Socks Yeah yarn hanging on a pegboard wall
Which prompted me to finally get the drill out and put up another peg board in the garage ahead of open day this weekend - the enormous satisfaction of having put the board up, filled it with yarn and then seeing it every time I go in the garage has been a massive lift to my mood.
This week, I encourage you to step away from your screen for half an hour and do something completely involved with your hands. Bake bread, knit, spin, paint, plant flowers.
A sea glass hat that's not quite finished
While i've been busy juggling kids and work, i've been making things to use up odds and ends of yarn. The latest of which is a Sea Glass hat by Wool and Pine - a hat version of their famous tee and sweater patterns. It's free when you sign up for their newsletter (and included in either of those garment patterns, too).
The next big project on the needles will be a Voyage Cardigan - the bright colours and chance to use up even more leftovers is very appealing!
Voyage Cardigan by Wool and Pine
Chances are i'll use a mix of random bits, plus some nicely woolly Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight to help hold the colour work together in the steek.
Around this time of year, I start dreaming of moving to Shetland for six months, where it's lovely and cool all the time. Turns out, my Shetland relatives are from the beautiful Northmavine, up in the north-west of Shetland. I'll manage to get there in person one day, but for now will have to make do with browsing online and reading the great publications by 60 North.
A stack of Shetland Wool Adventures Journals, and a Fair Isle Nurse book
We now have the new edition of the Shetland Wool Adventures Journal, volume 5, along with more copies of volumes 3 and 4. I also have one lucky last copy of A Fair Isle Nurse - a memoir about being the only nurse on Fair Isle, Shetland in the 1960s.
For more Shetland dreaming of cooler climes, there's still copies of Grand Shetland Adventure Knits available, and we have sale copies of The Shetland Trader: Book 3 as part of Pom Pom's closing sale.
Have a wonderful week,
Tash
]]>Allino is a blend of linen and cotton, making it cool and robust (the linen adds extra strength). Aside from making excellent dish cloths thanks to the extra scrubby ability from the linen, it is wonderful for a whole range of projects.
While this isn't the zombie apocalypse, there are some odd parallels now with those conversations we had.
Over the last three weeks my entire life has undergone a major shift, part of it planned for, part of it wholly unexpected.
I've recently started a new job, one i'm really excited about. It signalled some major changes for us: navigating a world where i'm not able to do life admin during the day, Elliott spending more time at daycare and the mister taking on more responsibility for making sure our home life functions.
So when it was quickly becoming clear that our life would shift even further from our comfort zone, I clung to the one constant that has been present for the last ten years: the shop, and sending out yarn to you.
I told myself that with the yarn being in my house, it meant I could safely send out your orders as I didn't have to travel to do so. I reassured myself that as long as the couriers told me they would still collect and deliver, I was ok. That this one thing I knew how to do in this strange new world would carry on as usual.
When Elliott was tiny and life was really hard, I took great comfort in work, as it was something I could achieve and do well when everything else was out of my control.
Last week, as the mister went to work long days for the 8th, 9th, 10th day in a row, and I found myself sitting in our home office trying to learn my way around foreign concepts while Elliott had a meltdown, I took comfort in the same way.
Turns out that wasn't the best decision: for you, my wonderful customers, for our society at large, nor for the couriers who are dealing with the same unprecedented situation as we are. Couriers in particular deserve not to be constantly placing themselves at risk simply because we want some extra comfort in the consumption we've grown so accustomed to in the modern world.
Arohamai, dear friends. As of today I'm no longer shipping orders and won't resume until the rāhui / lockdown is lifted. It's the responsible thing to do. Right now our priority should be doing our best to ensure the collective wellness of the country, rather than focusing on ourselves as individuals.
By all means take care of yourselves, which at this time is an incredibly generous act: by looking after yourself, your mental health, your general health, by keeping 2 metres distant from those outside your bubble, you are demonstrating how much you care. It's scary and hard and difficult to navigate. I'm right there with you.
xx Tash
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At that time, our local options were limited. The number of indie dyers were few, and i’d frequently walk in to my then LYS and back out again empty handed. Being in the UK and travelling Europe opened my eyes to what a yarn shop could be. I was determined to build in their mould, a place centred around people and the yarns crafters would delight in.
