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.

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

Shadow Weave-Handwoven e-Book Printed Copy in Print

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.

Weft-Faced Pattern Weaves Tabby to Taqueté

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” ?

Spin Art

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.

Knit Noro Accessories - 30 Colorful Little Knits

Coastal Knits

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.

200 Fair Isle Motifs

60 Quick Knits - 20 Hats 20 Scarves 20 Mittens in Cascade 220 60 More Quick Knits Cascade 220 Superwash

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.

The Knitter's Book of Socks

Norwegian Mittens and Gloves Victorian 2-Ply Wool

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.

Knit Local

Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks

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.

Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters

Knitted Dinosaurs

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 .

Folk Socks - The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear

Textured Stitches

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.

Lopi Volume 29

Definitely – “Not your Mother’s Lopi Book.

Crochet

Seamless 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.

Simply Crochet

Crocheted Softies

18 adorable animals from around the world grace the pages of Crocheted Softies . If you don’t crochet, you’ll definitely want to learn!

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!

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.

Alpine Topper Noro Iro Schulana Cortina

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.

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.

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 .

Debbie Bliss Riva Debbie Bliss Riva Book

Debbie Bliss Paloma Debbie Bliss Paloma Book

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.

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.

Halcyon Yarn has added two new yarns from Berroco. Let us introduce you to each of them.

Berroco Flicker™	Arcadia Cowl	Berroco Flicker Booklet
We’ll lead off our introductions with Berroco Flicker™. WOW what a yarn! Baby alpaca and a chainette structure combine to create an unbelievably soft and lofty yarn. If only you could reach through the computer and feel this yarn. We were first drawn to Flicker because of the feel, but we were further intrigued when we took a closer look. After we finished fondling the yarn and our “ahhs” had subsided, we noticed a hint of metallic. Each color in Flicker has a complementary silver or gold metallic filament running throughout the yarn. It’s so subtle that from afar it is difficult to detect.
Although Flicker is beautiful regardless of how it is used, it is particularly stunning in delicate, open fabrics, so think lace. At the top of my to do list is the Arcadia Cowl knit with light grey Flicker. I’ll only need one skein! If we’ve caught your attention with this yarn and you need a little help choosing the right pattern, you’ll be happy to know there is a booklet devoted to Flicker, Berroco Flicker Booklet. Berroco also offers a great selection of free patterns designed for Flicker. Andra Asars, our Berroco yarn rep, is always a wealth of information and a great source for patterns and inspiration. She designed Flickering Ruffle Scarf and Grey Quartz Cowl just for Flicker. Check these patterns out, as well as her other free patterns. As for you weavers, do take a closer look at this yarn. Try combining Flicker with a bit of Chainette Metallic for an eye catching scarf. What ideas do you have for weaving with Flicker?
Chainette Metallic	Berroco Soufflé™	Berroco Soufflé™ Booklet
Let me preface our second yarn introduction by saying BIG and BEAUTIFUL! All the major yarn manufacturers are showcasing lots of bulky and super bulky yarns this season. They are hot. In our opinion, Berroco Soufflé™ from Berroco is one of the top picks in this category. Super bulky yarns are great for accessories, but when used to create a garment, the piece may be so heavy it’s uncomfortable to wear. That’s not the case with Soufflé. Its lofty and airy chainette construction creates a lighter, softer garment than you might expect. You get a super sized yarn that works up quickly, yet accessories as well as sweaters are still light and airy. That feature alone is enough to hook most knitters and crocheters, but Soufflé has another appealing characteristic. Each skein magically knits up in delightful self-striping colorways. It’s instant appeal for even the most basic patterns.
Weekend Neck Down Jacket by Knitting Pure and Simple	Weekend Neck Down Pullover by Knitting Pure and Simple	Maximus
Within the pages of the Berroco Soufflé™ Booklet you’ll find patterns for a cowl, cropped pullover, leg warmers, cardigan, mittens, hooded capelet and mittens. Although the simple sweater patterns in the booklet are very attractive, if you’d prefer an individual pattern try Weekend Neck Down Jacket by Knitting Pure and Simple or Weekend Neck Down Pullover by Knitting Pure and Simple. People are still crazy for cowls and Maximus is one stupendous cowl pattern that’s perfect for Soufflé. These are just a few suggestions. You may have your own super bulky patterns that would be perfect for Soufflé.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these yarn introductions. We look forward to introducing you to more of the great yarns join us at Halcyon Yarn in the weeks to come.

Fall is fast approaching. It’s a great time to “hit the books”. So dig out your patterns and books or take a look at some of the new arrivals that are filling the shelves at Halcyon Yarn and start planning your fall projects. The last rainy day we had here in Maine, I did just that. What a list I have. If only my hands could work as fast as my head. Have you been planning any projects?

New Books for Weavers

Two new print titles of the  popular Handwoven E-books are now available. They are sure to be just as popular as all the other booklets in this series. If you already own some of the Handwoven E-books you know what a rich source they are for handweaving patterns. Unfortunately for handweavers, there isn’t the same abundance of patterns available that there is for knitters, so it’s nice to have these. Halcyon Yarn is your exclusive source for the printed versions of these booklet.

A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Bags to Weave-Handwoven e-Book Printed Copy in Print
Designing to Weave and Sew will help you move beyond woven scarves, placemats and table runners. This is not a collection of patterns, but rather a manual for helping you transform woven yardage into sewn garments.
Warp and Weft – Lessons in Drafting for Handweavers is a revised and expanded edition that you’ll definitely want to add to your library. Filled with clear and concise information on drafting weave structure, from simple to complex. Most drafts are shown with color photos of woven samples. It’s a great resource for developing your weaving skills.
New Books for Crocheters
Learn to do Tunisian Lace Stitches with Interactive DVD combines basic Tunisian crochet stitches to create 10 Tunisian lace patterns. The interactive DVD really helps learn these stitches.
The Easy Learn to Crochet in Just One Day is a good book for those looking to learn to crochet. It is divided into 12 easily understood lessons accompanied by clear illustrations. An extensive selection of projects varying in difficulty and techniques follows.
Knit 1, Purl 2 in Crochet was a must addition to our selection of crochet books. Author Bendy Carter teaches you to create crocheted fabric that looks knit using two stitches, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Did you think those stitches were unique to knitting? Think again. The directions for the basic stitches are followed by instructions and swatches for 40 stitches, as well as patterns for a variety of useful and attractive projects.
New Books for Knitters
Knitting Socks From Around the World is a wonderful collection of 25 sock patterns from top knitwear designers. Individual patterns begin with a few paragraphs about the culture that inspired the design. Great reading and great knitting!
Sock Knitting – Master Class is a definite “must have” for sock knitters. 17 brand new sock designs focused on signature elements and techniques from 15 top designers and we can’t forget the DVD that accompanies the book. What’s not to like?
I love history and I love knitting so Knitting America immediately caught my eye. The history of knitting is covered from colonial time to present. With more than 300 color and black and white photos, there is plenty of visual interest to accompany the text. Includes 20 historical patterns.
More Knitting in the Sun – Kids features 30 warm weather patterns for kids. The collection includes skirts, dresses, tank tops, capris, short sleeve tops and sweaters.