Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
We hope this newsletter finds you well.
This is a bittersweet moment for us at The Blue Purl.
Of course, you know the bitter part—Covid-19 and the way it has upended our lives.
But, disruption can also force us out of our routines to find new ways to our goals, so today, yes, two big things to celebrate: First, it is our one year anniversary as stewards of The Blue Purl. Wow, what a ride it has been, we have learned so much.
We were only able to get this done because of all the downtime forced on us by the coronavirus. Of course, this is a scary, upsetting moment for us, for all of us, for humankind.
But we hope that you too have found some small way to make your stay-home world a bit better. Disruption can force us out of our routine and inspire innovation.
Even though the shop is closed, Patty and Wendy worked super hard all week to get our website ready and online. It is still a work in progress, only kits for now, but we think it will be enough to get everyone started. Please, tell us what you think! (And if you have some tip for staying sane at this time, we’d love to hear that and will share it with our community in our next newsletter.)
It is hard to believe that one year ago today we became owners of The Blue Purl.
We couldn't have done any of it without our staff and teachers who have supported and encouraged us every step of the way. Maura, pulling us through the beginning - we still call her :) And of course all of you sticking with us throughout, sharing your enthusiasm and energy.
Our first day of ownership was NJ Woolwalk. Can you imagine? Our first anniversary we're sailing with the rest of the world in the corona boat.
We have said this before, we will get through this crisis together. More than ever, the success of this battle (it is a battle) depends on all of us doing our part.
We are here with you.
Remember to follow best practices. Don’t touch your face. Wash your hands often. Keep your (physical) distance from each other. And be kind, to yourselves, and to your loved ones. We need compassion and empathy now, more than ever.
Patty and Wendy scrambled this week to pull-together the online shop. Sure, it’s our business. But it’s our world, too, and we hope that we can help bring each of you a bit of comfort in these strange times.
Our motto from day one has been
Connect + Create
.
That is more important than ever.
connect + create
Patty & Wendy
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Our Little Purly watching over the shop.
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TODAY - THURSDAY APRIL 2 & TOMORROW APRIL 3 -
CURBSIDE PICK-UP 11-4PM - Call us ! 973-337-5648 - Also check out our
NEW ONLINE SHOP!
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This newsletter is a Blue Purl team effort! The Blue Purl in general is a team effort :) Since we've been working so much on the online shop we sent out an email to the whole team and asked for their ideas. I couldn't include them all in this newsletter, but we'll start here....
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A friend of Yiba's sent the following poem:
"And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
"And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
"And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."
~Kitty O'Meara
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... and we learned new ways of being ...
Every Saturday Cherie has a zoom meeting! It was good to hear your voices in the shop!!
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We (The Blue Purl Gang) have been emailing & texting a lot and Keri shared this conversation she had with a customer...
"Aren’t we fortunate that we have our craft to help us all get through this tough time. We can find some sort of peace and support from each other as we occupy ourselves in continuing to create beautiful items.Maybe it sounds corny but I think we are fortunate that we can carry on with our projects."
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Joji Locatelli's Inspirational Instagrams!!
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This project sums up my last 2 weeks... It would be impossible for me to write all the thoughts in my head. All the fears, all the hopes, also all the actions, individual and collective that warm my heart.
The common thread in all these feelings is that we are all together in this Earth. This massive yet small home we all live in.
The paradox: we need to keep apart, away from each other. Yet all I’ve seen is how close we’ve become. In our hearts.
The world can beat coronavirus, but if we work together we’ll do it better and sooner!
I want to make a project during this time that is meaningful. A reminder forever of the time in our life we stayed at home. Joining virtual forces with the rest of the planet
🌏
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Some things you can do...
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We all know to stay home and social distance to help ourselves, our loved ones, and humanity in general. You can also make sure your neighbors are ok. Give a shout out when going out for supplies etc. Here are a few other ways you can help:
Donate Blo
od
: The New York Blood Center services New Jersey communities. If you call them they will set up an appointment for you, our closest center is in Scotch Plains...
1-800-933-BLOOD
(2566).
Donate Money:
I lifted this from
NJ.com's donate list
- great source...United Way of Northern New Jersey has created a crisis recovery fund to address emerging needs related to the COVID-19 impact in its five-county region. The fund will address needs in Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren and Suburban Essex counties. The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Recovery Fund was launched with a $250,000 donation from the New York Jets.Donations can be made online at:
unitedwaynnj.org/ALICErecovery
.
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NEW ONLINE SHOP!! Curbside Delivery & Mailing
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First - check out our online shop - just kits now but more to come....
