Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
Words matter. So at this time of growing national awareness about the coronavirus, we searched for the perfect word to describe how we feel and we landed on this: Oy.
Oy, I am almost done with my sweater, and need another skein but the dye lot is no longer available; Oy, my fingers hurt!
But the thing about Oy is that it’s not just an expression of exasperation, there is, a slight forehead-slapping humor to it, which we felt was kind of necessary in these anxious times.
The Blue Purl, like everyone else, is taking every precaution to carry on safely. We regularly wipe down all of our surfaces, including door handles and bathroom fixtures. We will continue to run our classes but we are cancelling both the Sandnes Garn Pop Up Shop this weekend and the Lori Versaci Brioche Worshop and Designer Visit on the 28th.
For the time being, NJ Wool Walk is still happening. We will let you know if changes occur.
If you are at all concerned about coming into the shop, and you need supplies, please let us know. If you’d like to drive up to the front or back and crack your window, we will deliver to your car. If you would prefer, we will mail to you for the cost of postage.
Listen, we are all in this together, as a community, as a nation, as a world. We must confront this national health emergency united, right minded, and calm. And we must stay informed and carry on. As a small business, this national emergency has the potential to unravel all we have been trying to build. We will do our best to keep you interested, and supplied, and safe. Please keep us in your thoughts, too.
We all know that working with your hands and minds is calming, cheap therapy we often call it. We've put together some great kits for quick knits and a couple more time invested beauties from Lori Versaci and a Lisa Richardson KAL Rowan Felted Tweed blanket starting in about a week - see below.
It is a tough time, one I think we are all really just coming to terms with.
Let’s be here for each other.
Oy, what a time.
connect + create
Patty & Wendy
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Hello Beautifuls!
Wendy & Katya visit Catskill Merino for Shearing Day! Happiness & calm at the end of the newsletter :)
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We are postponing both
Sandnes Garn Pop Up Shop this weekend and the Lori Versaci Brioche Workshop & Designer visit on March 28. They will be rescheduled for a better time.... :(
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It’s NJ WoolWalk 2020 time! Join the crawl April 2-5. 21 fab Jersey stores participating. We will have our own Jersey gurl
@marianatedyarns
set up a table in house for the festivities- and lots of trunk shows, kits etc. Passports $6 which opens you up to loads of deals, prizes, fun fun fun. Join us and support your local yarn shops!!! If anything changes here, we will let you know!
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THINGS TO KEEP US CALM & BUSY
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We have loads of kits for Grab & Go! - Or curbside delivery :)
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We have put together a bunch of kits together for you to grab and go. Patterns are included- except for Morning Walk Hat.
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TWO MITTS! The
Camp Out Mitts are made with one ball of Reggae
Ombr
é. The Humanity Fingerless Mitts by Denise Lotter we are working up in Hemp Tweed.
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TWO COWLS! - The
GAP-tastik is 3 skeins of Malabrigo Chunky and the
Twice as Nice is a beauty with 5 balls of Rowan Hemp Tweed.
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TWO HATS! - The
Rock Cap is made up with 2 skeins of Rowan Hemp Tweed. The
Morning Walk Hat
is knitted with 2 skeins of Woolfolk held together. Lush!
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This sleeveless A-line Coco Knits tank,
Gretel is by Julie Weisenberger and knitted with 3 balls of Dan-Doh. Great for summer.
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We Love This Wrap | Throw
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While we had to postpone Lori Versaci's visit, we can still enjoy her patterns! This is perfect if you find yourself at home for awhile...
Farm-to-Skein Colorwork Shawl/Throw is a gorgeous example of sequence knitting. Originally in Making Magazine - since then she also has the instruction to make it a baby throw.
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Rowan Felted Tweed KAL Throw
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"Rowan's head designer, Lisa Richardson, has created a stunning new Knit Along.
Lisa's beautiful 'Elder Throw' KAL uses much-loved Felted Tweed and features a kaleidoscope of patterns, launches later this month."
Isn't this beautiful! Rowan is putting out instructional videos to go along with it. They have a shopping list coming out next week.
If interested join on social media:
#elderthrow #lisarichardsonkal #rowankal2020 #feltedtweedkal to keep up with releases!
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What's New at The Blue Purl
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Blue Sky | Spud & Chloe Trunk Show
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OMG look how cute these are!!
The Bundle of Joy Hat is made with Blue Sky Organic Cotton. The
Laid Back Legwarmers are stranded zig zag colorwork and super cool made in Spud & Chloe Fine Sock- need these for adults too! And what about the
Boo Boo Bottoms - AHHHHH!!!! Too cute! Also made in Fine Sock.
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In Blue Sky-two Cowls and a really cute
Sunrise headband - good for warmer weather in Organic Cotton. Come see all this in the shop!
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Malabrigo Trunk Show - Love this one!
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Leonori is a beautiful Cardi-shrug sweater from designer Julie Turjoman. Great for the warmer weather. Made in Malabrigo Mechita.
