Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
Oh, gosh, this has been some long winter. There is so much we can complain about, right? Well, let’s set that aside today and enjoy a dose of sunny optimism. For that, we turn to the oracle of optimism, the father figure with a quiet personae, gentle smile and tidy Cardigan: Fred Rogers.
Yes, he hosted a long running children’s show, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, slipped off his shoes and put on his sneakers, made friends with hand puppets and never, ever raised his voice.
But his message was ageless.
“As human beings,’’ Mr. Rogers said, “our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time.”
Look, we are feeling it.
We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
We are ready for life to be fun again.
And we want to share that with all of you. We can’t know everyone’s personal circumstance. But we can offer some inspiration. We have said it before, but it is worth saying over and over: We have made it through darker days than any of us could have imagined. Fate sure threw us a curve ball.
But we persevered together. That is the thing about a creative community like ours. We are all united by an optimism that is essential to start a new project and take a new class and think about what is next.
Mr. Rogers may seem like a funny figure to point to for a yarn shop. But there is a lot we have in common, most of which stems from his unfailing belief in the power of seeing the best in people. “It’s really easy,’’ he said, “to fall into the trap of believing that what we do is more important than what we are. Of course, it’s the opposite that’s true: What we are ultimately determines what we do!”
You are creative, thoughtful, inquisitive and caring people, which is why you do what you do: Which is why you create beautiful objects that make the world, your world, a better place.
We are so looking forward to the first flowers of Spring. It’s hard to smile at each other when we are all wearing masks. But please know, that underneath our masks, we are smiling because we know we are lucky to be part of this community.
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
Ageless wisdom for all.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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Winter hours: Tue. - Fri. 11-4
Saturday 11-3
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6 customers at a time are allowed in the shop for half hour shopping.
- Face masks MUST be worn.
- Phone/facetime/email sales and curbside pickup will continue
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Please limit your in-person visit to 30 minutes when we have others waiting.
- We have 30 min scheduled appointments for shopping. Call us at 973-377-5648 for a scheduled appointment.
- We can NOT offer knitting help/fixing mistakes in the shop at this time due to social distancing guidelines. Thank you for understanding. Call us and we'll try to arrange for help.
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Maybe it's the warm(er) weather or that spring is around the corner, but we've been in the mood for sport weight projects lately. |
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Any Trekies out there? Per Isabell Kraemer, the designer, the name of this sweater, Tiberius is an ode to Captain Kirk. Random facts aside, the sweater is fun top down knit with a stranded colorwork yoke written in typically clear Isabell Kraemer fashion. In fact, she's one of our favorite sweater designers because of her well laid out instructions. We also love the detailing on the sleeves & at the bottom ribbing of this sweater. The sweater is designed with mYak Tibetan Cloud in mind. We love her color choices but our staff also found more color combos from our inventory of Tibetan Cloud that would be fabulous for this design. The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry and Tibetan Cloud can be found online or in the shop. |
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Do you ever want to knit just to soothe your soul, not to necessarily have a finished garment? This is the project for you & you'll get a finished piece. Knit in the round with simple knit & purl stitches to form a "mistake" rib, this textured cowl gets its special touch from the yarn, Road to China Light from Fiber Co. If you're not familiar with this yarn, Road to China Light is a luxurious blend of alpaca, silk, camel & cashmere, all natural fibers with amazing drape. The Textured Cowl uses only 1 skein for the small, 2 for the large cowl, giving us affordable luxury in a soothing project. The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry and the yarn is available online or in the shop. |
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On the Road Pullover by Claudia Q is a simple top down pullover that uses fun striping to create visual interest. Knit up in Fibre Co.'s Cirro yarn, it is an incredibly cozy soft garment for cool spring days. The pattern is free on Ravelry and the yarn is online or in our shop. |
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Magnolia Mini by Camilla Vad is the perfect springtime sweater for your little one. Knit in sport weight on a size US 6 for a loose gauge, the pattern is sized from 6 months to 12 yrs! We love the wonderful color palette of Lang Cashmerino for this project, in bright colors or spring time pastels. The yarn is available online or in the store. |
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Spring Colors in Shibui Silk Cloud & Baah |
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You know it's going to be Spring soon when we get colors like these into the shop. Just in- Shibui's newest spring colors in Silk Cloud and Shibui's collaboration with Madelinetosh in Silk Cloud. All we can think of are fields of tulips & daffodils! The yarn is available for purchase in the store or online. |
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We just received Baah's March 2021 limited edition color in their fingering base. You have to see these beautiful earthy pink, clay, gold tones in person. The warmth of the southwest desert rolled into a skein! The yarn is available online or in the shop. |
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Our full line of Jill Draper Kingston is back, including quickly sold-out colors and a few new colors. We can't wait to show you the beautiful Hard Cider sweaters using this fabulous yarn from our Winter KAL!
