Halcyon Yarn News, Notes, & etc.


April Winner

Congratulations to Jean F. from Edmond, OK.

She’s the winner of the April drawing for a $10 Halcyon Yarn gift certificate.

Remember, you could be a winner too. Every time you place an order you’ll receive a  “WIN” Ticket to send in and be entered in our monthly, quarterly and year end drawing (see the link for complete details).

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Love at first knit? Cascade’s Heritage Silk Paints

We can’t say enough good things about Cascade Heritage Silk Paints . It was love at first sight and took just one touch to get hooked. So soft and sumptuous. With a blend of 85% superwash merino wool and 15% mulberry silk it has the most beautiful subtle sheen. The color blends are exquisite. Take our word for it, this is one yarn you’ll want to have.


Cascade Heritage Silk Paints
 

 

 

We couldn’t wait for its arrival at the shop. Now that it’s here, the project ideas are coming fast and furious. Socks, scarfs, shawls, hats, wrist warmers, cowls, sweaters… The list goes on and on. Quite frankly, anything made with Heritage Silk Paints would be beautiful. And so many projects only need one skein!

Here are a few projects some of us are considering. Heritage Silk Paints would also weave up beautifully into a scarf or wrap in a twill sett at 15 epi. Used in warp and weft the subtle “plaid” effects will enchant you. What will you make?


Knitbot Wispy Cardi

Knitbot Featherweight Cardigan

Swans Island Earl Grey Mitts

Swans Island Cirrus Cowl

Figheadh Sock Fundamentals Top Down Number F01

Baby Cardigan, Hat and Socks

Strings of Rubies Socks - Fingering Weight

Fingerless Gloves/Mitts 5 sts/1"
 

Knitbot Wispy Cardi , Knitbot Featherweight Cardigan , Swans Island Earl Grey Mitts , Swans Island Cirrus Cowl , Figheadh Sock Fundamentals Top Down Number F01 , Baby Cardigan, Hat and Socks Strings of Rubies Socks - Fingering Weight Fingerless Gloves/Mitts 5 sts/1" .

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Loops for the Harrisville Pro Potholder Loom

Thanks to all our great customers for the wonderful response to last week’s post about the new Harrisville Friendly Cotton Potholder Pro Loom . The verdict is out. Halcyon Yarn customers love the larger 8.25″ size of the potholders this loom creates and the ability to purchase individual color replacements loops. Think of the color and design possibilities. What have you created? Don’t be shy. Please send us photos.


Harrisville Friendly Cotton Potholder Pro Loom
 

Harrisville Cotton Potholder Kit

Harrisville Deluxe Cotton Potholder Kit
 

We’d like to clarify the sizing on the replacement loops for all Harrisville potholder looms. Harrisville Cotton Potholder Kit and Harrisville Deluxe Cotton Potholder Kit require the the smaller 5.5″ replacement loops, while the Harrisville Potholder Pro Loom requires the larger 8.25″ loops. They are NOT interchangeable. When purchasing, note the smaller loops say “traditional” in the title and have a C at the end of the item number. “Pro” will be in the title of the larger loops and the item number will end with a L.

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FiberME 2013: Come see what Maine has to offer

Why FiberME 2013?

You won’t want to miss FiberME 2013, this year’s new and revised week long fiber tour of fabulous Maine fiber sites.  Artists’ studios, farms, mills, galleries, and educational locations are so interesting and all while you enjoy the beauty of coastal Maine in the peak of summer. While you can find a list of all of the weeks visits and activities on our website, we wanted to fill in some details about two of the new visits that we’re excited about for this summer.

MAINE-TOP-MILL

The newly founded Maine Top Mill in Waldoboro is a new venue this summer.  The Mill started up operations in April, 2012, as a center for processing small batch, high grade top from local alpacas and sheep, offering small farmers and growers a place to have their high quality fiber processed, and contributing to sustainable local fiber production while helping to sustain a rural farming lifestyle.

