Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
For us, this block of digital space is rife for using knitting as metaphor for all things.
Today, let's hand this space to Canadian poet P.K. Page (1916-2010) and her Poem "Knitter's Prayer." We see this poem as a desire for a do over - a fresh start. Taking "life" back to not just the first row of ribbing but the knot at the start that keeps it all together. As knitters and crocheters we understand this all too well, and examining it beyond the craft into poetry is magnificent. ENJOY!
KNITTER'S PRAYER
Unknit me -
all those blistering strange small intricate stitches -
shell stitch, moss stitch, pearl and all too plain;
unknit me to the very first row of ribbing,
let only the original simple knot remain.
Then let us start again.
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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NEW-- Extended Shop Hours !
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11am-5 pm
Wednesdays, 11am-7 pm
Saturdays, 11am-4 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays
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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.
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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. 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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These pictures say all! Below find some great ideas to consider. |
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Honey Hat & Honey Cowl --
Twice as Sweet
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Honey Hat by Jen Nevitt wonderfully brings together in the collabo both Madelinetosh Tosh Light & Shibui Silk Cloud. Come see Wendy's in yellows. Another perennial fav is Antonia Shankland's, our dear designer friend, Honey Cowl worked up in your choice of Tosh DK or Tosh Vintage. Can't go wrong with either. Or, why choose? How about both! |
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Joji's kits inspired by Frank Stella... |
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It's official! Joji Locatelli's Frank Shawl in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light is a hot ticket. Joji drew inspiration from Frank Stella's work. Given its popularity, we are still taking orders online on a limited number of kits in the colors as shown. Or, call the shop to place your order. The kits have been shipped and expected in the next couple of days.
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New to TBP is A.S.A.P., a super bulky weight yarn guaranteed to fly off your
US 13-17 needles. We have made a ravelry bundle filled with ideas to ponder. In-person and at the shop for a limited time only is Tam's Phoenix Hat, pictured above by BKnitsHandmade. Only one question remains... au naturale or pom pom'ed? Which leads us to ...
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Faux Pom Poms - Delivered |
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Ever so au courant, our fierce duo of Wendy and Patty anticipate people wanting (ever so correctly!) to accessorize hats. Not to be outdone, this stylish model sports not just a conventional one but a flashy fuschia pair! En trend? Oui!
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More CocoKnits Accessories |
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CoCoKnit Fun Stuff: For those who managed to secure a super popular CoCoKnit Maker Board Set (these flew out of the shop but no fear, more en route), we have the newly arrived magnetized ruler and needle gauge set, along with more magnets. The Maker Board Set comes complete with a magnetized folded standup board, magnets to hold your pattern and metal notions, and its own cloth sack for storage. What a great holiday gift! |
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Who doesn't love a little subtle sparkle ahead of dark, dreary days? Noelle by Universal Yarns is glimmering chainette goodness. Just the antidote are these wonderful fingerless mitts, i ncluded in the Universal Yarn trunk show, as well as our own TBP Keyhole scarf with pom poms! Cozy glam.)
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Baah! La Jolla November '21 |
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Look at the gorgeous shades in this month's La Jolla. We love the hints of gold echoed in the foliage outside. Get yours while supplies last! |
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Calling out to all American Girl dolls... |
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Our Keri's been super busy designing and making the cutest outfits for your American Girl Doll. These are one-of-a-kind so come early to see what new outfits you think your cherished one might need/want/hope to receive.
For the big folks, there's also a re-stock of her project bags (below).
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When your kid grabs the hat you made that's sitting on the table, you know it's a w inner. The cost - sit for a picture... Cecelia Campochiaro's Striped Marl Hat is part of MDK Field Guide 19. This pattern is a perfect unisex pattern made with 2 different colored skeins of Woolfolk Tynd (color 31 & 33) - so yes, it's also killer soft. (fyi...Wendy changed the cast on to 108 stitches for this one)
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Check out Purl Soho's Trellis Wrap, a free pattern on Ravelry. Can you say holiday kit? Your choice of wrap or Y's cowl in Woolfolk Far. Come in or go to the online shop to check out our many WF colors. Modified cowl pattern available free with yarn purchase. Just ask. |
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Coming soon is the latest shop sample of Eweknit Claudia Q's Holly Scarf. Ours uses Juniper Moon Farm's La Pampa, a bulky weight yarn, to show of f "a pleasing lace pattern that is both geometric and leafy, but never fussy..." according to the description on Ravelry.
