Click onto headlines to link to full newsletters… enjoy :)
Tosh's Wool+Cotton also Tykk Line is here
6/30/22
We are here to deliver good news: The sky is not falling!
We are a nation and a world facing challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. But, when has that not been the case? And, when have we not, collectively, managed to overcome? That is the important thing about community: it matters most when it’s needed most.
We love our craft and we know you, do too. We have a passion for knitting, crocheting, not to mention the color and feel of a great yarn:) These are the things that bring us together. But what holds us together? What makes us a community?
Kelbourne Camper, Tosh's Wool+Cotton & Tosh's Hue of the Moment
6/9/22
It is all a matter of perspective.
We can choose to focus on the drudgery of the day, the challenges that bring stress and anxiety, worries and sadness.
Those are natural and inevitable parts of life. But wouldn’t it be better to focus on the things that lift us up so that when each of us inevitably wakes to a crisis, we remind ourselves that we cannot only survive, but thrive.
NEW Yashi & Yashi Iro
5/26/22
Let’s celebrate what we have built together, a community of creative minded artisans who share a passion for making beautiful things, learning new things, and sharing all we have accomplished with those we love.
Why does this matter beyond the obvious?
CHILLIN' + NEW COLORS in Blue Sky Wools
5/12/22
If you have ever been on an airplane, you know that they tell you in an emergency always to put your oxygen mask on first.
Then, help the person next to you, even if it is your child.
It may seem a bit cold, even selfish, but there is a good reason: You really can’t help anyone else, if you can’t breathe.
Summer Classes, Summer Hours, Laine
5/5/22
What is your cure for a hangover?
Wait, what are you thinking? We are not talking about a booze hangover. We are talking a wool hangover!
Oh, you may not have thought about it, but after more than a week of wool-inspired reverie, what else might you call it?
NJWoolWalk was a big success. We met so many new people and got to see many of those who have long been part of our growing community. We shared stories, learned a bit more about each other and got to experience so much wool! It was wonderful, made us giddy, and now….. the hangover.
Summer Classes & LYS Day
4/28/22
So, if a celebration feels contrived, is it a celebration nonetheless?
Yes, you bet it is.
Valentine’s Day. Mother's Day. Father's Day.
They are a chance to celebrate those we love. And who doesn’t need a few reasons to tell someone you love how special they are.
IT'S A MUSEUM IN HERE! - Tamy Gore, Carolyn Hanson, The Farmer's Daughter, Woolfolk, Brooklyn Tweed! Celeb Kimberly McAlindin & more!
4/21/22
We've been waiting and waiting and now, it's finally here!
Checkout ALL we have on tap at TBP for NJ Woolwalk '22 beginning on Saturday, April 23 through Sunday, May 1st
The Farmer's Daughter Pop Up Shop - Read on for details!
Kimberly' McAlinden's new top in TBP - Tam
4/14/22
We often say that knitting, like cooking, is a metaphor for life.
So, if you will indulge us, we want to start off today by talking about food because the food we eat can say so much about who we are and where we come from. Let’s take a step back in time, for just a few sentences, to peek at the foods that defined Patty and Wendy’s worlds when they were growing up.
Wendy grew up in a home where the big treats were Byrek (spinach pie,) and SpaghettiOs - her two fav foods both of which spoke to her heritage as an Albanian-American.
Patty was a big fan of Empanadas and Mac N Cheese, two staples that spoke to her Colombian-American heritage.
A Poem, NJ Woolwalk '22 - Looking ahead
4/7/22
Ok, so it has not been terribly warm outside and there has not been a lot of sun these last few days.
But to be sure there are a few signs of Spring, nonetheless.
On Friday the crack of the bat comes back to the Bronx with opening day.
And, finally, supply lines be damned, Girl Scout Cookies have arrived.
Still, rain and baseball and Do-si-dos don’t quite say Spring is here like….wait for it.
NJ WOOLWALK
Marianated's The Blue Purl, Blue Sky
3/31/22
TBP's Inaugural 2022 March Madness Color Champion crowns
Marianated Scrumptious HT's The Blue Purl
WINNER!
MadelineTosh MTL Cardigan fell behind quickly on the first day of voting and continued to lose ground as the week progressed. On the other hand, down-to-business, methodical, blue-blood, Marianated Scrumptious HT's The Blue Purl sped ahead and never looked back by picking up votes left and right. In the end, it was a blow out victory.
NEW: Woolfolk FLECK Trunkshow & Restock
3/24/22
After weeks of fervent, down to the wire voting and ferocious tabulating, the shop's Selection Committee proudly announces our inaugural TBP's March Madness Color Championship epic matchup between:
Marianated Scrumptious HT's The Blue Purl
versus
MadelineTosh MTL Cardigan
NEW: 2022 NJ Woolwalk Passports & The Final Four
3/17/22
TBP: Hello, is "Jane" there? This is the Blue Purl.
Male Voice: Uh, No.
TBP: Can you have her call us back? I can give you our number.
Male Voice: Well, I don't know when she will be back (going to hang up...).
TBP: Wait! This is about knitting.
Male Voice: Ohhhh, you're legit.
TBP: Yes, she signed up for a workshop at The Blue Purl.
