De
ar Friends of The Blue Purl,
Yes, yes, it's true. We are going away, but only for 2 weeks, on vacation, and we're coming back.
It is the time of year when the air is heavy, the sun is hot and the days call on us to kick back and relax.
We hope that you are or have been able to take time off also.
We will be closing down for two weeks, but we will be back, refreshed, invigorated and ready to go.
A lot of our focus in these newsletters has been on the unique and consequential dynamics caused by the pandemic. But it occurs to us, that much of what we think and feel in this moment has broader meaning for the rest of our lives. That may be too heavy for a hot summer day, but… it’s about vacation.
Take care of yourself.
Put down your phone. (But not your needles!)
Care for yourselves and those around you.
It has been a challenging time. We had just learned to walk as the caretakers of The Blue Purl and then, bam, we had to re-learn everything. And we are getting there, with your help.
We are a team, in the store and behind the scenes, working to remake The Blue Purl while also preserving its values and its mission – to serve you, our community.
We now have only 2 of us at a time in the shop so we can accommodate three clients while one of us fields calls and the other helps those who have appointments.
What you don't see and is so important is that everyone is pitching in.
Tam is a major help with the newsletter and is involved in yarn selection. Yiba is in selling and keeping us on task with our inventory, kit inspiration and organization (no small feat!). Liz is also selling in the shop, in addition to teaching and fields many knitting problems. Keri is a knitting angel. She just keeps us all going on our projects and has been teaching and fixing from her front porch - and making probably over 200 masks that many of you have found tucked in your purchases.
We have been meeting with reps and new yarns are coming in. We have been conscientious to include some interesting choices at a good price point.
The list of zoom classes is robust - just look below!
We are trying hard to keep up the energy. Knitting and making things has been a balm for so many of us. Learning helps give focus - seriously, look at the classes!
So we're gearing up for a great autumn.
But first, take some time off, even if it’s an afternoon. Then come back, and join us on our big adventure. Thanks for supporting us.
connect & create
Patty & Wendy
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OUR VACATION IS HERE! Closing Friday (tomorrow) at 4pm - Be back with bells on August 11!
our online shop will be open while we're away, and sign up via email for zoom classes - below :)
Summer Hours:
Tuesday - Friday:
11am-4pm
- 3 customers at a time are allowed in the shop for half hour shopping.
- Phone/facetime/email sales and curbside pickup will continue as we have been
- We have 30 min scheduled appointments at table by front of store - back door if weather is uncooperative. Call us at 973-377-5648 for a scheduled appointment.
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HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up for a class please call the shop today or tomorrow, 973-377-5648 (KNIT) or email -
[email protected]
- THE SHOP IS CLOSED FOR VACATION FROM JULY 25 - AUG 11 - ALL SIGN UPS THROUGH EMAIL DURING THIS TIME PLEASE.
- Classes are limited to 10 people.
- If you did not receive your zoom invitation a day before class please check your spam folder first then either call or email us.
- We ask that you please buy your supplies through The Blue Purl so we can continue bringing you these great classes - check out our online shop! Thanks :)
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Level: Advanced Beginner
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Dates: 4 Thursdays: Aug.: 19, Sept. 9,16,23 9:30-11am
Be creative! Choose any color scheme that excites you to make this generously sized bag.
Great for a project bag or for everyday.
Ski
lls Taught:
picking up stitches, in the round, I-cord, applied I-cord, felting
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level:
Intermediate, assumes you have worked in the round on a circular needle. Color work experience a plus but not required.
Teacher:
Keri Samuels
Dates:
4 Thursday mornings Aug 20, 27, Sept. 3,10 9-10:30 AM
Offered again by popular demand! In this class you will be designing and creating an original Christmas stocking in plenty of time for the holiday. Choose from a wide range of motifs and combine any number of colors of worsted weight yarn to create a new family heirloom!
Skills Taught:
stranded color-work, after-thought heel, Kitchener stitch, working from charts, the 16 color charts can be mixed and matched.
Class fee:
$40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level:
Beginner
(prerequisites- Knit & Purl)
Teacher:
Liz Braverman
This quick knit will keep your new knitting skills fresh. Entwine is a satisfying project- great for gift giving.
