Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
If you have ever been on an airplane, you know that they tell you in an emergency always to put your oxygen mask on first.
Then, help the person next to you, even if it is your child.
It may seem a bit cold, even selfish, but there is a good reason: You really can’t help anyone else, if you can’t breathe.
We often talk to you about the value of our community, of coming together and sharing our thoughts and stories and frustrations. Despite our varied backgrounds and different life circumstances, we share common ground: Our love of our craft.
But one of the most important ways to be a valued and productive member of a community, is also to know when you have to take care of yourself. There are times when it is not only ok to focus inward, there are times it is necessary. If you are in good spirits, feeling centered and grounded and loved and whole, you will be able to be there for others.
What this means for each of us may be different. For some, it may mean taking a vacation, curling up with a good book, going off to a movie, reaching out to an old friend. For some, it may mean just sitting, quietly, in a garden, or knitting a beautiful baby blanket.
This practice is especially relevant today when we seem to be surrounded by conflict and crisis in the world. Now, maybe more than ever, it is important to take time out for yourself. Go on a bike ride. Visit the gym. Cook a delicious meal. Knit a sweater.
We at The Blue Purl live in the world beside you. We learn something from each of you who pass through the shop and share your thoughts and interests with us.
We believe that the best way to return the favor is to lead by example. This may sound funny to you, but we have decided to shift to summer hours a bit sooner than we would typically. We have to celebrate our sons and daughters graduating high school & college; we have international travels, gardens to tend, beaches to visit, a little knee operation ;) ...
We are here when you need us, our hours are still quite generous - just an hour off. But, we want to lead by example, to encourage each of you to take a little time in the day for you, just you.
It’s not only ok. It is the right thing to do. Remember, you need to put your oxygen mask on first.
Then, and only then, are you ready to help others.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
P.S. Our beloved newsletter will go to a bi-monthly format for the season.
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SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
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Summer Shop Hours
Tuesdays - Fridays, 11am - 4 pm
Saturdays, 11am - 3 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
Open knitting now on
Fridays 1PM 'til closing
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Per Madison Township ordinance, the shop can no longer provide paper bags to customers. We urge you please to bring your own bag(s).
- With a $100 purchase, you are eligible to receive our popular TBP insulated mug compliments of the shop, while supplies last.
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We will be able to go back to helping for 5-10 minutes for drop-in issues on projects with yarn purchased from The Blue Purl.
- Keri will be on vacation and unavailable until early June. We wish her Bon Voyage!
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Open knitting has moved to Friday afternoons beginning at 1PM until closing. Stop by to share and work on your projects using yarn purchased from TBP.
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NEW Colors: Woolstok Light |
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We just received the latest colors (above) in Blue Sky's Woolstok Light. A lovely expanded array of colors to consider. Colorwork planning anyone?
Yardage: 218 yards (199 meters), 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 28.0 sts = 4 inches, Needle size: US 3 - 5 or 3.25 - 3.75mm
Fibers: 100% Wool
We think Stephen West of Westknits 2021 MKAL Shawlography would be mighty fun - check out all the colors in our online shop :) |
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NEW RESTOCK: Sandnes Garn Line |
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Yardage: 120 yards (110 meters), 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 20.0 sts = 4 inches, Needle size: US 6 - 4.0 mm
Fiber Content: 53% Cotton/33% Rayon/14% Linen
SG Line is great for summer tops and a red hot seller for TBP during NJWoolWalk. Our restock just arrived in tons of summery colors and garment quantities. Drop in to pick up yours while supplies last.
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Weight: DK (11 wpi)
Yardage: 227 yards (208 meters), 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge/Needle size: US 6 - 8 or 4 - 5mm, Hook size: 3.5mm (E) - 4mm (G)
Fiber Content: 76% Silk and 24% Cotton
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We like DanDoh Silk + knit up in Yumiko Alexander's eye-catching, creative and perfect-for-warm-weather patterns. See our Ravelry bundle.
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Lapis is a new top by Yamagara Knits. It's bottom up, with a lovely chevron pattern and capped sleeve. We put together a few in shop kits with Cumbria Fingering as the base, and using Mad Tosh or Baah LaJolla for the chevron.
"Lapis in Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu (in Indonesian and Malay), means layers... it is commonly associated with soft and sweet confectionery made in layers."
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Last call on Summer Classes |
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Many of you have been asking for summer classes and so, here they are. Come take a class before our summer break. Call to sign-up now!
For everyone's safety, we are still asking that you please wear a mask during class. We hope that can change.
Refunds for cancellations available only 72 hours before first class.
We ask that you buy your supplies through The Blue Purl so we can continue bringing you these great classes - check out our online shop! Or stop in. Thank you :)
At least four people need to matriculate in order for us to run a class. Please join the waitlist if very interested. This helps us know whether to run it again!
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Skill Level - Advanced Beginner - must be able to cast on, knit and purl
Class Dates - 4 Wednesdays beginning May 25, June 8, 15 & 29
Class Time - 9-10:30 am
Cost - $90 + Supplies from The Blue Purl
Instructor - Liz Braverman
Pattern: printed patterns will be available in the shop
Snowbell is worked from the top down with a deep raglan and a lovely lace motif in the yoke. The lace is charted only and is easy to achieve. Stop in to see the top in person.
Spots limited.
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Tapestry Crochet Cherry Bag |
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This modern cool bag is perfect for a small laptop or iPad or a great everyday pouch!
Skill Level - Intermediate class; students must know how to read a written pattern and dc.
