HRYC

Fabelism Sweet Pea

These lovely fabrics would give you a shot of sunshine in the morning, just what we need for a NZ winter. There are some great pattern matches to show off these fabrics including the Merchant and Mills Cover Top . It has an adjustable neckline and options for sleeves or sleeveless, sizes are up to up to 67inch bust.

Tie front tops are having a moment, if this is your thing then the Syd Tie top and dress from Syd Graham patterns is super popular. Bust up to 54 inches.

Muna and Board (run by 2 super stylish ladies, one of which is a kiwi) make ‘plus-size sewing patterns that have been drafted to ensure a great fit for large bodies’. They teamed up in late 2019 to release plus-size sewing patterns with the sizing starting where other pattern companies often end their sizing. The tie front Newry Top would work well with the Fabelism fabric (up to 66 inch bust and several cup sizes) - it also has a dress option too!

Sprouts (but not the green type!)

Fablism Sprout has very subtle crosses for a refined texture with the added bonus that is comes in not only the dreamy Ocean colourway but also Wild Rose, Creme and Bronze 

One pattern option would be the The Vista Top from female run kiwi business Twig and Tale. Their site covers patterns for women, men and children and is full of whimsical patterns with a historical twist. The Vista Top has wonderful billowy sleeves and no fastenings. Patterns come with full video instructions and size options for 0-22 or 14- 38. For a more simple sleeveless top the Ashton Top by Helen's Closet is a A-line top with options for cropped or hip length, B or D cup and 0-30 (Canadian) size range.

Shirts - Plain or checked - for more advanced makers (or if you just what to challenge yourself)

Got scraps? Knit along with us! We're all completely in love with the Scrappy Checkers pattern that has just been released by Pom Pom and Picky Femme.

Knit with worsted weight yarn, Tash has decided to make hers using Ashford DK (which is a heavy 8ply) with 4ply scraps held double.

And as the weather gets colder, we decided it's the perfect time to run a Knitalong just for this pattern!

What's in it for you? The chance to win a $150 Holland Road Yarn Co voucher, with second and third prizes too.

How do you join? Fill in the form, cast on (at the very least) and you'll be in with a chance to win! We're chatting about our projects in an Instagram group, but you don't need to be on social media to participate.

The Knit Along runs from now until 31 July, so there's plenty of time to take part. 

Open to NZ and Australia residents only.

Lately I’ve found myself feeling indecisive about what to knit, and maybe you have too. So I've been trying to finish projects to clear some head space for new things - easier said than done!

The world feels noisy and uncertain, and sitting down with soft yarn and a simple pattern feels like a kind of antidote. The rhythm of making, the soft hand of knit fabric, even just winding a skein gives us a moment to breathe and find steadiness again.

Looking for a sense of calm and connection is what keeps us going at HRYC. Every project, every chat in the shop, every colour on the shelves, it all reminds me that creativity is its own kind of hope. Whenever I mention this to people hanging out with us, they nod eagerly - our space is for you to find the space you need to process daily life.

So wherever you are, I hope you’re finding a little time to make something just for you. Below, I’ve shared what’s new in the shop, a few things we’re loving lately, and some gentle inspiration to keep your hands (and heart) warm.

My foster puppy, Kip, has been making the most of my latest snuggly project - proving that yarn is the best comfort!

Our next Lights Up Knitting film promises to be woolly delightful - featuring a murder mystery, talking sheep and Hugh Jackman, it feels like just the silly entertainment we need.

Join us on Tuesday 12 May at Light House Petone.

Meet from 5:15pm, film starts at 6pm and every ticket gets a free treat to enjoy during the movie and entry into our prize draw.

What's on Tash's needles? Well, I had a bit of a Poet sweater disaster, which was just the humility needed to go back and finish some WIPs.

At the moment I'm knitting this very simple moss stitch cowl using handspun made with Malabrigo Nube in Zinnias. I wanted something very simple to let the yarn shine and it's been what my brain needed to relax.

I also cast on and finished a Musselburgh hat in Knitsch Merino 4ply in the shade 1/4 Acre Dream. It's slightly too big, so I think I'll be casting on another one using smaller needles.

Next on my needles is Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston, knit using Jamieson & Smith sport weight which we recently received into stock. I've knit a swatch with it, and it's wonderfully toothy, Great for a nice hard-wearing cardigan like this one.

Our ongoing love for all things Shetland continues, with the return of some much-loved titles and a re-stock of J&S jumper weight.

Shetland Wool Adventures has been fully re-stocked, and each issue is a quiet wander through the isles with stories, photos, knitting patterns and recipes.

Grand Shetland Adventures is a collab between Gudrun Johnston and Mary Jane Mucklestone - a celebration of yarn and pattern from the wild weather isles.

Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight is now re-stocked and selling as quickly as ever. It's worth coming in to see in person and play with colours, but we do also offer sample cards - you just have to pay shipping.

Okay so it's not Shetland related at all, but we all need a pep-talk and these Certificate of Achievement note pads from Oh, Laura are a tiny moment of delight. Give your friends a certificate for something silly and make their day!

Would you like to work with us? We're looking for someone to join as a casual part of our small but mighty 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.

Role: Casual 

Hours: average 4 per week, spread out over a month 

Potential availability required: 

• 2pm - 4pm Wednesday to Friday
• Saturday 10am - 4pm
• Sunday 11am - 3pm
• Thursday 7pm - 9pm

We're looking for someone who can cover ad-hoc hours when permanent staff aren't available or we need extra cover. 

In a given week, this might look like supporting an event on or off-site, covering Craft Night and working a Sunday shift. Or it could be working 10-2 on a Saturday while Tash is teaching. 

There is the possibility of more hours as we increase our class and event offerings. 

The roster is usually confirmed a month in advance, but you may be required at a day’s notice to cover illness. 

Our ideal person is:

• a knitter and / or crocheter
• loves helping people find solutions 
• welcoming and inclusive 
• confident with technology - we use Shopify and google docs, on Apple devices 
• willing to keep the store clean and tidy 
• confident being sole-charge in store
• able to start in early to mid-April
• available during school holidays 

You may also be: 

• a spinner, weaver, stitcher or sewist

We offer:

• the living wage
• a sweet discount on everything except re-loved
• easy parking if needed
  

How to apply: 

Send us a personally written (not generated) cover letter and short resume by Wednesday Friday 27 March to tash@hollandroadyarn.co.nz.

We don't use AI to screen applications. 

Interviews will be held before Easter. 

It may be late in Socktober, but it's never too late to start a pair of socks to celebrate!

Katie came up with the brilliant idea of running this knit along while sorting all our little sock yarn nuggets that have collected in-store. 

We all have these little balls lying around, so why not make use of them! All you have to do to take part is tag us in an instagram post with a pic of your frankensock - that is, a sock project that is using up bits and pieces of yarn to make a delightful hole. Make sure to add the tag #hrycsocktober to join the fun, and we'll put you in the draw to win one of our brand new HRYC tote bags, along some extra treats.

Draw is open for entries until 15 November, and is available to NZ and Australia residents. 

If you need a pattern to work from, our free Super Simple Sock pattern is just the ticket - it's a great blank canvas to add your random yarns to.

And here's what Katie has come up with for her socks - a rainbow matching pair!