Male Voice: Hold on she's in the shower... Jaaaaaane....! Jane, The Blue Purl is on the phone and they have a message for tomorrow.
Jane: OK, what is it?
TBP: Bring along DPNs size 8 or under and a tapestry needle.
Male Voice: Bring DPRs and needle.
TBP: Have her call us back....
NEW Brooklyn Tweed TONES, TBP's March Madness ...
3/3/22
Most of us are running through our days. We click on autopilot, get to work, make lunch, run to the store, whatever your routine is. Do we notice the world of color we are blessed with?
There are events in the world. They can overwhelm.
So it is up to each of us to take agency over our lives, to make the conscious effort to focus on beauty. It is there, we just need to notice.
TBP's First Finish Feb FAST BEFORE March Madness ...
2/24/22
This week, we share a story from Linda, the creator of many beautiful shawls:
"My closet shelves are filled with shawls I have knitted over the years with guidance from Maura, Keri, among others at TBP. My shawls are all colors, weights, and styles.
Woolfolk Winter Collection 2022 in the HOUSE + Fuzzy is BEST
2/17/22
Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
One strand of yarn is not going to hold anyone or anything up but knit them together and you can carry a bowling ball.
Carole Milne is a glass artist who literally knits glass threads together into beautiful sculptures that represent society.
"I see my knitted work as metaphor for social structure. Individual strands are weak and brittle on their own, but deceptively strong when bound together.
One strand of yarn is not going to hold anyone or anything up but knit them together and you can carry a bowling ball.
Carole Milne is a glass artist who literally knits glass threads together into beautiful sculptures that represent society.
"I see my knitted work as metaphor for social structure. Individual strands are weak and brittle on their own, but deceptively strong when bound together.
NEW Berroco & Cascade & Woolfolk Flette Bulky Colors
2/10/22
So, they think they know us!
They think we are all like the character in a cartoon, knitting and crocheting with a blanket over our knees and an old TV show flickering in the background.Ok, so that may be true some of the time - or a lot :) - for some of us.
But what are we doing over there in our little corners of concentration? Like every other community, we are a diverse group that can’t be defined by stereotypes or preconceptions.
NEW Woolfolk Flette Bulky Colors & Winter Collection & Kimberly Workshops
2/3/22
If only events in our lives unfolded exactly as we wanted them to, how easy life would be. But that is only the stuff of fantasy, so it is fantasy we shall turn to for a bit of guidance.
Today, we look to Gandalf, the Wizard from Lord of the Rings (via our yoga class inspiration wall): “All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us.”
So simple, and yet, not always so easy to remember.
Primrose Worsted, Meg’s Story
1/27/22
We are where we came from.
It may not always feel that way, time can have a blunting effect as it marches forward leaving the past further and further behind.
But it is always with us, even if we don’t see it in the mirror or hear it in the cadence of the everyday. This is why we asked you to share your stories, your keepsakes of a time past that speak to you, that trigger the past and mean something.
O-Wash Worsted, Valentine Ideas
1/20/22
For caring, busy people, which means all of us, it can be hard to take a few moments in the day, every day, to put yourself first.
But, if we are to be the most we can be, if we are to be the people we aspire to be, we must.
“Practice and all is coming’’ is a well known yoga quote. Yoga is challenging. It requires concentration, dedication, self-awareness and practice. Does that sound familiar dear family of fellow knitters? It does to us. To knit or crochet, you must focus, commit, know your abilities (challenge them) and most of all… pick up the needles or hook and practice.
Birkin KAL, A Story & Blue Sky Woolstok Bundles
1/13/22
We asked and you generously answered our call for stories.
Here is our very first and it tells of Ole and his wrist warmers:
My aunt Helga gave me these years ago. They belonged to her father-in-law, my stepfather’s father, Ole. He died in 1929 and his two sons are also deceased, but my cousin Susan and I recently pieced the story together from what little we know.
Calling for Stories & TOSH
1/6/22
It is the kind of thing easily overlooked -- and for years it was. It was just a small cotton sack, worn and tattered, and it ended up in a box of other scraps at a Nashville flea market, where it lay unnoticed until someone chanced upon it and took a moment to read the words embroidered on the front.
My great grandmother Rose
mother of Ashley gave her this sack when
she was sold at age 9 in South Carolina
it held a tattered dress 3 handfulls of
pecans a braid of Roses hair. Told her
It be filled with my Love always
she never saw her again
Ashley is my grandmother
Ruth Middleton
1921
This sack, which was displayed in the Smithsonan, inspired the historian Tiya Miles to write “All that She Carried, The Journey of Ashley’s Sack” It's a story of enslavement, love, survival, and histories.
Time for sharing and caring, Holiday Hours
12/21/21
As the holidays continue and we turn toward the new year, we at TBP plan to take a breather to enjoy family and friends and we trust that you will too. In all of the hustle and bustle, please remember to carve out time for self-care. With that thought, know that we are ready to help with your handcraft needs.
New-Continues---Classes--Pop-Up
12/16/21
Since the holidays are upon us, we had thought about preaching a bit about the value of giving. You know, it’s better to give than to receive. Please give to those in need.
But then we realized, you all know about giving. You really don’t need us to preach its value. It is part of who we are as individuals who knit and crochet. It is so much of what inspires us, the joy of giving something we have made with our hands and hearts to someone else.
