Hand Manipulated Supplementary Wefts – New Class, New Teacher
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 Posted in Current Issue, General News, New Items | No Comments »
Halcyon Yarn is pleased to be offering a brand new weaving class, Hand Manipulated Supplementary Wefts with a new teacher, Lori Benson. Join her on Saturday February 25th OR Saturday April 28th from 10am-2:30pm and spend the day experimenting with supplementary wefts. You’ll have a great time transforming your ordinary weaving into something funky and fun with this embellishing technique! Bring your own loom warped 10″-12″ wide using 3/2 pearl cotton. Lori will provide supplementary weft materials. Specifics provided upon registration.
For more information on this class, as well as to see our entire selection of classes, please visit our classes on the web.
Knit Noro Accessories and Other New Books
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »The bookshelves at Halcyon Yarn are continually changing. We’re always on the lookout for newly released titles, as well as not so well known titles that our customers might appreciate. Here’s a list of our latest additions.
Weaving
| Handwoven E-Books are a great source for fascinating weaving patterns and Shadow Weave-Handwoven e-Book Printed Copy in Print is no exception. |
| Weft-Faced Pattern Weaves Tabby to Taqueté is a comprehensive guide to weft-faced pattern weaves for all weavers, beginning weavers to experienced. Author, Nancy Hoskins has been renowned in weaving circles for decades and now her knowledge can be yours. |
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Spinning
| Calling all adventurous spinners. Spin Art is a comprehensive guide to creating the most fun and innovative yarns imaginable. Who’d have thought you can, and should, “do this at home” ? |
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Knitting
| Noro books are always highly coveted and Knit Noro Accessories - 30 Colorful Little Knits is no exception. It’s a definite “must add” for your collection. |
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| Coastal Knits is a new ‘shop favorite’. It’s a wonderful collection of stylish knits inspired by our country’s opposite coastlines. |
| Unravel the mystery of fair isle knitting with Mary Jane Mucklestone’s 200 Fair Isle Motifs without wanting to unravel your knitting. |
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| If you loved 60 Quick Knits - 20 Hats 20 Scarves 20 Mittens in Cascade 220 , you’ll love 60 More Quick Knits . It’s a great collection of patterns for winter accessories, from hats, scarves and cowls to wrist warmers, mittens and gloves. All feature Cascade 220 Superwash . |
| The Knitter's Book of Socks is the yarn lover’s ultimate guide to creating socks that fit well, feel great, and last a lifetime. |
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| 29 classic traditional Norwegian designs fill the pages of Norwegian Mittens and Gloves . Our very traditional Victorian 2-Ply Wool is designed with the look and feel of Scandinavian knitting and weaving in mind so will be perfect for lots of the projects. |
| Support and celebrate US yarn companies and their homegrown yarns with Knit Local . Includes 28 company profiles, over 30 patterns, a list of fiber events across the country and many inspirational photos. |
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| Add a stretchy new twist to your sock knitting with Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks . The technique creates so much give that it allows the socks to be knit in a tube sock style, thus eliminating the need for heel shaping. |
| Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters is a perfectly sized knitter’s reference book filled with helpful tips and tricks. It’s even small enough to fit in an accessory bag. |
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| The cutest dinosaurs you ever did see fill the pages of Knitted Dinosaurs . Customize your prehistoric pals with fun and funky colors. Great projects for using up small bits of yarn. |
| Nancy Bush has updated her popular original book and now has up-to-date yarn substitutions, new sock knitting information and a section on Estonian inspired socks in Folk Socks - The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear . |
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| Designer Connie Chang Chinchio presents 20 new classic, flattering knitwear designs in Textured Stitches . Each design, from sweaters to accessories, combines simple knitting with textural stitches that enhance each design. |
| Lopi’s latest addition, Lopi Volume 29 , is a fantastic collection of patterns that range from traditional to modern. Includes interesting new patterns, plus some non-traditional Icelandic designs for both children and adults. |
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Definitely – “Not your Mother’s Lopi Book.
