Ring in the new

We've got lots of new yarn to show you today (including one that's very exciting indeed!), but first, isn't that a splendid bell? It's one of the tree decorations that have been handed in for our competition. For once, it's a pity that this blog doesn't come with an audio track, because that's a proper cat bell that rings! It's fantastic! But keep them coming: the deadline is December 13th, so there's plenty of time, and a jolly little decoration is fast to do! On to our new arrivals! The first is actually two - we're now stocking Handmaiden sock yarn and laceweight. That's some of the Casbah sock yarn - 325 metres of merino and cashmere with a little nylon for strength. It's machine-washable and hand-dyed. It would make amazing socks - or baby clothes, or lace, or anything you wish. Then there's Handmaiden Sea Silk laceweight. Again, it's hand-dyed so each skein is unique... ...and the colours and the softness have to be experienced up close. It's made of silk and Seacell, a man-made fibre partly made from seaweed. It's a relatively heavy laceweight and it knits up beautifully. Our final new arrival is something local and innovative. We're very proud to be stocking Studio Donegal's Merino Soft, a two-ply worsted weight yarn, which we debuted at the Knitting and Stitching Show. It's just the right combination of nubbly and soft, and it comes in a wide range of colours from quiet earth tones to vibrant brights, just like its big sibling Aran Tweed. A little plumper than DK and a little slimmer than Aran, it will work beautifully in all those North American worsted weight patterns you've been mulling over. The colour palette lends itself to stripes or stranded colourwork, and it comes in generous 100g hanks, each giving you 190 metres of knitting pleasure. There are several cardigans being planned in the shop, and a couple of hat-and-mitten sets too. So if you're passing, drop in and give these lovelies a look - your letter to Santa might need a postscript.