Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
So, they think they know us!
They think we are all like the character in a cartoon, knitting and crocheting with a blanket over our knees and an old TV show flickering in the background.
Ok, so that may be true some of the time - or a lot :) - for some of us.
But what are we doing over there in our little corners of concentration? Like every other community, we are a diverse group that can’t be defined by stereotypes or preconceptions. We've knit bird nests, pussyhats, and we've yarn bombed. And on a quirkier note... for some of us, ok, maybe very few, but some, have taken up speed knitting. The only requirements are two needles, a skein of yarn, nimble fingers and rock solid nerves. The old Vogue Live video is a hoot! We hope they bring it back. Hmmm, what to watch, the Super Bowl or a Speed Knitting competition??
To the untrained eye, speed knitting may not appear so speedy, but look closer (check out Hazel Tindal "world's fastest knitter") and you will see why we highlight this quirky practice today.
Hold on...this is when we transition to the life lesson, so stick around, please.
There is no one right path in life. They may tell us there is when we are growing up, or it may seem that way because of societal pressures. They tell us what is expected of us, but each of us has the power – even the duty - to find our own way.
Knitting is just knitting. It’s not heart surgery. It’s not war and peace. It’s not going to save us from climate change. But it matters. For many of us, it transcends serving as a casual hobby and becomes part of our very identity. It engages us physically and mentally. It is the rare solitary pursuit that can be shared with loved ones -the finished product- and can help build community - think The Blue Purl.
But there is no one right way to do this. We can help with colors and patterns, advice and support, but it is up to you to figure out what kind of knitter you want to be.
Or, if you are inclined, you can try speed knitting - just think how wonderful it would be to get those sleeves done in no time!
The important thing is that you do what’s right for you.
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connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
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Shop Hours
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11am-5 pm
Wednesdays, 11am-7 pm
***Wednesday Knit Night 4pm-7pm***
Saturdays, 11am-4 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
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Given the current Omicron environment, we ask that everyone please wear a mask while in the shop.
- 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 and to ooh and aah over each other's work. We will be unable to provide fixing mistakes help during this time. The shop is also open for shopping during these hours.
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It's sweater weather and happily the shop has a lot of sweater quantity choices on hand. Read on to see our very newest ones. ❤️serendipity!
To the right, sitting of Tam's "First" in O-Wool is Liz's WIP of First Raglan Sweater by Jared Flood in
Check out our curated Ravelry bundle filled with ideas. Please click onto the link to take a peek! |
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Flette Bulky 8, 9, & 10 are in the House... |
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Berroco's Ultra Wool Handpaints |
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Yardage: 219 yards (200 meters), 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
Gauge: 18.0 to 20.0 sts = 4 inches
Needle/Hook size: US 7 - 8 or 4.5 - 5mm or 5.0 mm (H)
Per Berroco: "100% Superwash Ultra Wool gets a makeover! Ultra Wool Handpaint is hand dyed using a watercolor brush technique. The result is the machine washable wool you love with speckled colors throughout. We recommend alternating skeins to get a cohesive overall look as each skein is unique."
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Cascade's New BFL - Bluefaced Leicester |
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Yardage: 262 yards (240 meters), 100 grams (3.53 ounces)
Gauge: 22.0 to 24.0 sts = 4 inches
Needle size: US 5 - 6 or 3.75 - 4mm
100% Wool - Bluefaced Leicester (BFL)
Per Cascade: New as of Fall 2021. "Spun from British-sourced Bluefaced Leicester wool, Cascade BFL is a DK-gauge, woolen spun yarn. Long-stapled silky fibers work up effortlessly into garments and accessories." Hand wash. **Limited quantities available.**
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Cascade 220 Superwash Wave - NEW colors! |
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STORIES: ❤️ The Mrs. Malofsky Blanket...
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My husband has a knitted lap blanket from his childhood that he remembers laying on the foot of his bed. It was named, “The Mrs. Malofsky Blanket,” because she was the one who knitted it so many years ago. It was passed down a few generations back and no one quite remembers who she was other than a relative of a relative on his grandmother’s side.
When my husband showed it to me, it was full of holes of unknown origin. Although it must have been lovely in its day, I thought its charm had worn off long ago. But my husband was sentimental about his blanket so I brought it to The Blue Purl to see if there was any hope of repair.
I gave it to Keri and made it clear that I thought it was a lost cause and I would understand if it was beyond help. But she worked her magic on it and transformed it into a beautiful accent piece that proudly drapes a chair in our family room. Thank you, Keri for the amazing transformation.
-Susan
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Birkin KAL - WIP Coming along... |
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Everyone's making great progress on the Birkin. Keep it up! Love Tam's (she's leading the group) color choices in Brooklyn Tweed Peerie. |
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Keri's bags are back for in-shop only purchasing! Blue hens, arctic foxes, curly sheep...a veritable menagerie & all too cute! Just sayin'... |
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Diana's Rockin' it Big Time |
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Diana did an AMAZING job with Katia Silk Concept - She's a fab knitter and used Isabell Kraemer's Ready for Fall bottom pattern and basically hacked the rest to what she wanted. ❤️ these engineers.) It's so lovely on her! 'Nuf said. |
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In the Double Knitting class, Anne brought in these fun pot holders from her personal collection. Look at the wonderful crocheted details and whimsical designs. Tidy marriage of form and function. We also ❤️ your spiffy new ones from the class nestled in the potholder pool o' fun.) Thanks for sharing, Anne! |
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Apple doesn't fall far ... |
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Bonnie's (check the last 2 newsletters) daughter Elana, used Brooklyn Tweed Shelter for Michele Wang's Radmere Cardigan designed specifically for BT Shelter. ❤️ those beautiful cables. Bonnie was in to pick out buttons and we snapped a quick pic.) |
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Marilyn's springing forward |
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Kathie's been busy with her needles. ❤️ her two new Andrea Mowry Minted Hats. The cable details are lush. Kathie used Berroco's Ultra Wool DK and they are fab. Thinking mohair a la companion knitting would be nice in this too!
Kathie is also awesome with colorwork. She made these Skeindeer Design's Snøvotter mitts with The Fibre Co's Cumbria Fingering. All are super, Kathie!
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Carol, another graduate of Liz's, this time from a recent sweater class, is sporting her Felix Pullover, pattern by Amy Christoffers in lux Woolfolk Luft. ❤️❤️
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EasyPeasy with a touch of BLING
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Ronnie made this adorable cable front, reverse stockinette, seamed sweater for a sweet little friend in Sublime's Baby Cashmerino DK from a Sublime book pattern. Wonderful work & gauge perfect, as always Ronnie! ❤️❤️
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If you like this section, check out our Before & ...After on Instagram and consider following us @thebluepurl
This week's IG stars...
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Meg's Marseille ... in NJ |
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Tam’s Douglas Cardi is insanely beautiful and super soft in Woolfolk Flette. She cropped Andrea Mowry’s cozy, oversized, grandpa style pattern a couple inches for daughter fit. Love ❤️ the pockets! Stunning Tam! And off to Chicago to keep her warm :) Big Love S.!!!
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