Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

50 Shades Quiz Winner & Free Pattern for All!

Monday, August 6th, 2012

We would like to congratulate our 50 Shades of Yarn giveaway winner,  Susan!  She had guessed the closest numbers to our shades.  Data was compiled from our accounting system by simply doing a search for the words red, grey and black.  This was tricky, I know, due to so many mixed shades  and lines of yarn we did not name in our accounting program.   But the kicker for me, the thing that spawned this whole giveaway, was my amazement that we, in fact,  had 50 active shades of grey yarn! We have 39 shades of “red”(descriptions only containing the word red, that is) and 45 black yarns.  It was not shades of black, just plain black yarn was counted.

Susan has won 10 balls of Encore Worsted color 389!

Thanks so much for all of your responses.  Here is a nice, quick little project for you to try. You can make one in every shade!

GALWAY- CHUNKY or WORSTED
Felted Bracelet

F142 PDF Download
MATERIALS: 1 -100g ball of Galway Chunky or Worsted, set of double pointed needles size US 13, beads, needle & strong thread for sewing on beads.
GAUGE: 3 sts = 1 inch.
I-cord:  Cast on 5 sts.  Knit 1 row.  Without turning, slide sts to other end of needle, wrap yarn around back and knit the 5 sts again.  Slide sts to other end, and repeat wrapping of yarn, knitting, and sliding.

With either a single strand of Chunky, or a double strand of Worsted, cast on 5 sts.
Knit an I-Cord 11½” – 12” long (this will fit and average sized wrist of  7” to 7½”). Work to 12½” for an 8” wrist.

Cut yarn and thread end through a blunt point needle. Run needle through  the five sts on knitting needle. Slide the 5 sts off the needle but do not pull them together yet.

I-Cord produces a hollow tube much like fingers in a glove.  Place the beginning end of the I-Cord into the finishing end and gently tighten by pulling on the yarn threaded on blunt point needle.  Sew together trying not to make the join  too bulky as excessive bulk will cause a bump after felting.

Felt by hand as follows:
Wet bracelet thoroughly with hot water and dish detergent.  Gently roll around in palms like a ball for several minutes adding hot water as needed.  Unfold and refold bracelet to felt evenly several times during this process. Begin to felt more firmly rearranging the bracelet often and  adding hot water and soap as needed.  Turn on cold water and rinse bracelet for a minute.
Open bracelet and place over fingers with your palm facing you (like you are beginning to put in on to wear)  Using hot water and detergent.  Roll the bracelet back and forth on your fingers to felt in a different direction.  Felt around the whole bracelet.

Continue this process until the desired firmness and size is achieved.  Bracelet can be stretched while still wet to make larger.  Felt is very strong and you will not hurt it.
Squeeze out excess water with a towel and allow to air dry.  Sew on beads or whatever you wish. DO NOT sew beads on the inside of the bracelet (the part that touches you wrist) it will make the bracelet smaller.

Designed by Diana Shannon  ©2005 102105jbt

Shade Quiz!

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

Win 10 skeins of Encore Worsted, read on for details.

Ok, I’ll admit it; I read the 50 Shades of Grey book series.  My friends read it, my sister read it, my niece read it, my boss read it, and last but not least, my mom read it! (I’m pretty sure I won’t be accompanying her to the movies when that one comes out.)
Last week, I was chatting with a knitter looking to make a chevron blanket with various shades of grey Encore Worsted. As I searched in my computer system, I realized just how popular grey is, and that we have many, many shades of it.  So for some fun this week, I decided to give away a bag but I am going to make your work for it! Give us your best guess to the questions below.  One person, with the closest answers, will win 10 balls of Encore Worsted color 389.  Comment with your answers to our Blog ONLY.  Facebook and Twitter entries will not be accepted.  In the event of multiple correct comments, a winner will be chosen among them at random.  Plymouth Yarn employees, sales representatives and their immediate families are not eligible to win. Data on number of shades is collected from inventory reports.  Winner will be notified via email on August 3rd 2012.
1.    How many shades of grey yarn are active in our inventory?
2.    How many shades of red?
3.    How many black yarns are active in our system?

Have fun and happy guessing.

