Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
For our Thanksgiving greeting today we want to tell you about Chris Nikic, a young man with Down syndrome, who accomplished something remarkable.
Chris finished an Ironman triathlon. That means he swam 2.4 miles, biked for 112 miles and then ran a marathon, 26.2 miles
At one point, it seemed he could not go on, but in this article we learn how Chris persevered:
“My dreams,’’ he told his father, “are going to win.”
One step forward. Two. Three. One step. Two. Three.
He found his rhythm. Nothing could stop him. He crossed the finish line with arms held high in celebration, and a little time to spare — 16 hours 46 minutes 9 seconds.
“I learned that there are no limits,” he said, when we spoke days later. “Do not put a lid on me.”
This is not one of those Thanksgiving messages that says today is the day to look at what we have, not what we don’t. It is a note to say that we all – everyone of us – harbor the remarkable inside. We all, each and every one of us can, if we try, reach deep inside and pull ourselves up and over the finish line.
Each of us can follow our dreams, big and small, and make them happen.
Not every dream has to involve climbing a mountain, or running a marathon. It can be a simple as serving others, as bringing a smile and joy to a loved one.
As you know, we ( Patty and Wendy) both took on the adventure of running The Blue Purl when our children were older. It was a leap of faith, but it also meant believing in ourselves.
Today, we are grateful, yes, thankful, because we know we could not have found our way without you, our enthusiastic, patient fellows in knitting. We could not have made it this far without our extraordinarily talented, committed, warm and caring colleagues here at The Blue Purl.
Today we offer inspiration from Chris, but know that day in and day out we take our inspiration from each of you. Your love of craft, your passion for your work, your willingness to learn, all of it helped us to carry on. There is not actual finish line to this race, there is only the journey, but we feel the joy all the same.
Thank you.
Have a wonderful holiday.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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Fall/Winter hours: Tue. - Fri. 11-4
Saturday 11-3 - extended...
HOLIDAY HOURS: Wednesday 11-3 closed Thanksgiving, Friday 11-4, Open Sat :)
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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.
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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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Receive double loyalty points this Friday & Saturday - We are Thankful :) |
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BROOKLYN TWEED Pop-Up Shop |
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Brooklyn Tweed Holiday 2020 |
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Brooklyn Tweed just released their Holiday 2020 collection and we are in! Between the gorgeous Norah Gaughan cables or the subtle Emily Greene textures, we're not sure how to pick a favorite. Most of the designs only need 2 skeins of Arbor or Peerie, just about the amount of time we have this time of year. Check out the patterns here. |
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We only have a couple of spots left in our Brooklyn Tweed classes. While the classes start in January, we will close out registration of these classes when our Brooklyn Tweed Pop-Up ends. Call us at 973-377-564 or email - [email protected]
These classes are planned around this wonderful rustic, American sourced & dyed yarn. We have 7 classes at various levels of experience from sweaters to accessories that show off the beauty of Brooklyn Tweed. The classes are geared towards using Brooklyn Tweed yarn purchased during our Pop-Up. If you plan to sign up for these classes, please purchase or place your special order for the quantities & color needed during our Pop-Up. Once the Pop-Up ends, we can no longer accept orders, even if you signed up for a class.
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Svenson by Jared Flood
Dates & Zoom Time: 5 Saturday mornings - 9:00 to 10:30am
Jan. 9, 30 Feb.13, 27, March 13
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Experienced (Advanced) - this is NOT a first sweater project or a first cables project.
Cost: $75 + supplies from the Blue Purl
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Voe Hat by Gudrun Johnston
Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Thursday afternoons - 4:15 to 5:45 PM
Jan. 7,14, 28
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Intermediate
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
This beautiful colorwork hat is inspired by the yoke of a pullover. With this three color hat you'll be working from a chart and there is a short and long version.
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Winter Orchard Cowl by Laura Aylor
Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Friday Mornings - 9-10:30 AM
Jan. 15,22, 29
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
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Creel Cowl by Anne Hanson
Dates & Zoom Time: 3 Saturday Mornings - 9-10:30 AM
Jan. 16, 23, Feb. 6
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Skill Level: Beginner - need to know how to knit & purl
Cost: $35 + supplies from the Blue Purl
Have you just learned how to cast on, knit and purl? If yes, then this is a great project for you!