Fun times in Petone
Even then, I knew this wouldn’t be my forever job. I didn’t have an exit plan, aside from ‘well if it doesn’t work i’ll sell everything’. I had very little to lose except time. When I started I didn’t really think that much about making money, except needing to pay myself enough to cover rent and food. My growth plan was to push everything as far as I could without borrowing much and in turn increasing the risk level.
The last few years I have often thought about what’s next. I’ve gone from a shop with barely any stock to shelves packed full. From it being just me and the support of friends and family to a number of staff.
Our first Grand Arcade Store window
Every time I mulled over closing up, I kept getting stuck on one single point: what about the customers? Where will they go for company, yarn fumes and care? I feel a responsibility to everyone who feels at home at Holland Road Yarn Co, those of you who have shared your difficulties and joys with us. It’s an enormous privilege and I have a duty of care.
This year I have been thinking about closing more often than not. Particularly with all the discussions around anti-racism and diversity in the knitting community, it’s really struck me that I have more I want to offer the world. As I hear arguments that we aren’t doing enough to take care of marginalised groups in our community, I agree absolutely. It’s time for things to change.
So I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to change. I have skills that can be used for deeper and more meaningful change than I could ever hope to achieve through supplying you with yarn. It no longer sits comfortably with me to encourage consumerism in a world that is in climate crisis, where we should be making do with what we have, being more thoughtful in our buying, and considering the impact our lifestyles have on the world.
It also comes down to some pretty hard facts: running a retail business means I never get time off. It demands being constantly available on social media, working every single day, and always having to-do lists running through my head. The impact it has had on my relationships and my mental health has been severe.
Packing in to Lyall Bay with Elliott
Business as usual for the moment! Come and see me at Knit August Nights this weekend if you're coming, I can't wait to see you!
I will be finishing up dyeing Knitsch, unless the mood to throw colour around strikes me. If you want some - get it while you can.
Once i'm back from KAN and had some recovery time, we will start up with some sales. Before that, you can let us know if you have any special requests, particularly for Brooklyn Tweed and Cascade. The last orders for those will be sent off on 4 September, so get in touch if they are on your to-knit list.
The plan is to be all finished up on 13 October. I will continue on with some yarn online, namely Scheepjes, Lopi and Quince & Co. So HRYC will still be around, just a bit smaller and less visible.
I want to thank each and every one of the people who has walked through the shop door, either in-person or online since 2011. You have enriched my life in ways I can't even begin to communicate, and I won't ever forget it.
xx Tash
PS Craft Camp and Knitters Dinners will continue! Because we still need to hang out <3
]]>With Kate due to go on maternity leave in June, we are looking for someone to join our team!
Holland Road Yarn Co isn't just a shop, it's a place where we build a community of knitters and crafters. We really love our customers and bend over backwards to bring them the best possible yarn buying experience. We are a 21st century business who use all the technology at our disposal.
Our ideal colleague is:
- a true yarn-lover, a passionate knitter and well-versed in all things woolly
- can talk about knitting and projects until the cows come home
- knows Ravelry backwards and believes technology is essential to daily life
- can wrangle google docs and share inspiration in 140 characters
- crochet and /or spinning skills would be a bonus
- constantly looking to learn more about the craft
- comfortable with money handling and sales
- and, most importantly, have amazing people skills.
Our kaupapa is:
- We take care of the environment and work to be as low-waste as possible
- We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming environment for Māori, Pasifika and people of colour, LGTBQI+, disabled, and those new to crafting
- We receive feedback with humility and always strive to improve
There is one position available, on a fixed term 6 month contract to cover maternity leave. There is potential for it to become permanent, depending on how 2019/2020 turns out for us. The role is sole charge, so we need someone who can take the initiative but isn't afraid to ask questions if unsure about something.
I've included links for each technique mentioned along the way, so get set up with your laptop or device, somewhere nice and comfortable. If you get frustrated, it's good idea to put your work down, walk away and come back to it tomorrow.
