Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
A few years ago, Patty and Wendy were casual knitters attending classes and having a lot of fun at a great little shop in Madison, NJ, called “The Blue Purl.’’
Then the shop was put up for sale.
What made Patty and Wendy think they could run a yarn shop? What made them think they could successfully change up their lives and run a small business?
One word, “trust.’’
Trust is the essential ingredient that makes our days and lives run. Nothing happens without trust, in each other, in ourselves, in the world as we know it. You trust that people will stop at red lights. You trust that the elevator will not plummet when you step in.
That is the thing about trust -- it’s a bit like faith, there's nothing tangible to hold on to. Not exactly, but it often hinges on a belief that things will work out, that if you try hard, work hard, live honestly and faithfully, you will succeed.
Trust.
But that was only one manifestation of trust that has helped The Blue Purl survive a pandemic. Wendy and Patty and the whole Blue Purl team had trust in you -- that you were committed artisans. They trusted that if they offered a caring, friendly environment with the best, quality materials, that if they provided classes and guidance and the know-how to help you with your projects, they trusted you’d stick with them and see them through difficult times.
You did.
So thank you.
The visionary founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, explained the value of trust better than we can. Here was his take: “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards,’’ Jobs once said. “So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
We feel the same way. Looking back, we see that the dots did all connect. Great shop. Great community. Great team. It all added up to a second life for The Blue Purl.
And for Patty and Wendy (and, we hope, for all of you, too.)
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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Please BYOBags to support Madison's green initiative. Let's get back there! |
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SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
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Extended Shop Hours !
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11am-5 pm
Wednesdays, 11am-7 pm
Saturdays, 11am-4 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
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Thanksgiving Week Shop Hours
Tuesday, 11am-5 pm
Wednesday, noon - 4 pm
Thursday - Closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, noon - 4 pm
Saturday, 11am-4 pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
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If NOT vaccinated, please wear a mask; if vaccinated, face mask optional - but highly suggested.
- We can offer knitting help/fixing mistakes in the shop again but can only spend 5-10 minutes for drop-in issues.
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Keri by appointment is BACK! - Tuesday & Thursday. Please call the shop to schedule.
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Wednesday Knit Nights! Wendy is hosting open knitting on Wednesdays 4pm-7pm. This is social knitting for us to catchup with everyone. We love any chance to ooh & ahh over your gorgeous work! We will not be able to provide fixing mistakes help during this time. The shop is also open for shopping during these hours.
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Brooklyn Tweed - Restock! |
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Replenished supplies of Brooklyn Tweed in Shelter (sweater quanitites!), Loft, Peerie, and Arbor have arrived. Some ideas in BT for you to consider... |
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We just received a shipment of neutral colors in Brooklyn Tweed Arbor. Arbor is DK weight and the subtle colors are great for all projects from mitts to sweaters. |
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Woolfolk, Woolfolk, Woolfolk ! |
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Thinking about soft coziness? Woolfolk fits the bill perfectly. Here're some patterns that come to mind... Perles de Plume cowl by Kalurah Hudson, Sulina Shawl or a shop fav Getting Warmer both by Espace Tricot each in Luft or a Flette Bulky version modified by our pal, Antonia Shankland. Something smaller? How about the ever popular Morning Walk Hat by Ann Patterson in Tynd held with Sno or Minimalist Hat by Churchmouse in Flette? There's also Trellis wrap by Purl Soho modified by Y into a cowl in Far. Kits now available in the shop or choose 3 skeins of Far from the online shop and we'd be happy to include a pattern with your order. Just ask! |
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Newest Kits On-line & In-shop...