The Maine Top Mill is also an educational center with a classroom/workspace where classes in grading, animal nutrition, and fiber arts are being scheduled.

The Maine Top Mill is involved in several areas of research including animal nutrition, fiber blending to foster better quality and stronger animals and fiber, and creating new combinations of compatible natural fiber blends. Some of their early experiments in fiber blending include bamboo and silk.

Cloud Hollow Farm in Waldoboro owned by Bob and Erin Weintraub will be another high point of our tour.  The Weintraubs breed animals recognized for high quality fiber, plus they offer stud service and sell their animals for fiber production and companionship.

The Maine Top Mill and Cloud Hollow Farm are excellent examples of ongoing efforts to strengthen a sustainable rural farm lifestyle in Maine.  Both Cloud Hollow Farm and Maine Top Mill have researched and installed more efficient lighting (through the use of LED lights), solar technology for  heating and hot water, and introduced waterfowl (ducks and geese) for pest control. Both are dedicated to developing a higher quality lifestyle and a gentler impact on Maine’s environment.

CLOUD-HOLLOW-FARM

For more information, check out all the details of FiberME 2013. Learn about each day’s destinations and the artists we’ll be visiting. More postings are coming soon but don’t wait to sign up!

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Be the First to See New Patterns from Plymouth Yarns




Basic Garter Stitch Kimono – Knit with Noro



Basic Garter Stitch Kimono – Knit with Plymouth



Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn



Noro Taiyo

New knitting patterns from Plymouth Yarns have just arrived! For years they’ve created classic and fashionable patterns that have stood the test of time. Our favorites are simple, stylish designs that can be knit with a variety of yarns to achieve different looks. For example, take a look above at the ever popular Basic Garter Stitch Kimono knit in the suggested yarn, Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn, and then take another look at the same pattern knit with Noro Taiyo. It’s almost difficult to believe it’s the same pattern. What a difference a yarn makes. So as you look through the new patterns from Plymouth try to envision the projects with different yarns.


Women's Short Sleeved Jacket

Double Breasted Cropped Cardigan

Unisex Slip Stitch Pullover

Women's Open Front Cardigan

Ladies Kimono

Kid's Shawl Collar Cabled Pullover

Chain Rib Girl's Cardi and Hat

Infinity Cowl
 

Women's Short Sleeved Jacket , Double Breasted Cropped Cardigan , Unisex Slip Stitch Pullover , Women's Open Front Cardigan , Ladies Kimono , Kid's Shawl Collar Cabled Pullover , Chain Rib Girl's Cardi and Hat , Infinity Cowl .

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Remember these? Nope, Harrisville Potholder PRO Loom is new!

The new Harrisville Friendly Cotton Potholder Pro Loom is the same traditional sturdy potholder loom you and your kids have loved for years, just on steroids. That’s right, instead of the traditional 5.5″ potholders, you can now make big, bold 8.25″ potholders with the new “PRO” loom.


Harrisville Friendly Cotton Potholder Pro Loom
 

The kit comes with a 10.25″ X 10.25″ metal frame, 2 hooks (one metal for loop weaving and one plastic for finishing), enough cotton loops to make 2 beautiful cotton potholders and illustrated instructions with lots of design ideas. Another great feature, additional cotton loops can be purchased by color which allows you to plan the color schemes and patterns of your potholders. Each refill bag contains enough loops to make 2 potholders. We’re proud to say the Harrisville Potholder PRO Loom is made in the USA!









 

Many great colors from which to choose!          

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Know how to wow? Mother’s Day great gifts

When it comes to celebrating holidays, Mother’s Day should be on the top of the list. Whether it’s your own mother or someone special in your life who has continually shown you the love and support you’d expect from a mother, May 13th  12th, is the day to let her know how much you appreciate it. Of course, if you’re a mom there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself on this special day.

This year set yourself apart with a memorable gift she’ll appreciate year after year. Halcyon Yarn has a fool proof list of unique gift ideas for the fiber loving mother. Pair one of these with flowers or brunch and you’re sure to WOW her. Don’t forget, with a Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate Mom can choose her own special gift!