1 ball of Bandit DK (or about 50g of 8 ply yarn)
4mm knitting needles
Darning needle
Cast on 30 stitches
Knit every row until the fabric measures about 17cm long.
Cast off 30 stitches, leaving a long tail of yarn after you cut it.
Make a second identical rectangle.
Using a darning needle and the long tail of yarn, sew 10cm of the long sides together. Leave a 5cm gap, then sew together the remaining 2cm. This gap is for your thumb!
Repeat on the second rectangle.
Weave in the ends and wear!
]]>As part of the annual Kanga Kiwi KAL, we're pleased to be hosting a meet-up!
The Kanga Kiwi KAL is a celebration of all things NZ and Australia in the fibre world. To take part, you need to make something designed by a Kiwi or Aussie, with yarn produced in either of our fair countries.
Here's a bunch of beautiful shawl pattern and yarn ideas we think would make for great projects to take part - be sure to pop by the Ravelry group and post your project!
If you fancy coming to hang out with us to share your projects or gain some inspiration, join us 1.30pm - 3.30pm on Wednesday 6 February (Waitangi Day) in the shop. It'll be lovely to see you!
Downpour by Handmade by Sminé - would look fantastic in Knitsch Sock
Go for stunning geometry with Amy van de Laar's Deco City Shawl
Sticking with the drama, we still love Mary-Anne Mace's Mad Blood shawl (we even have Mad Blood Stirreth Knitsch in stock at the moment!)
and i'm going to be casting on Cetus Knits' Starry Nights using Dark Harbour Yarn from stash, plus something else once I have a hunt!
]]>I have decided to take a break from blankets, and instead do some small little things that add up to one big thing. The bonus of this type of project is you can either indulge in new supplies, or use up those little bits of scrap yarn you have floating around - the choice is yours!
Each month we will have a theme, and make some suggestions. Feel free to explore beyond our ideas, and make whatever takes your fancy. For every completed toy per month that you share in our Ravelry thread, we will enter you in to win a $20 HRYC gift voucher.
In November, we will make a call out to gather all your toys (if they haven't been otherwise homed) at the shop. We will make up a fantabulous display of your creations, and do a combo of auctioning them off and donating them to a worthy children's charity. If you'd like yours on display but wish to keep it, that's perfectly ok by us too.
January's theme, despite us starting off a bit late, is:
I know lots of you have copies of Making magazine (yes we will have more soon), which always has a toy pattern. Here's a couple of them with wings:
Butterfly and Cocoon by Susan B Anderson from Making issue 2 - Fauna
Flower and Leaf Sprite by Susan B Anderson - from Making Issue 1 - Flora
And for other winged whimsies:
Tiny Chickens by Anna Hrachovec
Dirk the dragon by Lydia Tresselt / Lalylala
Songbird by Sara Elizabeth Kellner
Bonny Puffin by Yanina Schenkel
and last but not least, I have to have my favourite animal in here: a penguin!
Do join us, we can't wait to see what you make!
]]>Very close to my heart these days is being as low waste as we possibly can in the shop. It's tough - we receive a lot of soft plastic - but one worth the effort. I've always used paper bags for purchases, and will continue to do so. However we welcome your reusable bags with wide open arms!
One effect of this is on packing online orders. I've stopped having stickers printed to seal paper bags with and pop on the outside of parcels. They look great, but produce unnecessary waste.
Instead we're reusing cello bags our stock arrives in as much as possible, so it's no longer a single use product. We've been tying paper bags up with yarn and stopped sending chocolates that come in plastic wrappers.
We've also been using R3pack recycled and recyclable courier bags, which come in a rather fetching dark grey. I opted for these over the compostable ones, as not all of us have access to compost, but it's reasonably simple to pop them in a soft plastic recycling bin at the supermarket. Heavy duty paper mail bags are an option, but we'd have to import them ourselves which defeats the purpose somewhat.