Churchmouse's Woolly Wreath & Garland
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Wendy whipped up this Woolly Wreath, a smashing holiday beauty, pattern by Churchmouse in a matter of hours. Checkout our IG Before & After post. Above, she used a skein of Berroco's Macro and a 12 inch wire wreath form. This kit includes the pattern. We can't wait to see how you decorate yours! More colors on the way! Available online and in shop. |
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As promised, this week's hot sample is Cocoon, a hat by La Maison Rililie. Wendy used this gorgeous color combo in the 29 Bridges Bulky Merino. Super soft, quick, wonderfully warm. Drop in to see it in person... Spying Dodgers colors!! |
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Double Pebble Cowl Kit... |
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Double Pebble Cowl by Churchmouse in Shibui Pebble is "(d)oubled softness, doubled fun.” Knit with two strands of a lace-weight yarn held together throughout, and with two different colors, this free pattern plays with solid stripes and marled stripes both! Beginning with wide bands at the base and finishing with narrow bands, this close-fitting cowl has a modern, graphic touch" per Ravelry. This kit is available in the shop.
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PRE-ORDER HERE
Laine 13, Usnea, includes:
- 148 pages
- 10 knitting patterns & 1 crochet pattern, beautifully photographed and illustrated
- an interview with Danish knitwear designer Lærke Bagger
- an article about June Cashmere
- an article about ChiaoGoo
- an article about the importance of crafting and creativity by our regular writer Päivi Kankaro
- seasonal recipes
- book reviews
- Laine Favourites section
Designers featured in this issue: Susan Chin, Susan Crawford, Sidsel Grau Petersen, Midori Hirose, Susanna Kaartinen, Inyoung Kim, Hanna Maciejewska, Mariya Matveeva, Paula Pereira, Maiju Räsänen and Griselda Zárate.
We are now taking pre-orders on Laine's #13 Winter 2022 issue which will be released on Friday December 10, 2021.
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Collecting Hats until Thanksgiving ! |
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PLEASE DONATE A HAT - ALL SIZES WELCOME!
Do you have some old wool lying around the house that needs to be used up? We have the solution...make and donate a hat!
This is a great way to give back to those less fortunate in our area – and a fun and easy project! There are easy patterns online or a staff member of The Blue Purl can happily provide a pattern and make wool suggestions.
Please contribute a hat(s) when and if you can. We will be collecting them through November. We would so appreciate it – and so will the men, women and children who receive our beautiful creations!
As in prior years, the hats will be distributed to people through Nourish New Jersey in Morristown – formerly The Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center. It is so nice, particularly this year, to be able to help others.
The hats you have donated in prior years have been absolutely gorgeous! So much nicer than anything anyone could buy in a store. Thank you so much for your help and generosity!
PS - Scarves work too if you’re not a hat person!
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Kathleen's getting ahead with holiday fun... |
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Our Kathleen's already knitting up a storm in anticipation of the holidays. For these adorable Arne & Carlos 2021 Advent Christmas Balls, she used Cascade 220 Sport. The pattern can be purchased directly from Arne & Carlos' site. Yarn kits are available in the shop. Also, just finished for a little one, this sweet Baby Bonnet by Carole Shuman would be great in Isager Alpaca 2. Nice work, Ms. K!
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Rosemary's crocheted cardi... |
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Rosemary popped in the shop wearing her lovely crocheted Granny Square Cardigan. She used Lichen & Lace. Gotta say, artful use of a variegated hand-dye. Beautiful work, Rosemary!
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This is an amazing granny square coat Susan made for her daughter using a neutral palette in Cascade 220 Superwash. Love seeing the crocheters at work. Beautiful execution, Susan! Love the hood :) |
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Maura's Mitts in Maine mode... |
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Maura knit this cozy pair of Concorde Mittens in Woolstok Light. Pattern by The Knitting Shed. Love the Latvian braid along with the touch of colorwork on the cuffs. Of course, they're just picture perfect, Ms. M! |
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Wendy finished these lovely Maine Morning Mitts by Clara Parkes, of author fame. She chose BT's Shelter in complementary colors. Love how the light catches the golds in the cake and the maple leaf. Would look great paired with her Misurina hanging up in the shop. Also, what an astute student exercising her duplicate stitch skills. Hmm...they look like tatooes. Brava, W! |
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