Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
Did you realize how many decisions you make each day? You have probably never really kept track because more often than not, you make the right call and life goes on seamlessly.
But sometimes, occasionally, you make a mistake. That is true with our knitting and crocheting, too. Sometimes, you get the color wrong, the pattern is not what you imagined, or your gauge is off and you have to rip it all out.
When that happens, what do you do? Our advice? Let it go. There is no benefit to self flagellation. People are imperfect.
Mistakes are not without value: We can learn from them. Maybe you moved too fast, or started with the wrong size needle, or went with the wrong yarn? But whatever the lesson is, once it is learned, it is time to move on.
Which brings us to our message today.
No poetry, just a little popular culture. We want to quote Ted Lasso, the fictional TV soccer coach who encourages people to believe in their best selves. He was trying to cheer up a player who had just had a bad practice.
“You know what the happiest animal in the world is?” Ted asks his player. “It's a goldfish. It's got a 10-second memory. So be a goldfish.”
The player was briefly baffled, but we know you all understand.
If things go wrong, move on.
If the stress of the day weighs heavily, move on.
Our business, our craft, our aim is to lift you up. All you can do is give it your best — and leave the mistakes behind.
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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Cool Gourds hangin' with Cool Cats...
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Madeline Tosh to arrive at any moment |
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Tracking says it's arriving today! Keep a look out on our social postings for the most up-to-the minute notifications, especially Instagram... these are some of our actual colors...WOW! |
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Universal Yarns' Be Wool Trunk Show |
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Never too early to start planning for those holiday gifts. Pressed for time already? All of these super soft projects will work up in a snap. See the colors in person or in the online shop. Free patterns available with yarn purchase. Just ask!
Basketweave Hat - You'll be decreasing before you know it - Free Pattern
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Blue Heron Metallic & Organic Cotton Restock |
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After an exhaustive search, (seriously, Wendy and Patty persevered and would NOT be denied!) they doggedly tracked down and secured more Blue Heron in both Metallic and Organic Cotton. For the metallic, consider Joji Locatelli's Coastal Walk, a beautiful asymmetrical, crescent shaped shawl worked from the top down . The pattern includes both written and charted lace instructions and is available for purchase on Ravelry. The Organic Cotton has been a perennial shop baby blanket favorite. Remember to ask for our free in-house pattern with yarn purchase.
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CocoKnits Maker Board Sets |
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Just arrived is the super popular Maker Board Set which comes complete with a magnetized folded standup board and magnets to hold your pattern and metal notions. It folds up neatly into its own cloth sack. As you can see, Patty's already loaded hers with CoCoKnit stitch markers and tapestry needle! |
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Lovey Tops - Aren't they just? |
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New to us are Lovey Tops. The ball band includes a pattern to make a mini-kerchief topped by your choice of creature. Guaranteed to become the lovey for your lovey. Come in to see the many iterations of cuteness. We bet you'll be hard pressed to choose just one! |
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Joji's latest inspired by Frank Stella... |
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Joji Locatelli's Frank Shawl i n Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light draws on Frank Stella's work at the Whitney. Our sharp-eyed, in-house art historian Wendy made this observation and Joji confirmed! We love this shawl and are now taking pre-orders online here on a limited number of kits in the colors as shown. Anticipated delivery will be around November 1. Please contact the shop to place your order or go to the online page. |
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Texture, texture, texture in Purl Soho's Trellis Wrap, a free pattern on Ravelry. Yiba has literally twisted the pattern into a cowl. For hers, she used Shibui's Maai, a beauty but discontinued. Good news is Woolfolk Far fits the bill perfectly...both are of chainette construction and practically identical in weight. Come in or go to the online shop to check out our dizzying array of WF Far colors. Modified cowl pattern available free with yarn purchase. Alternatively, you could choose to make the wrap as written. Crazy idea, given Y's tendencies, we know but just sayin'... |
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Eweknit's Claudia Q just released her Holly Scarf knit with bulky weight yarn. We think our Juniper Moon Farm's La Pampa would show of f "a pleasing lace pattern that is both geometric and leafy, but never fussy. This scarf is a perfect transition piece, pairing effortlessly with a jean jacket or a sleek blouse", according to the description on Ravelry.
Ready to take a dip into colorwork? We are intrigued by Jared Flood's First Colorwork Cowl knit in Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter. Described on Ravelry, the "(c)owl’s motifs incorporate easy combinations of both one-color and simple two-color stranded rounds. Colors alternate frequently, meaning catching floats is not necessary! A digital companion pattern provides written instructions alongside 4- and 5-color variations. Worked in worsted-weight yarn, this pattern makes for great colorwork practice and swift gift knitting."
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Lykke Blush - Pretty in Pink |
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Our little mascot hedgehog loves (as do we!) these Lykke Blush interchangeable needle sets. We have a few on hand in the store or online. Thinking impending holidays? Hoping while waiting on container ships stranded off the coast of California? Supply chain issues? Yikes! |
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Amirisu Fall/Winter 2021 - 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 drew inspiration from favorite films.
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Still Collecting Hats for the Homeless |
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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!
Thanks for your donation, Candace!! (pictured above)
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Denise and her Sophisticate |
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Smokin' Hot Leslie in the Lind |
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Leslie's persistence paid off in making her modified Lind by the WoolFolk Design Team. She took the dickey and made it her own by lengthening both the front and back for this fab result. Leslie used Lang Luna (there're still a few balls in the sale area!) but you might consider Woolfolk Luft or Sandnes Garn's KOS. Perfect for all photo shoots - both hers and ours! |
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Patty's Rockin' Liz's Pink Fizz |
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Liz, one of our very talented teachers, finished the Pink Fizz by Andrea Mowry ahead of the start of this, her latest class. She held Farmer's Daughter Squish Fingering with Mighty Mo' to achieve this exquisite result. Wow, those beautiful lace panels and the fabric are beyond sublime! You go, both! |
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So many little sweaters, so much love... |
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Bonnie made this Alaster Cardigan in Marianated DK (from the pop up shop.) How gorgeous are those cables! Lovely, Bonnie - you had a lot of practice from the Svenson :)
Cindy used Koigu (available in store) for her Flax Light and Barley Light Hat by Tin Can Knits. These are fabulous patterns because they range from newborn to XL Adult! Beautiful work, Cindy! |
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Kathie used Sirdar's Crofter DK (in shop) for Knitting Pure & Simple's Button Front Baby Pullover. You are an expert Kathie - These are great! |
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Lucky to be Sharon's sister... |
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Sharon made Puget Sound Pullover in Jill Draper Kingston for her sister. Love the bobbles at the collar and the yarn is perfect. Really lovely work, Sharon! We always look forward to your finished projects! |
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If you like this section, check out our Before & ...After on Instagram - here are a few !
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Sharon in her stunning Caribou Hills... |
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BEFORE & AFTER… We love this Before picture of Sharon as much as her After! She’s so happy with her mYak Tibetan Cloud pre-winding because she really does loves the process! And her journey to Caribou Hills by Caitlin Hunter @boylandknitworks was worth it! Fab sweater Doc Sharon! See you up north! Magic happens in here…
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BEFORE & AFTER… Vina came in with her beautiful Sweetie Shawl by Brian Smith Designs. A skein of Baah's La Jolla & Farmer's Daughter Squish, Vina’s hands and skill, then see what slipped stitches with that beautiful yarn can do! Perfectly coordinated top to boot! Magic happens in here:) Super, Vina!
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Keri's sock class!!! I see finished socks in there - and many seconds going! Bravo students!
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