Crochet
| Modular construction is a revolutionary idea in crochet. Learn this new technique in Seamless Crochet . The book includes a helpful DVD explaining the details of her new crochet technique. |
| Simply Crochet is a collection of 22 stylish and cleverly designed projects from shrugs and vests to baby sweaters and afghans. |
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| 18 adorable animals from around the world grace the pages of Crocheted Softies . If you don’t crochet, you’ll definitely want to learn! |
Knitbot Patterns by Hannah Fettig
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments »
| Did you know Halcyon Yarn is now carrying Knitbot patterns by Maine’s own independent knitwear designer, Hannah Fettig? After falling in love with Coastal Knits , a book she co-authored with west coast designer and friend, Alana Dakos, we took a closer look at her line of individual patterns. Many of us here at the shop have long admired her sense of style. Think of your favorite everyday sweater with style and attention to detail. Although initially drawn to Knitbot patterns by their outward appearance, we were equally impressed with their construction. Each is well written and supported with illustrations and charts. Needless to say, it was an easy decision to add Knitbot patterns to Halcyon Yarn’s collection. Take a look for yourself. |
| Knitbot Wispy Cardi |
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| Knitbot Autumnal Cardigan |
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| Knitbot Spring Ribbed Cardigan |
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| Knitbot Yoked Cardigan |
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Yarn Catalog XIV now online
Monday, November 14th, 2011 Posted in Events, General News, New Items | No Comments »
We think you’ll love the ease with which you can now combine your Halcyon Yarn online and paper catalog browsing!
With Yarn Catalog XIV just out this week, we wanted to share the catalog with as many as possible. For those unfamiliar, the yarn catalog is a great way to see yarn colors and all the related items you’ll need, along with great pattern suggestions from staff and friends of Halcyon. Plus with the online version it’s easy to share pages with your friends.
We’re celebrating green and “eco” this year – a great time to start e-Publishing our print catalog. But, for some the print catalog is a requirement: It has truer color reproductions, and doesn’t require an internet connection. If you didn’t sign up yet to have a paper catalog and would like one please let us know here or call 800-341-0282 and it will arrive in the mail soon!
Now get busy planning and doing, stitching and weaving, There’s still plenty of time to create for the holidays.
Halcyon
p.s. and feel free to email your Santa some convenient links to your favorite pages too.
p.p.s. Now that we have this newest catalog online, we’re going back and make the Equipment catalog have the same interactivity. Let us know how we can improve the interface – suggestions are welcome!
A New Slant on the Alpine Topper
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 Posted in General News, New Items | 1 Comment »
Here in Maine we had our first snow storm of the season on October 30th. It was to the delight of many (I believe mostly children and skiers), but to others it wasn’t such a joyous occasion. Personal feelings aside, it did prompt us all to think about our winter attire. Here at Halcyon Yarn we started thinking about making hats, mittens, cowls and scarves for cozy winter warmth.
| Naturally, we took a look at our most popular hat pattern, the Alpine Topper . Some love it for the practicality of a densely knit, extremely warm hat with a super soft lining. Others love it for the endless fun of playing with colors when choosing a skein of the multi-color Noro Iro and finding the perfect compliment for the lining in super soft Schulana Cortina . I have to say I appreciate the pattern for both reasons, but it’s definitely the love of color that keeps me coming back for more. To date, I’ve knit 15 Alpine Toppers and already have yarn picked out for my next. It’s a great hat to make and wear, but we wanted to make it even better. |
| So… we listened to you. Some of you weren’t fond of the straight lines created by the flecks of Cortina showing through in the main body. There were others, like Beth who works here at the shop, who wanted smaller sizing to make an Alpine Topper for a young child (Gracious is the most adorable 2 year old). After a little brainstorming and a little figuring, the pattern now includes a new “slant” on the Alpine Topper, as well as sizing for a young child. You choose the size and the design. Knit an Alpine Topper with the traditional column design or knit one with the new diagonal design. | Original Column Design for the Alpine Topper:
Diagonal Design for the Alpine Topper: Young Child Size Alpine Topper: |
As a matter of fact you can also choose the yarn. The gradual color shifts of Noro Iro look beautiful in the Alpine Topper, but any bulky weight yarn can be used for the main color. You might also consider Lamb’s Pride Bulky, Noro Kochoran, Noro Kogorashi and Debbie Bliss Riva. As for the lining, it’s designed with a super bulky yarn. Cortina creates the softest interior, but Magnum can also be used. Magnum will create a loftier lining, but won’t be quite as soft as Cortina.
Have fun creating your own combinations. Remember the pattern is free when you purchase yarn to knit an Alpine Topper (just be sure to include the pattern in your order). To get you started I’ve included pictures of 2 new colors of Iro and a few of the color options in Cortina that Beth and I were considering.
