From the Book Department
Thursday, September 17th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »Noro the World of Nature - Volume 26 Noro: the World of Nature is an amazing must have for Noro fans. Not only does it have stunning new patterns for Noro yarns; it has all you ever wanted to know ABOUT Noro yarns. There is a bio about Eisaku Noro himself plus pics of employees and their job descriptions. There are great pics and descriptions of all the yarn making processes from shearing (the sheep really do start out white!) to dyeing, blending, carding and spinning. Plus there is a nice Noro yarn index detailing yarn specs and colorways.
Felt Easy and Fun FELT: Easy and Fun is a beginning needle felting book by the renowned Birgitte Krag Hansen. (you may know her from Pixie Felt and Animal Felt.) She is in another hemisphere of talented and artistic and her other books may have made needle felting seem a little out of reach to us average crafters. Not so this book! The figures in this book are small and done more simply than those in other books. She published this book with teachers in mind to make the craft more accessible to all age groups.
Beautiful Sheep Beautiful Sheep: Portraits of Champion Breeds is the coffee table book of the year. For fiber enthusiasts anyway! There are almost 40 different sheep showcased with beautiful photography and all their specs to boot, including features, size, origin and distribution along with a map.
Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting Knitter’s Rejoice! Alice Starmore is back in print with Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting. Whether you have always been a fan and can’t find her out of print books, or you loaned yours and never got them back, or if you are a newbie and interested in THE place to learn Fair Isle technique, rest easy. This book includes the history of Shetland and Fair Isle types of patterns with charts, all the technique you could want, patterns for sweaters, mittens and hats, and a section for designing your own patterns. 190 pages for a lifetime of Fair Isle knitting for only $24.95! Crazy!!
Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting Crochet in Color is new for you crocheters out there. Cute updated designs using unique color combinations make for interesting and delightful new patterns. This should appeal to beginners and experienced crocheters alike with plenty of technique and easy to understand graphics.
Products featured in this post:
Noro the World of Nature - Volume 26
Felt Easy and Fun
Beautiful Sheep
Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting
Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting
New Schacht Accessories…. Fly Away!!
Friday, September 11th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »Schacht Maple Niddy Noddy Schacht Cherry Niddy Noddy Hold on…check this out, Schacht has developed a Bulky Flyer unit that you can interchange with your Ladybug, and Matchless wheels, it even comes in cherry. If you are looking to extend your plying volume or want to work in a bulkier way this flyer is a godsend. Schacht doesn’t create new fly by night pieces, so you know it will be a quality piece, something you’ll have forever and exactly what you’d expect from Schacht.
Schacht Ladybug Bulky Plyer Flyer Package Schacht Matchless Bulky Plyer Flyer Package Also… Some of Schacht’s older ridgid heddles (pre Flip) are looking for a new home. We have a varied inventory of heddles that we are clearing out, so check and see what dent reeds you have and if you need any other sizes and give us a call. They are all priced at $30.00.
Products featured in this post:
Schacht Maple Niddy Noddy
Schacht Cherry Niddy Noddy
Schacht Ladybug Bulky Plyer Flyer Package
Schacht Matchless Bulky Plyer Flyer Package
Some Fun Additions…
Friday, August 7th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »We just picked up a few new items that for those of us in the knitting realm will be adding to our bags of tricks here at Halcyon Yarn. Sometimes you have to just say, “What the heck”… in no uncertain terms and pick up the sweet little addition or the practical, (but I already have two of those) things and just let it go. So, without further ado, we thought you might like to have a peak at what those novelties might be.
Halcyon’s Very Own… Needle Gauge!!!
Halcyon Yarn Needle & Hook Gauge
It’s Plastic… and very cool, especially if you are an Addi Turbo Nut that cringes at the idea, never mind doing the inevitable needle size check with a #*@metal…. gauge… ugh!! The thought really is disheartening. It’s sizing measures from triple zero lace needles all the way up through 19! A must have to tuck into any project bag.
Debra's Garden Socks & Lace Needle Gauge Pendants
Debra’s Garden “precise” needle gauge pendant…
It’s for socks and lace. Pick one up for a great gift, for yourself or for the knitter in your life. Item #70740402
New from K & A, “Memoric Heart Stitch Markers” 20 count.
Memoric Heart Stitch Markers ( 20)
We all at one time or another knit for love… babies, boyfriends, or the partner in your life… these sweet stitch markers remind you where to make the right stitches as well as who you are knitting them for. Just another little do dad that’s fun and different.
Products featured in this post:
Halcyon Yarn Needle & Hook Gauge
Debra's Garden Socks & Lace Needle Gauge Pendants
Memoric Heart Stitch Markers ( 20)
A New Array of Books To Sink Into…
Thursday, August 6th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »“Spin Control” by Amy King
If you want to learn a lot about spinning in a way that is fun, colorful and extremely informative then this book will appeal on every level. Amy writes the way we speak. If you are a new spinner this book is very easy to understand which makes beginning the craft a lot less daunting and gives you a simple yet educational tour into the art and technique behind spinning. This book is a must have for your instructional library.
“Color Sense” by Susan Levin
Author and co-inventor of the Rainbow Pick, Point and Match Color Selector has compiled a resource that gives you a “clear and concise introduction to color theory”. Color Sense will help you to sort and decide with relative ease any color work choices that you could possibly have in any craft you choose. If you love color or just want to know what works and what doesn’t you’ll relish this guide.