Sk
ills:
maintain pattern, slip stitches, tassels
Class fee:
$30 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Crochet for Knitters - Tech Workshop
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Level: Advanced Beginner knitter
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Dates: Tuesday Sept: 22
Time: 6:30-8PM
Calling all knitters…are you ready to learn a few key crochet techniques to use on your knitting? Want to add a beautiful crab stitch edging to your knitted garments? Learn that and more, including: crocheting seams together, using a crochet hook to pick up dropped stitches, and crocheted I-cord.
Homework:
make 2 gauge swatches 4” x 4” to use for seam and crochet edging. Have crochet hook, Size H and scrap worsted weight yarn on-hand.
Class fee:
$25
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Learn to Crochet - Windowpane Scarf
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Level: Beginner
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Dates: 3 Wednesdays: Sept: 1, 8, 15, 6:30-8PM
This geometric scarf pattern is easy and showcases any beautiful yarn you choose. A great starting project.
Skills Taught: You will learn the basics of crochet, making a chain, basic stitches, how to read a pattern and a chart.
Class fee: $35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Instructor: Keri Samuels
Level: Advanced Beginner- on up
Class Dates & Zoom Time- 3 Saturday mornings Sept. 12, 19, Oct 3; 9-10:30
"Inspired by the intricate piecing of patchwork quilts, the large, brightly colored stars in this afghan are mainly composed of mitered squares. Since the color changes within the squares are all in straight, intuitive lines, this is a perfect project on which to learn the art of intarsia. The straight lines also make the chart easy to memorize, so you can comfortably engage in conversation as you work."
This is an heirloom project. It's stunning, Done up in squares so it's a great take-along project.
Skills Taught:
mitered square, intarsia, seaming
Class fee:
$35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Instructor: Keri Samuels
Level: Advanced Intermediate
Class Dates & Zoom Time- Sept. 11, Sept 25, Oct 2, Oct 9; 4:15-5:45 PM
These beautiful Fair Isle Mitts are a perfect gift and super functional
Skills Taught:Knitting in the round using 2 circular needles, stranded color work, chart reading, increasing, decreasing, casting on the middle of the round.
Class fee:
$40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Instructor: Keri Samuels
Level: Intermediate
Class Dates & Zoom Time- Thursdays: September 10,17,24; 4:15-5:45pm
From what we've seen these little guys are addicting! Make these funny little gnomes with Keri's guidance.
Skills Taught:
icord, working in the round (pattern written for DPNs but easily adapted for magic loop and knitting on 2 circulars)
Class fee:
$35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level:
Beginner 2 -
This is a basic crochet class for those who have taken the Learn to Crochet class and now want to take the next step.
Teacher:
Carolyn Hanson
Dates:
2 Wednesdays: Sept: 30, Oct. 7 - 5:30-7PM
Make this adorable 3-color hat in time for Halloween for that special little one in your life.
Skill
s:
Learn to increase, change colors and crochet in the round. Read a pattern
Class fee:
$30 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level: Advanced Intermediate
Sleep Sack
Teacher: Keri Samuels
Pattern provided -adapted from Bergere de France
Dates:4 Thursdays: Sept: 17, Oct. 1, 8, 22; 9-10:30 AM
This is such a beautiful sleep sack! It's elegant and cozy. A beautiful heirloom project!
Skil
ls:
pattern interpretation, cables, shaping by decreasing and casting on, buttonholes, 2 types of seaming
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level: Advanced Beginner
Teach
er:
Liz Braverman
Dates:
4 Wednesdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 18, 25; 9:30-11 AM
Holding 2 lace weight strands, knitting on a large needle, this lovely v-neck works up quickly. A great wardrobe staple.
Skills:
T
op Down Raglan, V-Neck, in the round, I-cord
Supplies:
Isager Alpaca Merino or The Fibre Company Meadow or Shibui Silk Cloud
US 7- 24”, 32” & US 7 dpn
Stitch markers
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Lev
el:
Advanced Beginner -and up
Cabled Headband
Teacher:
Keri Samuels
Pattern provided
Dates:
2 Fridays: Oct. 9, 16 9-10:30 AM
S
kills:
cable
,
provisional Cast on , 3-needle bind off
Supplies:
Yarn – 50 yds. of super bulky yarn
Needles – size 13
Class fee:
$30 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level: Advanced Beginner
Teacher: Liz Braverman
Dates: 4 Friday
mornings: Oct. 30, Nov. 6,13,20; 10-11 AM
Move from stripes to texture and simple, intuitive lace as you work up this luxurious cowl.