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Fibre Co. Spring Summer 20 Trunk Show
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We hav
e the Fibre Co. SS20 Trunk Show. The pieces are beautiful!
- Greenall by Safiyyah Talley is a top down cardigan with an elegant eyelet pattern, so soft made in Road to China.
- Newlands a cute cropped sweater by Megan Nodecker is also in Road to China. In the shop it's shown in the color way Abalone which is gorgeous!
- Swinside by Becky Baker is a drop sleeve top down, one piece pullover with lots of positive ease. In the shop it's in Canopy but Cumbria is also suggested.
- Bassenfell is an asymmetrical garter stitch shawl with three columns of textural cluster stitches. It is worked from tip to tip with a clean i-cord edging to give it a graphic feel. Made in their Luma. Perfect for the summer.
Come see these magnificent pieces while they're here!
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Vougue Knitting Late Winter
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Kaffe Fassett and Koigu yarns are both featured in the latest issue of Vogue Knitting Late Winter 2020.
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HOW TO SIGN UP: To sign up for a class please call the shop,
973-377-5648
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info@thebluepurl.com| or just come in - we always love to see you!
If classes are sold out you can leave your name on a waiting list. After approval (to make sure the class is not full,) we will send you a link where you can pay by PayPal or please come in before the start of class. Classes must be paid up to 72 hours before they begin - or if canceling up to 72 hours for refund.
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Beginner Knitting - 2 sessions
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Beginner knitting project - Felted change purse
Level:
Beginner 1 (no previous experience required)
Instructors:
Yiba Ng (Tuesday) Sheila Mulhern (Sunday)
Class dates: Tuesday sessions: May 5, 12, 19, 26 - Class time - 9-10:30am
Sunday sessions: April 19, 26, May 3, 17 Class time 4-5:30 PM
Cost: $75 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Are you a beginner who's never knitted a stitch but wants to join in the fun? In this four session class you'll learn the basics of knitting, purling, casting on and binding off, increasing and decreasing, and more, all while creating a simple change purse.
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Level:
Advanced Beginner: need to know how to cast on, knit & purl
Instructor:
Liz Braverman
Class dates:
Monday’s, April 20, May 4 and 11
Time:
2:00-3:30 PM
Cost:
$60 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Techniques:
Asymmetrical shawl shaping, stripes, k2tog, kfbf, Picot bind off
Chasing Blizzard is a lovely warm weather asymmetrical scarf/shawl will keep your interest as you move through garter stitch, stripes, mesh lace and finally, a Picot bind off. Add a saturated pop of color at the bottom for the fun of it!
Supplies: 2 skeins contrasting Fingering weight yarn or approximately 700 yds. Sport/DK. Additional yardage for “pop”.
US #4 (32”) or #5 (if a tight knitter)- gauge ~ 6.5 sts/inch
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Level: Intermediate Beginner: need to know how to cast on, knit & purl
Instructor: Yiba Ng
Class dates: Mondays April 6,13, 20
Time: 9-10:30 AM
Cost: $60 + s
upplies from The Blue Purl
Techniques:
Knitting continuously in the round in a small circumference and decreasing. Cables
This is a perfect beginner project. After taking the first class and feeling comfortable to venture on. This is i
t! "
This hat is a beautiful blend of cables and stockinette with just the right amount of slouch
."
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Baby Crofter Sweater
Level: Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Keri Samuels
Class dates: Wednesday's April 8, 22 and May 6
Time: 9-10:30 AM
Pattern: Available in the shop - Sirdar #377
Cost: $60 + supplies from The Blue Purl
This adorable little sweater is a shawl-collared pullover that is sized for baby,
toddler, and child. The yarn used is called Crofter by Sirdar. The yarn has
been dyed to give a fair isle look while requiring only simple stockinette.
The sweater is a pullover but the shawl collar allows for easy on and off over the
child’s head.
Techniques: The sweater is made in pieces and seamed, so in this class you will
learn traditional pieced sweater construction. You’ll learn how to read a pattern -
shape armholes, shoulders and sleeves and create a separate collar. There will be seaming instructions as well!
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Slope (tank) by Shellie Anderson
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Liz Braverman
Class dates: Friday, March 27, April 17, 24 and May 1
Time:
9-10:30 AM
Cos
t: $75 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Techniques: German Twisted Cast On, W&T Short Rows, Sloped Bind Off, Bind off in the center of a row, 3 Needle Bind Off
Knit in Shibui Twig you will have a versatile tank top (vest) to add to your wardrobe. Learn some handy techniques that you will be able to apply to your future sweater knitting.
Supplies: Shibui Twig, Cascade Roslyn
US #3 (24” or 32”)
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Corner to Corner Crochet (aka) C2C
Level: Intermediate. Student should have a good grasp of basic crochet stitches, and have some experience with changing colors.
