Does anybody ever win that darn thing anyway?
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
Ever noticed the blue survey card that comes in your order? Have you tossed it aside, thinking, “I’ve never even heard of anyone winning one of the prizes anyway?” Well, the truth is we value those cards a lot, just as we value your input into all that we do. They’re an important way for us to evaluate and improve how we do things, and we always love to hear back from folks. So, we wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all the tons and tons of folks who do return the cards. And, oh yeah, people really do win stuff - just look at the list from the last year:
First, the $10 winners:
Jean Jacobson
Carol Harvey
Laurel Hayama
Bob Carr
Paula Bottomley
Larraine Spector
Susan Rizzo
Jeanne Smith
Avima Darnov
Mary Lee
Janet Colville
And then there are the $25 winners:
Susan Bulk
Mavis Pacchioli
Ann Bont
Mary Ann Wendell
And finally the Grand Prize $50 Winner:
Lois Koenig
Congratulations to all!
Thanks again to all who order, and to all who have returned the cards!
Halcyon Yarn Newsletter = Arty Throne, Sewn Cleanly
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »OK, so spring is in the air, and it’s making us a bit antsy. We’re longing for some afternoons knitting on the beach, or spinning in the backyard while the smells of BBQ drift on by… But, being in Maine, we’re not there yet - we’re still getting scrambled by snow! Warm sun in the morning, sideways sleet in the afternoon. In honor of the crazy mix up that is spring weather, we’re mixing things up a bit: This issue is chock-a-block with some hard-wrung anagrams… Enjoy!
Sublime Angora Merino
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
We had a wonderful evening and workshop recently with Clara Parkes, author of such great books as “The Knitter’s Book of Yarn” and the fiber wizard behind the Knitter’s Review. To speak with someone with such a breadth of knowledge (and who can use that info clearly and practically) is a real inspiration. We also had a great time showing her around the store, and to do our own “show and tell”. We were delighted when she zoned in on one of our favorites: Sublime Angora Merino. After stocking up at the store, Clara took this yarn home and really put it through its paces. She liked the results, and you can find her thoughts in detail in her review.
Here is why we love it: It’s soft-soft-soft. So soft in so many ways - from the colors to the touch to the look, it’s Sublimely Soft.
The proof is in the product: Staff have made some beautiful one skein lace hats to protect young folks heads. If you want to treat a baby right, this is THE way to go. But, it is equally divine for stylish adult creations. We’ve been talking about some of the creations in the Sublime Angora Merino book (such as pictured here) and are looking forward to some soft stuff around the shop as a result. But this amount of soft can’t be confined - we suspect that many folks will, as Clara suggests, take “calculated yarn risks” and use this wonderful fiber in all kinds of creations!
The Edgar Scarf
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
The Edgar Scarf was simple and sweet to work up. I loved the Noro Silk Garden for this design. The colorway in the yarn makes this a desirable project for the ‘attention deficient knitter’ ! The squares knit up in a different color each time. Also, the decrease pattern makes it look a lot more difficult than it is. I worked up the cravat size with one skein. I’d wholeheartedly recommend this project for a fun way to sample the colorful magic of Silk Garden (not to mention the wonderful scarf at the end…) Denice
Vests Galore…
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
Look Look Look!! I’ve gone vest crazy! I am a devoted sweater knitter but am so warm all the time, I can never keep them on indoors for long. I made a decision to try some vests as a middle ground and this is what I came up with…. The Noro Kochoran vest is a great project out of the new Noro Designer Mini Knits. Even the largest size only takes 4 skeins, which keeps the project more affordable than a sweater out of Kochoran. A bulky knit on size 10 needles, quick to knit AND stunning!
The Silk Garden vest I simply adore and feel terrible that the book is out of print, but hopefully the more tenacious of you can locate it from a used book dealer. 
Coming soon (April) from Halcyon Yarn is a vest pattern I am designing (inspired by this pattern) using the same slip rib stitch. Keep your eyes peeled for it.
In the meantime, take a gander at the new Noro book and order up some Silk Garden (or Silk Garden Chunky) to try out. There is a pattern on Knitty.com called the Edgar Scarf (free and printable) that only takes two skeins…
In love with Silk Garden
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
As you can see from the pictures, I am having a long term love affair with Silk Garden from Noro. The rainbow colored wrap is actually the lap throw on the cover of Simply Noro. After I finished knitting it, I added a ruffle to three sides to help justify taking it with me wherever I go. Now I can call it a ’shawl’ and wrap up with it in or out of the house. The WIP is a Silk Garden vest from the book Classic Knitted Vests (oops! This book is out of print… sorry!). The vest pattern is written for Silk Garden so there is no fudging or substituting. Silk Garden is a kid mohair, silk and lamb’s wool blend. Wool/silk blend yarn (when blended well) is my absolute favorite fiber.
Silk Garden is soft with drape and a subtle sheen - the added silk seems to cover up any of the (s0-called) plain-jane, homey effects of wool, leaving you with the resilience and warmth of wool, and PRESTO you have shine, durability and elegance all in one!!! All that and it is self-striping so the yarn does all of the work and don’t we love that…
Treat yourself to some Silk Garden (even if just for a pair of house socks) and you will be an instant convert. Check back here for the finished Kochoran vest….
