New Yarn

by: Sierra Roberts

Malabrigo Sock – in stock and on sale

Monday, January 16th, 2017 Posted in General News, New Yarn | No Comments »

On the coat tails of my last post about Malabrigo Lace, here’s another new addition to our Malabrigo family: Malabrigo Sock Yarn! This is a plied, superwash merino wool sock weight yarn. Sock is kettle dyed, so it has all the tonal and multicolor variegation you’ve come to know and love from Malabrigo. A comparable weight to Lace, Sock differs in that the plied construction makes it just a tiny bit stronger. Don’t forget it’s machine washable, too!

Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Sock is a wonderfully soft yarn. While it’s obviously great for socks (what a delightful way for your feet to dress!), this yarn works for any project that requires a fine weight yarn. The venerable Ann Budd loves Sock for her Take Two Skirt pattern (check it out on Ravelry here). It knits up into a beautiful, interesting fabric with just the right amount of drape. I say the fabric is interesting because with Malabrigo, whatever color you choose is guaranteed to have depth and personality. Even the solids have a range of tonal variation, with darker to lighter areas that blend together to create a “living” color.

So what should you make out of sock? Malabrigo releases pattern books pretty regularly, and there were a few patterns in Malabrigo Book 3 that caught my eye. First, there’s the Scalloped Shawl, shown below:

Malabrigo Book 3

sockshawl

This shawl is a great way to play with two colorways of Sock. It’s always fun to see what happens with those multis! For those of you looking for a fun, interesting sock pattern, I also really like the Quick Draw Socks:

socksocks

These socks are a great introductory cable project for a newer knitter. I think the fancy stitch work on these would show up best in a more solid color, but I’d also be interested to see how the more variegated shades would look. Such intriguing possibilities!

If you’re feeling inspired, pick up some Malabrigo sock between now and next Monday (January 23rd) for 10% off!

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by: Sierra Roberts

Nube all day!!! (but only on sale this week)

Friday, December 16th, 2016 Posted in General News, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | No Comments »

Attention all spinners, felters, weavers, and fans of thrummed knitting: you’ve gotta check out Nube by Malabrigo Fiber! Actually, you’re lucky I’m even telling you about it because I’d love to keep it all to myself. Soft as its namesake (“nube” is Spanish for “cloud”), this 100% Merino wool top is a dream to work with. The beautiful hand dyed colors make it hard to choose which one to bring home, and watching the colors change as you work with this roving will keep you entertained for hours.

Nube by Malabrigo Fiber

I can say that from experience, because as soon as this stuff came in I snatched up a braid of Mostaza and Archangel. I then scurried home with my bounty and proceeded to gaze lovingly at it, taking glamour shots and admiring how this lovely fiber looked against all sorts of backgrounds. It’s a little embarrassing, actually – it took me a week or two to stop gawking at Nube and actually break it out of its perfect roly-poly braid to get it on my wheel.

Nube by Malabrigo color 0031 (NUB031Mostaza)

» Info / buy

Nube by Malabrigo color 0850 (NUB850Archangel)

» Info / buy

Now I’m a spinner, so that’s what I chose to use Nube for. But this roving is also great for wet felting, needle felting, thrummed knitting, and weaving. I can only imagine how these colors would look if you incorporated Nube into a woven tapestry wall hanging – you know the ones, like in Rachel Denbow’s DIY Woven Art. Seriously though, picture it in this Group Hug Wall Hanging from that book:

DIY Woven Art

Or in the Milkmaid Braid Wall Hanging, also from that book:

And if I’m being completely honest here, I should probably admit that after I scanned the photos for this post, I also bought this book. What a wonderful, fresh way to get creative with fiber. While woven wall hangings are by no means a new art form, they certainly speak to the aesthetics of today.