Being environmentally conscious means using less packaging, reusing where we can, and slowly tweaking things. It all may seem like small actions, but they add up when we all choose to make them. I'm hugely aware that we consume resources as a retailer and that has an impact on the world around us, so will continue to work towards reducing our waste and learning more about how to make positive changes to the way we run things here at Holland Road Yarn Co. It may mean our 'unboxing' experience is less flashy than others, but i'm ok with that if it leads to less going to landfills and floating around in our beautiful landscape.
]]>In the spirit of our Spring Garland CAL, I decided we should have some knit fun as well!
So knitters, fret not, here's a bunch of ideas for making a contribution (and gain a prize entry) to our Spring Garland.
With the new arrival of Scheepjes Catona cottons, we decided to make use of our colour sample box (which you could nab one of your own to play with, once we get more in) and make a spring garland.
Better yet, you could win one!
All you need to do is come into the shop and make a flower and we'll take your name and contact details for one entry per finished item.
OR pop by the Ravelry thread, show us a picture of each flower or leaf or what have you for your own garland and we'll pop you in the draw too.
More details for both ways to enter are in the Ravelry thread.
Acorn ornament by Carmen Rigby-Wilson
Woodland Wreath by Frankie Brown
Squash Blossom by Bonnie Sennott
Remembrance Poppy by Katy Sparrow
Daffodil by Jessica Goddard
Strawberry by Linda Dawkins (who has lots of other flora and fauna patterns)
Perhaps, if you're up for some fun, a knitted Cyclops Pot Plant by Dawn Finney
Don't forget to stop by the Ravelry thread and share your creations - we love to see them! Or, you can always pop them up on Instagram - make you sure you tags us @hollandroadyarn
]]>Better yet, you could win one!
All you need to do is come into the shop and make a flower and we'll take your name and contact details for one entry per finished item.
OR pop by the Ravelry thread, show us a picture of each flower or leaf or what have you for your own garland and we'll pop you in the draw too.
More details for both ways to enter are in the Ravelry thread.
Pop by the shop and join us in playing with colour, try your hand at a crochet flower, and be part of our spring decorating! Or, if you aren't local, make your own garland using odds and ends and share pictures with us - we'd love to see them!
Here's a few patterns we're going to start with:
Crochet flowers and bees wreath (paid)
Our prize for October, the final month of new squares, is 6 balls of Catona cotton by Scheepjes! All you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 10 blanket CAL options. This is our final set of CAL patterns. For the final 2 months of the CAL, we'll focus on catch-up, joining, and borders. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
Standard Multi-color
Challenge
So what are we all knitting?
Kate has decided to take on a garment for herself - and we all need to cheer her on as she hasn't made a full-size knit garment yet!
Kate's chosen the stunning Criss Cross Top by Purl Soho (it's free!)
Using Outlaw Yarn Nyx in Parchment:
Tash is looking to knit herself a hug for next winter. It's the one garment I feel is missing from my knit wardrobe, so it's finally time to get it off the list.
Stonewall by Alicia Plummer is a timeless classic, with the nice interest of some contrasting texture. I'll be using Outlaw Bohemia Gothic in Shelley, which is the most stunning teal:
Rachael is very kindly knitting for her sister! What a treat!
Evie Scott's Quill cardigan will be amazingly cosy knit with Outlaw Bohemia Gothic, in the colour Austen.
She may be all the way over in Kuala Lumpur but she's still part of the team, so Sonja is knitting a Twiggy using Outlaw Bohemia Sport in Carnivale.
We'd love to see what you're making as part of Outlaw October! Taking part in any of the categories gives you the chance to win a $250 credit with your favourite stockist (yes, you could spend $250 with us!!). Be sure to pop on to the Outlaw Yarn Ravelry group to find out more, and join their Facebook group for lots of inspiration.
]]>Our prize for September is a skein of Wollmeise sock! All you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 9 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
Standard Multi-colour
Nomad by Fate – square by Martin Up North (free)
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Colour
Casablanca 12" Square by Maria Bittner (free)
Stained Glass Lantern by Tatsiana Kupryianchyk (PAID; phototutorial)
Each month I'll post several sock patterns, based on a loose theme (such as 'cables'), to choose from. There will be standard patterns, that should be good for newbies, or if you wanting something that just rocks along easily, and also some more adventure patterns, for a bit of challenge perhaps. I'll also suggest which yarns at the shop will work best for each pattern. But it's up to you - you're very welcome to find your own patterns, and dig into your sock yarn stash.
