Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
We can all learn something from the Dutch.
Bear with us, this is not as random as it seems. Most of the Netherlands is sitting below sea level. The land is sinking. The seas are rising. And the entire nation is at risk. So what did the Dutch do?
They did not build barriers to keep the water out – they actually let it in.
So here we are, navigating a changed world. We wear masks, wash our hands way too much, and stay away from each other.
But we have also adapted, just like the Dutch. For us that means zoom classes, online shopping and entering the shop a few at a time.
We are strong. We persevere – together.
The Blue Purl has always been more to us than a business. Yes, of course, we sell yarn and need to pay our bills. But it has been about community, and creativity and connecting. Those are not just words – but values we hold dear.
It is almost September. There is already a bit of a chill in the air. It feels like time to go back to school, back to work. The fall is always a time of hope and beginning.
The fall is a time for change.
Change can be good and exciting. It stretches how we think about ourselves and our place in the world. This past year, there has been a lot of change.
Some of it, we fight, like we are building walls to hold back the rising sea.
But some of that change has forced us to adapt. Like the Dutch. Who let in the sea.
If you knit, or crochet, or work with your hands, you know what it means to confront a challenge. Everything we do requires focus, commitment, skill and accepting that sometimes even the best laid plans, require a bit of improvising.
Thanks for working with us these last months. We have struggled. We have learned. We have adapted.
And we have done it together.
connect + create
Patty, Wendy & TBP Team
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Summer hours: Tue. -Fri. 11-4
will open Saturdays after Labor Day!
- 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
- Please limit your in-person visit to 30 minutes when we have others waiting.
- 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]
- 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.
- Please pay for class at least a week before it begins - we often have waitlists.
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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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Entwine Scarf - LAST CHANCE IF GET IN SHOP TODAY!!!! by Jane Richmond Instructor: Liz Braverman
Level: Beginner (prerequisites- Knit & Purl)
Level: Intermediate
Dates & Zoom Time- Thursdays: September 10,17,24;Time 4:15-5:45pm
Class fee: $35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Level: Advanced Beginner- on up
Dates & Zoom Time- 3 Saturday mornings Sept. 12, 19, Oct 3; 9-10:30
Class fee: $35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Level: Advanced Beginner knitter
Date: Tuesday Sept: 22 | Zoom Time: 6:30-8PM
Class fee: $25
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Level: Advanced Beginner
Zoom Dates: 4 Friday mornings: Oct. 30, Nov. 6,13,20; 10-11 AM
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Level:Advanced Beginner -and up
Zoom Dates: 2 Fridays: Oct. 9, 16 9-10:30 AM
Class fee: $30 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Sly Fox Hat by Lisa Gutierrez | Teacher: Carolyn Hanson
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
Zoom Dates: 2 Wednesdays: Sept: 30, Oct. 7 - 5:30-7PM
Class fee: $30 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Level: Beginner 2 - need to know crochet basics
Zoom Dates: 3 Thursdays: Nov. 5, 12, 19-Time: 5:30-7pm
Class fee: $35 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Level: Advanced Intermediate
Zoom Dates:4 Thursdays: Sept: 17, Oct. 1, 8, 22; Time: 9-10:30 AM
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
Level: Advanced Beginner
Zoom Dates: 4 Wednesdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 18, 25; 9:30-11am
Class fee: $40 + supplies from The Blue Purl
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Summer Sale - Aug 24- Sept. 7 |
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15% off all cotton & linen blends |
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Woolfolk Yarns are excluded from the sale.
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The name says it all- Peace Fleece is a small New England fiber company with a mission to work with pastoral communities that have been affected by conflict with the US. They are currently working with the Navajo Nation families to offer fair pricing for the Rambouillet wool raised by these families. This wool is spun with a fine domestic merino and mohair to create colorful yarns. Learn more about Peace Fleece here.
We are starting with Peace Fleece DK, a 350 yard skein that gives 5 stitches per inch on a size 6 needle. The bright colors inspire so many ideas for us. We love it used with Kelbourne Scout or Fibre Co. Arranmore Light.
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Starflanket by Stephen West is a circular blanket that is as colorful or structured as your want. The pattern is full of interesting stitches and even has some brioche which can be substituted with garter stripes if you prefer. This is a blanket for building brain cells but you'll have a masterpiece in the end. We love the Peace Fleece DK colors with Kelbourne Scout for this project. |
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We are so excited to bring this yarn into the Blue Purl. Tibetan Cloud by mYak is a 328 yard, Sport/ Light DK weight of 100% Tibetan sheep wool, ethically sourced and traceable back to the flock. "It comes exclusively from an ancient breed of Tibetan sheep that roam freely on the grassland of the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of over 4000 mt." Learn more about the care of these animals and its caretakers here. We can't wait to see the beautiful pieces this yarn becomes.