Ablet Knitting Abacus

Whimsical Large Pottery Needle Crock

White Sheep Tape Measure

Jeweled Silver Stitch Markers, Small

Jeweled Silver Stitch Markers, Medium

Debra's Garden Needle Gauge Pendants

Ashford Spinning Fiber Bag - Great Felting Fiber Too

Debra's Garden Row Counter/Cutter

Summer Stripe Wavy Shawl Pin by Bonnie Bishoff Designs

Knit Red - Stitching for Women's Heart Health

Cast On Bind Off

The Knitting Answer Book

Shimmering Shadow Weave Kit - Lilac Mist

Halcyon's Brass Hook and Wooden Sett Tool

Small Magnetic Pattern Holder - by Knitter's Pride

Large Magnetic Pattern Holder - 20 X 12 Fold-Up by Knitter's Pride

Schacht Zoom Loom - great replacement for Weavette Loom

Spinner's Control Card and Yarn Gauge

Knit Kards

Knitter's Pride Dreamz Crochet 8 Hook Set

Hartman Hook, Ball Handle, Primitive 8 MM

The Knit Kit - Hot Pink

Multi-colored Stork Scissors

Top Ten Shawls on Four and Eight Shafts - Best of Handwoven Yarn Series eBook Printed Copy

Ablet Knitting Abacus , Whimsical Large Pottery Needle Crock , White Sheep Tape Measure , Jeweled Silver Stitch Markers, Small Jeweled Silver Stitch Markers, Medium Debra's Garden Needle Gauge Pendants Ashford Spinning Fiber Bag - Great Felting Fiber Too , Debra's Garden Row Counter/Cutter Summer Stripe Wavy Shawl Pin by Bonnie Bishoff Designs see the web for additional shawl pins,  Knit Red - Stitching for Women's Heart Health Cast On Bind Off The Knitting Answer Book Shimmering Shadow Weave Kit - Lilac Mist Halcyon's Brass Hook and Wooden Sett Tool Small Magnetic Pattern Holder - by Knitter's Pride Large Magnetic Pattern Holder - 20 X 12 Fold-Up by Knitter's Pride Schacht Zoom Loom - great replacement for Weavette Loom Spinner's Control Card and Yarn Gauge Knit Kards Knitter's Pride Dreamz Crochet 8 Hook Set Hartman Hook, Ball Handle, Primitive 8 MM The Knit Kit - Hot Pink Multi-colored Stork Scissors Top Ten Shawls on Four and Eight Shafts - Best of Handwoven Yarn Series eBook Printed Copy .

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More to love: Plymouth Gina 4 new colors

It’s no mystery why Plymouth Gina has become one of our top selling yarns. Same beautiful self striping style as Noro’s Kureyon, but with a superior hand and at a more affordable price. What’s not to like?


Plymouth Gina
 

We’re so excited to show you the 4 new shades in Gina.

 

Want to give GINA a try but not sure what to make? We have some suggestions.


Basic Garter Stitch Kimono

Swagger Cardigan

Chevron Cowl

Neck Down Swing Coat by Knitting Pure and Simple

Ruffled Scarf or Shawl

Diagonal Eyelet Cowl

Triangle Shawl and Diagonal Scarf

Side to Side Vest

Fingerless Mitts and Hat

Mitered Jacket

Log Cabin Throw

Reverse Rib Pullover

Flared Baby Jacket and Hat
 

Basic Garter Stitch Kimono Swagger Cardigan , Chevron Cowl Neck Down Swing Coat by Knitting Pure and Simple Ruffled Scarf or Shawl , Diagonal Eyelet Cowl , Triangle Shawl and Diagonal Scarf , Side to Side Vest , Fingerless Mitts and Hat , Mitered Jacket , Log Cabin Throw , Reverse Rib Pullover , Flared Baby Jacket and Hat .

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