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---->>>Finally back, Blue Heron's Organic Cotton, shown here in our in-house baby blanket pattern, sized perfectly for a stroller or car seat. The pattern calls for 1 skein of the Blue Heron Organic cotton using a US 5 needle. You can find the yarn online or in the store. The pattern is free with yarn purchase, just ask us when you pick up a skein of this fun colorful yarn. |
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<<<-----Also back in the shop, Blue Heron Rayon Metallic. This vibrant jewel toned silky smooth rayon yarn has metallic specks to give it even more glow. Perfect for a simple wrap to wear on cool spring & summer evenings! This yarn is available in store now and online soon. |
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Did you know we started carrying Berroco Ultra Wool DK? We just expanded our selection with 8 more colors!. This 100% superwash wool has a generous 292 yards per ball in 100g. With a wider color selection, this affordable yarn is great for blankets or clothing. You can find the yarn in store or online. |
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Brand new for the Blue Purl- Sandnes Garn Line just arrived in the store. Line is a cotton, viscose, linen blend that gives softness, drape with the look of linen. The yarn lists a US 6 needle for a worsted gauge. We feel it works well as a dk or light worsted for your warm weather pieces. We have 18 colors of this collection & you'll be seeing lots of warm weather ideas from us in next few weeks. For now, the yarn is available online or in the shop. |
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Another ready-for-Spring kit is the Duality Scarf by Jane Vanselous. Knit in Shibui Pebble, this scarf uses 2 colors of Pebble in simple seed and garter stitches to create a 3D illusion in a lightweight scarf. The pattern has sizing for a much larger wrap. Our kit has 1 skein of each color for the scarf and includes the pattern. For the wrap size, additional skeins of each color should be purchased.
Find the kit online or in the shop. |
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POM POM Quarterly Issue 36 |
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Pom Pom Quarterly Issue 36, Spring 2021 is here. We'll be calling everyone that reserved a copy, if we haven't already. We do have a few copies in stock for purchase online or in the store. |
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Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Fridays - March 5, 12, 19 - 9:30 - 11AM
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Learn: Garter Tab Cast On, Increases, Textured stitches, Tassels
Turn a special skein of fingering weight yarn into a beautiful Spring/Summer accessory.
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Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Thursdays: March 18, 25, April 1 - 6:30-8 PM
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Pattern provided
Skill Level:Beginner 2 - Good second project
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
This is a cute, fun-to-knit blanket that will be perfect for any lucky baby! The pattern is based on a traditional quilt pattern and is created by making garter stitch rectangles and then picking up stitches along one edge and continuing to add to the blanket seamlessly. The finished blanket is approximately 22’ x 24” but could be made larger by adding “layers” or using thicker yarn.
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designer: Elizabeth Smith
Date & Zoom Time: 4- Wednesdays, April 7, 21, 28 May 5 - 9:30-11 AM
Teacher: Liz Bank-Braverman
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner on up
Cost: $50 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Learn: Simple lace, short rows, three needle bind off, picking up stitches
Usher in the Spring with this easily customizable tee. It is worked bottom up with simple lace and flattering shoulder shaping. Add a pop of color to your wardrobe or an easy going neutral.
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designer: Black Crow Knits
Date & Zoom Time: 4 Wednesdays. March 24, 31, April 7, 14 - 7-8:30 PM
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $50 + supplies from the Blue Purl
You’ve been asking and we heard you. Brioche is here! This is an introduction to brioche knitting. Brioche is a squishy fabric that uses yo and sl sts to make simple and complicated designs in 1 and 2 colors. We will explore brioche in rows in both a single color and 2 colors using 2 different projects: a simple ear warmer headband (Lissie or Headband with a Twist) and the Brioche Untangled Scarf. All available on Ravelry. You will learn the technique, and how to read a pattern to start you off on your brioche adventure. Intermediate knitters. click on our website for more info on patterns...
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designer: Jenstarknits
Date & Zoom Time: 3 Fridays April 9, 16, 30 - 9- 10:30 AM
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
This pillow is pretty on both sides and features 2 cables – a simple cable up the sides and a larger diamond cable with bobbles in the center. Techniques include cables, chart reading, making a one-row buttonhole and sewing a simple seam. From the pattern: “This is an envelope style cushion cover inspired by vintage gansey patterns and fields of sheep, which are represented by the flowing diamonds and small bobbles in the design.”
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This is an update from her Cabin Boots pattern that work higher up the leg. |
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When you have 8 grandchildren.... |
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Geneva is on her 11th Christmas stocking! She has 8 grandchildren - and has also made a few for her children! Now that was a class (she took with Keri) put to GREAT use!! They are each one unique. Love love love these Geneva!!! |
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Chris whipped up this lovely Dark Cloud by Joji Locatelli. She knitted it in crazy soft Woolfolk Luft. Luft is bulky so makes for a quick knit. A perfect layering piece you can wear with anything. Fab Chris! |
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Harry is totally stylin' in his green cabled sweater his Cherie made for him. The pattern is Rocky by Sharon Sebrow (an adorable e-book with 14 patterns) made with Cascade 128. Adorable Cherie. |
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C heryl's son moved into a new apartment and look what she made for him! It's the Shadowbox Blanket by Nicole Winer, made with Plymouth Encore. Keri worked her magic putting it together - It's awesome!
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Hmm who has sushi on the brain? :) - Sharon made the Easy Peasy Scarf Pattern in the Acadia. Super squishy and pretty. Yay Sharon! |
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VP Kamala Harris visits Fibre Space in Va. |
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Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris visited The Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA today. She picked it as a spot to discuss the pandemic, the stimulus package and “paying a lot of attention to the fact that during Covid, two and a half million women have left the workforce.”
It's not odd that she chose a yarn shop. Her step daughter Ella Emhoff is a student at Parsons and works in knitwear.
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