Anyway, Amos and I made a video so I could not only tell you about the awesomeness of Nube, but also show you. I took my beat up old Louet on a field trip to work with me, all buckled up safely in the backseat of my messy car

You might have noticed that my husband’s drums don’t even get such special treatment. Let’s hope he doesn’t read this…

So back to that video – in it, I show off what I’ve spun so far; you can also watch me work with it a little bit more while I gab about my experience spinning with Nube. Check it out here and if you feel the spark of inspiration you should snag some Nube of your own before I squirrel it all away. Oh yeah, and it’s gonna be on sale for 10% off through next Friday – so perhaps a last minute gift… or something to look forward to yourself, after the holiday hustle and bustle!

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by: Sierra Roberts

Malabrigo Arroyo – special price this week only

Friday, December 16th, 2016 Posted in General News, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | 2 Comments »

Looking for a machine washable sport-weight yarn that doesn’t feel gross? Check out Arroyo Yarn by Malabrigo! This is a durable, plied superwash that is already a trusted go-to for knitters everywhere. For those of you familiar with Malabrigo Rios Superwash Wool Yarn, you might think of Arroyo as the sport-weight kid sister, a lighter weight version of that yarn.

Arroyo Yarn by Malabrigo

Great for babies, accessories, and lightweight garments, Arroyo is super versatile. And in case you’re wondering, it’s definitely soft enough to wear against your skin. Available in an array of beautiful tonal and multi-colors, this yarn fits right in with the rest of the beautiful Malabrigo family.

So what should you make with it? Well, Malabrigo has a few super cute patterns for Arroyo, like this Trenzado cardigan from Malabrigo Book 4:

Malabrigo Book 4

arroyoblog2

This cardigan has a wonderfully flattering shape, and it’s a nice way to show off the color variations this yarn is known for. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, take a gander at this Sullivan cowl from Malabrigo Book 5 - In Soho:

Malabrigo Book 5 - In Soho

arroyoblog1

Adorable. Just adorable. And perfect for the chilly months ahead! Carrying the yarn along the back for all the colorwork adds a little extra insulation, making this a warm little project. A few other patterns that I think would be awesome in Arroyo are the Casco Bay Baby Roll Brim Hats and the Fitzgerald Cardigan - Flywheel Pattern Harrisville Designs.

Casco Bay Baby Roll Brim Hats

Fitzgerald Cardigan - Flywheel Pattern Harrisville Designs

The possibilities are nearly endless with this yarn, really. It’s strong enough for every day use, soft enough even for babies, and machine washable. It’s also on sale for 10% off from now until next Friday, December 23… I guess the only question remaining is, what will you make?

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by: Sierra Roberts

Malabrigo Caracol yarn is awesome! (So is the special introductory price)

Friday, December 9th, 2016 Posted in General News, New Yarn | No Comments »

Make room in your stash for another awesome new yarn from Malabrigo! Caracol Yarn by Malabrigo is a fun, unique super bulky merino yarn that is just as much fun in hank form as it is knitted up. Not to mention, it’s machine washable so it’s pretty darn usable. Ok, so maybe you won’t need to make room in your stash since you’re going to want to play with Caracol right away.

Plus, this week Caracol is 10% off!

Why does this yarn look so cool!? That’s what we all said when we first saw it, so I bet you’re asking the same question. Here’s the deal: First, they take a thick and thin single ply of superwash merino wool yarn. Then, they crisscross it with either a black or white binding thread. This makes the yarn almost look like it’s wearing fishnet stockings. Well, at least that’s the case with my favorite color, Lettuce. That’s because this one is a beautiful range of greens to yellow, and the binding thread is black.

Malabrigo kettle dyes this yarn after it’s been constructed, so when they put a white thread on it, it’s really cool to see the results. The binding thread takes the dye differently, creating a more subtle netted effect. For example, check out Cereza red. This one had white binding thread, and you can see how it is just a hint lighter than the wool. Either way, it’s a beautiful contrast – every color of this yarn is intriguing.