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We could slip away
Wouldn't that be better
Me with nothing to say
And you in your autumn sweater
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We have Rowans Felted Tweed Colours which are inspired by nature and perfect for those long colorwork transitions and fades. Candidates to consider are Andrea Mowry's Illuminate, Caitlin Hunter's Koivua , and Orlane Sucche's Cleo featured in Amirisu's upcoming Fall/Winter 2021, Issue 23. |
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Amirisu Fall/Winter 2021 & PomPom Magazine- Both Available for Pre-Order |
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Taking pre-orders on Amirisu's latest upcoming Issue 23, Fall/Winter 2021 available on November 13th. Featured designers: Véronik Avery / Helga Isager / Keiko Kikuno / Sari Nordlund / Paula Pereira / Rievive / Nataliya Sinelshchikova / Orlane Sucche / Dianna Walla / yamagara. Each of the designers drew inspiration from favorite films.
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Still Collecting Hats for the Homeless |
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Mary-Claude's needles were magically busy making all of these lovely gifts, including hats and cowls for the donation bag. Wowsers! What a well-dressed dragon!
PLEASE DONATE A HAT - ALL SIZES WELCOME!
Do you have some old wool lying around the house that needs to be used up? We have the solution...make and donate a hat!
This is a great way to give back to those less fortunate in our area – and a fun and easy project! There are easy patterns online or a staff member of The Blue Purl can happily provide a pattern and make wool suggestions.
Please contribute a hat(s) when and if you can. We will be collecting them through November. We would so appreciate it – and so will the men, women and children who receive our beautiful creations!
As in prior years, the hats will be distributed to people through Nourish New Jersey in Morristown – formerly The Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center. It is so nice, particularly this year, to be able to help others.
The hats you have donated in prior years have been absolutely gorgeous! So much nicer than anything anyone could buy in a store. Thank you so much for your help and generosity!
PS - Scarves work too if you’re not a hat person!
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Putting together the Oma Goodness |
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This picture makes me laugh. We're sitting around the table in Carolyn's class figuring out the puzzle of how to put together the Oma Goodness crochet sweater. Michelle and Melania's squares are beautiful. Cynthis'a pic of Amy's also gorgeous. You got this!!! |
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Laurie got a jump on her holiday gifts by making these Woven Cable Headbands for those lucky recipients on her list. These can be made with any worsted weight yarn. Word is she can knit these in her sleep. Nice work, Laurie! |
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Cheryl made Fidra Hat by Gudrun Johnson for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law using Berroco Vintage Chunky. Love the texture and movement. What a warm welcome to the family!
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Kathie made this darling colorwork dino hat made with Berroco Ultra Wool DK. This hat is part of a sweater pattern Dino Rawr by Meghan Regan. And being as prolific as she is ... |
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Stripey Little Coffee Bean |
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Sweet little dress and Sandcastle... |
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Elba used lovely Sublime Cashmerino to knit this adorable little number. Check out those sassy tassels. Un encanto! |
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Magical surprises by Judy |
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When Judy comes in, she brings magic. She's an artist and a freeform crocheter who lets the yarn take her to her finished pieces! What can we say but 'wow'!! |
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If you like this section, check out our Before & ...After on Instagram - here are a few !
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BEFORE & AFTER… Julie-Ann nailed it for grandson Samuel’s Button Front Baby Pullover. She used Cascade 220 Superwash and the cute sailboat buttons finish it off for super cuteness. She made it during Keri’s class and the pattern is from Knitting Pure and Simple. Gorgeous Julie-Ann!! We ❤️ the special visits from the models!
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BEFORE & AFTER… Ollie started with a skein of Malabrigo Rios and came back with this cool crocheted hat. Hey, Drew U neighbor, you go!
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Cousins, Darnai and Tori waiting on mom and crocheting at the small table during “knit” night. Here comes the next gen.!! Wednesday nights, we're open until 7pm. You are invited to drop by, shop, sit and knit at the big table. |
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