Swans Island All American Sport: patterns.

Posted by Julia on August 10, 2015

Swans Island has developed an outstanding yarn in All American Sport, and with it, an exciting collection of patterns.

I’m so excited to see all this colorwork! From pullovers and cardigans to hats, mitts, and cowls, you’ll find many different applications of two-color knitting in this collection, many of which are suitable for first-time colorwork knitters.

I had the opportunity to knit one of these patterns a few months ago, as Swans Island sent us a pair of sample skeins before the yarn was officially released. Here’s my “Paige Mitt,” a sample you’ll find on display here at the shop. I’m so pleased with how it came out, and loved the feel of the yarn in my hands along the way. All American Sport has lots of elasticity, one of my favorite qualities in a yarn.

The colors in my sample are somewhat low-contrast, and though that’s something we often talk about avoiding when it comes to colorwork patterns, I like the effect.

Selecting colors for colorwork projects can be intimidating. My strategy is to first identify the relationship between the colors used by the designer. How many light colors, how many medium, and how many dark? What color families do they belong to, where are they used, and how much contrast is there between them? From there, it’s easier to plug in other colors, so long as they relate to one another in a similar way. Since the “Paige Mitts” are shown in a low-contrast color combination, I came up with a few other such combinations, playing with the yarn as I unpacked it.

The “Vivian Mitts,” on the other hand, are shown in a high-contrast color pair, edged with a third bright color.

Here are a few possible colorways for the “Vivian Mitts” using that same color relationship.

These couple of colorways are just the beginning; with 36 colors and a binder full of patterns to choose from, there’s no limit to what’s possible.

Come by the shop to peruse the All American Sport pattern collection and play the color game as you plan your next project!

Hello, Swans Island All American Sport.

Posted by Julia on August 8, 2015

The newest yarn from Swans Island has arrived at the shop! Meet All American Sport.

All American Sport is a 2-ply woolen-spun yarn composed of 100% Rambouillet wool, a little cousin of sorts to Swans Island All American Worsted. There are 185 yards on each 40 gram skein, every bit of which was grown, processed, spun, and dyed in the USA. This yarn is a unique combination of next-to-skin soft and holds-its-shape sturdy, and was created with stranded colorwork in mind. That’s why it comes in this huge selection of colors.

For a newly released yarn from a small, thoughtful company, this is one outrageous color palette! There’s something for everyone and every project here, whether you favor brights, neutrals, pastels, or jewel tones.

“Woolen-spun” means that the yarn is spun from fiber that has been carded, but not combed. The carding process organizes the fibers to some degree, but they are not as smoothly aligned as combed fibers, giving woolen-spun yarns a rustic look.

Woolen-spun yarns like All American Sport are also quite lofty, making them versatile in terms of gauge. Swans Island suggests a gauge of 6 stitches per inch, but All American Sport is happy at a range of gauges. After washing, the fibers bloom to fill whatever space your needles have given them. The swatch above illustrates this, as I knit it using needles from US #3 – 6.

Does it come as any surprise that I am utterly enamored of this yarn? I took so many pictures of it that there just isn’t room in one blog post, so you can look forward to a second installment soon, covering the glorious pattern collection that accompanies this special yarn. In the meantime, come by the shop to ooh and ahh over Swans Island All American Sport!

Summer show and tell.

Posted by Julia on July 21, 2015

Time for another round of show and tell! Here are some of the finished projects our knitters have shared with us recently.

Conny brought in her stunning “Hitofude Cardigan,” knit in Swans Island Organic Merino Fingering.

This clever design is knit all in one piece, an a-line lace cardigan that calls out for yarn with excellent drape. Conny’s “Hitofude” drapes beautifully, thanks to the soft, naturally-dyed Swans Island yarn.

On their last trip to the shop, Sallie and Josie each picked up a few skeins of Trendsetter Soleil, an aran weight cotton yarn flecked with wooden beads and woven leaves. From there, they each designed a scarf with the stuff, knit simply to let this spirited yarn shine. We were so delighted to see them in these scarves on their next visit!

Josie came with a second piece of show and tell, her completed “Technicolor Cowl,” knit in a mix of Dream in Color Classy and Malabrigo Rios.

