Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
When approaching Michelangelo’s David, that stunning, larger-than-life statue,
you pass by the unfinished carvings that stand as sentries along the gallery. Each, in their rough hewn beauty, convey to us just how spectacular David was, the ultimate before-and-after. When you look at David, its polished torso, magnificent features, it is hard to imagine that it was at one time just a block of marble.
But we see in the unfinished statues the magic of transformation, the chisel marks, the remarkable vision, skill, and patience it takes to transform an ordinary object into something extraordinary.
Forgive the overly obvious analogy, but we find the same kind of magic in a skein of yarn. We get so excited when you all come in with your finished projects. The "Before & Afters" we do on social media and the community section (below) are testament to that! It takes patience and skill to be able to see yarn -- just wound yarn - and imagine what it can become. And then, it takes time and love to turn that yarn into a beautiful object, a sweater, a shawl.
It is important to dream, to see things that are not right in front of you, but understand what can be. Yes, true, Michelangelo had remarkable skills - and so do you guys :) - but one thing that distinguished him was his vision, his ability to see in that hunk of rock a thing of beauty.
Ok, so no one is saying we are Michelangelo, but knitters are in the same way creative thinkers, able to imagine and create.
You create.
You identify a project, pick the materials and make it happen with your own two hands.
We like to think that we play a role not just in providing materials and lessons. We hope that we also inspire you -- as you do us.
Please come by our shop. We have lots of skeins of wool that are waiting for the right person to reveal what lies inside.
We want to help. We are excited to help.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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We started asking you to BYOB just before the pandemic began to support Madison's initiative. Let's get back there! |
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SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
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Labor Day Weekend Hours
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11-4pm
Wednesdays, 11-7pm
Closed Saturday- 9/4
Closed Sundays & 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. But....
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Help from Keri by appointment is back with more hours - Tuesdays & Thursdays 1-4pm. Please help us share the Keri Knowledge & keep your appointment to maximum of 30 minutes. Masks required since you'll be up close for this. Please call or email us to book your slot.
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Knit Night is back! Wendy is hosting open knitting on Wednesdays 4-7pm. 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.
- For everyone's safety please wear masks during classes
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Fall Classes filling up fast - Sign -up! |
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Join us for the Blue Purl Fall KAL! |
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We are so excited to announce our Fall Knit Along is Morning Rituals by Andrea Mowry. This sweater just screams comfort to us and we LOVE pockets. The pattern was just released last week and customers have already started ordering Woolfolk Flette for it. Morning Rituals was designed with Woolfolk Flette, a super soft bouclé yarn, in mind and we have many colors in stock. However, if you'd like to use a different yarn, we have plenty of DK options, such as Shibui Nest (on sale!) held with Silk Cloud, Brooklyn Tweed Arbor (new colors in the shop this week!), FDF Juicy DK and many more. Call or visit us for more details.
- What: Morning Ritual by Andrea Mowry-purchase on Ravelry
- When: Sept. 28th- Nov. 19th (8 weeks), Tuesdays 7-8pm via zoom & select Fridays 4-5pm in the shop, attend one or both, whatever you have time for!
- Cost: FREE, all yarn & supplies must be purchased from the Blue Purl
As usual, Tam will host this KAL and if you've done this with her in the past, you know it's NOT a class, but she always offers guidance if needed. This is an advanced sweater with strong knitting knowledge required.
We wanted to create a fun way for knitters to get together socially over a common project, cheer each other on, get advice from fellow knitters & just have a chance at casual social interactions while getting a sweater finished in time for cold weather. Because this is a larger sweater, we scheduled 8 weeks for the KAL and will be hosted 2 ways- via Zoom Tuesdays 7-8pm and select Fridays at the shop 4-5pm. Come once a week or twice, it's up to you, we wanted to accommodate different schedules.
Call or email us to sign up! We do have a limit on the number of spots for the KAL to keep the get-together manageable. |
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Fibre Co.'s latest trunk show is here. This show features the company's collaboration with popular designers Jen Steingass, Tin Can Knits, Sylvia McFadden & Denise Bayron. Tin Can Knits' popular Love Note has been reimagined with Fibre Co. Cirro. Celosias by Jen Steingass is worked up in Luma and both Waiting for Rain shawl by Sylvia McFadden & Droplet Capelet by Denise Bayron are worked in a Fibre Co. fingering weight. Be sure to check these lovely samples out while they're in the shop. |
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Our Brooklyn Tweed stock is filling up so you can pick just the right fabric & color for your fall projects. We are expecting the rest of our Arbor colors to come in this week, just in time to sign up for our Fall KAL or some of those fun classes in our line-up. |
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Getting ready for cooler temps... |
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It's hard to believe with this week's weather, but hat season is around the corner. Knits up quickly, perfect for yourself or as a gift, it's hard not to love knitting up hats. We just received the newest colors of Be Wool- Multis & Rasta for those big chunky hats. |
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Wicker Brim Beanie by Kristel Nieves uses simple stitches to create interesting texture for an advanced-beginner knitter. The pattern includes instructions for super bulky yarns, bulky or worsted weight. Blue Purl friend, Cherie Fischer knitted up this 2 color version to share with us at the shop. but you can use 1 color also. The pattern can be found on Ravelry and the yarn, Rasta or Be Wool is available online and in the shop. |
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Honey Hat by Jenn Nevitt uses one skein of Madelinetosh TML held with Shibui Silk Cloud. Wendy knitted this version in the Tosh/Shibui color collaboration Prickly Pear and it is so, so soft, airy & warm. The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry and the yarn is both online and in the shop. |
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Just in, a fully stocked shelf of Kelbourne Lucky Tweed. We received several new colors & stocked up on some favorite neutrals. We have 14 colors total of this lovely aran weight yarn, ready for your winter garments & accessories. You can find the yarn online or in the store. |
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Baah August color of the month is in the shop! It reminds us of the last few days of beach weather in the summer. Cool and relaxing before the warm tones of Fall. Find the yarn online or in the shop. |
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We're winding down the summer with one last sale for the season. All Shibui yarns (except Silk Cloud & Tweed Silk Cloud) are now 25% off! Sale is for in-stock yarns only, no special orders. You can purchase online or in the shop. Sale runs until Sept. 9th. Use Code SUMMERSALE2021 at checkout to get sale price online. |
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In addition to the Shibui Summer sale, we are also taking 25% off all cotton & linen yarns, including kits with these yarns! What does this include? Blue Sky Organic Cotton, DanDoh, Ultra Pima, Pima 100, Raffia, Risoni and so much more! Sale is only for in stock yarns, no special orders and runs through September 9th. All Woolfolk yarns excluded from this sale. Prices online do NOT reflect the sale until you check out. Use CODE SUMMERSALE2021 at checkout to get sale prices. |
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The latest PomPom Magazine is here!