Instructor: ChiWei Ranck
Class dates: Thursdays April 23, 30 and May 7
Time: 9:30 - 11 AM
Pattern: Student can choose to work on an existing pattern on
ChiWei's website A few patterns are pictured above.
Cost: $60 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Description: Maybe you’ve heard the term corner to corner crochet but have never quite understood what it really means. Come see what corner to corner crochet is all about! Learn how to increase, decrease, change colors, and even design your own corner to corner project!
Techniques:
General overview of corner to corner crochet and optional variations, Starting a project, Increasing & Decreasing, Understanding a pattern, Designing on your own using graph paper, Changing colors and using bobbins. Reading ahead to map out color changes, Weaving in
Supplies: DK or worsted weight yarn, Appropriate crochet hook for yarn, graph paper, color pencils, scissors, tapestry needles
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Basic Cuff Down Socks
Level:
Advanced Beginner: need to know how to cast on, knit & purl
Instructor:
Carolyn Hanson
Class dates:
Thursday's April 16, 23, 30
Time:
7-9 PM
Pattern: provided by instructor
Cost:
$75 + supplies from The Blue Purl
There is nothing like handmade socks, so toasty, so comfy. Learn to make a basic sock using either double points, one long circular needle or 2 circular needles. Choose a lovely self striping yarn and you’re ready to go.
Techniques:
You will learn to knit in the round, increase, decrease, gusset, and pattern reading, kitchener stitch.
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Moonwake Cowl by Andrea Mowry
Level: Advanced Intermedi
ate: need to be comfortable with colorwork and knitting in round
Instructor: Keri Samuels
Class dates: Saturdays May 2, May 9 knit it up and come back June 27
Time: 9-10:30 AM
Cost: $60 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Techniques: provisional cast-on, colorwork, charts, kitchener stitch
This new pattern by Andrea Mowry is a beautiful moebius cowl that will be fun to
make and easy to wear. It is made with 4 colors but is made in a tube so no ends
to weave in!
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Japanese Knot Bag - Crochet
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Japanese Knot Bag by Rick Mondragon
Level: Advanced Beginner - need to know how to single & double crochet
Instructor: Carolyn Hanson
Class dates: May 7, 14, & 21
Time: 7-9 PM
Cost:
$75 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Techniques you will learn include working in the round, making and sewing a handle, pattern reading.
This is a great summer bag. If done in raffia - perfect for the beach! Carolyn makes it a bit bigger than the pattern on ravelry,
Check out
her updates here
.
Carolyn has picked yarn in the shop that will work with the pattern.
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Bunny Class with Keri - Round 1! They are mostly finished and super cute. Great seaming gals! Kathie's little guy is adorable!
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Our first day of the Weaving Workshop with Judith was filled with experiments with color and technique! There is so much to learn! What a fantastic workshop and teacher!
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This beautiful
Arkade Scarf by Antonia Shankland was made in Woolfolk Far.
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Keri's
Sasha Cowl class just wrapped up! Here are some of the finished pieces. They are gorgeous!
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Bonnie's
Fiesta Feet 314 are amazing. These socks are such an accomplishment to get through and we got to do it together in Carolyn's class - Just saying some of us have one sock syndrome!
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Saw this on a friend's facebook and had to share. Too soon? - credit to: @reddit MrRapp
Also... from many sources there is this one....
The World Health Organization has announced that dogs cannot contract Covid-19. Dogs previously held in quarantine can now be released. To be clear WHO let the dogs out!
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Catskill Merino - Shearing Day
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Wendy & Katya had the pleasure of spending the day at Catskill Meriono helping skirt fleece for their shearing day! Dominique the owner - has over 200 head of sheep and they need to get a haircut in the spring. What wonderful people and beautiful animals, but mostly a great experience to see what it takes to get the yarn to us crazy knitters.
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Dominique (owner of Catskill Merino) and Katya. Katya's senior thesis in fashion design at Parsons is based around American Wool. Dominique gave Katya wool to use in her project. Farm to Runway baby!!
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This is Rebecca - the sheep catcher Clara Parkes featured in her book Vanishing Fleece - She was amazing with them. I think they love her.
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This is skirting. Put one fleece down and clean it - pack it up - do the next...
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Katya saying hello to one of the sheep donating to her cause!
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Wendy. Happy. Moving the fleece.
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The Blue Purl is now a Drop Off Point for Hat Not Hate
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"Hat Not Hate is an anti-bullying campaign.
We ask knitters and crocheters to make handmade
blue hats
and donate them to our cause. In October, National Bullying Prevention Month, we distribute the hats to schools across the country for students to wear, empowering them to stand up to bullying."
The delivery date is Aug 1. So drop off whenever...Thanks!
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Bottle Hill Day Collection
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If you have any questions on Bottle Hill Day please call Rosemary Dark at 908-656-1972 or email her at rdark1@optimun.net.
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New Hours: Sun. 12-4 •
Mon. 4-8 •
Tues. - Sat. 10-5
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