Patty & Wendy are busy inside fulfilling orders (with gloves) and hanging them on our door when you pull up curb-side, or sending them in the mail. Give us a ring (we can facetime or text you pic's) or e-mail us
973-377-5648 |
info@thebluepurl.com. We appreciate the support and love you are all giving us!
Please!!! It would be appreciated when you call, know the amount you need. We only have one phone line. We can do more consulting via email.
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Mason Dixon Knitting March Mayhem Vote
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It's down to the final for
MDK's March Mayhem. The Championship Round is upon us. Check out the bracket and all the great patterns and VOTE! - thanks Kathleen!
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GREAT KAL's from The Blue Purl Gang
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Lori Versaci - NUMBER 10 KAL
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Number 10 is a new pattern by Lori Versaci to celebrate her 10th Anniversary! This garter stitched, crescent-shaped, wrap uses fingering weight, colors joined using i
ntarsia. The KAL for this just started yesterday! Join her
Raverly group here
. - thanks Tam!
"I am sure that I was inspired by years of looking at the great modern artists such as Sonia Delaunay, Hilma af Klint, Wassily Kandinsky and Frank Stella, but really the idea just revealed itself as I worked with the yarn!"
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Quarantine Mystery KAL-
Arne & Carlos Daily Blanket
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This
Quarantine Mystery KAL has already started but it's blocks so you can join in anytime. DK weight, written pattern also knitting charts & daily podcasts from Norway on YouTube (scroll down
the page). Also a
Facebook group! - Thanks again Kathleen!
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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!
This starts April 3 - they released a shopping list! We can get you close with a few close color substitution!
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BAAH APRIL & MADELINE TOSH ORDER CAME IN!
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Baah La Jolla April 20 is a keeper!
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We Just received a box of Mad Tosh Vintage & Sock! Get it while you can!
In
Vintage (worsted) we have Aura, Flycatcher Blue, Antique Lace, Copper Pink, Celadon, Siren, Tern
In
Sock we have Gracenotes, Leaf Fall, Jupiter's Moon, Blood Runs Cold
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Patterns we love - from The Blue Purl Gang
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When we put a shout out to The Blue Purl Staff for help this week with ideas - here below, as well as in the bottom of the newsletter in the community projects area, is what came back!
Enjoy!
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Wove by Jennifer Weissman
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We all love Jennifer's patterns because their fun to knit.
Wove is no exception. Worsted-aran weight - Malabrigo, Ultra-Alpaca, Katia Concept all would work gre
at with this. 640 yards size 8 needles - call us we'll hook you up :)
"Most of the shawl body is knitted in garter stitch, so it is ideal for knitting with friends or on the road. The occasional textured bands are fun to work and make satisfying milestones along the way. Slipped stitches give the border an eye-catching three-dimensional effect."
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This fingering weight size 6 needle shawl by Espace Tricot (free Pattern)
Spring Fling is PERFECT for now! Love the pop of color edging. - thanks Liz!
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For you origami lovers!! This 3-D
Pinwheel Purse is a free pattern on Ravelry. Super Cute! - thanks C
arla!
"Based on a traditional origami design, this little purse measures 5cm / 2”². It opens up when you pull the top apart and then snaps back closed when you let it go. It is very simple to knit, the secret of the design lies in one purl row on each of the four sides and some serious blocking."
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Norah Gaughan's
Beatnik sweater is awesome! Look at those beautiful cables! It's a free pattern on ravelry and was made in Berroco Remix. - thanks Yiba (who says it's begged to be made into a cardi)
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The
Blanket of Calm is a free granny square download on ravelry that Casapinka re-wrote with Knitters in mind - and video tutorial to boot! So if you have time to learn crochet - this is a great one! - thanks Maura & Kathleen!
"The Blanket of Calm is a little gift from me to all of you who need a project to help cope with the worry we are experiencing right now with the pandemic. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and crochet a quick granny square when you can’t focus on anything else."
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Also... Casapinka's Free Patterns with Purchase
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To help out LYS during this time of pandemic closures, designer
Casapinka gave us a couple patterns to distribute free with purchase. She gave us a limited supply (online codes) for the
Olive Pink wrap &
Look, Squirrel little Cardi to give us a hand....
thank you Casapinka!
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The kits are in our online shop!!! for the
Olive | Pink shawl - it's a new one from Casapinka and here is her write
up.
... "
It’s time for some pandemic knitting! Whether you’re on lockdown or not, let’s get knitting something fun and relaxing that will take your mind off your toilet paper woes." - she has a wicked sense of humor!
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Look, Squirrel cropped (or not) cardi
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Second up with Casapinka's generosity is
Look, Squirrel cardi - that we think all these yarns (bottom photo) would look fab with - AND yes we have sweater quantities! Manos Silk Blend, Mad Tosh, Rowan Soft Alpaca, Malabrigo Dos Tierras...