Very often, the recipient is a loved one, or friend. But this time of year, we don’t even have to ask, and many of you are knitting hats and scarves to help keep warm those who are not as lucky as we are in our lives. We have already donated so many pieces of your work to Nourish NJ.
Thank you.
New Continues...Classes! Pop Up! 29 Bridges Pop Up & Trunk Show, SUNDAY Holiday Hours and more Kits
12/10/21
As artisans who work with our hands (yes, that means all of you), we are often confronted with our own mistakes. You maybe dropped a stitch two hours ago and now, there is nothing to do, but rip it all out.
We have all been there.
So, then what? You beat yourself up? You resent the extra time spent redoing the whole thing?
Well, our advice today is to: Let It Go.
Just Let it Go.
Classes, Classes! Happy, happy, joy, joy
12/2/21
So much NEW this week at TBP: Primrose in Homestead Sport, Winter/Spring Classes, SUNDAY Holiday Hours and more Kits ...
Please join us as we wade in to the holiday pool. We invite you to soak up some of our offerings below. Take note that splashing is strictly reserved for the littles.)
Happy Thanksgiving! Kits, Kits and more…
11/26/21
Nearly everyday for the last two years, we have found a way to come together during this crazy, who-ever-thought-this-would-happen pandemic.
What we have learned is that disruption can also be a force for good by pushing us out of our comfort zone so we must innovate. And innovate we have, from our updated website to zoom classes and our inspiring before-and-after photos on Instagram.
We are thankful for...
11/18/21
A few years ago, Patty and Wendy were casual knitters attending classes and having a lot of fun at a great little shop in Madison, NJ, called “The Blue Purl.’’
Then the shop was put up for sale.
What made Patty and Wendy think they could run a yarn shop?
Falling back to look forward to the Holidays
11/11/21
These days we often hear talk about creating an environment where you “can bring your whole self to work.” It’s an important concept, even if few seem to agree on what it actually means. Is it about being able to be true to who you truly are? Does it mean making sure to stay fully in the moment?
We are partial to the first interpretation, but would also like to add another.
Autumn Poetry & Tosh
11/4/21
So finally, the news Gods have delivered an uplifting story, something that can inspire and teach us that nothing is impossible.
What news might this be?
Captain Kirk blasted into space -- and he is 90 years old.
Be a Goldfish & BIG Mad Tosh Delivery Coming in TODAY
10/28/21
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.
Things are impossible -- until they’re not
10/14/21
So finally, the news Gods have delivered an uplifting story, something that can inspire and teach us that nothing is impossible.
What news might this be?
Captain Kirk blasted into space -- and he is 90 years old.
Visible Mending9/30/21
Don’t throw it away.
Mend it. Patch it. Turn it inside out. Just don’t toss it.
There was a time when we fixed things, remember?
Today we live in a mostly throw-away society. If it’s broken, ripped, worn, we toss it and get a new one. Americans on average generate 17 tons of textile waste a year. Yikes.
But our world, the world of self-motivated artisans like you, is different because you are not knitting disposable objects, you are crafting stories. A beloved bunny, grandpa's old sweater, your favorite socks, or mittens, each of these items carry memories of every stitch, every outing, every soul warmed inside or out by your work.
Me. Wheeee - Brooklyn Tweed School's In - Farm to Met Gala
9/16/21
We want to talk to you today about Muhammad Ali.
That may seem a little strange, that a Yarn Shop wants to focus on the three-time heavy-weight champion of the world. But Ali was more than his boxing prowess.
We want to talk to you today about a poem he recited at a Harvard commencement speech in 1975 - the shortest English language poem on record. It sounds simple: “Me, Wheeee.’’
“The beginning is always today.”
9/9/21
Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
When the days seem hard, the rains too hard, and the news comes of a new variant - what? noooo! When the world seems a bit off its axis, we find comfort in a simple five word quote from Mary Shelly:
“The beginning is always today.”
COTTON-LINEN-SHIBUI SALE!
8/12/21
Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
When approaching Michelangelo’s David, that stunning, larger-than-life statue,
you pass by the unfinished carvings that stand as sentries along the gallery. Each, in their rough hewn beauty, convey to us just how spectacular David was, the ultimate before-and-after. When you look at David, its polished torso, magnificent features, it is hard to imagine that it was at one time just a block of marble.
We're back! Classes, Brooklyn Tweed & Farmer's Daughter!
8/12/21
Dear Friends of The Blue Purl,
There are two ways to look at the world, and it’s up to you to choose.
You can worry about all that is going wrong, and oh, there is quite a lot from the crazy heat and fires around the world, to the still lingering covid crisis.
Or, you can think about how glorious the world is. The sea. The sun. The sticky August days. The cicadas song that rings all through the night. The wet bathing suits. Family.
Vacation & Farmer's Daughter
7/15/21
How many times have you held it together through the tough days of work, only to get sick as soon as you go on vacation?
Argh. It happens too often, to too many of us.
So, this year, when vacation is more than necessary, we are determined to keep it together, to forestall any sniffles and to make the most of our down time.
Time off matters. Letting your mind rest, matters; letting it wander off and meander into daydreaming, matters. It’s how we recharge.