Aside from the lovely colors, you might also be interested to hear about how soft this yarn is. Even fluffier than it looks, Caracol is as soft as you’d expect it to be – and more. This would be an absolute luxury on your feet as a pair of bulky slippers. Since it’s machine washable, Caracol would make stunning home accessories. I certainly wouldn’t mind having a set of couch pillows made out of it! This yarn would also feel amazing around your face and neck… I smell a new design forming, you’d better keep an eye out!

In the meantime, if you’re hank-ering to knit something with Caracol right away I recommend the Chic Knits Maximus - Pattern download. We have a sample of this at the shop made out of Malabrigo Rasta Yarn, and the weights of these two yarns are comparable. I like Rasta too, but I’d love to see (and feel) how this cowl would look out of Caracol.

Chic Knits Maximus - Pattern download

Malabrigo Rasta Yarn

Due to the large amount of texture this yarn has on its own, you’ll want to avoid spending too much time on fancy stitch patterns; most of that stitch work will likely be lost in the loveliness of the yarn. For something very simple to make out of Caracol, try The Big Easy Cowl. Sometimes simple is the way to go when you’re working with a yarn that has as much personality as this one.

The Big Easy Cowl

So there you have it – this yarn has sparked so many ideas here at the shop, we can’t decide what to make first! If you’re feeling inspired yourself, catch Caracol while it’s on sale – it’s 10% off from now through Saturday, December 17th!

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by: Sierra Roberts

New Yarn – Malabrigo Lace, special intro price!

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016 Posted in General News, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | No Comments »

malabrigo-lace-yarn-187-blog

I have a wonderful announcement to make: As part of expanding our Malabrigo selection, we now stock Malabrigo Lace Yarn! This is a beautiful, delicate, singles lace weight merino wool that is worthy of being fawned over. I’ll be honest, I am always partial to single ply yarns. I love how buttery they are, how they knit up, and really just how they look in general. Not to mention, they show off fancy dye jobs in the loveliest way. So it only makes sense that this biased knitter would gravitate toward Malabrigo Lace. Weavers are in on this too – you’ll find that with 470 yards to a skein and a very even twist, especially for a singles, this yarn open up new possibilities for weaving with merino in a gorgeous palette. Want a closer look? Check out my video review:

Malabrigo Lace Yarn

This yarn really shows off the beautifully variegated colors that Malabrigo is known for, despite its diminutive weight. We have a mixed selection of multicolors and tonal solids here at the shop; I again have to be honest and tell you I especially love this yarn in tonal solids. I never really care for purple, but every time I walk by the display I get sucked in by our color 0340, Orchid. There’s just something about the subtlety of the color that I really enjoy.

» Info / buy

Lace is a much lighter version of Malabrigo Worsted, which has been a shop favorite for years. Since most of you are probably already familiar with how great Malabrigo is, let me hush up already and show you some things you can make with this particular yarn….

First and foremost, the Knitbot Featherweight Cardigan. This is on my to-do list. Hannah Fettig’s patterns are a joy to follow- well written, well designed, and fun to knit. I know people who have made this particular cardigan multiple times, just so they can have one in every color. It’s also available for the kiddo’s – Knitbot Fledgling Featherweight Cardigan.

Knitbot Featherweight Cardigan - Pattern download

» Info / buy

Knitbot Fledgling Featherweight Cardigan - PDF Pattern Download

» Info / buy

If you’re more of a shawl person, there’s also this book: Sock - Yarn Shawls. This book has a bunch of different shawl patterns, and you can use Malabrigo Lace for all of ’em.

Sock - Yarn Shawls

Whether you’re inspired by a certain color or have a hankering for a certain finished project, this yarn has a lot to offer. Catch Malabrigo Lace on sale for 10% off – now through next Wednesday!

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by: Sierra Roberts

New Yarn – Heirloom Romney by Fancy Tiger Crafts, special intro price!

