Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
Don’t throw it away.
Mend it. Patch it. Turn it inside out. Just don’t toss it.
There was a time when we fixed things, remember?
Today we live in a mostly throw-away society. If it’s broken, ripped, worn, we toss it and get a new one. Americans on average generate 17 tons of textile waste a year. Yikes.
But our world, the world of self-motivated artisans like you, is different because you are not knitting disposable objects, you are crafting stories. A beloved bunny, grandpa's old sweater, your favorite socks, or mittens, each of these items carry memories of every stitch, every outing, every soul warmed inside or out by your work.
Think of The Blue Purl team as your editors, we really want to help you continue those stories that you want to hand down, or even those there were handed down to you. Maybe the socks and sweater from grandma are worn, the teddy bear threadbare.
We are offering (see below) a visible mending workshop with Judith Symonds in November for those treasured items. Look at these darned socks by Celia Pym, an artist living in London - what stories do you think they tell of past and present?
Look friends, we love this work not just because it makes people happy in the moment, but because it has the power to connect us to each other, even through the generations.
Come visit us so we can talk about your story. Let’s find just the right way to tell that story. Let’s work together to freshen up stories written for us, too.
Let’s do it together. At The Blue Purl where our motto is:
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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Fall Hours
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11-4pm
Wednesdays, 11-7pm
Saturday, 11-3pm
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 a 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.
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Dates - 2 Sundays -Nov 7, 14
Time - 10:00-1 PM
Cost - $100 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Teacher: Judith Symonds
The art of visible mending is having its moment. Every piece of clothing in need of repair has its own story to tell.
In this workshop you will learn the skills necessary to repair both woven and knitted fabrics. We will practice various traditional stitches used in Boro, Sashiko, and Kantha methods used when darning and and mending.
Bring something that needs mending to class. It can be anything... a sweater, a beloved pair of jeans, a stuffed animal.... We will share its narrative and extend it.
Judith has been knitting, weaving, spinning, sewing, darning, mending and growing her own (dyes) long enough to have mastered these historic crafts, and to know how to teach them to others... and we love her and her spirit!
She has studied fiber arts from Newfoundland to Switzerland.
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NEW ! Beginner Knitting session |
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Level - Beginner
Dates - 4 Thursdays Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18
Time - 9:00-10:30 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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Blue Sky's Woolstok Light is in the House
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Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Light is here and we LOVE it! The same work horse reliability we depend on from Woolstok worsted, now in a fingering weight just in time for cooler weather. We have all 14 shades in the same color choices of worsted and the pattern ideas are so fun.
The 14 Color Woolstok Light Wrap, Cowl or Slouch Hat from Blue Sky is a great antidote for those dark winter coats. All three patterns are meant for beginner/advanced levels. Once you're comfortable with your knits & purls, practice changing colors with these easy cowl or wrap designs. The hat is a great vehicle to practice knitting in the round while working stripes in an easy knit stitch. Both the hat and cowl pattern are free on Ravelry or just ask us with your Woolstok Light purchase. The yarn is available in our shop or online. |
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Woolfolk Luft V Trunk Show |
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Just in last week- a full restock of Woolfolk Luft, including new Fall colors. Have you tried bulky weight Luft yet? Typically knit on US 9-11 needle, this yarn is a warm but light-weight combination of Ultimate Merino fleece and the finest Pima cotton. It has great stitch definition while still being soft & cozy.
To show off this wonderful yarn, we also received the Luft V trunk show. Five gorgeous pieces- 2 hats, a cardigan, pullover & vest to show off the versatility of this yarn. We really like the Hirsholm vest, the Sammen & Vorso hats for its quick knitting potential but it's hard to choose which piece to add to your fall wardrobe. Come see it in person! Our full selection of Luft is available online and in the store. |
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Stephen West Shawlography |
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Want some mystery in your life? Stephen West, known for his exuberant use of color and graphics, has your answer. His Mystery Knit Alongs are popular for those that love to play with color. Starting October 8th, he will release 1 clue/week and you knit along waiting to see what magic appears on your needles. Please note- his KALs tend to be for intermediate to advanced knitters.
This year's MKAL is Shawlography- and we are pulling out all the gorgeous fingerings for it. The only instructions call for 5 skeins of colorful fingering weight yarn, 100g each. Stop in, we love helping MKALs pick out colors for this. |
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Want some color play without the mystery? Slippy V Crescent, Stephen West's latest pattern, is your answer. This adventurous/advanced beginner pattern is a great way to dip your toes into shawl knitting.
The top down shawl uses 1 skein of mohair silk and 4 skeins of fingering weight yarn. The shawl is worked top down in garter stitches with very basic short rows to form the shape and the colorful stripes are combined with slipped stitches for the colorful texture. This may sound complicated, but the stitches are actually simple if you're comfortable following a pattern.
We used a muted palette (for a change with Stephen West :) using Woolfolk and Woolstock Light with Shibui and Farmers Daughter Mohair. But the possibilities are limitless.