INDEPENDENCE DAY Knitters- Who is Old Mom Rinker?
7/1/21
The Fourth of July is upon us so let’s take a minute to honor and remember those brave founders who took on the British and brought our nation to life.
Oh, but wait, we are not talking the founding fathers. You have heard so much about them already. We want to focus on the often overlooked, little discussed, rarely-taught-in-school, founding "mothers."
Two Pandemic Blankets - 100 yrs Apart! ❤️
6/17/21
One day recently, our friend Pam walked into the shop with blanket squares she worked on throughout the pandemic and started piecing it together with our dear Keri, a marvelous friend, instructor, and all-around-amazing-person.
In Real Life - IRL!
6/3/21
We come to knitting, or crocheting, from different backgrounds and different neighborhoods.
We got started for different reasons, some of us were curious, others just bored and still others, introduced by our grandparents or parents.
Table Help! Open Capacity! Wear Masks! Life is Good!
5/20/21
We come to knitting, or crocheting, from different backgrounds and different neighborhoods.
We got started for different reasons, some of us were curious, others just bored and still others, introduced by our grandparents or parents.
Mother's Day Gifts! Treat Yourself :)
5/6/21
We like these newsletters to start off on a happy, or at least uplifting, note. Not today.
Today, well, we are a bit annoyed (just a bit, we are knitters after all).
What has us riled up?
Life is challenging enough. But there are some things that we can take as a given. Generally speaking, we can trust that people will stop at red lights. Generally speaking, we can trust that an elevator won’t just plummet to the ground. Generally speaking, you turn the key, and the engine starts.
Do You!
4/29/21
Do you ever start the day asking yourself “Am I the person I want to be?”
It is hard when we are running to simply keep up with daily demands to have that kind of presence of mind, to stop and assess our choices and our actions, to think about who we are and how we are using our time.
There's a party going on right here...NJWOOLWALK 2021
4/22/21
We had nice weather!
We had lots of guests!
We shared stories and ideas and watched our community grow.
Woohoo—it must be NJ WoolWalk 2021!
ndeed, it is, and we want to say thank you to all of you for supporting your Local Yarn Stores.
3 Jersey Gals Join Us for WoolWalk - Lori Versaci, Marianated, Mother Knitter
4/15/21
Zoom fatigue is real.
No, we really mean real. There is science behind it! So, you’re not going crazy if after a day staring at the screen, you feel wiped out. Apparently, this is especially true for women.
We have learned a lot about ourselves, and about each other, during this pandemic. One thing we have learned is that we are, if nothing else, adaptable. With little preparation, we immediately switched to life largely online.
NJ WoolWalk - DanDoh Fun - So Much Woolfolk
4/8/21
So much of our time is spent looking back.
That makes sense, where we have been is in many ways who we are. We are a collection of our experiences (and genes, for sure). And to the best of our knowledge, none of us really have a crystal ball.
That 17 Year Itch & Great Spring Sweater (not itchy ones :)
4/1/21
….For those of you familiar with this newsletter, you will sense that this is when we transition to some broader meaning. And you’d be right:
Doesn’t it feel like we have all been hibernating? Ok, maybe not 17 years, but in some ways it might as well be because even as we crave returning to our lives, isn’t there even a bit of hesitation, maybe even fear, at jumping back into the fast lane?
Better Than A Mantra
3/25/21
There are times, we admit, that this may sound more like a newsletter from Dr. Phil than your local yarn shop.
But there is reason for that.
At its core, knitting and crocheting are actually good for you. Your practice may start out as a hobby and a challenge to learn something new. It may give you a genuine sense of accomplishment after completing a project, especially a tough one with short rows and complicated lace.
Look What’s New
3/18/21
Has anyone ever said to you “That’s just how it is, accept it?’
Well, we have a different message: “Just because it feels inevitable, doesn’t mean it is.’’
Woolfolk Trunk Show - Line has arrived and MadTosh Shibui Collaboration colors
3/11/21
Last week, we talked about Fred Rogers, philosopher king (that’s Mr. Rogers to those who may have missed it).
This week, we thought we would highlight the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. (Stick with us, please.)
It's a Beautiful Day...Our Sport Weight Yarns, Sandnes Garn Line is in the house, Shibui Silk Cloud SPRING, and Beautiful March Baah
3/4/21
Oh, gosh, this has been some long winter. There is so much we can complain about, right? Well, let’s set that aside today and enjoy a dose of sunny optimism. For that, we turn to the oracle of optimism, the father figure with a quiet personae, gentle smile and tidy Cardigan: Fred Rogers.
Metaphorically creating....Berroco Vintage Chunky New Colors & Restock, Lori Versaci hat kits & Botanique kits
2/25/21
Do you like to put things together? Or take them apart?
Our guess is if you are reading this, you like to build, and you recoil at the thought of unraveling.
Ch-ch- ch-changes - Turn and face the strange. - SHOP CLOSED THURSDAY WEATHER
2/18/21
We always have a choice. When the world changes, we can resist, or adapt. For the creative types like all of you, we know the rich life is one that keeps moving, keeps reinventing, keeps changing.
Two years ago, Patty and Wendy stared down change and became shop owners at The Blue Purl.