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We immediately thought of Jennifer Weissman's Shh! Wrap when we saw Tibetan Cloud. The elegant muted colors and stitch definition of this yarn is a perfect match for the sweet center lace detail and drape of this wrap. AND...Jennifer is kindly offering a special coupon just for Blue Purl customers, 25% off the Shh! Wrap pattern with code BLUEPURL when you purchase it in Ravelry.
We also love the Sycamore Vest by Hannah Fettig. Tibetan Cloud works perfectly with the texture edging and the light yarn is great for the transitional weather of Fall. Plus, no garment knits up faster than a vest- no sleeve island!
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Sindi is luxuriously soft cowl knit in the round holding 1 strand of Shibui Nest with 2 strands of Silk Cloud. Shibui Nest is a DK weight wool/alpaca blend that we brought into the shop early this year right before the pandemic. It never really got its day in the sun but this Shibui kit really shows off its softness and beauty. The gradient effect is achieved by changing 1 strand of silk cloud every few inches. This cowl is like wearing a warm cloud around your neck. The pattern is free from us with purchase of the kit. |
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Elbow River by Heidi Kirrmaier is one of our new kits this week. The shawl is worked from tip to tip and designed with a simple stockinette and reverse stockinette combination to give a "3D" effect. We picked out 4 skeins of colorful Koigu and Claudia fingering for kits ranging from fun brights to Fall feels. Find the kits on our online shop. Or choose some of your favorite colors from our new fingering weight yarns in this week. Hint, hint-see below! |
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Want another idea for Woolfolk Stra? How about the Sprinkle Tee by Lisa Hannes. The pattern calls for 2 fingering yarns held together to get a heathered effect in DK weight. Stra does it for you, without having to hold yarns double!
Of course if you want to just dip your toes into this new yarn, try the Sjov scarf, a free scarf pattern with your 2-skein Stra purchase. If you visit us in person, don't forget to check out Yiba's shop sample- the Vand pullover. |
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Lichen & Lace Fingering is back! |
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Fresh out of Canada, we re-stocked our Lichen and Lace Single-ply fingering! There's some favorites that flew off our shelves quickly last time and we picked a few new colors for the Fall too. Check them out in our online shop. |
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Just in case you don't think we gave you enough choices, we just received a full box of Baah La Jolla. Colors are Pink Sand, Pink Tourmaline, La Vie En Rose, On the Mauve, Summer Lilac, Ring Bare-er, Saffron Spice, Green Come True & Over the Moon. Call or email us for these goodies. We ran out of steam before we could load these online. - FYI - Pink Sand is the color of Judy's Shawl many of you were asking about...
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Noro makes FANTASTIC yarn for easy crochet projects - just sit back and watch the magic!
We just received a shipment of Noro's Silk Garden the other day -A few skeins of 4 colorways are perfect for a One Big Granny Square pattern from Churchmouse (we have them in the shop).
Also DK weight big Tabi balls make a beautiful Windowpane scarf. Yes, this is our beginning crochet class project!
Call/ email us if interested in making a scarf or blanket and we'll match up the yarn for you. |
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Carol made this beautiful awesome Sadie's Shawl by Katy Carroll with Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT. Love that purple lace! |
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Mindy's Breathe & Hope is so much fun. Made with Lichen and Lace and Baah La Jolla - it's perfect for the firey autumn leaves that'll be here before you know it. Gorgeous Mindy! |
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This Olive Pink by Casapinka is true to the name. We see some Baah La Jolla, some Lichen and Lace, some Manos Alegria, all good company :) It's super Barbara! |
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Yiba worked her magic on Sonrae by Jennifer Steingass. Sleeves a little longer topped a little cropped... She used Kenzie which has a bit of angora which gives it a nice fuzzy cozy look. Love this Yiba (it's in the shop for awhile - come see) |
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Akemi by Isabelle Kraemer is a big beautiful shawl with two lovely lace panels. Linda made the with La Jolla colorway - Champagne. You killed it Linda! |
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Laurie's Pretty Blue Stripe |
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Summer Set By The Sea is a Classic Elite pattern by designer Michele Rose Orne. Laurie knitted this with Plymouth Merino Superwash. The top in the pattern is fair isle - The stripes Laurie made gives it a sleek modern feel. It's beautiful Laurie! |
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Susan made a cute little French Macaroon! These kits are available in our online shop and made with Cascade Ultra Pima - which is on sale now! Adorable Susan! |
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A classroom of knitters! Love it. Our fiber friend and weaving instructor Judith has in recent years taught students in the Newark public schools. That initiative is now gone but hers was an inspired choice. Why? So much of our focus is teaching online literacy, which is so important in our times. But working with our hands is a timeless skill -- we should teach our children to be producers, not simply consumers. Thank you Judith! And thank you Alma for the photo:) |
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