Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
We always have a choice. When the world changes, we can resist, or adapt. For the creative types like all of you, we know the rich life is one that keeps moving, keeps reinventing, keeps changing.
One year ago, Patty and Wendy stared down change and became shop owners at The Blue Purl.
It was a lovely shop and we wanted to be part of its growth, a part of the welcoming community of knitters from the very experienced to the novice. We wanted to be a center of learning, sharing and creating. To both keep a good thing going and shake it up a bit.
We were getting there, step by step. You could feel the energy as everyone gathered around the tables or attended our classes and trunk shows. We filled the shelves with more and more beautiful yarns. We dreamed big.
And then COVID hit. It was scary. Was this the end? It felt like the air was suddenly sucked out of the room.
But you know what, we changed.
We kept our goals. To be a community, a warm, welcoming neighborhood shop.
As David Bowie said in his popular song – the last song he sang live before retiring: “Turn and face the strange.”
Now Bowie was talking about reinventing himself. So we thought it was ok to appropriate his lyrics, since that is what we did, too.
Along the way, we know that all of you have, also.
You know what? It’s ok, right? Yes, of course, we want to be free to move around again, but we have changed, evolved, taken on this fight and won. We have together built a community, with you at the core.
We keep on changing.
Last weekend we were in the shop upending the shelving system. Baby-land (as we like to call it, is in front of the store - DK in the back. Sport moved across the shop and the middle cabinet is now for kits.
Not all change has to be profound to make a difference. All you have to do is “turn and face the strange.”
Together.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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SEE WHAT WE'RE UP TO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
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Winter hours: Tue. - Fri. 11-4
Saturday 11-3
CLOSED TODAY - THURSDAY
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4 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
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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.
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Our newest kit is The Meander Hat by Lori Versaci. This is everything you want for warmth without sacrificing style. The thick hefty cables are balanced with a unique textured ribbing. Her pattern even includes instructions & a video tutorial for the Italian Tubular Cast On. (It's always nice to add a tool to our knitting arsenal!)
Of course, we created kits for this wonderful pattern with Woolfolk Tov, a luxury yarn with phenomenal stitch definition. Cables especially stand out in this yarn. The pattern only requires 1 skein of Tov. Find the kits here and the pattern for purchase on Ravelry. |
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Botanique by Casapinka is a re-release of one of her popular wraps from 2019. The new version is due out on Feb.19th. If you purchase before 2/19, you'll receive a coloring schematic for planning your color layout, not the pattern.
From Casapinka:
"This is for intermediate knitters! It is a bit more complex than most of my patterns and requires some special stitches. There are 15 sections plus borders on either end. Each section is inspired by something related to spring, from blooming trees, to spring rain. There are also dot stitches, lace, flowers, butterflies, thistle, lettuce and catnip, and tea. You will have so much fun with this! You can, however, replace some of those sections with garter, stockinette, or the mesh pattern that is used if you wish to make it similar."
Of course, she includes pictures of these stitches for knitters to follow along with pattern instructions. We put together a few kits with colorful spring colors from our hand dyed fingering yarns. It's hard to resist these colors when you're ready for winter to end! You can find the kits online or in the shop and the pattern can be found in Ravelry. |
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Promises in the Dark & Parang Shawl |
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It must be the weather because all we can think about is wrapping ourselves up in cozy shawls. Promises in the Dark, by Cheryl Faust, caught our eyes recently with its impeccable detail using mosaic knitting. If you've never tried mosaic knitting, you'll surprised how easy it is. Mosaic knitting uses only 1 yarn color on each row, unlike stranded color work. The designer even includes a video tutorial in this intermediate pattern as a general guideline for reading mosaic charts.
For a more beginner-friendly pattern, we like the Parang Shawl, also by Cheryl Faust. She uses simple knits, purls & increases with 2 colors to create a textured piece. Jill Draper's Kingston, with its rustic tweedy texture, knits up beautifully for both of these shawls. After blocking, the yarn blooms beautifully to fill out its stitches and really showcase a pattern design. You only need 2 skeins of each color for either shawl. The patterns are available for purchase on Ravelry and the yarn can be found online or in the shop. |
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We have another gorgeous Woolfolk Trunk show in the house. So many luxurious sweaters and wraps in TOV, Tov DK and Tynd. It is a showcase of elegant texture and modern design. A few of our favorites- Skratstillet, in Tov, is a unisex, textured pullover that can be a crewneck or turtleneck. The Bane pullover, worked in tynd is comfort and style all in one piece. The Flyve scarf, worked in Tov DK is more of a luxurious woven wrap than a scarf. Be sure to check out these masterpieces next time you're in the shop. |
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Another ready-for-Spring kit is the Duality Scarf by Jane Vanselous. Knit in Shibui Pebble, this scarf uses 2 colors of Pebble in simple seed and garter stitches to create a 3D illusion in a lightweight scarf. The pattern has sizing for a much larger wrap. Our kit has 1 skein of each color for the scarf and includes the pattern. For the wrap size, additional skeins of each color should be purchased.