Skills:
Seamless- in the round, joggless stripes, texture, lace
Supplies:
3 different colors- Cumbria or Woolfolk Tynd or Sno
US 2.5- 24”
Stitch markers
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level: Beginner 2 - need to know basics
Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
Dates: 3 Thursdays: Nov. 5, 12, 19- 5:30-7pm
This class will set you on your way to becoming a crocheter! It’s a great refresher for those who want to pick it up again. You will have a beautiful piece at the end.
Skills: You will learn the basic of crochet, basic (and a couple not so basic) stitches, how to read a pattern, increasing and decreasing, picot edge
Class fee: $35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Alpakka ULL by Sandnes Garn
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NEW YARN ALERT! We are excited to bring in Norway's premier yarn company- Sandnes Garn. The 131-year old company focuses on using natural fibers spun in their factory in the small town of Sandnes, Norway. We saw them earlier this year at Vogue Knitting Live and immediately loved their products and pricing. Our first selection from Sandnes Garn is
Alpakka Ull, a versatile worsted weight blend of 65% Alpaca, 35% wool, that happens to be machine-washable on delicate cycle. All this practical softness is wrapped in a 109 yard ball for $8. We have 9 beautiful colors that we love in luxurious baby knits, adult sweaters or accessories. We have so many ideas for this yarn, it was hard to highlight just 4 for you!
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Pick your favorite 2 colors in
Alpakka ULL
and practice this addicting pattern of stranded colorwork in the round. Pattern:
Lodgepole Cowl
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The
Almanac
family of sweaters has sizes ranging from newborn to Women & Mens 4XL! Play with many or just a few colors of
Alpakka ULL to create your unique yoke.
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The
Baby & Child Sophisticate is adorable with sizing from 3 months to 10 years. We can see this in solid or striped with
Alpakka ULL. For a free version of the pattern- with limited sizing, check
here
.
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Can you tell we're hopeful for a great Fall knitting season? We couldn't help but bring in another new yarn early. Be Wool is a super bulky (size US15-17 needle), gentle, machine washable blend of 60% acrylic/40% wool. At $12 for a 94 yard ball, you can get a lot of quick accessories done. Check out our color selection
here.
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This gorgeous tote is made of canvas cotton with a leather strap. It has an adjustable drawstring closure at the top and multiple pockets with grommet holes for managing your yarn/projects.
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SALE Section-Cotolana just added!
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Another week, another sale yarn added to our online shop.
Berroco Cotolana is now $5.50 from $8.50. This blend of cotton, wool & nylon in a worsted weight is perfect for a breezy wrap, scarf or hat.
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Crochet Corner- Hooked Yet?
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This
Chevron Fade blanket is crocheted in strips and then joined together, allowing you to make it as big or small as you like! The free pattern (on Ravelry) uses fingering weight yarn held double or you can use a DK weight. Check out our selection of fingering or DK-weight yarns
here or call/
e
mail
us for quantities.
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Tumbler Giveaway is Back!
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Remember these? Keep your drinks cool while you knit/crochet. We're giving away 1 tumbler for every $100+ purchase until we leave for vacation with our own tumblers on July 25th.
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Rowan Kidsilk Haze Fade Packs Dropshipping
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Kidsilk Haze Fade Packs are back in stock for dropshipping. Each pack comes with the scarf pattern and 6 balls of Kidsilk Haze in the colorways shown and will be shipped directly from Rowan. Call/
email us for more details.
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A little help from our friends at Berroco
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From Berroco:
We are aware that many of our LYS have had to temporarily close their doors for their safety in accordance with regulations from their governors. We recognize it's a difficult time for many of our brick and mortar shops. Many shops are transitioning to curbside and e-commerce options but we wanted to help them offer something more! We are happy to introduce Berroco 123 DropShip, to ship Berroco yarns directly to your home.