Phyllis just completed this exquisite baby blanket for her first grandchild, who is expected to appear within the week. Selecting stitch patterns from Nancy Bush’s Knitted Lace of Estonia, she created her own design for this special piece, paying careful attention to the perfectly executed lace edging.

The yarn is Malabrigo Sock, with excellent stitch definition for showing off the intricate lace, and a soft and squishy hand to boot.

Thanks to everyone who brings in projects to share with us, whether at the beginning, middle, or end of the process. We love to see what you’re working on, and feel lucky to be surrounded by such creative and talented people. Stay tuned for another batch of show and tell here soon!

Knitscene.

Posted by Julia on July 6, 2015

The latest issue of Knitscene is here!

The Fall 2015 issue is packed with cozy garments and accessories, and flipping through it, I saw lots of familiar yarns. The clever “Tourlaville Shawl” is knit in Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball, working stripes from two balls of the same self-striping colorway to great effect.

Mari Chiba’s “Canted Pullover” is knit in Swans Island Organic Washable DK, a deliciously soft superwash wool.

I was particularly struck by Leah B. Thibault’s “Cormac Sweater,” an openwork pullover ideal for autumn layering, and knit in none other than Shibui Maai.

Look to this issue for lots of sweater inspiration, and a brioche tutorial, as well.

Come by the shop to pick up a copy of Knitscene and peruse the latest magazines and books!

Knitting Traditions.

Posted by Julia on April 22, 2015

The Spring 2015 issue of Knitting Traditions is here!

Knitting Traditions looks at the craft from a historical perspective, focusing on techniques and styles from all over the world and across time. This issue’s focus is adventure, telling historical tales of explorers and their knitted garments.

The striped sweater on the cover is knit in Swans Island Organic Merino Worsted, and is one of a handful of men’s garments in this issue.

I spotted another familiar yarn in Hunter Hammersen’s “Serpula Contortuplicata Socks” : Shibui Staccato.

Look for Knitting Traditions among the latest publications on the teacart. See you at the shop!

Show and tell: Swans Island All American Worsted.

Posted by Julia on January 27, 2015

We always love to see what you’re making with HYS yarns, and I love to take photos of your beautiful finished pieces to share here on the blog. I have a nice collection to share at the moment, enough for two blog posts. Today’s group all happen to be made in the same wonderful yarn: Swans Island All American Worsted, an aran weight blend of US-sourced Rambouillet wool and alpaca.

Emily came into the shop last week wearing her newly-completed “Halyard,” by Norah Gaughan, which she knit using 6 skeins of All American Worsted in a deep, saturated cobalt shade called “Newport.” She lengthened the sleeves from 3/4 length to full length for a cozy winter pullover.

I knit a sweater in All American Worsted recently, too. Here I am in my “Docklight,” by Julie Hoover. If you’ve been to the shop in the past month or two, you’ve probably seen me in it, as it’s become a favorite winter sweater. I’m thrilled with how it came out, and impressed with how the yarn is wearing. I used 6 skeins in “Frost,” a light blue-gray.

Nancy knit this “Hourglass Throw” by Anne Hanson using 8 skeins of All American Worsted in a warm brown shade called “Driftwood.” The light color really shows off Hanson’s intricate cable and lace design. This was Nancy’s first time knitting cables, and they are expertly rendered. Well done!

Anyone else out there knitting with All American Worsted? Tell us what you’re making with it , and come in to show us, too!

Thanks to everyone who starts their projects at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop, and to those who share their progress with us. Come by the shop to pick up some Swans Island All American Worsted for your next project, and keep your eye on the blog for more show and tell soon!

Swans Island Trunk Show.

Posted by Julia on November 12, 2014

We’re delighted to announce that our next trunk show of the season has arrived, featuring garments from Swans Island!

We’ve got six garments on display here at the shop until November 23rd: Bristol Ivy’s “Offshore V-Neck,” Alicia Plummer’s “Arrowhead Shawl,” Leah B. Thibault’s “Breakwater Pullover,” Michele Rose Orne’s “Celtic Mitts,” Stacey McCrea Warner’s “Spindrift Cowl,” and Isabell Kraemer’s “Audrey Cardigan.”