Class Dates - 3 Wednesday sessions: May 18, 25 and June 22
Class Time - 7-8:30 PM
Cost - $65 + Supplies from The Blue Purl
Instructor - Carolyn Hanson
Get ready for fun. Tapestry crochet is a simple method of creating detailed color designs in crochet while creating double sided fabric. The cherry pouch/bag is crocheted in the round in a whimsical, kitschy design in 3 colors of mercerized cotton from The Blue Purl in DK. Learn to read a chart, crochet with 3 colors held together and add a zipper or snap closure.
This is an intermediate class; students must know how to read a written pattern and dc.
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Florescence Crochet Shawl |
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This is an award winning design by our very own crochet teacher, Carolyn!
Skill Level - Advanced Beginner - must know how to chain and single crochet - be comfortable with a hook
Class Dates - 3 Thursdays May 19, 26 and June 2
Class Time - 7-8:30 PM
Cost - $65 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Instructor - Carolyn Hanson
Florescence is a floral scarf / shawl in a bold palette; a go-to piece of wearable art. Florescence uses many colors of DK and sock yarn to create the cascade of flowers. The design starts and ends in a bouquet of color with the center section in dark gray and off-white. A simple chain edging brings the outer flowers to full bloom and the corners hold picot clusters.
Only sc and ch st are used. Flower centers are made separately and then the flowers are created and connected with ch sts in a continuous crochet method. Learn to read a chart, and connecting shapes with continuous crochet.
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Great, roomy, knit bag
Skill Level - Intermediate
Dates -3 Tuesdays - June 14, 21, July 12
Time - 9-10:30 AM
Cost - $65 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Teacher: Keri Samuels
This colorful bag is just in time for the plastic bag ban in NJ! Although it looks complicated, the project uses the slip stitch technique, also known as mosaic knitting, which is a great way of incorporating color work into your knitting in a simple way.
You only ever use one shade of yarn on a row and simply knit, purl or slip stitches to create the effect. The two sides are knitted individually and are seamed together with a knitted gusset/handle. Made with 5 contrasting colors of DK weight yarn. This project will be fun to make and will result in a beautiful market bag.
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Learn the basics AND have a cute scarf to boot!
Skill Level - Very Beginner
Class Dates - 3 Tuesday's - May 17, 24, June 7
Class Time - 9-11 AM
Cost - $90 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Instructor - Carolyn Hanson
Pattern provided in class
Whether you're an avid knitter who has never picked up a crochet hook (except for dropped stitches) or never worked with yarn at all, this is a perfect class! In these sessions you'll learn the basics of crochet while creating a scarf. Techniques include: single, double, half double, and triple crochet, foundation chain, scalloped edge & pattern reading.
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Learn the basics of knitting by making simple washcloths. Give them as gifts with a nice bar of soap! You’ll be an expert in no time.
Skill Level - Beginner
Dates - 4 Thursday - June 9, 16, 23, 30
Time - 10 - 11:30 am
Cost - $90 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Pattern will be provided
This class will cover the basics of learning to knit. We’ll learn how to cast-on, knit, purl, read a pattern and bind off while making these cotton washcloths. If time permits, we’ll make 2 or 3 different cloths – we’ll see how it goes! Class size is small so we can provide lots of support.
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Laine, Summer 2022 - Available now! |
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Walking barefooted on a meadow wet with morning dew.
A call of a bird echoing over a silent lake.
Wandering home through the sleeping city at sunrise.
Issue 14, summer 2022, is inspired by the light Nordic summer nights – gentle, delicate and carefree. Our beloved summers are so short and sweet, that even the wee small hours feel too precious to spend asleep. The 10 designs featured in our summer collection embody that summer night’s magic and explore colourwork, texture and delicate details.
- 148 pages
- 10 knitting patterns, beautifully photographed and illustrated (both charts and written instructions provided)
Designers featured in this issue: Isabella Clark, Evgeniya Dupliy, Lindsey Fowler, Katrine Hannibal, Ema Marinescu, Claudia Quintanilla, Maria Walters and Sylvia Watts-Cherry.
Call 973-377-5648 or email us at info@thebluepurl.com for your copy.
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CocoKnits Maker Boards AND Rulers |
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Laura's Stunning Blankets |
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Laura found crochet inspiration on our Cascade 220 w all. The color ways are her design and patterns are by Amanda Perkins. We just love your incredible works of pure art, Laura!
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Feather and Fan ... WOWZA |
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Sheryl made this show-stopping stunner in Blue Heron Rayon Metallic Indigo and wore it to a dear friend's wedding in Florida. She says, "The pattern is from Vogue Knitting 2009 called the Feather and Fan Dress. It was originally done in silk but this rayon blend worked perfectly. I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it feels to wear it, as the Blue Heron fiber has great drape and a really silky lovely feel to it." Bravo, Sheryl!
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A Morning Ritual by Laurie |
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Cherie used The Blue Purl colorway in Marianated's Playtime DK for her Orbit scarf. She added a few sections to make it a bit bigger - It's simply AWESOME! |
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Started Saturday Afternoon- Finished next day! |
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A sweet baby blanket - stroller size about 3- Wendy crocheted with 1.5 Plymouth Hot Cakes. She used the Churchmouse One Big Granny Square pattern AND she fussy cut the middle section to different colors! Otherwise, she let the yarn just go... W wins the prize for finished-in-less-than-24-hour speed crochet award! |
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Nicolette is a TBP raffle winner in one of our shop's giveaways during NJWoolwalk. Literally, just in the nick of time, Nicolette's needles were bending and worse for wear. Serendipity and happy knitting, Nicolette! |
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BEFORE & AFTER... Ever modifying, Y knit up her Pastel Blue by Katrin Schubert (one of the tops featured in our Ravelry bundle) in Sandnes Garn's Line but in Syrin. She especially loves the look of brioche without the fuss because clever Katrin Schubert uses a modified 1x1 rib in the yoke to create this wonderfully textured fabric... Always ❤️ a quick top-down knit summer tee!
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