Free Pattern & Kids’ Camps

Friday, June 8th, 2012

I only have 7 more days until my sweet, darling, little boy is on summer vacation.  I am not looking forward to the extra dishes in the sink or my house looking like a toy store exploded when I get home.  He’ll be going to camp 3 days a week.  I chose a mainly academic camp, with sporting activities in the afternoons.  When doing my research, I found so many cool camps! Sports, acting, farming, and knitting! Unfortunately, I don’t meet the age requirements for any of them.  Yes, I know I can take a class but there’s something about these camps that just sounds so fun.

I wanted to share some of the links I found about kids knitting camps all over the country.  I’m trying to talk the boss into letting me review each one in person, individually.  I don’t think he’s going for it! After the links, check out a free pattern for a one ball purse in Boku.  A popular pattern for workshops and classes.

The Whole Nine Yarns, Woodstock, GA

Baskets of Yarn, Charlotte, NC

Kids Knitwork, CA

Stitch House, Dorchester, MA

Knit Picky, Winston-Salem, NC

Pattern F184 PDF Download

BOKU
Small 1-Ball Felted Purse

Size: Approx. Finished Measurements (after felting): 6” wide x 7” tall
Materials: Boku (shown in color 2): 1 – 50g ball
Gauge:  14 sts = 4” on a US 10 needle over stockinette st before felting.
Needles: US 10, or size necessary to obtain given gauge.  Small amount of Galway for sewing needed.
Note: Use a flat wool yarn such as Galway to sew purse together.

With size 10 needles, cast on 30 sts.
Rows 1-8:  Knit 8 rows.
Row 9:  K7, bind off 16 sts, K7.
Row 10:  K7, turn and using cable cast on technique, cast on 16 sts, turn back and finish knitting the row: 30 sts.
Row 11-16: Knit 6 rows.

Begin working in stockinette st: work 15½-16” in st st, leaving enough yarn to finish the handle at the other end.  End st st section with a purl row.

Second handle:
Rows 1-6:  Knit 6 rows.
Row 7:  K7, bind off 16 sts, K7.
Row 8: K7, turn and using cable cast on technique, cast on 16 sts, turn back and finish knitting the row: 30 sts.
Row 9-16:  Knit 8 rows.

Bind off.

Fold in half & sew up side seams using a flat wool yarn. (Use the Galway Worsted).  Felt.

Felting:
Set the washer to hot wash, cold rinse, and lowest water level.  Add a small bit of soap.  Place purse flat in mesh lingerie bag.  Do not put anything else in the machine.  Check on the purse every 5 minutes.  Felting could take 20-25 minutes or so.  Keep setting back the timer to make the wash cycle longer.  When desired felting is achieved, rinse and lightly spin.  Excessive spinning can set in creases.  Remove purse, lay flat and block out to a nice finished shape.  Straighten handle section.  Let dry.  With scissors or a razor remove any excess fuzz.

©2006 Plymouth Yarn Company.  Design by JoAnne Turcotte. All rights reserved.

Fall Yarns from Plymouth

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

I am so excited for our fall line-up of yarns this year.  Many of you have seen them already and were kind enough to share some of your pictures and projects with us.  When we introduce a new line, I normally pick a favorite and go with it.  That is impossible this time around ! There are so many beautiful fibers and colors.  It’s going to be a busy knitting season for sure!  I figured I would share them all with you, in one shot.  I will do my best to give the important information you need, even when I really just want to say “It’s just so pretty, I must have it.”

We have a fantastic crew who gets to pick these fabulous yarns.  It takes a village you know.  They travel to Italy, Turkey, and Peru, just to name a few, to find the highest quality fibers so Plymouth Yarn can offer these to your favorite yarn shops.  We have a team of designers who get to play, I mean work, with all of the contenders.  They are always hard at work visiting trade and fashion shows to see the latest styles.  I consider myself a pretty good knitter but they never cease to amaze me when they demonstrate to us just what these yarns are capable of.

Without further ado…..fall yarns!

