Halcyon Yarn News, Notes, & etc.


We’ve Got Talent! Yes We Do!

I started this blog to keep you all in the loop about the knittings and other crafty things we are making here at the shop because there is always so much going on!! This week I am putting the spotlight on our Monday night Sit and Knit Group. They meet upstairs in our classroom every Monday night from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and have been for a long time. They are a very talented group and certainly very busy….

When I got going on my Einstein Coat, Beth wasted no time casting hers on in an equally beautiful Noro yarn and word of our Noro versions got out to the Sit and Knit Group. They were very interested because not too long ago, they did an Einstein Coat knit-along of their own. So when Beth and I finished HPIM2394our coats, she sent out an email to the Group telling them to bring their coats on Monday night so we could all have a show and tell. Here is a small representation of the finished coats. 4 coats couldn’t make it, mostly due to being out of town on the backs of lucky recipients. (that’s how generous this Group is – knitting Einstein Coats for        giHPIM2397fts…)

While I was there, I snapped some pics of other projects they had on tap. This vest came from the book Folk Style and Debbie knit it out of two colors of Malabrigo Worsted. She is known in the group for her tendency to knit complicated color work sweaters, to keep from getting bored!

These slippers HPIM2398were made by Dottie who is usually busy filling up a chest with baby articles for as yet unborn babies. Seems like she has started a trend; there are now more than a few knitters in the group manifesting grandchildren with hand knits!

This last pic is an in-progress hand punched rug that Tammy HPIM2399is making out of our Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool. Tammy made her Einstein Coat out of Lambs Pride Bulky and is on her way to becoming an intrepid knitter with the help of her knitting group.

So here’s to the many talented and kind-hearted knitters we are lucky to host here on Monday nights. If you are a local, please come by and meet them first hand for some time on the needles!


Calling All Crafters

It is time to don your Crafting Caps because: ‘There Are Only 8 Full Weeks Left Until Christmas!’ Now don’t get me wrong. I am not one of those people who takes kindly to seeing Christmas Stuff in the stores and on the shelves BEFORE Halloween. But when you are a person who Crafts for the Holidays, you can’t take the calendar for granted. So, 8 weeks it is. And unless you work best under pressure, here are a few ideas to help get your holiday projects underway.

So! Get your more time consuming projects on the loom or on the needles now. If you need inspiration, buy one of these titles and get the juices flowing! We will see you back here in two weeks for our ‘6 Weeks to Go!’ check in with some quicker ideas and free patterns.


Get Knitting

If you need a sweater for a special gift, you will still have time at this 8 week mark if you choose the  Weekend Neck Down Pullover knit out of Bartlett Bulky Bartlett Bulky Yarn , Debbie Bliss Como or  Aquarella . Give us a call and we’ll help you with yardage requirements.

Here are three timeless classic Halcyon patterns for almost certain gift success: the  Victorian Boucle Stole Another Stuffed Mitten Knitted Mitten , and the  Halcyon Yarn Beaded Bag Pattern .

Here is a holiday pattern you’ll want to get started on right away: Angora Snow Angels . It is free with the purchase of the  Angora Fashion yarn.



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A Small Investment

Knitting from stash this Holiday Season? Your money is well spent on one of these titles for gifting ideas:  Knitted Gifts Irresistible Projects to Make & Give Interweave Knits Weekend , or the new  Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts .

Also one of my favorite classic books is now out in paperback:  Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick. Now it is super affordable and chock full of great projects that you will return to all year.

One Skein by Leigh Radford and  Luxury One-Skein Wonders will not disappoint either for a wealth of knitted gift ideas.



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Felting Santa

Needle Felters grab a quick and easy, made just for beginners Santa & Elves Needle Felting Kit . If you start now, you’ll have time to make the more involved  Father Christmas Needle Felting Kit .



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Holiday Weaving

Weaving for the Holidays: Get your  Waffle Weave Kit - Holiday on the loom NOW. Don’t need red and green? Check out all the other new kit colors we have to offer.

Or need a weaving book for gift ideas or to give a weaving friend? Check out the new and gorgeous  Woven Treasures .



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Knitted Socks

If you are a knitted sock gifter, make sure and check out the two new lines of Opal we just got in. The bright and beautiful Opal Collection Rainforest 5 Opal Sock Yarn does not disappoint.

The Schafpate Collection is based on a buy local concept. This particular line is made through an all-German supply chain. And here are two new sock books to go with the yarn: Knitted Socks East and West and the brand new  Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters by Cat Bordhi.

If you need a solid sock yarn to make a fancy pair, grab a skein of  Heritage Sock Yarn in one of its many hues.



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It’s Coming!

Yarn Catalog XII, arriving soon!

Yarn Catalog XII, arriving soon! Click to download (40mb) now!

Volume Twelve of the Halcyon Yarn Catalog is fresh off the printing press and on it’s way to your doorstep as we speak! Here is a sneak peek at the cover to tantalize you. Volume Twelve is more fabulous than ever with lots of new Halcyon Original Patterns to look forward to. Psst… you can also download it here: 40MB PDF file. We can’t wait to hear from you on how we did…