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016 Posted in General News, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | No Comments »

heirloom-romney-yarn-all-colors-2

Heirloom Romney yarn by Fancy Tiger Crafts is 100% home grown springy woolly goodness. A collaboration between Fancy Tiger and Elemental Affects, Heirloom Romney is made in the US from sheep to dyehouse. This sturdy yarn is aptly named – Romney wool is known for its strength and durability, and one touch will tell you this yarn will stand the test of time. That one touch will also surprise you, as this isn’t as itchy and dense as a lot of other Romney yarns. Still a solid, warm feeling yarn, it has a bloom to it that gives it an almost fuzzy springiness.

Heirloom Romney yarn by Fancy Tiger Crafts

I have had a love affair with Heirloom since earlier this spring, when I first caught a glimpse of it. The first thing I noticed was the wonderfully fun, modern color palette. I love the muted, heathered brights, especially this yellow-green color, named Quinoa. I first saw this in a print ad, by the way, so I must admit to falling for Heirloom before I even felt it. And then I felt it.

» Info / buy

Now, this is a yarn for sheep lovers. It smells like freshly washed homespun wool, so much so that you’ll even sometimes catch a whiff when passing by the display in the shop. It feels like real wool straight from the farm, too: while I wouldn’t describe Heirloom as soft, I certainly wouldn’t describe it as itchy either. If you’re familiar with Romney wool, you probably can guess at this yarn’s hand. But I have to repeat, this yarn is springy.

We knit a test swatch on three needle sizes (US 8, 9, and 10) and found that any of the three gauges work. The smallest needles produced a denser (but by no means stiff) fabric, good for boot socks, mittens, and other items that benefit from extra strength. When knit on larger needles, the yarn’s halo of squish (since we’re being technical here) fills in the larger spaces so you still have all the warmth and fullness you could want, but with enough added drape to make this yarn really great for cozy winter sweaters or blankets. Weight-wise, I’d have to sum Heirloom up as a versatile worsted because it really is capable of playing multiple roles.

heirloom-romney-yarn-all-colors

This is a newer yarn, so there aren’t a ton of patterns out there that have been written specifically for it. (Stay tuned!) That said, I’ve got a couple recommendations: There’s the Candide Ragg Socks and Cap Number 38 pattern, which would be perfect knit up in this yarn. That’s also a basic enough pattern that can easily be tweaked to incorporate a second color – imagine those socks in dark gray with a stripe of Quinoa in the cuff! And (at the risk of being berated by Lopi fans worldwide) Heirloom would also be great for some of your favorite Icelandic sweater patterns . Weavers will enjoy it too, as it has good yardage, and surprising strength for such a lofty yarn. An Heirloom Romney blanket next to a cozy fire would be pretty ideal as the days get colder!

» Info / buy

» Info / buy

All of us here at Halcyon are in love with Heirloom Romney – the smell, feel, and look of it are all incredibly appealing to our New England knitter sensibilities. With generous yardage, beautiful colors, durability and a made in the USA stamp, I think this yarn feels right at home in our shop. And maybe I’m being cheesy, but I like to think that no matter where your roots are, working with yarn like this will make you feel right at home, too.

Stock up on cozy – Heirloom Romney is on sale for 10% off – now through next Wednesday!

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by: Sierra Roberts

New! Ushya yarn by Mirasol – special intro price

Sunday, November 13th, 2016 Posted in General News, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | No Comments »

ushya-yarn-by-mirasol

Wonderfully squishy, Ushya Yarn by Mirasol is the new bulky on our block. Ushya is 98% Wool, 2% Polyamide (fancy nylon), and totally wearable. This week only, through Monday November 21st, Ushya is 10% off!

Ushya Yarn by Mirasol

In a palette of lovely heathers ranging from neutrals to wearable brights, this would be a useful, versatile addition to anyone’s stash. It’s also chainette, and for those of you unfamiliar with this, let me tell you a little bit about it (you can even see my video):

Unlike a lot of bulky wools, Ushya is super light and squishy – no heavy, droopy sweaters here! This is partially due to the quality of the wool, but it’s enhanced by the chainette construction. What that means is, instead of being spun into a single or plied yarn, this is essentially a knitted tube of fluffy, unspun fibers. There aren’t any lumps and bumps on the outside, and it’s hollow and open on the inside. This means the yarn is just about the loftiest it could possibly be, not to mention that hollow space traps your body heat so whatever you make out of this yarn is going to be super warm.

