–– www.thebluepurl.com | 973-377-5648 ––

Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,

Some mistakes you can't fix.  
 
There's the guy who thought musical groups with guitars were on their way out - so he didn't sign the Beatles. Ouch. There’s the woman in England whose husband threw away her $181 million pound lottery ticket. That's a killer.
 
But then there are those mistakes that can be fixed and since this is your weekly message from The Blue Purl you know what kind of mistakes we are talking about: those of the knitting variety.
 
Ok, so you feel a bit frustrated, maybe even defeated, because you had to spend 2 hours to go back on a sweater, or two days, to get it right. Remember, the journey is the reward, and a nicely finished project always feels good. Marilyn the Wise, one of our table friends, always says "I never have regretted taking out my mistakes, but I have regretted not fixing them." 
 
Each of us has to decide what we can live with. Is it just a twisted stitch, under the arm... or a rather visible hole on your chest? If you run into trouble, and you're at the table, we can help. That is one of the special things about The Blue Purl, we are always here to try to help, to offer a tip, or guidance to keep you moving. We love what we do and want to pass along our knowledge. We hope that you all appreciate that, too. 
 
There is one other important point about mistakes that we sometimes over look: They are an opportunity to learn. In fact, that is the best way to learn, through trial and error.
 
We believe this so fundamental, that we are offering a fixing mistakes class in our upcoming schedule so keep your eyes open for that. At the shop, we ALL use YouTube videos and blogs to learn, and we encourage you, even if you are taking a class, to use them also. The videos and blogs can really help reinforce what you learn from our teachers.
 
We all also love  knitpurlhunter.com  videos, and  tincanknits.com 's Help! blog.
 
So remember, when your blood starts to rise and your heart sinks a bit over that missed stitch, it’s not like you missed the warnings onboard the Titanic, before it sank. You're not Napoleon who thought he could invade Russia "no problem" in the winter. And you’re not one of the 12 publishers who rejected JK Rowling's Harry Potter books.

connect + create
Patty & Wendy

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY


We Will Be Closed Presidents Day
Monday Feb. 17, 4-8 PM
Happy Valentine's Day - Here's a Color work Hat with Hearts!
Free Pattern Today Only
The Ebba Hat pattern by Kristin Drysdale is free today on Ralvery. It's so SWEET! Would be great in our Harrisville Shetland! thanks @pixiechicknits!
What's Up at The Blue Purl
Woolfolk Trunk Show - Wool Elements III
STRENG . WRAP   BY PENNY OLLMAN  
Woolfolk Elements III trunk show is here until Monday so come check out the new patterns that are launched! All the patterns are gorgeous - but really, you must come in and take a look. You can purchase the Wool Elements III e-book - it's worth it for this grouping. Or individually on Ravelry.
TAKKEDE .   BY ANIUR BERKIMBAYEVA
VOLD . HAT   BY JEAN-PHILIPPE CLICHE 
2, Yes 2, Fibre Co. Trunk Shows!
The Fibre Company has their Cumbria Fingering Trunk Show and the One Sweater Trunk Show in the house. There is a beautiful wrap by Nim Teasdale called Zagonal (rust & blue above - we have a different colorway in the shop), The rust Long Cardigan above is amazing, as is Melanie Berg's Tamdou wrap.

There are many examples for One sweater which is designed for toddlers, men, women - ALL - the pattern is both available in Worsted and DK weight.

There are hats, and mitts, other sweaters and shawls - COME IN!
Versaci Knits
Knit wear designer Lori Versac i will be visiting The Blue Purl with a trunk show of her designs on Sat. March 28 - save the date - more to come on that. But right now she has four designs for sale on Ravelry until Monday Feb. 17 - no coupon code needed!

Check out the NEW Curvature sweater done in Woolfolk Flette! Don't you want to live in that for awhile!

The hat is Pointed Firs Hat, and Th e SEQUENCES wrap is an adaptation of Cecelia Campochiaro from her book, Sequence Knitting. You need to see how it works here on her Ravelry page !

Lane's Island (the striped pullover) is a cool and boxy which she worked up in Berroco Ultra Wool DK.

Again all patterns are on sale until Monday! @versaciknits
What's in
Freia Fibers
👀 what’s here from Freia Fibers! Just came in today. Freia Fine Handpaints Ombré Fingering Shawl Balls & Freia Minikins. Let’s have fun with these beauties.

