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….
Blueberry Hat
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
Feast your eyes on our new Maine Blueberry Hat, modeled by the youngest member of the Halcyon Yarn Family, Declan Wright. The pattern comes from a Dale of Norway booklet and only uses two skeins of Baby Ull! (The hat is a strawberry in the pattern, but being in Maine we had to opt for a blueberry.) For those of you who have always looked longingly at Dale of Norway designs while thinking the colorwork is definitely out of your skill range, this pattern is for you! With only two colors, you will have it mastered in no time. Give it a go in the fruit of your choice and adorn all the wee ones in your life! (There are other patterns in the booklet equally suited to new colorworkers.)
Happy New Year from Halcyon Yarn!
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »
Ah, a new year… We’re thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the holiday season, and we’ve had plenty of cold icy weather to make it feel, well, “seasonable”. When we’ve had the time, it’s been perfect weather to cozy up by the fire and have fun with fiber. But, now the days are getting longer, and it’s time to think about the new year and what directions we want to be heading. Time for some fun with new years resolutions! So, here is what we’ve come up with, we hope you enjoy them and we wish you all a happy new year from Halcyon Yarn!
Resolution #1: Help the environment.
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 Posted in Notes | No Comments »We all know it’s a top priority. But, how can we change our habits, and make a personal difference with our arts and crafts, fibers and wares? Well, chances are you love a lovingly washed fiber garment as much as we do. …And there is no denying the appeal of a freshly dry-cleaned sweater. But, most dry cleaners use perchloroethylene, which has a long laundry list of health and environmental hazards! Avoid dry cleaning by gently washing your fiber wares. It’s better for them, better for you, and better for the environment!
