Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
Last week, we talked about Fred Rogers, philosopher king (that’s Mr. Rogers to those who may have missed it).
This week, we thought we would highlight the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. (Stick with us, please.)
Do you know the story of the Little Match Girl? Here’s the condensed version. A young girl goes out into town in the freezing winter to sell matches for her family. But she gets cold — and so she begins lighting the matches. With each flare, she feels a bit warmer (and sees a vision, but let’s not go there).
Then the matches run out. And she dies.
As long-term strategies go, it probably needed a little more thought. But the story of the Little Match Girl’s unfortunate demise (here comes the segue) gives us the chance to think about how important it is to build something that is lasting, something that gives real and sustained warmth.
Are you lighting matches? Or really working towards something? Well, if you are reading this, we know the answer. We know that you all value taking your time to build something of lasting value, and by the way, warmth. Knitting, crocheting, indeed all of the handcrafts associated with natural fibers take time, patience and when completed amount to much more than a flash in the night.
Our wired world is increasingly about immediate gratification. Do you daydream when you are online, or look at your phone? Do you get frustrated if a page takes a whole minute to open?
We at The Blue Purl want you to be happy. And yes, we too look at our phones probably too much. But we also know the value of investing time in a class to learn something new. We appreciate the beauty of handcrafted wools, an intricate pattern and of course a beautiful handmade item.
Forget about lighting matches. Let’s make a bonfire (metaphorically, of course.)
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
|
|
SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
|
|
Spring hours: Tue. - Fri. 11-4
Saturday 11-3
-
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
-
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.
|
|
|
|
Our newest yarn, Sandnes Garn Line is a summery cotton, linen & viscose blend in a light worsted/DK weight that is perfect for your warm weather knits. We have 16 colors in stock with so many ideas for this yarn from baby garments to adult wear. Make sure to check out this fabulous yarn next time you visit us. We have a swatch knit up and of course, we created a Ravelry bundle of ideas for you to explore. The yarn can also be found online. |
|
Celosias is a colorwork-beginner friendly piece, worked top down, seamless with a high-low, split hem. It can be made with short sleeves or long and holds its drape incredibly well with Luma, a wool, cotton, linen and silk blend. Of course, we pulled some of our favorite color combos to show you.
The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry and the yarn is available online or in the shop. |
|
Celosias by Jennifer Steingass has been reimagined in a warm weather fiber, Luma by Fibre Co as part of their Star Designers Collection for 2021. |
|
Shibui Silk Cloud & MadelineTosh |
|
The softness of Shibui's famous Silk Cloud with the saturated colors of Madelinetosh, what a winning combination. We've received our order of this wonderful collaboration in Silk Cloud and expect the Tosh Merino Light version to arrive by the end of this week. Oh, the ideas we have for this gorgeous combination! Find the yarn in our shop. We'll load it online as soon as we can. |
|
<<---Check out the sophisticated, unisex Cedar Hill Cowl by Seth Richardson. The cowl is knit holding one strand of Shibui Silk Cloud with 1 strand of Tosh Merino Light, in their new collaboration color, Lovegrass. Holiday gift planning? The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry. The yarn can be found in the shop. |
|
Woolfolk Flette Trunk Show |
|
Have you seen our latest Woolfolk Trunk Show- yes another one! This is the Flette DK trunk show featuring the coziest, softest, teddy bear-like comfort in beautiful sweaters & accessories.
Knogle, a simple beret, knit in the round from the brim up, is available in 3 sizes. Skal, a tunic length pullover is knit from the top down. If you typically don't like turtlenecks because of itchiness, you'll love it in Flette DK.
Havaendring is a modern oversized cardigan that uses intarsia, a simple color switching technique, to create blocks of color throughout the piece. You can check out the Flette trunk show along with our previous Woolfolk trunk in the shop for a few more weeks. The yarn is available online or in the store.
|
|
Check out this fun hat Maura knitted up for us. Circle & Square by Martina Behm uses 1 ball of Zauerball Crazy to create a circle that turns into a square, all in the round and seamless. The pattern includes videos to show some interesting techniques, always a plus for building new skills. The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry and the yarn is available in our shop. |
|
|
|
|
Botanique kits are now available online or in the shop. Casapinka's latest knit-along for the spring, Botanique is sure to keep you interested with all its fun stitches. Pattern includes pictures of these stitches for knitters to follow along with instructions. The pattern is available for purchase Ravelry. Kits are available online or in the shop.
|
|
POM POM Quarterly Issue 36 |
|
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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...
|
|
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.”
|
|
With Tapestry crochet, you are always working over the non-working color and carrying it along the inside of the project as you work. Here's a quick little tutorial - you'll be going before you know it!
The Ramble Socks by Yvonne Choi are toe-up and crocheted in the round using 2 - or more colors in sock weight yarn.
The Marzanna Sweater ( Marzanna is the goddess of winter) pattern is written in 2 weights - this is a chunky pattern, and it also comes in DK version. The pattern has a chart and instructions on using it.
Fruit Bag's Trio is a collection of 3 fruity bucket bags using the tapestry method. Super stylin'. - Give it a whirl!
|
|
Sheri made this fun and modern afghan with Michelle Hunter's Building in Color pattern book ( link to the download - we carry the books in the shop) You can learn skills and gain skills in managing color with this book. Sheri used Cascade Superwash 220. Awesome Sheri! |
|
These are beautiful in blues! The wrap is Arrosa by Jen Weissman with beautiful ripples and flower pattern. Made with a killer Marianated gradient. The lovely lace scarf is Spring Leaves Scarf by Marin Melchior. These are fab Susan!! |
|
Cynthia worked hard on these bunnies and it shows! They are the cutest!! The pattern was inspired from an old magazine article and taught in a class by Keri last Spring. These cuties have the year marked under the sweaters on their backs. She mostly used Blue Sky Woolstok on this project. Too cute Cynthia - Bravo!!! |
|
Susan made her super soft Minuit Cowl by holding Marianated Yarn and Rowan Kidsilk Haze together. A simple and elegant lace & mesh design highlights the yarn. It's gorgeous Susan! |
|
Love love love Allison's Forestland by Jennifer Steingass which is inspired by the forest foliage. She made it with Brooklyn Tweed during our Pop Up shop. Lovely Allison! |
|
Amy made these cute sweaters for her grandsons. The Bellyphant Baby Cardigan byJennifer Little with wee Elephant Hat by Cheryl Beckerich. The sweater has elephants on the bottom but had to use the cute picture of him wearing it!!!
|
|
thanks for sharing Monica! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