I love knitting with bulky weight yarn. I tend to knit obsessively until I finish a project, so it’s great when that happens, well… quickly. There was a time in my life (not that long ago) when I was knitting exclusively with bulky yarns. Grab some US 15 needles, cast on 10 or so stitches, and you’ve got a scarf within a few hours. There are so many great quick knit projects that this yarn would be awesome for, but it also makes a great “roving” style wool for thrummed knitting. Speaking of thrummed knitting, Ushya is the perfect replacement for the Plymouth De Aire that was originally used in our Alpine Topper hat pattern.

Alpine Topper hat pattern

For those of you interested in making the super popular Azel Pullover from The Velvet Acorn Designs on Ravelry, this is a terrific yarn! The pullover pattern is written for kids (size 2) through an adult XL and you can buy it directly on Ravelry or from us via our Ravelry Pro account.

(image copyright Heidi May, The Velvet Acorn Designs)

As cool as all that is, I think Mirasol’s story is even cooler. A percentage of the sales of this yarn goes to a non-profit called the Mirasol Project, whose goal it is to help provide children in the Peruvian highlands with better access to education. It’s a beautiful story, and I recommend you check it out here!

Disc. or unavail.

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by: Kate Comaskey

Brushtail Possum yarn you say? And it’s 10% off for a limited time!

Friday, November 4th, 2016 Posted in General News, Knitting, New arrivals at Halcyon Yarn, New Yarn | 2 Comments »

Rimu yarn by Zealana in multiple colors

Yes! Rimu Yarn by Zealana is 40% possum and 100% awesome! Durable and luxurious, Zealana Rimu is a stunning blend of merino wool and brushtail possum. This machine washable DK weight yarn is incredibly soft and warm. When knit up, the fabric boasts a unique shadowy halo which really highlights the modern color palette of wearable neutrals and brights. This yarn is truly a show-stopper.

Rimu Yarn by Zealana

Wanna see it close-up? Check out my video introduction:

The Zealana Rimu hails from New Zealand where it’s production supports conservation efforts. The unique brushtail possum component provides more than just a cool anecdote. It’ll also keep you nice and warm… in fact it’s 35% warmer than cashmere and 55% warmer than merino wool. Just three balls will make a big comfy ribbed scarf that you can knit super easily on a size 6 or 7 needle. We’ve had the Zealana Rimu Trunk Show in the shop for about two weeks now and if the story doesn’t hook you, then the patterns and samples certainly will! (A sneak peak of the trunk show items including some of the patterns found exclusively in Zealana Passport…but more on that later!)

The pattern book, Rimu - Zealana Performa Series boasts that it’s “New Zealand MADE to amaze” and they aren’t wrong. The Mesh Shawlette made the cover page for good reason. Knit with 4 skeins of Green Taru this shawl does a wonderful job of showing off that fabulous shadowy halo that I mentioned before. Or perhaps you’re in the market for a go-to winter hat? Found it! The Fisherman’s Rib Slouchy Hat is knit up using 1 skein of Shadow and 2 of Rata Red. Who doesn’t love a little pop of color in the winter?

Rimu - Zealana Performa Series

Last, but certainly not least… Enjoy a complimentary copy of Zealana Passport when you spend $50.00 or more on any Zealana products. What’s Zealana Passport you ask? In their own words “this magazine is a portal to a place where fibers reign supreme”. In this edition you’ll find patterns, an interview from designer Josh Bennett, and more! We love the asymmetrically striped sweater and

For a limited time, Rimu is 10% off, so stock up now through Monday November 14, 2016!

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