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In the first picture color #116 in Iro is shown surrounded by the following Cortina colors, beginning with the light blue ball at the top and going clockwise, #57, #54, #8, #21, #58, #7 and #17. I ultimately chose the light blue Cortina#57 for an Alpine Topper for my niece. You can see a picture of the completed hat above. Susan, here at Halcyon Yarn, plans on using the same Iro color, but with light pink Cortina #54 and one of our regular customers is knitting the same hat with the bright pink Cortina #17. There are so many options. |
| The second picture features color options Beth was considering for an Alpine Topper for Gracious. They are color #108 in the Iro and Cortina colors #12, #10, #8, #19, #7, #20 and #17 as viewed clockwise starting with the green in the upper left corner. She decided upon red, #19. How bright and festive! We can’t wait to see it on Gracious. |  |
We’d love to hear about Alpine Toppers you’ve knit or plan on knitting. What are your favorite combinations? Let us know or better yet, post a picture to our Facebook page! We’ll compile a list of top choices in a future post.
New Patterns from Dolce Handknits
Monday, September 26th, 2011 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments » Portsmouth Pullover |
 Madison Cardigan |
 Magnolia Wrap |
| Need a little inspiration to pick up your knitting needles and get clicking? Look no further than the new patterns we’ve added from Dolce Handknits. Kim Dolce is the professional designer behind this line of fashionable knitwear. From the beginning of her professional design career back in 2001, Kim has always focused on creating patterns that are both fashionable and wearable. You may have seen her designs in Knitter’s, Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting. Perhaps you even own a copy of her book Dolce Handknits which features 16 of her top-selling designs. As always, this collection features contemporary style in patterns that range from weekend casual to office chic. |
| Halcyon Yarn already carries patterns from Dolce Handknits. In fact, the Newport Jacket and the Amherst Cardigan are two of our most popular patterns. So although we’re focusing on the new patterns we’ve started carrying from Dolce Handknits, the existing patterns we carry are worthy of a look too. Hope you like them, both old and new! |
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| Now presenting from Dolce Handknits… Fairhope Open Cardigan , Savannah Cardigan , Arcadia Cowl , Portsmouth Pullover , Madison Cardigan and Magnolia Wrap . |
Riva and Paloma, New Yarns from Debbie Bliss
Thursday, September 15th, 2011 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments » |
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Lightweight, beautiful, bulky yarns appear to be the trend this fall. Debbie Bliss has two new yarns to add to this category, Riva and Paloma. We think you’re really going to like them.
| Debbie Bliss Riva is a single spun, lightweight, bulky yarn composed of 70% wool and 30% acrylic. It’s super soft and knits up quickly, but its best feature is undoubtedly the exquisite colorways. Each colorway is a blend of heathery shades that gradually shift throughout the entire ball of yarn. Gorgeous shades vary from subtle misty tones to boldly dramatic blends. When knitting with Riva ordinary patterns are transformed to extraordinary simply because of the color. As with all Debbie Bliss yarns, it has great pattern support with Debbie Bliss Riva Book . |
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| Debbie Bliss Paloma is equally wonderful, but for different reasons. A blend of baby alpaca and merino gives Paloma a luscious hand. Its lofty chainette construction allows this super bulky yarn to be lightweight and still strong. It’s a great yarn for showing stitch detail in cables and bobbles, yet looks attractive in simple stitch patterns. Debbie Bliss Paloma Book provides terrific pattern support. |
Hot off the Press – Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011
Thursday, September 15th, 2011 Posted in General News, New Items | No Comments » Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 |
 Wild Fibers Vol 8 issue 3 |
Whether it’s books or magazines, Interweave Press has long been know for quality publications. The release of new titles and periodicals are always eagerly anticipated. Their special edition magazines are no exception. Each release is so packed with patterns and articles that they are more like books than magazines. So it’s no surprise that since its arrival in the shop last week, Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 has been flying off the shelf. This is an extensive collection of knits that includes projects for all kinds of tastes. You’ll love knitting the playthings for your children including an octopus and puppy. Scarves, hats and heart fingerless mitts along with child’s wrap cardigan are sure to have you reaching for your needles. Celebrate the holiday season with knit and felted Yule trees, angel and bird knit ornaments. Interweave calls them knitted gifts, but you will find yourself wanting to make something for yourself also.
Although not as well know as the Interweave publications, those who are familiar with Wild Fibers magazine anticipate new issues with just as much vim and vigor. So it’s with great pleasure that we let you know Wild Fibers Vol 8 issue 3 is now available. I can’t say enough good things about Wild Fibers. Each issue has in-depth and fascinating articles coupled with the most amazing photos. The beauty is you needn’t be proficient at any craft to appreciate and enjoy this magazine. Wild Fibers is intended for people with an interest in all aspects of the exotic fiber industry, from animals to finished product and everything in between. It is a real gem. Be sure to check out some of their back issues.