Adore Color Card

Angora Glitz Color Card

Baby Alpaca Aire Color Card

Check out the video on youtube that features Bi-Use from Adriafil

Bi-Use Color Card
F437 Bi-Use Free Scarf Pattern PDF

De Aire Glow Color Card
F424 De Aire Glow Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Dakota Color Card
F423 Free Dakota Scarf Pattern

Great Hand Dying basics here

Europa Tweed Color Card

Gina Color Card
F430 Gina Free Cowl Pattern PDF

Grandiosa Color Card

F431 Grandiosa Free Hat Pattern PDF

Jelli Beenz Color Card

Pasea Color Card

Sakkie Color Card

F447 Sakkie Socks Free Pattern PDF

Wilde Color Card

F429 Wilde Triangular Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Color Card

Joy Ruffle Color Card
F448 Joy Ruffle Scarf Pattern PDF

Joy Supreme Color Card

F444 Joy Supreme Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Passion Ice Color Card
F445 Passion Ice Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Passion Nette Color Card
F443 Passion Nette Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Scandalicious Color Card

F415 Scandalicious Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Now that you have seen them all, get to your favorite yarn shop and get some! Color cards are available at plymouthyarn.com. Share your projects with us on Facebook and Twitter. Pin them on Pinterest! Have fun!

Interest in Pinterest? Win a prize!

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

In honor of Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer, we would like to give you a chance to win a patriotic prize!  All you have to do to enter is check out Plymouth Yarn on Pinterest . Follow your favorite board while you’re there. Then, come back to our blog or facebook page and tell us what you like the best or what content you would like to see.

I have two prizes available.  You will receive a copy of pattern P417

and two balls of Encore Worsted in color 1009,  Old Glory.

Your tootsies will love these socks, and think how great it will be to slip these on after a long day at the pool or beach! We know so many of you take part in charity knitting.  How about making these for your local veterans’ association?

Winners will be picked at random on Tuesday, May 29th.  Winners will be notified via email for blog submissions and inbox message on facebook.  Tweeters will be notified by direct message. So be sure to keep your eye out on Tuesday! Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Knitting for Preemies

Friday, May 18th, 2012

We love to see and hear about your projects! We received an email from a charity knitter in Delaware named Julie.  She is currently knitting preemie hats with Encore Worsted.  Julie knits the hats for the babies in the NICU at Christiana Care Health System and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware.

What a wonderful reason to knit! Julie shared some pictures of the hats she creates, check them out below.

If you are a charity knitter, send us an email and tell us your story.  You can share your pictures with us on facebook and twitter too! You can also find us on Pinterest.

Is Knitting Easy?

Friday, April 27th, 2012

“Is knitting easy?”…This is a question I get asked often.  My son plays at least one sport every season so this means mommy gets lots of time to sit and knit.  On the rare occasion a coach may ask me to help out when they are light on parent helpers, but after seeing me try to throw a baseball to a catcher from second base, coach tells me I can go back to my knitting.  A couple of the moms have asked if I could teach them.  With all of the time we spend at practices and games, we could knit entire wardrobes!

I am going to baseball practice tonight loaded up with Encore Mega and needles, for the students of course.  After I get them started, I am going to pull out a skein of our new yarn, Scandalicious and get to work.  I am excited for them to see what they can do after they have their basic stitches down.

What I love most about some of these ruffle yarns is that it just takes one skein and a couple hours and you have something that looks like a masterpiece.  Don’t get me wrong, I have knit many a complicated pattern but since I am showing folks new to the craft, I want to wow them and Scandalicious will surely do that.  It is a very versatile yarn.  You can follow the instructions below, in both knit and crochet,  for  the scarf .  But since it’s been flowing into the shops, some of the customer have shared their ideas and projects with me.  I saw a great cowl made by sewing two lengths of it together and a shrug made from cutting off the ends and using the tube as the sleeve!  Let your imagination run wild with this one and beginner knitters can look like they’ve been at it for years! Share your pictures with us on facebook, twitter or pinterest!