Woolfolk Trunkshow! - Sign Up for CLASSES!! - Play Ball :)
2/11/21
When you pick a project to knit, or crochet, how do you choose? Do you pick something that you think someone else will love? Do you think of the season? Do you choose a project that will force you to develop new skills?
Let’s start thinking now about what’s next for us. Let’s signal that we too are ready to embrace a new season, a new beginning. Spring 2021, just around the corner, is going to be glorious we just know it. We are due. All of us.
Spring Classes & Zoomin from the Toyota
2/4/21
We are planners.
We pick the project. Pick the pattern. Pick the yarn.
Then each step is choreographed to follow the step before. You cannot do second things first with knitting or crocheting.
You’ve got to follow the plan... mostly :)
Unless of course, the fire alarm goes off!
Sweater KAL - Solitude is fine…
1/28/21
There is a growing body of evidence that loneliness can harm your health.
But solitude, true solitude can be restorative, it can give you a chance to think, to heal, to be one with yourself and your surroundings. Solitude is what our craft can offer, a sense of calm in the storm that rages around all of us all day long.
Knitting, crocheting, is a solitary pursuit, but it does not always mean being alone.
“Solitude is fine,’’ wrote the French playwright and author, Honoré de Balzac, “but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.”
Knit With Joy
1/21/21
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.
Who Exactly Is Knit-Worthy
1/14/21
Yes, there is virtue in living a rich emotional life, one with people at the center. I think we have all learned just how fragile the material world is and what carried us through these tough times, if not our personal relationships. But there are times when the material world, and the emotional world come together, and that is especially true with handmade items.
We knit for family. We knit for friends. We knit for pets and babies and sometimes even for strangers.
Just Knit Through It
1/7/21
New beginnings call for resolutions and, in a typical New Year we might list ours in this letter to you.
But today we carry on; we do not start over.
Saying Goodbye to 2020
12/31/20
We want to start today’s newsletter with lyrics by Leonard Cohen, the singer, songwriter known for taking dark moments and spinning them into brilliant lyrics, for finding hope and possibility in an imperfect world.
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.”
Happy Holidays | Family Time
12/24/20
Happy Winter Solstice and Holiday season to you all. I'm sure you've heard about the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Apparently it happens every 20 years, but this year is the closest since 1623 and the closest that we can see in our night sky since 1226. We are taking this as a sign, it's time to take a breath and enjoy our families.
How will you remember the year 2020?
12/17/20
How will you remember the year 2020? Wait, don’t answer that, let us tell you how we will remember it.
One day last month, two precocious 10-year-old girls came into the shop all excited to take up an adventure in knitting. They were smart, eager, cute as buttons and super enthused when we told them about Ravelry. Well, the next day, the girls came dragging in. “We’ve been up all night on Ravelry,’’ they exclaimed, and left with knitting needles and yarn that somehow only cost $2, which is all they had in their pockets.
A few days later, a note in blue crayon showed up.
“Dear Shoplady,
We all wanted to say thank you so much for the yarn and the knitting needles! We are so grateful that the Blue Purl is a thing and there are people like you in the world.’’
Is It Me-Time Yet
12/10/20
Take some time to make yourself a sweater, or hat, or cowl. Make something for you, by you, that makes you feel good. There's something magical and fulfilling about wearing something you've made - and not just for bragging rights.
Gift Giving - Gift Making
12/3/20
There is a quote by a philosopher of ancient Greece, Heraclitus, that we will explain before we share. Basically, it says that when you wake up each day, and step out of bed, it may feel familiar, same floor, same furniture, same surroundings. But the reality is different, the reality is life keeps moving; there is always change. Sometimes it is imperceptible, sometimes it is obvious, but it always just is.
A Thanksgiving Note
11/26/20
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.
let’s think about that one thing that makes us happy. That one memory that is both in the past, and the present- & Holiday Kits
11/19/20
If you think about it, memories are everything. They are the building blocks of who we are, right from day one.
Memories are moments of time stitched together to build the story of our lives. They are not only a window onto a distant past, but they illuminate our present, too.
That’s what Thanksgiving is about, remembering and appreciating, then and now. We can’t control the world, but we can control how we respond to it. So now, right now, let’s think about that one thing that makes us happy. That one memory that is both in the past, and the present.
We cannot control the pandemic, we can only control how we respond to it.- Woolfolk Trunk Show & Plystre Bags :)
11/12/20
This is a true story.
Late last week, a young woman from Queens went bird watching in a wildlife refuge near her home. But what was supposed to be a calm, peaceful chance to commune with nature, ended up becoming a lesson in how one person can make a difference.
"No respectable fall or winter wardrobe is complete without a stylish dickey" - Stephen West
11/5/20
In 1964, “Fiddler on the Roof” hit Broadway and then stayed there for a decade, setting a record for the longest-running show in history.
What was it that brought audiences to see a play about a father trying to preserve his family’s Jewish traditions in the face of changing times? One song offered a clue:
“Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!”
The fiddler, struggling to eke out a tune on a pitched roof, represented uncertain times.
Tradition served as a kind of ballast.
That was a long windup to a simple message: Our craft is our tradition, our ballast.
“Joy is Joy is Joy”
10/29/20
Ok, so let’s just address the issue we all are likely thinking about: Election Day is closing in.
