Just when you thought paper garments died with the '60s, here comes a new collection of paper (yes, paper!) yarns from Habu Textiles. Made from a variety of fibers, including silk and linen, these new yarns are not what you'd expect. Wrapped or unwrapped, spun or flat, these different yarns are more than kitschy experiments in milling, they're actually practical new additions to the modern knitter's arsenal.

Ideal for unbelievably light (almost weightless!) garments and accessories, all of these paper yarns can be hand-washed without fear of damage or dissolving. Moreover, each of these new creations comes with different properties - thick or thin, sheer or opaque - making them as varied as 'regular' yarns.

With so many new yarns to choose from we were hard-pressed to pick a favorite to highlight, which is why we selected two! Be sure to visit our Habu Textiles Yarns page to see the entire collection, including the new Silk Gima, Linen/ Stainless Steel, and Linen 3P Paper Yarn.

Linen Paper 2mm (N-76B) 100% linen, this flat paper yarn is simply a finer version of Habu's popular Shosenshi Linen Paper. 2mm wide, it's equivalent to a fingering weight yarn and can be substituted for fingering yarns in many patterns. Available in 28g/ 1 oz cones, this crisp translucent yarn comes with 500m/ 560 y per 28g/ 1 oz. With so much yardage for so little weight, a knitter could make a jacket or vest with only a couple ounces of yarn.

Raw Silk Wrapped Paper (N-24B) The paper in this yarn is 100% linen that has been wrapped with a couple of hair-fine strands of raw silk dyed in contrasting colors. The base yarn hasn't been plied so much as folded, giving it more dimension and the illusion of being spun. Although mostly linen, this yarn has an astonishing shimmer that is almost metallic. Available in three bright summery tones, it would make beautiful evening or professional wear.

Inspired by the seasons in our beloved hometown, the 2010 - 2011 Knit Purl Sock Club is something no sock knitter will want to miss. With exclusive colorways including "Oregon Mist" and "Blossom Storm" from talented dyers Handmaiden and Koigu, the yarns alone are enough to test even the strictest yarn diet. Add in some of the hottest sock designers in the knitting world, such as Yarnissima and Wendy Johnson, and we've got (pardon the expression) a perfect storm that will knock your socks off.

Less than 200 memberships are available for the next round of the Club, making space rather limited. Over the next month we'll be revealing our full line-up of dyers and designers, but you may not want to wait until then to reserve your space!

Plus, with three payment options to choose from, our revolutionary Sock Club manages to be exclusive without excluding. Simply pay all at once or choose one of our payment plans, and get ready to experience the best sock knitting our community has to offer!

'They' say variety is the spice of life and whoever 'they' are might just be right. Even though we have many excellent knitting publications available to us in North America, sometimes a little change is just the thing.

Imagine our excitement, then, upon discovering the British publication The Knitter, a magazine devoted to intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. Full of challenging patterns from leading designers, The Knitter gives more intrepid knitters a chance to challenge themselves through a different venue.

Imported directly from the publishers, this magazine is available in limited quantities. Printed on heavy high-gloss paper, these issues are larger and heftier than American magazines, ensuring that they will last well in a knitter's stash for years to come.

The Knitter (Issue 15) Published this February, Issue 15 offers thirteen patterns that range from colorwork to complex cables to beaded lace. The patterns come from internationally reknowned designers, such as Cookie A. and Sally Melville, and will certainly teach experienced knitters a thing or two. Articles include a history of Indigo dyeing around the world and the fascinating story of the rediscovery of the Queen Susan Shawl through a partnership between ravelry and the Shetland Museum. Take a sneak peek here.

The Knitter (Issue 16) Published this March, Issue 16 offers thirteen patterns that will test your colorwork skills (both stranded and intarsia) and lace knitting abilities. Designers include internationally renowned Martin Storey, Kaffe Fassett, and Evelyn Clark. Among the articles is a fascinating look at the history of knitting in art at the National Portrait Gallery - that also includes a look at the inventor of the Kitchener Stitch, Lord Kitchener himself! Get a sneak peek here.

It's rare to find a hand-dyed yarn that you can throw in the washing machine without fear. Combine that qualification with a desire for yarn heavier than fingering and you might as well throw in the towel. Well, no more! Madelinetosh has just released two new yarns, Pashmina and Vintage, that are machine-washable hand-dyed beauties that are, quite simply, going to ruin any yarn diet or moratorium you may have (you can't say we didn't warn you).

You might want to get out a handkerchief, because this new superwash Merino/ silk/ cashmere yarn is going to make you drool. Divinely soft, it's not uncommon for knitters to grow faint after touching Pashmina.

Available in 100g/ 3.5 oz hanks, this heavy sport weight yarn comes with an astounding 329m/ 360 yards per skein! Ideal for, well, anything, we haven't been able to come up with a project we don't like this yarn for. Socks? Baby? Sweaters? This machine-washable yarn can do it all. Hand-dyed in range of alluring semi-solids and so sublimely soft you won't believe it, Pashmina is a treat every knitter should experience.

Vintage 100% superwash Merino, this light worsted weight yarn is a workhorse with a thoroughbred pedigree. Appropriately named because of its faded tone-on-tone color series, this new yarn resembles your favorite well-worn sweater. Available in over a dozen must-have colors (including some manly tones that he'll love), this machine-washable yarn has a secret all knitters should know.

With 182m/ 200y per skein, Vintage is not only a practical and pragmatic beauty, it's an economic one, too! Ideal for hard-wearing garments that will resist pilling and look amazing wash after wash, we think you'll discover that this is much more than expected. Whatever you want or need, we're confident that these new Madelinetosh yarns will fit the bill.

We've got a class list this season that you have to see to believe. With instructors like blogger/ designer Jared Flood of brooklyntweed and artist LeBrie Rich of PenFelt, the next couple of months are going to be jam-packed with chances to expand your knowledge.

Learn a range of skills and techniques from the author of Made in Brooklyn that include advanced cabling techniques, stranded knitting, seamless sweater construction, and even designing your own Shetland lace shawl!

Discover the world of felted art with local artisan, LeBrie Rich. Upcoming classes range from advanced Nuno felting to designing and felting a bag worthy of the runway.

Whether you live in Portland or not, we've planned these amazing classes far enough in advance that participants can schedule for them without difficulty. If you're one of the many knitters who have enjoyed our workshops in the past (or simply wanted to), take this opportunity to check out our class list and reserve your space now.

Over thirty knitters joined in on our Skif It Yarn Sampling, 21 of whom didn't live in Portland. With such an enthusiastic response to the start of our 2010 Skif KAL, we're excited to look forward to seeing what you'll knit.