F415 PDF Download

SCANDALICIOUS
Scarf
Needles & Hook:   Size 7 needle, Size H Hook
Knit Scarf – Shorter, heavily ruffled version
Length:  about 36-40”

1.    Unfold the ribbon.  Fold the ending piece over about 4 inches.  The original cast on sts will go through both thicknesses.
2.    Cast on 3 sts by sticking needle through the top edge of the netting from right to left.
3.    Turn the needle.
4.    Insert the needle in to the most left hand st, pull netting through to create a new st, do not drop original st off the needle.  Insert needle into middle st , pull netting through to create a new st, do not drop original st off of the needle.  Insert needle into the most right hand st, pull netting through to create a new st, do not drop original st off of the needle.
5.    Now there are 3 sts on each needle.  Let the original 3 sts drop off of the needle.
6.    Turn needle and repeat steps  4 & 5.
7.    Continue repeating steps 4 & 5 until most of skein is used.  At the end, fold the last piece (about 4”) over for the final set of sts so you will knit through both thicknesses.   Without turning, bind off just before the end – pulling the middle st over the left hand st, then the right most st over the remaining one.  Use a small piece of yarn to anchor the last st in place so it will not unravel.

Longer, less ruffled version:
Length:  about 55”.

Work as for the shorter version, casting on and working 2 sts instead of 3 sts.
Crochet  Scarf
Length:  About 55”.

1.    Unfold the ribbon.  Fold the ending piece over about 4 inches.  The first sts will go through both thicknesses.
2.    Loop over crochet hook.  Go out about 2” and loop over crochet hook again.  Repeat for a 3rd loop on the hook.  Pull the 3rd loop through the second loop, then the second loop through the 1st loop.  Only 1 loop is on the hook now.
3.    Go out about 2” and loop over crochet hook again.  Repeat for a 3rd loop on the hook.  Pull the 3rd loop through the second loop, then the second loop through the 1st loop.
4.    Repeat step 3 until most of skein is used.  At end, fold over last 4” or so and work through both thicknesses.  When final loop is left on needle, Use a small piece of yarn to anchor the last loop in place so it will not unravel.

©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 121211jbt

A Mitt for Mom

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Now that my Easter ham is gone and the jelly beans have been eaten, it’s time for me to get set for the next Spring celebration.  Wouldn’t mom love a homemade gift this Mother’s day that doesn’t involve elbow macaroni and glitter?

Since I’ve become a mother,  I love all the things my son glues and glitters up for Mother’s day.  Those paintings and attempts at pottery will be cherished forever.  However, my mother and mother-in-law most likely would not appreciate it if I made them a plastic beaded bracelet.  But homemade gifts are still cherished, this I know from the great Christmas cowl knit-a-thon I endured just a few months ago.    So this year, I have started on  new pattern in a favorite yarn and wanted to share it with you.

If you’ve read my blogs before, you might know that I love felting.  It’s been a while since I’ve felted anything so I am excited to see how my new washer will do(I guess that means I get the test mitt!).  I also came across a couple of charms at a craft fair that I want to sew in at the end.  This oven mitt made in Galway is going to be adorable.  I love the wide range of colors, it’s perfect to match everyone’s kitchen.  Check out the free pattern below.

F439 Galway Oven Mitt PDF download

GALWAY WORSTED
Felted Oven Mitt

Materials:  2 balls Galway Worsted
Needles: US #11 (8.0 mm) double pointed needles, Stitch markers
Gauge: Not important on this project –
about 2.5-3 sts =1”.

NOTE:  Galway used double stranded throughout.
Loosely cast on 46 sts and divide onto 3 DPN’s.  Join, taking care not to twist and work 1 ridge of garter st as follows: knit 1 round, purl 1 round.
Continue in st st – knitting every round for 15 rounds.
Next round:  With a piece of waste cotton, knit next 5 sts. Slide the 5 sts just worked back to the LH needle and picking up the MC yarn, Knit them again.  Continue working in st st for 24 additional rounds.
Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round and between sts 23 & 24. Work decreases at the top of the mitten as follows:
Round 1: * (SSK, knit until 2 sts remain before marker, K2tog), repeat from * once more for second side of mitt.
Round 2: Knit all sts.
Repeat these 2 rounds until a total of 20 sts remain.
Divide sts onto 2 needles and work Kitchener st to join at top of mitt. Weave in ends.

Thumb
Remove the waste cotton and place the 5 sts at the bottom of the opening onto one DPN and put the 5 sts at the
top of the opening on another DPN. Knit 5 sts from first needle, pick up and knit 3 sts on side between needles, k5 from second needle, pick up and knit 3 sts between needles. Distribute the 16 sts between the 3 needles. Work 10 rounds in st st.
Begin decreases at top of thumb as follows:
Round 1: (K2, k2tog) 4 times.
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: (K1, k2tog) 4 times.
Round 4: Knit
Round 5:  (K2tog) 4 times.
Cut yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Pull yarn through all sts on the needles and pull top of thumb
together. Weave in ends.

