"Nashua Handknits", We Barely Knew Ye

The whole Nashua Handknits line has been discontinued by Westminster Fibers/Coats and Clark.  I know, it rots, but this isn't that unusual in yarn land.  It's a fickle market.  As much as I will miss the line in general, I will miss one yarn in particular. 

It is a sad thing to report that Julia (25% Mohair, 25% Alpaca, and 50% Wool) is nearly history.  A lovely soft yarn in delightful brights with excellent warmth and good halo, it was a unique combination that made it a perfect fit for any "won't fade into the background" project.  The color saturation is delicious, which isn't easy to achieve in an Alpaca/Wool blend.  Designed by Kristen Nichols of Color by Kristin and Kristin Knits, it was lively and joyful without being gaudy and over-the-top.

This tends to happen to all of us: our favorite lipstick shade gets disco-ed, our favorite restaurant closes, our favorite band breaks up - but somehow in knitting it's different.  All those creative possibilities lost - all the unfinished projects and designs - there quickly becomes a community of orphaned artistic projects.  We will move on like we always do, but with a wistful backwards glance at another one of the good ones who went too soon. 

If you're not quite ready to say goodbye, WEBS seems to have a pretty good cache in a variety of colors.  It's on sale for $3.99 per ball here.  Grab what you need, and maybe a little extra, because sadly, this is your last chance.  Rats!

Mission Falls, We Barely Knew Ye



Mission Falls Pattern and Yarn



As of January 1, 2011, Mission Falls yarns is no longer produced.  It was a small Canadian yarn company that produced yarns, patterns and buttons, all of distinctly high quality.  It was widely distributed for only 5 years, but the company has been in existence for over 18 years. 

I found and fell in love with Mission Falls yarns about three years back.  I love the textures and colors of their products. (1824 cotton and wool, for example.)  The original yarn was licensed to CNS yarns 5 years ago, which seemed to have some quality and consistency problems, earning the beautiful colorways a reputation for pilling and knots among some knitters.  For those who got the good stuff, though, it was addictive.

Most LYS and online knitting outlets have their products on sale now, and I would encourage you to look at both the yarns and the pattern books.  The patterns are filled with colors and whimsy, well outside the usual knitting fare.  

This is not the first time that Mission Falls has declared they were ceasing production, but with a farewell letter on founder Mags Kandis' blog, I think it's permanent this time.  Grab the yarns and patterns while you can.  Sadly, Mission Falls will soon just be a fond memory.