Most of these garments are knit in Swans Island All American Worsted, a 2-ply woolen-spun blend of 75% Rambouillet wool and 25% alpaca. Since we first introduced this yarn in September, we’ve been through several reorders, accumulating a few new colors here and there. We now have every available color in All American Worsted!

Come by the shop before November 23rd to see and try on these garments and accessories, and consider Swans Island All American Worsted for your next project!

Downton Abbey and Jane Austen Knits.

Posted by Julia on October 25, 2014

Two more new magazines are here, each inspired by stories of and about the past.

The Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits is full of knitting patterns inspired by the television series Downton Abbey, which is, for those who have somehow escaped seeing it, a period drama taking place in a British country estate during the early 20th century.

The garments in this issue suggest the era as well as the class of the show’s inhabitants, from the aristocrats upstairs to the servants downstairs.

This garter stitch beret is knit in three shades of Isager Alpaca 2, a favorite yarn around here.

This issue of Jane Austen Knits is the fifth such collection of knitting patterns inspired by the novels of Jane Austen. I found lots of familiar yarns within its pages: Swans Island Organic Washable DK in the cover mitts, Fibre Company Meadow in the “Dashwood Lace Stole,” Malabrigo Sock in the “Second Chance for Mr. Rushworth” socks, and more!

Come by the shop to pick up a copy of The Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits and Jane Austen Knits, and don’t forget to check out the Hanne Falkenberg Trunk Show while you’re here!

Show and tell: anniversary edition, part 2.

Posted by Julia on October 17, 2014

As you may remember from years past, or may have seen in our most recent email newsletter, October 18th marks the eight-year anniversary of the Hillsborough Yarn Shop. We are so grateful to all of you for your support over the years, for shopping and learning and sharing with us. We’ll celebrate another year in business in our usual way: an anniversary sale! From Friday October 17th – Sunday October 19th, everything in the shop will be discounted by 15%, with the exception of classes and that which is already discounted.

Here on the blog, I’m celebrating all of you with another batch of show and tell.

Joanne came in the other day with a colorful project to share. Above, she models her “Technicolor Cowl” knit in the decadent Alchemy Sanctuary, a velvety blend of merino wool and silk.

Paula’s needles have been busy lately; she recently brought in two finished projects to share with us! Above is her “Thicket” beret, from Alana Dakos’ Botanical Knits 2, knit in Fibre Company Acadia.

Paula also knit this “Mix No. 26” with Shibui Pebble, a different yarn, but a nice match for her “Thicket” beret. I love it in these low-contrast colors, a soft beige against wintry white.

Emily came in wearing this “Côte-Nord Cap,” a pattern by Amy Christoffers from last winter’s Interweave Knits, Winter 2014. She used a skein of the new Swans Island All American Worsted in a rich blue hue.

Thanks to everyone who starts and shares their projects at the Hillsborough Yarn Shop! We find your stitches so inspiring, and your support of the shop is so appreciated. Keep your eyes on the blog for another “show and tell” post soon, and visit us this weekend to take advantage of our Anniversary Sale!

(A reminder: all sales are final on sale items; there can be no exchanges, no returns, nor will we special order. Discount applies only to in-store purchases. Thanks!)

New patterns from Swans Island.

Posted by Julia on October 11, 2014

Not long ago, we received a bunch of new patterns from Swans Island.

The “Axis Shawl” calls for two shades of Swans Island Organic Merino Fingering, which come together in a striped slip-stitch pattern against a background of soothing garter stitch. Lots of “Axis Shawls” are starting to pop up on Ravelry; look there for some interesting color combinations.

The “Northwoods Vest” and “Trail Ride Mitts” both make good use of Swans Island Organic Merino Worsted, and show how nice it looks in a cable pattern.

Most of our new Swans Island patterns call for their Organic Washable DK, which is soft and springy, with great stitch definition.

Swans Island makes this yarn machine-washable with a process called Ecowash®, which coats the yarn with an organic compound rather than stripping the scales from the fiber. This helps to prevent felting, making it easy-care for baby and children’s things.

Come by the shop to flip through the Swans Island pattern binder, which is full of inspiring uses for their special yarns!