Don’t worry, we are not about to talk politics, but we think this is a good time to focus on what binds us as a community, what makes our precious world, the world of knitting and crochet, a model for everyone.
Why do you work with your hands?
“Gold and silver will fade away...”
10/22/20
There is an old adage we want to share: “Gold and silver will fade away, but a good education is here to stay.”
You get the point; material goods are often fleeting but an education is every-lasting.
One of the great things about our shop is we have access to tremendously talented staff that is eager to share its knowledge with you. Look, this is not just some upsell, but a sincere effort to encourage you all to give it a shot, take a class with us, give us the chance to share some of what we know and love with you. It is a small commitment of time that we think will more than payoff for you.
Here is one very concrete way we can help.
A good pattern is a thing of beauty in our community. It offers a path to success. But how do you know which pattern to choose, which has been tech edited, or test knitted? Does it have a schematic drawing? Is it free or paid?
Hats for the Needy Collection - Brooklyn Tweed Pop UP
10/15/20
If you only know knitting as an observer, you might not realize what looks like a solitary pursuit is really about giving back.
It is about sharing, and not sharing just anything.
It is sharing something that you created, with your mind, your hands and your heart.
That’s one of the things we love so much about this community. How often do you come by to find just the right yarn to make something for a grandchild, or friend, for a spouse, or son or daughter? How often do you sign up for a class so that you can make just the right surprise for a loved one?
It is that time of year when we start thinking about gifts, but we also must remember those less fortunate. We have the ability to turn our craft into a force that can literally change people’s lives in a very simple way—we can make hats
Brooklyn Tweed POP UP & Classes - Friluftsliv & Hygge
10/8/20
We want to tell you exactly how we feel about our community. But it is not as easy as it sounds.
Do you ever find yourself searching for just the right word, and just not finding it? English serves us well, but sometimes it helps to look to other languages to capture an exact sentiment, moment, or feeling.
On Sunday morning, it seemed there were two options, tune into the news – and be overwhelmed – or retreat to the knitwear designers Arne & Carlos on YouTube.
We chose Arne & Carlos. The complete opposite of our current news cycle.
They were sitting in the woods, talking about their dog, this and that, the Norwegian lifestyle, not quite getting into the knitty part yet, but then they used the Scandinavian world “Friluftsliv’’, while talking about airing the children in all weather.
Together. Teamwork. Cooperation. Collaboration
10/1/20
We sometimes marvel at our good fortune.
Perhaps we even have a touch of survivor’s guilt.
There is no question that times are challenging in so many ways, for so many, but you have stuck with The Blue Purl and helped keep us afloat.
If you have been here, it’s no secret at all how we're doing this. It is our committed, caring, creative, team. They do to it all either with hands on, or through their own artful inspiration.
Together. Teamwork. Cooperation. Collaboration.
I Go Down To The Shore & Mad Tosh
9/24/20
We miss the bustle in the shop, the tables filled with everyone huddled shoulder to shoulder for classes. We miss the sound of your laughter, your occasional frustrations.
We suspect you do, too.
And yet, when we step outside of our own existence, when we reach beyond ourselves to see the beauty of nature, we know there is more to the moment. It is hard to see beyond our own experience, because it is our experience. But we can, we should, and we do. That is why we share this poem by Mary Oliver. It is a tonic for the moment, to smooth out the edges and remind us there is beauty all around.
“I Go Down To The Shore
I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall—
what should I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice:
Excuse me, I have work to do.”
Zoom with Designer Jennifer Weissman & Rewrites
9/17/20
When writing, it takes a long time for students to learn that the first draft – the sloppy copy - is often just that, a first draft.
The key to quality is often in the rewrite.
This is a lesson that even adults – especially those of us who knit & crochet-- have a hard time absorbing.
How often have you fretted over ripping out a day’s work? If only you checked your gauge first! If only you put in a lifeline in that lace wrap! Instead you decided to dive right in and give it a go only to realize – you had to start over.
That Back to School Feeling
9/10/20
Forget about spring-cleaning. Doesn’t fall really feel like the new beginning?
School starts. It’s back to work. It’s time to get serious again. The leaves fall and the days get shorter. To us, that feels like family time.
That is true at our shop, too. We say our, because we hope you think of it that way, too. We hope you feel you are part of what we are doing here, not just as a place to buy yarn, but also as a source of support, encouragement, community, and fun.
It's ThursFriday March 171
9/3/20
We never try to wish the minutes away, because you can never get them back. Time is our most precious, perishable resource.
But what happens when time seems to slow down, and get kind of blurry? We all feel it because of the way the pandemic has impacted our lives.
Quick, what day is it?
See! It’s ThursFriday March 171 (that is the number of days since closings started in NJ. on March 16.)
So what to do with that?
Well, what would you expect us to suggest?
Adaptation
8/27/20
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.
They adapted.(Our friend wrote a story about it if interested :)
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.
We are not on autopilot!
8/20/20
A true story: A friend once talked about how his wife used to cut the ends off of her roast before she put it in the pot. “Why do you do that?’’ he asked her.
“Because that’s how my mother did it, and she was a great cook,’’’ his wife replied.
So our friend went and asked his mother-in-law, “Why do you cut the ends off of the meat off the roast before you cook it?”