"PPQ38! Our Autumn 2021 collection celebrates roots, branches, and everything between! 🌳 You can look forward to luscious cable patterns which mimic labyrinths of roots and statuesque boughs, clever colourwork and textures designed to imitate oft-overlooked plantlife, and patterns which reference the enchanted forests of fairy tales."
Find you copy online or in the shop. |
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Laine Issue 12 Autumn 2021 |
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Laine Fall 2021 preorders start this Friday and this issue is full of all the Fall comforts we love. You'll find textured or colorwork yokes in pullovers and cardigans and shawls designed to hug you with warmth. You'll find designers Olga Buraya-Kefelian, Tamy Gore, Alma Bali and many more in this issue. Once preorders open on Friday, you can reserve your copy on our online shop. |
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If you like this section check out our BEFORE & ...After on Instagram! Consider following us @thebluepurl
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Laura and the Cascade Wall |
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Sometimes on Saturdays we see Laura in front of the Cascade 220 wall - thinking and working on color selections. WELL.... check out the results! - Beautiful big crochet blankets for her lucky niece and nephew. Totally blue ribbon at our imaginary Blue Purl County Fair...now that's an idea :) Stunning Laura! |
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You've seen the Anker's Summer shirt (Patty's in background) this summer - but - there's also a hat. Here is Kathie's :) AND she also made Brooklyn Tweed's First Cables Hat - yes, Keri is teaching this! - an awesome pattern that has 5 different pattern options! We will also give you a free coupon for a download with the purchase of 2 skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Arbor. Thanks for sharing Kathie, they are both beautiful! |
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A lovely little dress for Miss E! April made this with Cascade Sarasota. But would be great with any DK yarn. This little gem is in the shop for a couple weeks. Thanks for sharing your Wee Susan with us April! We love it!
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Ellie's wearing her gorgeous Silver Spring Tank This is a sweet, fast (worsted), elegant little sleeveless top by designer Jenny. She knitted it with Blue Sky Organic Cotton so it's also super soft. Lovely Ellie! |
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Close to You & Stroller Blankie |
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Cathy made the Close To You, a lovely free pattern designed for 1 skein with a cool zigzaggy border. This one made in Baah's LaJolla... and she made this Stroller Blankie, another free one (below) in Berroco Pima 100. A great intro to sequence knitting. Just knits & purls :) Great projects Cathy! |
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Meg hit it out of the park with this Building in Color blanket! Berroco Ultra Wool DK was the yarn. Such an amazing knit. Yes, Keri is teaching this and I think there's one spot left if it doesn't fill overnight :) Call or email to find out. Love it Meg! |
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Breckenridge in Brooklyn Tweed |
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MaryPat made Jared Flood's Breckenridge in Brooklyn Tweed Arbor (DK.) It's great for men & women and MaryPat said that it has enough interest to keep you going. So classic and elegant MaryPat! |
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Claudine's Lightweight Hipster by Joji Locatelli is made with Baah La Jolla in Liz's class in the fall. This is also a one skein shawl. Perfect for the fab new colors of fingering we have in Farmer's Daughter, Spun Right Round, & Brooklyn Tweed Loft & Peerie!!! Nailed it Claudine! |
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Urban Chic in Woolfolk - Big LOVE |
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Oh yeah - Dee knows Woolfolk makes everything that much better! For this one, Dee chose awesomely soft ,elegant Tov DK. Urban Chic, by Yumiko Alexander, has a small cable giving it a simple yet stunning style. This is classic you can dress up and wear casually. Beautiful Dee! |
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We love this kit! And it's on sale! Linda made an Emilia in Shibui Vine. Great to throw over for those warm summer nights. Vine is a cotton-papery, wrapped in silk yarn that's great for the heat - and gorgeous on everyone. Fab Linda! |
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Susan made the cute Garden View Cowl by Kera Burdick with Mad Tosh Vintage. It's quick & fun to make and the lines going down represent a summer garden :) Sweet! So pretty Susan! |
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Here is another from Claudine! This time from Beginning Crochet class on zoom! Yeah, back in the day... But isn't it a wonderful first go at crochet! It's the Windowpane Scarf done in Noro Tabi. Fabulous Claudine! |
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Those CRAZY Knitting Memes |
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This is an original @thebluepurl meme - joining in the fun. |
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