“Knitting In The Sun” by Kristi Porter
The patterns in Kristi’s book are such a great compilation of knits that are light and chic. The designs are eclectic in shape, but showcase a choice for a variety of tastes. The sizing is broad and knitting levels range from easy to advanced. It gives you a opportunity to try the lighter side of knitting while keeping it interesting. I find that heavier knits can be a bit much even in the winter when you work in an office. Lighter knitting isn’t just for the summer, give it a try.
“aMiGURUMi TWO!” by aNa PauLa RiMOLi
If the title doesn’t make you stop in your tracks, tilt your head and murmur, huh? Then the little critters on the cover of the second edition of aMiGURUMi will make you smile and say, OOOhhhh. How cute!! aMiGURUMi, in Japanese, lightly translated means, “knitted stuffed toy” but in this book, all the projects are crocheted. If you have ever had a desire to learn crochet, this will put you over the top. The patterns are clear and easy to follow, and what a blast to have these sweet little creations hanging about or in the hands of the little ones you love. Great fun.
“Knitted Gifts” by Ann Budd
Knitted Gifts Irresistible Projects to Make & Give
It’s never too early to start knocking some gift knitting off of your list. Ann Budd’s new book is full of elegant and fun designs that you’ll be able to find a little something for everyone on your list… even the cat. Take a little advice and start early so the gift giving season doesn’t sneak up on you and you’ll have beautifully handknit gifts to bestow when the flakes are flying again.
“The Knitter’s Book Of Wool” by Clara Parkes Item # 59170410
**Coming October 2009**
Once again Clara will teach us all about this amazing fiber we love. She gives us a complete and knowledgeable read on the history and wonderment of wool. Reserve your copy now and come October you’ll dog ear a weekend to just sink into the prose of Ms Parkes… always a treat.
Products featured in this post:
Spin Control
Color Sense
Knitting in the Sun
Amigurumi Two!
Knitted Gifts Irresistible Projects to Make & Give
Check out the new tools…
Thursday, July 9th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »Schacht Cherry Niddy Noddy Schacht Maple Niddy Noddy The long awaited Schacht niddy noddy has arrived. It’s available in cherry or maple and is a skein winding wonder. It adjusts to two sizes: 2 yards and 1 1/2 yards. It folds flat for easy storage, has a amazing hand grip for comfort and ease when skeining. This beautiful yet functional tool is a must have for anyone who has been yearning for that perfect tool. Check it out.
Also, any of you that had seen the contest Schacht was sponsoring, “I Made It On My Schacht” might want to get moving on your projects. The deadline for email submissions or mail submissions is September 1st, 2009. Check out Schacht’s website for any details you may have missed the first time around.
Products featured in this post:
Schacht Cherry Niddy Noddy
Schacht Maple Niddy Noddy
Travel Knitting Kits…
Monday, June 22nd, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »The Knit Kit - Black & Ivory Make sure to add this great Knit Kit to your summer bag. It’s got everything you need to measure, cut and count all in one. Check out the newest color in black.
Products featured in this post:
The Knit Kit - Black & Ivory
The “All Around” Nantucket Diddy Bagg
Monday, June 22nd, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | 2 Comments »
We’ve featured this bag in the last two newsletters for the sheer purpose of making sure you were aware of this “Awesome” carry all bag. We have taken the liberty of showing you how a few of our staff have used the bag, in hopes that you’ll be inspired to see it for more then just another bag… This one rocks! (at this point most of the staff have one) I wonder how many golf balls you could fit in there? I gave one to my husband for Father’s Day full of jerky… Get creative, the possibilities are endless.
Upcoming New Yarns
Monday, June 8th, 2009 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »The yarn pow wows have been had, and the new yarns for the summer and fall seasons have been chosen. It’s all very fun to see all there is to see and then to choose. You should feel very relieved you are spared the decision making that goes into that process, but be very excited about the new yarns you’ll be seeing in the fall yarn catalog as well as in the shop coming as soon as late June. We’re excited about the changes we’ve made and wanted to share a bit of what we have coming, so here are a few just to tempt your senses…
This amazing, washable, bulky yarn is 40% Wool, 40% Acrylic and 20% Alpaca. There are 116 yds per skein in 100g balls and knits to 3.5 sts to the inch on size 10 needles. I think we’re getting close to perfect here… 23 new colors. Can’t wait to try it! Already in stock!!
This gorgeous bulky yarn is 45% Merino Wool, 30% Alpaca, 15% Silk, 10% Donegal, 100g balls with yardage of 148 per skein! 3.5 sts to the inch on size 10 needles. We’ll be housing 12 new colors. Almost ready!! (8 of the 12 colors are in…)
FEZ by Debbie Bliss
Fez is a medium weight, exotic, Merino & Camel yarn that is 85% extra fine merino wool, 15% camel; each skein is 110 yards, 50 grams and knits to 4.5 stitches per inch on size US 8 knitting needles. 16 new colors.
Iro by Noro
Bringing back a bulky favorite in 6 new colors, this 75% Wool, 25% Silk yarn will be your next new favorite. 132 yds per skein, Stitches 3 to the inch, on size US 11 needles, put up in 100g balls. This will be a perfect yarn for the Sally Melville Einstein Coat in book 1 of “The Knitting Experience”.
Vintage by Noro
This is a medium weight, Wool Silk Blend Yarn. Each skein is 110 yards, 50 grams; 64% wool, 24% silk, 12% angora; 4 stitches to 1 inch using US 9 knitting needles.Garment Care: Hand Wash, Dry Flat. 6 new colors.