“So it fits in my pot,’’ she replied, “I had a very small pot.’’
We all operate on autopilot all the time because we need to. We take lessons learned, file them away, and then let them guide us. And for most tasks, that’s the right thing to do. But sometimes it takes a great disruption for us to pause and ask ourselves, “Is this the best way to do things?”
We’re Glass Half Full Types
8/13/20
Do you look at a half-filled glass and think, "half empty" or "half full"?
We like to think of ourselves as half-full kind of people.
As long as the sun rises in the morning and we can fill our lungs with air, anything is possible. That's our mantra, especially these days when the news seems to bring us one glass-half-empty moment after another.
So forget about Big 10 football for right now, here is our glass-half-full news flash The Blue Purl is up and running. Vacation was great. Time with family and friends was terrific - but it has been really nice to see you all these past few days.
Zoom Classes
8/6/20
Rocky learned to swim!
Rocky is Wendy’s GoldenDoodle. The half that is retriever loves the water, but the poodle could not really swim. You can see the dilemma. People came out to laugh. But overcoming is the name of the game these days – for our four legged friends and us!
We hope you too are enjoying yourselves and making good use of time off during the dog days of August. (Sorry, we could not help the pun.)
Still, the fall is right around the corner and we want you to know we are pulling together an ambitious and exciting range of zoom courses for all of you. We have learned a lot from our initial run with online classes, and so have raised our ambitions and expanded our offerings.
Vacation & Classes
7/23/20
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.
Committed to our community
7/16/20
Last week’s word was “trust,’’ the cornerstone of any relationship.
This week, we want to discuss another word, an equally important ingredient in relationships: commitment.
Now, don’t worry, this isn’t becoming a lonely-hearts newsletter! We just thought it was worth stating the obvious, because often it is the simple ideas, which get passed over, the kind words we should say to each other that get dropped, forgotten, in the bustle of the day.
Trust
7/9/20
Trust.
It is the cornerstone of every single relationship, personal or professional. Think about it? Where relations are good, there is trust, there has to be.
We need to trust that our neighbors care about our community.
We need to trust that our leaders care about our best interests.
We need to trust that our friends and colleagues have the best of intentions – even when they mess up.
Summer Hours! Relax
7/2/20
Do you find yourselves struggling to remember what day it is?
Oh, and we are not talking senior-moment (We are all too young for that!)
We are talking pandemic days where one seems to bleed right into the next.
We hope that we have been able to help you break it up a bit, with our zoom classes and shop hours.
Time for a Visit!”
6/25/20
Have you ever considered how much knitting has in common with baseball?
Let us explain.
Both depend on individual skills.
Both require a lot of practice.
Both benefit from teamwork – and coaching.
And both are back!
Appointment shop with us!
6/18/20
Yes, there has been an upside to this lockdown-era.
For many of us, it has been a time to recognize and be thankful for what we have, our homes, our families, our friends, our work, and our communities.
It has not been easy, for anyone, but it has forced us all to slow things down, click-off autopilot and focus on what matters.
Phase 1 of Re-Opening
6/11/20
Our first responsibility is to you, all of you. We want to support you, to be your first stop for all your yarn needs, and most of all, we want to make sure you are safe.
We know there are a lot of opinions about what is the right thing to do now that shops are allowed to open again, but until we know for sure, and we mean like 100 percent for sure, we will err on the side of caution.
So yes, we are here for you, but we will retain some guardrails to ensure your well-being. You can still purchase yarn over the phone and through our online shop.
New Kits, More Zoom Classes, Socks!
6/4/20
We focus on socks today, why, well they are whimsical, and who does not need a little whimsy. Just look at them, and they kind of make you smile.
We know, it does not really feel like a time for smiles, with so many touched by the virus, tens of millions unemployed – and now an explosion of anger across our country. Protests have broken out, and while some have been out of control mostly it is just regular people asking for equal treatment under the law, free of racism.
We value community and connection. To come together, we need to listen to each other, even when we disagree. Dissent is patriotic in our democracy, from its founding. And with that in mind...
We have a new loyalty program! New hours! New Classes! New Kits!
5/28/20
Thank you.
Just two words, that’s all. But they convey a powerful if simple message: You are appreciated.
Thank you for helping make our first year as stewards of this awesome shop so successful, even when we goofed.
Thank you for sticking with us through these difficult days, you have helped us, supported us, lifted us up.
Memorial Day Weekend - zoom class openings
5/24/20
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
Of course, it is a time to remember those who gave their lives serving our country. It is a day of national observance, a reminder that our way of life does, indeed, come at a cost.All of this seems especially relevant now, when our way of life has been shaken by this virus and an army of health care workers and first responders across the nation have done all they can to help us through.
A bit of humility and a good dose of thankfulness
5/14/20
Did you know that on this day in history, four-year-old Louis XIV became the King of France (1643); Israel was declared an independent state (1948); Edward Jenner administered the first smallpox inoculation (1796); and Mark Zuckerberg was born (1984).
Respite as Resilience
5/4/2020
Respite as Resilience.
That is the key to thriving at a time of enduring stress; being able to disconnect for brief periods and focus elsewhere.
We want to help. We want to be there for you, to offer you all respite – a chance to focus on making beautiful things rather than on hand sanitizer and facemasks and social distancing….link
What Inspire You?