Tina Whitmore Dyes these 430 yards (Minikins are 107) of beautiful yarn in her Berkshires studio.

Tam is holding the Hanok Cowl she made with Freia at Vogue Knitting Live and Tina snapped her at the booth for her instagram - @freiafibers . Also Tina's own Brimfield Scarf (zig zaggy one) i s available on Ravelry.
Reading Material
Clara Parks Vanishing Fleece is in. A must read for anyone working in fiber arts to understand what is moving through our fingers, and what it takes for it to get there. That's a newsletter on it's own!

Knits Men Want is also in the house. Not enough patterns for the guys!

We restocked the Mason-Dixon Knitting Field Guide Master Class featuring Kaffe Fassett and Rowan Felted Tweed.

Also check out the new Harry Potter Knitting Magic book (which is on many bestseller lists already) by Tani s Gray, and the beautiful Cocoknits Sweater Workshop by Cocoknits founder, Julie Weisenberger.
Help Out...
Bottle Hill Day Collection
The Blue Purl is now a Drop Off Point for Hat Not Hate
We are now a Drop off point for Hat Not Hate
"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!
AVAILABLE CLASSES!
Join in the fun! Email, call or drop in. We always love to see you!
973-377-5648 | info@thebluepurl.com
Babette Blanket - Crochet NEW!!
Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick
Level: Advanced beginner (must know how to chain, single, half double, double, triple crochet - not a very beginner class)
Instructor: Carolyn Hanson
Dates: Thursdays , March 12,19,26
Time: 7-9 PM
Pattern: In Interweave Issue 2006 (available in libraries), also for purchase on Ravelry

Skills you will learn: crochet a granny square - in the round, color work, follow a pattern, how to seam together

This is one beautiful blanket. Made in fingering (sock) weight. Check out the many ways it has been done on Ravelry to get some ideas. The pattern has been around for awhile so this link is helpful to look at hundreds of examples! Can be as big - or small as you want.

Class fee: $75 + supplies from The Blue Purl & dip into your stash for this baby!
Sasha Cowl - 2 spots left!
Sasha Cowl by Michele Rose Orne
Level: Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Keri Samuels
Dates: Feb. 25, March 3 (March 10 as snow date)
Time: 9-10:30

This pretty cowl is the perfect project if you’re looking for a quick little neck warmer made in thicker yarn. It only requires 130 yds. of chunky weight yarn and could be the project that introduces you to knitting in the round and making lace.

From the pattern: “Knit in the round, Sasha starts and ends with a bit of simple garter stitch. The easy lace pattern in the center reminds us of Gothic arches.” Pattern is both written and charted.”
Techniques include: knitting in round on a circular needle, chart reading and learning yarnovers and decreases to make a simple lace pattern.

cost: $40 + supplies from Blue Purl
Our Wonderful Community!
Mary came in with her adorable Rib and Roll baby hat (available in the shop - sorry can't get my hands on it online) made with Schoppel's Edition 3. Lovely Mary!
Stella in Woolfolk's Verj Pullover by Annette Caughman. Tam made it with 3 skeins of Flette Bulky (it's a bit cropped from original pattern.) Way to go Mom! Super cute Stella!
Jennifer Weissman's SHH Shawl is beautiful and fun to knit. Dixie's (left) is done in Malabrigo Rios, and Fran's is in Plymouth Select Merino Superwash.Both are gorgeous! Bravo gals! We love your patterns Jennifer!
C he rie gray wrap lace scarve in Malabrigo Rios is called Haven by Kim Hargraves. Cherie we love this!
Sheri's   Zig and Zag Sock Yarn Park blanket by Debbie Orr was worked up in Cascade 220. It's so fun and good for any gender if small for a babe. Beautiful Sheri!
The Saturday Maple Sweater class is so inspiring. We love the intensity you all are attacking this project with. Reinbeck sweaters!!!
Mindy made her Zick Zack Scarf by Christy Kamm with Madeline Tosh Sock. Did you notice there are 3 chevron patterns in this newsletter. It's a Zig zaggy week! Awesome scarf Mindy!
Saw it on the Google
This was one of our sources for the mistakes included the letter on top. Oh, there's many more where that came from. Enjoy!
New Hours: Sun. 12-4 • Mon. 4-8 • Tues. - Sat. 10-5