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Apart Together Socks by Dawn Henderson
Dates & Time: 4 Wednesday mornings - 10-11 AM
Jan. 20, 27 Feb. 3,10
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Cost: $50 + supplies from the Blue Purl
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The Blue Purl team has been busy creating kits for gift giving, gift knitting or hibernating. Each kit includes pattern and all the yarn needed. |
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We paired the Arctic Circle Cowl by Antonia Shankland with Plymouth Alpaca Grande because we love the feel of its soft drape. The pattern uses simple knits, purls and slipped stitches in an easily memorizable rhythm to create so much texture. You will love this around your neck when the weather drops below 50 degrees! |
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The Inside Outside cowl uses 2 skeins of Rowan Kidsilk Haze to make either the small or larger size. The pattern even includes instructions for a headband. We've put together a few color combos for our kits, which include the pattern. Kits can be found online or in the shop. |
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Fairwinds Beanie and Scarf |
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There's a reason cables are so popular in knitwear. The doubling of the yarn as cables are created, not only increases the thickness, it also traps in warm air to add insulation. Cables are beautiful and practical! The Fairwinds Beanie and Scarf set is a perfect example of this. We paired it with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Eco to up the warmth factor while allowing those lovely cables to drape even more. We love the unisex appeal of this combo and the kit would be great as a gift in itself. Find it online or in the shop. |
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The Boyfriend Watch Cap is the answer for those of us that have a hard time finding a last minute gift for the men in our lives. Paired with our luxurious local alpaca in either solid or marled, this will keep them warm all winter. The pattern has sizing for both a fitted beanie or a slouchy hat. You can also borrow the hat back since it looks great on ladies too! This kit is online or in the shop and includes pattern and yarn. |
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How can something be elegant and whimsical at the same time? The Polka Dot Scarf/Wrap captures this with scale. We've paired this beautiful pattern with Fibre Co.'s Meadow, a super soft blend of llama, wool, silk and linen with an airy touch. Our kit includes the pattern & enough yarn for the wrap, available online or in the shop. |
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Knit in the short or longer length, the Ferryboat mitts will be your go-to accessory all winter long. The pattern comes in 2 hand sizes and 2 lengths in a ribbed pattern, this is a great unisex accessory. Find the yarn and pattern kit online or in our shop. |
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The World's Simplest Mitts |
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The World's Simplest Mitts by Tin Can Knits is great universal pattern for mittens with sizing from toddler to adult large. We took inspiration from Ravelry user @lestat from Germany and used her GGH Topaz variation. This chunky yarn with its fun colors, cast on with size US 6 and then worked in size US 8 needles, will give you mittens you'll always want by your side. Pattern included with the kit, online or in store. |
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Boot season also comes with hat season and these boot cuffs are perfect when don't want your socks slipping off while stomping around in those boots. The Cozy Boot Cuffs come in 3 lengths, small, medium and tall boots. The cuffs are ribbed, run down the leg and have a stirrup to secure them around your foot. It's like knitting a sock without having to work a heel gusset or toe decrease. The kit includes the pattern, enough yarn for the large size and can be found online or in our shop. |
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Sometimes the steady rhythm of crocheting a granny square is the perfect prescription for a long day. Let the cheerful Noro yarn do the color work for you in this kit. Pattern included, One Big Granny Square is available online or in the shop. |
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Felted Gingerbread Ornaments |
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Felted Gingerbread Ornaments a great project to share with your kids/grandkids or you may want to keep the fun to yourself. Each kit includes 2 skeins of Cascade 220 for you to knit & felt. The pattern includes cutouts for gingerbread men, hearts & stars with instructions for simple sewing stitches for decorations. We also like to use the ornaments as special gift tags instead of a bow or wrapped with a gift card. |
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Forget Elf on the Shelf, how about these cuties instead! We love Kathleen's Jolly Wee elfin friends hanging around. Pattern and yarn available in the store only.
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Basic Christmas Stockings |
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It's not too late to make your own stockings. We're offering a hard copy of Churchmouse's Basic Christmas Stocking pattern FREE with yarn purchase in store. Come pick out your stocking colors in person and we'll include the pattern with your purchase, while supplies last. |
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We have Icon Scarf back in stock in the mocha colorway. Each kit includes a free pattern and yarn. Find them in our shop and online. |
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Just in time for the holidays, we have the Magic Sky line of Opal Socks. If you're not familiar with this sock yarn, you're in for a treat. The yarn creates a self-striping or self-fair isle effect as you knit. Magic Sky adds a bit of sparkle on top of that too. Everyone needs a little fancy on their feet sometimes! Find them in our shop or online. |
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Have you checked out our online store recently? We're constantly updating it with new kits, yarns, supplies and publications. We even have new needle sets, perfect gifting for an enthusiastic knitter.
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Laine Magazine, Issue 10, Winter 2020 will be out in December and we are accepting pre-orders now.
This issue will feature 12 knit patterns, an interview with Denise Bayron, seasonal recipes, book reviews and more.
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Our shipment of Fair Isle Weekend by MJ Mucklestone is here! Those who pre-ordered should have heard from us. We have extra copies for purchase online - or in the shop.
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Keri's American Girl Clothes are here! |
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Keri's hand sewn/knit American Doll clothes are here for the holidays and they are INSANE! They fit American Girl size dolls. There's about 20+ unique outfits to choose from. They are one of a kind and go quickly! |
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