4/29/2020
It’s easy when the sky is gray and you’re forced to stay home because of a pandemic to focus on what brings you down. But let’s help each other, right now, in this moment, and let’s think, together, what lifts us up?
We’d like to start with a little story:
In 2017, an endurance athlete by the name of Colin O’Brady broke the world record for the Explorers Grand Slam, a grueling test of endurance in which he reached the North Pole and the South Pole, …link
What Color Are You?
4/23/2020
...First we want to let you know that we're working hard on the online shop and that the yarn area is beginning to sprout. The site will continue to grow daily - unlike the tomato plants someone jumped the gun on! ....
What color are you?
Did you know that in one part of the world, instead of asking "How are you?" the way people greet each other is by asking, "What is your color today?"…link
A Knitters Yule Log
4/16/2020
We know you are going to think that perhaps the quarantine is getting to us. Maybe you are right, but oh, come on, sheep are so, so relaxing and cute.
So today, we share with you our version of a knitters Yule Log, Relax With Sheep, hours and hours of sheep grazing in a California vineyard. (Thanks for this one Maura.)
Why, you may ask, are we doing this?…link
Laughter - OUR NEW ONLINE SHOP! Curbside
4/10/2020
We hope this newsletter finds you well.
In these challenging times, humor can help. Actually, it can help you stay healthy. Here is what Google says:
“Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.”
So let’s try to laugh, and let’s do it together….link
OUR NEW ONLINE SHOP!! - CURBSIDE PICK UP TODAY & TOMORROW
4/2/2020
We hope this newsletter finds you well.
This is a bittersweet moment for us at The Blue Purl.
Of course, you know the bitter part—Covid-19 and the way it has upended our lives.
But, disruption can also force us out of our routines to find new ways to our goals, so today, yes, two big things to celebrate: First, it is our one year anniversary as stewards of The Blue Purl. Wow, what a ride it has been, we have learned so much…link
NEW Times
3/22/20
Our first priority is your safety and well-being. We want each of you to please follow safe practices, for you and your loved ones.
We also want to stay a part of your lives, so we can support you in your passions. So we hope that you are set with yarn for a few days, at least. While our shop will remain closed, as the governor ordered, we will be available on Friday and Saturday for curbside pick up and mail orders.
From there, we will reassess….link
Take-Out Yarn, Kits, Stayin' Alive
3/20/20
Our tables are full of project kits, and the seats are empty. NJ Woolwalk is postponed, as is our classes.
But we persevere, we stay connected.
It is a surreal time we are all living through, as if in a movie. The streets are empty, schools are closed, sporting events cancelled, communities on lock down – all around the world…link
Oy! Drive-thru Yarn Pick-up & Sheep Shearing!
3/16/20
Words matter. So at this time of growing national awareness about the coronavirus, we searched for the perfect word to describe how we feel and we landed on this: Oy.
Oy, I am almost done with my sweater, and need another skein but the dye lot is no longer available; Oy, my fingers hurt!
But the thing about Oy is that it’s not just an expression of exasperation, there is, a slight forehead-slapping humor to it, which we felt was kind of necessary in these anxious times.
The Blue Purl, like everyone else, is taking every precaution to carry on safely. …link
NEW CLASSES FOR SPRING! 2/28/20
There are three words that come to mind this week:
Community: A feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.
Optimism: hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
Spring: Move or jump suddenly upward or forward. (Our favorite season.)
Home Made and off the Screens
2/21/20
How much time do you spend staring at a screen? It’s probably way more than you realize. These days the distance between the physical world and the digital world often blur. When was the last time you let yourself day dream, rather than pull out your phone?
One antidote to this overdose of data is our making of things, working with our hands, (for this community) with natural fibers and… real life people. …link
Whoops, That Mistake 2/14/20
Some mistakes you can't fix.
There's the guy who thought musical groups with guitars were on their way out - so he didn't sign the Beatles. Ouch. There’s the woman in England whose husband threw away her $181 million pound lottery ticket. That's a killer….link
The Dangerous Valentine 2/7/20
Let’s be honest. Love is hard. Not love at first sight, that’s easy. But real, enduring love, takes work. When you think of it, it's no big surprise that Valentines Day began as a feast to celebrate the decapitation of a martyr. Love is loaded and tricky and there is always some risk involved.
We love our craft, but of course, that only comes with a lot of hard work and dedication to stick with it….link
At The Blue Purl, we come together as a community, but ours is also a solo pursuit that produces items that are calling cards of who we are – with each stitch we put a bit of ourselves into our work. That’s one reason handmade items are so treasured, they are not just hats, gloves and socks, they are part of each of us.
That’s why we find the picture below so powerful and why we wanted to share it and a bit of its back-story for African American History Month…link
Meet Katya, Our Intern!
1/17/20
One of the biggest surprises we have found about our new lives with The Blue Purl is how much it is about learning. We have learned so much from all of you, and we hope that we have brought something to the table for you also.
Now we are expanding that circle as we announce our very first Blue Purl Intern. Her names is Katya, a student at Parsons School of Design and one of the most talented, humble, humorous and kind young people you’ll ever meet. Katya’s life story and remarkable achievements are inspiring, literally the stuff of a television show. …link