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Hold the Line mitts by Annalisa Dione was just re-worked by Yiba using 1 skein of Woolfolk Tynd with 2 Tosh Unicorn Tails. These fun, easy mitts is the perfect unisex gift to have ready, just in case you forgot someone on your list. The pattern is available on Ravelry, just ask us for Yiba's changes when you purchase your yarn in the shop or online. |
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The Boogie Vest in Lang Neon! |
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How perfect is the Boogie Vest Yiba made in Lang Neon! (A very quick knit!) When closing up the shop last night April snapped the picture of it glowing. And in the next picture our teacher Carolyn modeled it for us and is glowing also! Thanks Yiba, April & Carolyn - Teamwork, baby! |
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Just In! - Rowan Felted Tweed Colour |
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The new Rowan Felted Tweed Colour just arrived ... "the tweedy hues gradually evolve along the fibres at a gentle and unhurried pace. A stunning fair isle effect is created by simply working with two shades" The Lisa Richardson Jade Scarf is a beautiful example with using just two colors to make this "deceptively complicated looking scarf." Many are using it as a color work option in the yokes of their sweaters. Big love.
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Wow it's actually going to be October tomorrow! Look at this lovely color of the month from Baah La Jolla. A perfect way to bring in October. |
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Malabrigo Re-stock
Rasta | Rios | Arroyo |Dos Tierras
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Malabrigo It! That's a thing, right? Because, that sort of happened to our shop. We just received a huge shipment of Malabrigo in - Arroyo, Dos Tierras, Rios & Rasta and wow, it's time to Malabrigo It!
The cowl- Malabrigo It! is a free pattern by Susan Ashcroft, written for sport ( Arroyo), DK ( Dos Tierras) or Worsted ( Rios) weight yarn that works well for the hand dyed beauty of Malabrigo. Worked in the round, the pattern has both written and charted instructions for the simple lace pattern. You can find the pattern Malabrigo It! for free on Ravelry and you can check out all our Malabrigo online or in the store. |
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If you like this section check out our BEFORE & ...After on Instagram! And other fun things like our former intern designing Met Gala dresses :)
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Cheryls Crochet Granny Square Cardi |
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Cheryl, Granny Square Cardigan by Kaitlin Barthold made with Blue Sky Woolstock. Cheryl is a great crocheter and knitter. Love this cute cardi. Love the colors and shape. Bravo Cheryl!- OMA CROCHETER's (we started class this week) you too will be able to make this!!! |
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Right?!?!?! Dottie's great grandaughter Stella is one adorable lucky recipient of one cute French Macaroon by The Noble Thread made with Cascade Ultra Pima cotton. Everything about this picture is perfect! Thnks for sharing Dottie! |
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Paul made these 3 Chunky Rib Toque's with Malabrigo Rasta (just restocked!). This free pattern on Ravelry is a simple super quick knit. Thanks Paul these are great! |
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Winter's Beach Cardi - wow |
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Linda's cozy Winter Beach Cardi by Andrea Mowry in Kelbourne Scout. Designed open to be a layering item, knit bottom up to the shoulders then sleeves are picked up. Love the cables! Beautiful Linda! |
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Dixie has been working on her Summer Block Party 2020 - a summer KAL. Her Cascade 220 colors are fantastic! And she's adding a few more squares. The pattern calls for 16!! Godspeed Dixie.Love it!! What a special item! |
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Look at that cute little color and all that texture! Bonnie made a lovely Alastair by Sheila Toy Stromberg. This cardigan is sized for infants to 16 years old. Made with Marianated DK this sweater feels wonderful as well as looks fab. Beautiful Bonnie! |
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Sharon made a Dimi for her granddaughter with Cascade 220 Superwash. This is a great kids cardi with simple little colorwork and great for both boys and girls! Love the little metal heart buttons :). Gorgeous Sharon! |
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Elay ne The Yarnies from the Kenilworth Public Library knitted/crocheted over 50+ blue hats for #hatsnothate a Lion Brand anti bullying initiative. The Blue Purl is a drop off point. Isn’t this wonderful!!! Just love the knitting and crochet community!!! Thanks for dropping off Kathleen!! They've been successfully delivered :) - You Yarnies are GREAT! - they do a ton of donation knitting. |
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A Blocks Blanket from last class! |
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Sandra made another gorgeous blanket with Mad Tosh Vintage. Everyone LOVES her blankets - Reversible Afghan to Knit - and comes in to make them - Someday she should have a show. You'd have to collect them all Sandra!!!! I'll try to gather my pictures someday.... |
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Another week, another sweater from Tam- The Night Forest by Casapinka. She used the now discontinued Shibui Birch but any fingering will do! It was designed as a fantasy night forest. We think Woolstok Light or Brooklyn Tweed Peerie would look gorgeous in this pattern. And it looks gorgeous on Tam!
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As seen in the New Yorker |
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New Yorker Cartoon by Tom Toro |
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