Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
How would you punctuate this statement: “We’re having fun, right’’
Would you hear “right?’’ or “right!”
See the difference?
At our class last night one of our students said, “We’re having fun, right” and we heard a question mark.
Why? Well, maybe that is what she meant. But maybe it is because these times seem defined by uncertainty. So we have decided to make a conscious decision to think exclamation points, to hear optimism.
“We are having fun, right!’’
Ok, enough about punctuation, let’s make the rhetorical shift, now, to what we mean.
Life is good!
Challenges, sure. Pandemic, yes, yes. Anger, way too much out there.
But here at The Blue Purl we aim to leave that all in the margins. We hope we offer all of you a bit of sanctuary from the madness around us!
Our community is about the collective and the individual, which if you think about it, is so American. We are a nation that prides self-reliance, but also excels when we are good neighbors and conscientious citizens.
Not to take the analogy too far friends, but we are here to help each of you achieve the impossible with your hands - as best we can these days, hearts and yarn. And we are here as a hub to share ideas, experiences, good and bad.
To be able to focus on "a stitch, a cable, " is a welcome antidote to some of the crazy surrounding us. This craft offers a meditation we can come back to over and over again. How fortunate we are to be able to sit and find a quiet space, then get up, re-energized.
There is enough time in the day, enough days in the week, month and year, to simmer in uncertainty. Let’s make a decision together to lean towards optimism, to think exclamation point, not question mark. And if you are not feeling that in the moment, remember, you can always return to your quiet place, our quiet place.
We have the antidote for crazy. So do you. Right!
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
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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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The Blue Purl Gateway to Color Work Cowl |
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Want to try color work but feel intimidated by all the skills you need to knit a color work pattern? Our Gateway to Color Work cowl is the pattern to start with. Tam designed this pattern to introduce simple color work for those ready to dip your toe into a new skill. You need to be able to knit, purl & join in the round. That's it! Unlike most color work patterns, there is no chart to decipher, no increases or decreases to deal with and only 2 yarns to handle in a row. In fact, there's only 1 pattern row to follow for most of the cowl. Tam also made 2 instructional videos to show you how to cable cast on and how to handle your yarn for the color work.
For those already familiar with color work, this is a fun rhythmic knit to do while watching shows or listening to a podcast! For more experienced folk, she has simple instructions for increasing the cast on for a longer cowl if you'd like. You'll need to purchase additional yarn separate from the kits for that.
This pattern is exclusive to the Blue Purl and is included free with the purchase of the Gateway to Color Cowl kit. The kit includes 2 balls of Rowan Cashmere Tweed in contrasting colors & the free pattern, all for $25. Kits can be found online or in our store. |
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A quick knit for you or a friend- the Woven Cable Headband is knit flat and then seamed.
Our kit uses 1 ball of Sublime Worsted, a soft bouncy, superwash merino. The pattern is free & included with each kit. Find it online or in the shop. |
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Little Hearts Hat by Jill Sneed is for the big hearts in your life. Using 2 colors of super bulky on size US 13 & US 15 needle, this is such a quick knit, you could have a few ready for Valentine's Day. We have kits made up with a gorgeous red Be Wool & white Macro. Find the free pattern on Ravelry and the kits online or in our shop. |
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Such a sweet little hat, the Love and Hearts hat by Susan B. Anderson is adorable for your sweetheart. The pattern is sized from 1 month to teen/adult. The intermediate level pattern requires comfort with knitting color work, reading a simple chart with 3 yarn colors used & comfort with double pointed needles to make the small heart topper.
We made up kits with Topas, a wool, acrylic & alpaca blend, in red, pink & white, but check out our shop sample in blue, green & gold! We also love Sandnes Garn Alpakka Ull for this project.
The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry, the kits are online & in the shop. For other color combos, visit us in person. |
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Can you tell we're feeling love this week & want to be ready for Valentine's day? We can't stop admiring this adorable sweater. Bean & Olive by Andrea Mowry is knitted with DK weight yarn and sized from 3 months to 10 years. We love it in Madelinetosh DK, Cascade 220 Superwash, Hikoo Simplicity or Davila, available online or in the shop. The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry. |
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Valentine's Day Bundle of Joy |
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The ACADIA Blue Purl Easy Peasy Scarf |
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Most of the colors of this scarf sold out so we made new kits using ultra soft Fibre Co. Acadia, a merino, alpaca, silk blend that has amazing drape while retaining wonderful stitch definition. The extra yardage from Acadia will yield a longer scarf to cuddle around your neck. The free pattern is included with this kit as well and can be found online or in our shop.
It's a long name with only 1 row of instructions but we love it! Tam made up a simple pattern inspired by sequence knitting & we love how fun & easy it is. Yes, she binged Bridgerton on Netflix while knitting the sample, but everyone needs some brain candy sometimes.
The scarf uses 1 skein each of 4 colors and a size US 6 needle. All you need to know is how to knit & purl, no decreases, increases or crazy tricks, this is a great 2nd project for a beginner.
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Patterns on Ravelry: Dubwath Cowl by Inese Sang, Soundtrack Sweater by Elizabeth Smith, Ridge Mitts by Dawn Catanzaro, Baby and Child Sophisticate by Linden Down |
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If you haven't checked out the latest arrival of Lichen & Lace Worsted, please ask us to point it out on the your next visit. The colors of this superwash hand dyed yarn are just phenomenal. Use it in sweaters & accessories or any project that needs superwash care. We pulled together some of our recent favorites that would show off the beauty of this hand dyer's work.
All of our Lichen & Lace is available online and in our shop, while supplies last. Email or come visit us to get ideas for this gorgeous colorful yarn. |
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Sneak Peak for Next Week! |
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New Yarn alert- Jill Draper Kingston is in the house! More details to come next week but we couldn't resist a sneak peak. You can find the yarn online & in the store. |
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One of our fav crocheters, Monica, came in this week getting some yarn to make the Stitch Sampler Scrapghan. This was a CAL Crochet-A-Long that began Jan. 8 - but easy to catch up! Use your scarps or would be great with Berroco Vintage Chunky.
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This is Meredith's beautiful Sunset Highway Sweater by Caitlin Hunter of Boyland Knitworks. The brick colored Shibui she used for the main color is a perfect sunset... The earth, the sky, the sea, and the setting sun fill out the rest. Fab Meredith! |
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Lisa made her Churchmouse Ferry Boat Mitts with one of our kits with super soft Sublime Extra Fine Merino Worsted. Fingerless mitts are the best, and these look great Lisa!! |
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During the time Linda lived in England, her family became Chelsea fans! So her colors in her latest Manos 4 Seasons Blanket "Winter" are team inspired. Such a pretty blanket Linda! Made in Vintage Chunky.
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Carrie made this Shift for her friend's birthday! What a great gift! She used one of our Shift kits with Malabrigo Arroyo, Indulgence, & Gems. Gorgeous Carrie. What a great friend you are! |
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Elba crocheted this beautiful blanket by working the Trinity stitch with an Alpine stitch border in Plymouth Encore. For the jacket, Dre am Baby DK was used. The pattern is Sue’s No Holes Hexagon Baby Sweater by Susan A. Coes. So Beautiful Elba!
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You knew it would happen... as soon as those images of Bernie's mitts showed up on screen, knitters would figure out a patten. Sure enough, here's a free pattern on Ravelry. |
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