Isn't that great!
Here (click in) is how it works
...
you find what you want and then call us and we'll place your order and they'll ship it. This week's drop ship free patterns are the
Davit Tee
and
Breakwater Tee
. Both are knit in Berroco Quinoa, a thick and thin cotton, wrapped with nylon to give a slightly pebbled texture.
Call us- 973 377-5648 or
email to get the free pattern with yarn purchase through us.
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Hi all,
To all you knitters — from Maine to Rhode Island, Long Island, to Pennsylvania, Florida and Madison and nearby towns— I’m sending you a heartfelt thank you for all the lovely baby blankets you knitted for the new moms at Newark Beth Israel Hospital. They are being distributed now and the moms are surprised and so appreciative to receive them. Several nurses have told me so many of these women will not have the opportunity to given something handmade for their new babies and “ they absolutely love them!”
Each blanket is folded and wrapped in cellophane and tied with a large white sheer ribbon. They look like confections and are beautiful.
I think we’ve delivered nearly 30 blankets and there’s demand for more. So if you feel like making another one or two, please contact Blue Purl in Madison for yarn and keep knitting! A by-product of this project and your patronage of the shop is that in a small way we’ve helped Blue Purl stay afloat during these crazy times. It’s a win- win effort and I am so grateful for your participation.
Again, thanks for making this project possible. And do let me know if you have any finished blankets that are ready to be donated. And feel free to spread the word.
Hoping you and yours are safe and well — stay that way!
Dear Michele,
Your efforts with this project are what makes us so grateful to be part of this community. Everytime we (our community) reach out - people respond. Thank you for being so inspirational.
You connect + create!! - P + W
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Marilyn made this happy
Hug Shot from
the Casapinka kits in Baah's LaJolla. From Casapinka.. "
This is a very straightforward shawl and you can smoke, drink, and play Canasta at the same time as knitting it, as Sharon does."
Love that crazy designer :) Beautiful Marilyn!
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Another Casapinka- Look, Squirrel
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"Look, Squirrel! is the pattern for those who are easily distracted by shiny or moving things." - Casapinka -
Erin made this awesome sweater in Malabrigo Dos Tierras. Bravo Erin - it looks fab!
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Judy said this was super easy - we can see it's super cute and super cool - meaning hip... It's the
Hope Summer Top and she made it in Blue Sky Organic Cotton, and now the friends want one!!! It's a great
free pattern on Ravelry. You're a great mom Judy!
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Bryan was able to get 2 projects out of his yarn! Besides being gorgeously knit aren't the colors awesome?! On the left is
Arraial by Filipa Carneiro and the "extra" is
Lillypool Terrace by Kirsten Kapur. He used Cascade Ultra Pima. Super Bryan!
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Caryn really makes her sweaters
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When talking to Caryn about her sweaters she uses a bit of this and a bit of that pattern that she has picked up along the way and puts it together to make a beautiful sweater! Love that energy and spirit! This one is made with Koigu and a hand dye she had.
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Phyllis made this adorable jacket and hat with Cascade 220. The Sublime Pleats and Bows Cardi and Little Bow Beret. It's from th
e Sublime #671, The Fourteenth Little Sublime Hand Knit Book which is out of print :( It's stunning Phyllis!
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The Baby Crofter Class taught by Keri was great - she even gave a special help session on the seaming at a nearby park! We love you Keri! Faith Arlene, Bobbie & Keri's sweaters are pictured above. ((A few others from the class have come through the shop also) Well done class!
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The Bright Star Blanket class was amazing! Here is Dorothy's in progress. Keep going Dorothy - it's beautiful!
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Emy made this cozy poncho/dickie with Lana Grossa's Piuma. It's perfect for the fall! Lovely Emy!
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Trisha made these cuties in Berroco Vintage. The pattern is Ann Norling's Kid's Fruit Caps #10. Can eat em up Tricia!
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Marilyn made Helen Stewarts
Wick Shawl.
"Wick is an exuberant triangular shawl, inspired by the stirring of the garden just before it comes back to life."
This is gorgeous Marilyn!
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Well, that was a long newsletter - did you make it this far? Be back soon!
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