Find the kit online or in the shop. |
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designer: Boyland Knitworks (Caitlin Hunter)
Dates & Zoom Time: 4 Mondays - March 1,8,15, 22 - 9:00-10:30 AM
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $50+ supplies from the Blue Purl
The design for these pretty fingerless mitts is based on a stitch pattern found on one of the oldest pieces of nalbinding (an early predecessor of knitting) ever found. The pattern is written for 3 women’s sizes. Techniques used include knitting in the round making a tube with a small circumference, increasing and decreasing, making the “deceptively easy” contrast Kihnu Vits Braid and completing an afterthought thumb.
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Nya Mosaic Blanket - Mosaic Crochet |
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designer: Tatsiana Kupryianchyk
Dates & Zoom Time: Feb 24, March 3, 10 - 6:30-8 PM
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Mosaic Crochet is a technique that creates the appearance of crochet colorwork without the need to switch colors mid-row. It requires you to work one color per row in sc and connect to the same color 2 rows below with dc. You’ll use a chart and written instruction to make designs.
We will be making the Nya Infinity Mosaic Blanket using 2 color, one dark and one light. We’ll learn the technique, reading a chart and reading the pattern. Intermediate crochet level
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Dates & Zoom Time: 4 Wednesdays, March 3, 17, 24, 31 - 9:30-11 AM
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Pattern provided with Yarn Purchase
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $50 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Description:
Learn: Picking up stitches in the round, I-Cord, Applied I-Cord, Felting
Create your one of a kind felted project bag. Choose a color scheme that brings you happiness!
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Cabled Hat - Morning & Evening sessions |
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Jason's Cashmere Hat
Dates & Zoom Time: evenings -3 Thursdays: Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 6:30-8pm
Mornings - 3 Saturdays: Feb. 20, March 6, March 20 9- 10:30AM
Teacher: Keri Samuels (AM) & Carolyn Hanson (PM)
Skill Level: Beginner 2 - must know how to knit & purl
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
This is a great first hat that features a simple all over cable design. The cables and ribbing will help the hat keep its shape and also provide warmth. There is also a thick folded brim that can be adjusted to keep your ears warm in the coldest weather. Techniques used are knitting in the round, cables, decreasing and knitting a tube with a small circumference.
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Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Fridays - March 5, 12, 19 - 9:30 - 11AM
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Learn: Garter Tab Cast On, Increases, Textured stitches, Tassels
Turn a special skein of fingering weight yarn into a beautiful Spring/Summer accessory.
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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.
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Continental Combination - Speed Knitting |
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Date & Zoom Time: Wed. April 8 - 6:30-8 PM
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Cost: $25
Calling all throwers! Have you always wanted to learn how to knit continental? Have you ever wanted to increase your knitting speed? Continental Combination is the fastest means of knitting. Your hands never leave the needles.
This technique “picks” the stitches instead of wrapping the yarn around the needle. Believe it or not, purling is easier than knitting. The key to knitting Continental Combination is knitting off of the “leading edge” no matter where it’s presented, either off the front or back of the needle. Never untwist a stitch again! This technique will change how you knit forever! The resulting fabric presents even tension, and with less wear and tear on joints. You will be amazed.
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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.
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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...
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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.”
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Year of the Ox - Zoodiacs C2C Afghan! |
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Happy 2021 Lunar New Year! It runs from February 11 to February 26th and if you haven't heard it's the Year of the Ox. So the Covid baby boomers of the future traits will be...
"strong, reliable, fair and conscientious, inspiring confidence in others. They are also calm, patient, methodical and can be trusted."
To celebrate we are sharing with you 1 Dog Woof (ChiWei's) Zoodiacs C2C Crochet Afghan depicting the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. She has this on her blog as a free pattern & charts. Super cute!! Thanks for sharing Chi Wei! Love it!
Follow Chi Wei, a local designer :) @1dogwoof on IG |
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Allison chose well when picking out yarn forJill Zielinski's Making Comfort Shawl. Jill Draper Makes Stuff KIngston shows of this beautiful classic garter shawl with an elegant ribbed border. Awesome Allison! |
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Fred looks dapper in Sang's Riddari Sweater. This lovely stranded colorwork Icelandic swea ter by Védís Jónsdóttir was made with Cascade 220! Yay Sang! Can't wait to see your next one! |
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Kathie's Baby Sweaters have CUTE buttons! |
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Keri's Winter Orchard Cowl class wrapped up and the beautiful neckwarmers are coming in! Here are Susan's (top) & Nicole's! They were part of the Brooklyn Tweed suite of classes. They're beautiful! |
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Nancy's baby blankets! The two stripes are an old pattern from Plymouth - Garter Stitch Striped Baby Blanket. The blankets were made in Sublime baby Cashmerino DK striped and solids. The Baby Blossom Blanket was made in their DK Yarn - Perfect as a little stroller/car seat blanket. So cute Nancy!
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Laurie's Forsten- It's a loose, soft, luscious vest in Woolfolk's Flette Bulky for her daughter. This pattern is a quick knit - top down split for the armholes then joined back - Can be made short or long. Love it Laurie! |
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Monica's mad crochet skills are back this week! Falling Leaves looks perfect in Berroco Sesame and she used one of Nicky Epstein's edging books for her bottom border! Creative Genius - really, she is so good! |
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Cheryl made the Fidra Hat by Gudrun Johnson for her daughter-in-law with Berroco Vintage Chunky. It's a sweet hat with eyelets and twisted stitches running up it - and the pom pom works perfectly. Way to go Cheryl!!! |
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