"
Look, Squirrel!
is the pattern for those who are easily distracted by shiny or moving things. Once you get through the yoke, you can go squirrel (or plane, ahem) spotting all day while knitting." -
this gal's a aeronautics freak.
...and read up - OPTIONAL SHORT ROWS!!!
The cardigan is constructed from the top, down and knit back and forth. The sleeves are then picked up and knit from the top down. There is a delicate seed stitch collar and button band. There are optional short rows and you can make the sweater longer if you like.
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Have you made the Ramona? Well here is Elizabeth Smith's
Ramona Light - In Sport weight - perfect for the warmer weather. - thanks
Liz!
"Just like the original, this slightly cropped, seamless cardigan is knit from the top-down and is an easy and relaxing knit. It features a fake ‘seam’ along the sides, which gives the appearance of a seam as well as provides a little more structure than a typical seamless sweater."
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This pretty cowl is made in with 2 colors of Cascade's Roslyn.
Isabelline by Kyle Kunnecke is stranded colorwork and knitted in the round. - thanks Yiba!
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We Love This Sequence 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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Blue Sky | Spud & Chloe Trunk Show - call us - we have the yarn!
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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 Leonori - 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 and we added some Kouigu for the trim.
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CALL TO ACTION - Send us you pandemic projects - or whatever you're up to and we'll share them!! Also
join our Blue Purl Ravelry Group to "talk amongst ya'selves." and share! Let's try it...
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Tam made
Old School
by
Veera Välimäki. She used Lichen & Lace with some Shibui Silk Cloud. It's gorgeous
Tam!! and so is your daughter :)
"Old School sweater is worked easily in one piece from top down. The lace is easily remembered and fun to work, but also makes it a fun knit."
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Sheila just finished this beautiful
Laurelie wrap by Lisa Hannes!
said "
you never did anything for long enough to get bored." - thanks Sheila, it's gorgeous!
"This cosy triangular shawl combines lovely graphic mosaic knitting, garter stitch and a beautiful lace pattern that echoes the diamond mosaic motif.
It is worked in fingering weight yarn in two colours. Big colour blocks, bold mosaic diamonds and elegant lace create a fascinating interplay of colour & texture in this eyecatching item!"
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Keri is almost finished her
Moonwake Cowl by Andrea Mowry. This beauty is made with Woolfolk Far and is in our Online Shop - her colors are
Kit 2!! Yay! And Keri will be teaching this as a class when we get back. - beautiful Keri!
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Cherie is making
Escalation by Stephanie Lotven. Cherie is using some Manos del Uruguay Alegria, some blue Koigu and some Mad Tosh Merino light! The colors are great together Cherie! Looking forward to your pink coming in!
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Judy whipped up a beautiful little purple mask! It looks double layered or it's crocheted up tight. You are awesome Judy! It matches Sheila's shawl (3 above :) The modern now - matching mask & shawl...
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This needs no explanation. Many of you have sent me this but in case you haven't seen it...
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Entertainment Sharing - you can knit with...
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What's keeping us occupied/entertained in our big ole cultural world - Here are some recommendations we've received:
- Music: Love this recent version of The Band's song The Weight played by musicians in 5 continents
- Podcast: BBC's In Our Time I believe there are over 800 of these! It's been on BBC radio for 20 years....Rebecca Mead in The New Yorker explains this podcast perfectly..."My go-to listening for the moment is the BBC’s “In Our Time,” a weekly podcast from Radio 4, Britain’s equivalent of NPR, hosted by Melvyn Bragg. It’s got none of the slick production values and storytelling tropes we’ve come to expect from the medium—there’s no specially composed music, no cliffhangers, no hosts with vocal fry. Instead, there’s Bragg, a veteran broadcaster, author, and member of the House of Lords, who conducts a small roundtable of big-brained academics and critics to discuss a historical, scientific, ethical, or philosophical topic. Rather than keeping up with the terrifying news cycle, I’ve been browsing the program’s twenty-year archive, exploring bits of British history I’ve forgotten or never really knew. Why is there an aristocracy? What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold? I would like to think that listening to professorial types with plummy accents, speaking in whole sentences, is a form of self-education, but let’s be honest: it’s self-sedation."
- Games: Not a gamer - well we aren't either, but some on this list from The Guardian, look fun to play with someone you're separated from - or together at home. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes - a Steam game - where you try to diffuse a bomb with friends sounds fun- right? Or how about the board game Pandemic which is based on the premise that four diseases have broken out in the world, each threatening to wipe out a region. Maybe too close to home.
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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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Hours:
Thursday & Friday this week 11-4 - Curbside Delivery and Mailing Only
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