or exchanges; discounts do not apply.

  • Quarter 2: January, February, March
  • Quarter 3: April, May, June
  • Quarter 4: July, August, September

HYS Hat Club, November 2020: “November Hat,” by Meghan Kelly, 1 skein Kelbourne Woolens Germantown, samples of KW Andorra and Scout, and an HYS Zipper Bag.

Sign up for Quarter 2 using our online order form, answering the following questions:

  • Choose one or two color palettes: warm, cool, neutral, or surprise
  • Would you like your yarn wound?
  • Ravelry username:

Giving the HYS Hat Club as a gift? Please provide mailing and email addresses for your recipient – we’ll send them a note in the mail letting them know that the HYS Hat Club is coming their way in January!

We can’t wait to share what we’ve been cooking up for the HYS Hat Club, but each hat project is a surprise… Sign up for Quarter 2 by December 19th to join the club!

Fair Isle Weekend, by Mary Jane Mucklestone.

Posted by on
It’s been a long wait, but Mary Jane Mucklestone’s new book has finally arrived!
In Fair Isle Weekend, Mary Jane Mucklestone takes us on a virtual trip to Shetland. This beautifully produced hardcover book features 8 colorwork designs, a steeking tutorial, and a few essays on life and knitting traditions in Shetland.
Laine is the publisher, known for their popular knitting and lifestyle magazine, which we’re delighted will be back with a new issue in December. Mucklestone’s designs are shown clearly in tantalizing photographs that highlight the knitterly details as much as the striking landscape.
Fair Isle Weekend is $42.95 and available for local pickup here at the shop or USPS Priority Mail shipping (an additional $8). Order online to get a copy for yourself or a colorwork-loving friend – inspiring knitting books make excellent gifts!

Back in stock: Knit How.

Posted by on

We’re delighted to have our very favorite learn-to-knit book back in stock – Pom Pom’s Knit How!

Since we’ve all been encouraged to stay home during the pandemic, we’ve noticed an increase in new knitters, looking to dig into a new hobby. Knit How is a fresh book for knitters just getting started, one that’s as enticing and beautifully designed as books and magazines for more experienced knitters.

It begins with the fundamentals of knitting: casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. The instructions are friendly and the photos and illustrations are clear, and helpful tips are sprinkled throughout.

From there, the book guides knitters through 10 patterns, each of which introduces a new technique, like increasing and decreasing, working in the round, cables, and lace.

Know someone seeking a new pastime? Knit How makes an excellent gift. Copies are $26.50 each – order online for local pickup or shipping!