July's themes are 'getting started' (beginner patterns for anyone who hasn't knit socks before), and 'texture'. You'll find more information about the patterns, and yarns, on the Sockalong thread on Ravelry
these are all free patterns
Vanilla Sock with Gusset & Choice of Heel
Paid pattern:
Free Patterns:
Paid pattern:
Free patterns:
Hope you join us! - Rachael
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Our prize for August is a tote bag plus two 50g skeins of Knitsch sock! All you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 8 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
On the Street Where You Live by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Bringing in the Sheaves 9" and 12" Afghan by Margaret MacInnis (PAID)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
It Had to Be You by Polly Plum (PAID; video tutorial)
Challenge Multi-Colour
Our prize for July is a 400m skein of Knitsch Sock, but all you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 7 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
La Mer by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Autumn Sun Afghan Square by Maria Bittner (free; photo tutorial)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Color
Etranger by Rie Vive has classic Japanese styling, which would be complemented beautifully by the heathered tones of Outlaw Bohemia Gothic. You'd probably get a smidge more drape than the pictured project, but I think that would help the fabric movement as you go about your day.
It would made for an utterly fantastic Willard fair isle pullover - you could mix and match with Bohemia Worsted and Muse colours for even more options.
For a bit of cable and texture lushness, there's Hannah Fettig's West End Cardigan. Featured in the wonderful book Texture, which we also have on the shelf at the moment!
If you fancy a big, warm, polwarth alpaca and possum hug this winter, Larch by Pam Allen fits the bill perfectly. I can just imagine walking around in the bitter Wellington wind and still feel as snug as a bug in this one.
Carrie Bostick Hodge's Forest Cardigan would pair wonderfully with jeans, a long sleeve tee and Bohemia Gothic. Simple enough for the most part, with the cables enough to keep the knitting interesting.
Finally, if you were one of the many people who purchased issue 4 of Laine from us (thank you!), Gothic would translate beautifully into Morginn. The combination of polwarth, alpaca and possum plus fisherman's rib will make for the most squishy, cosy and cuddly cardigan I can think of.
I'm off to daydream and swatch and drool over the colours just a bit more...
]]>Greyson is a true kid classic, thanks to local Julia. I know she put an enormous amount of time into this pattern, and it covers the full range of yarn weights from 8ply up to 12ply. It would be hard wearing in Ashford Tekapo 8 or 12ply, and even though it isn't a machine washable yarn, still is soft enough to be next to skin and safely chucked in the wool wash in your machine.
I'm in love with the pattern detail on the sleeves of Lisa Chemery's Sagano, the reverse stocking stitch making that woven texture really shine. For cheap and cheerful Vintage will work for this one, or for a bit more stitch definition, Brooklyn Tweed Arbor will work, too.
The Bluebell Pullover by Kate Gagnon Osborn has the added bonus of the envelope neckline - making for easy putting on and pulling off! You could have loads of fun with colour combos, using up odds and ends or make your life easier with just one shade.
Last but absolutely not least, is my always-return-to favourite that is Flax. Free! Effortlessly simple, and a great vehicle for adding your own cable panel in the middle or other details if you get bored.
Do you have any favourite simple kids patterns? I'd love to add them to my queue!
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Our prize for June is a Rose Marlow project bag, but all you need to do to enter is post a finished square in the Ravelry thread by the end of the month.
Below are the month 6 blanket CAL options. If you want to catch up on what we're doing, pop by Ravelry!
For more info, see our first blog post with all the details.
Standard Single Colour
Cabled Blooms Afghan Square by Jennifer Pionk (free)
Someone to Watch Over Me by Polly Plum (free; video tutorial)
Standard Multi-colour
Challenge Single Colour
Challenge Multi-Colour