Felting Instructions
Place the mitt in a zippered bag and put in washing machine with a small amount of soap and a pair of old jeans.
Use lowest water level and hottest water temperature possible.  All machines work differently so check the progress about halfway through the first wash cycle.  Check to make sure that the thumb has not felted to itself.
Depending on machine, and water chemistry and temperatures, two or three cycles may be required to fully felt the mitt.   Once felted to desired level, rinse and spin lightly so as to remove excess water, but not create creases.  Pull into shape and air dry over a tall bottle.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company.
Designed by JoAnne Turcotte.  All rights reserved.

Free Pattern, Put a Bear in The Basket

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Peter Cottontail is about to embark on his bunny trail.  This time of year, I like to create smaller or lighter projects that I can throw in my bag and take to my son’s baseball games.  This little bear was my project last weekend.

The pattern calls for Fantasy Naturale, and  I used the same colors listed. There is a huge color selection with Fantasy Naturale so the possibilities are endless and it’s so easy to customize.   I found that because of the mercerized cotton , the bear was soft, smooth and cuddly. I know my little guy will love it (he’s 6 so don’t dare tell his friends he still likes to sleep with a bear!)

There is just enough time to knit a keepsake gift for that special little boy or girl in your life.  You can tuck it right in their Easter basket after the bunny puts all those sweets in!

Pattern F203 PDF Download

FANTASY NATURALE
Stuffed Bear

Finished Size (Approx): 5” x 9”
Materials:  1- 100g hank of Fantasy Naturale (MC) and (CC), small pieces of black yarn for face.  Shown in colors 7360 (MC) and 5398 (CC).
Gauge:  18 sts = 4” on a US 7 needle over garter st.
Needles: US 7,  double pointed and straights. Crochet hook size E.  Polyfill stuffing, stitch holder.

Beginning at head:  Use double pointed needles & MC.
With MC, cast on 25 sts.  Work in the round.  Knit for 2½”.
Next row:  *(K3, k2tog); repeat from * around: 20 sts.  Knit 2 rounds even.
Next round: *(K4, M1); repeat from * around: 25 sts.  Knit 1 round even.
Next round: (K8, M1); 3 times, end k1: 28 sts.
Knit even in the round for 3”.
Next round: K14,  place remaining sts onto a stitch holder, or spare needle.
Leg: Working on 1 set of 14 sts only in the round: knit for 2½”.  Next round: (k2tog) around.  Cut yarn, pull through remaining 7 sts.  Pull up tight and fasten.  Reattach yarn to remaining sts, repeat as for 1st leg.  Sew up crotch area.
Stuff Bear legs.  Sew a seam across top of legs to allow them to bend.  Stuff  Body.  Sew up across head.

Ears (Make 2):  Using straight needles, & MC, cast on 4 sts. Knit 1 row.   Next row:  P1 M1, p2, M1, p1: 6 sts.  Work in st st for 1½”, ending with a purl row.  Next row:  K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1: 4 sts.  Purl 1 row.  Bind off.  Fold ear in half with purl side out.  Sew in place.  With small bits of black yarn sew on eyes, nose, mouth.

Arms (Make 2):  With double pointed needles & MC, cast on 10 sts.  Work in the round for 2”.  Next row:  (K2tog) around: 5 sts.  Cut yarn, pull through remaining 5 sts.  Pull up tight and fasten.  Stuff Arm.  Sew up cast on edge and sew that edge to side of bear.  Repeat for other arm.  Wrap yarn around neck area to accentuate neck.

Vest:  With straight needles & CC, cast on 30 sts.  Work in garter st for 1½”, ending with a WS row.  Next row: Divide: Knit 7 sts, BO 1 st, Knit 14, BO 1 st, K7 sts.  Working on last set of sts only, knit 2 rows.  Decrease 1 st at beginning of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts.  Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”.  Bind off.  With WS facing, reattach yarn to center back sts  Work even until total length  is same as front.  Bind off.  With WS facing, reattach yarn to remaining 7 sts.  Knit 2 rows.  Decrease 1 st at end of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts.  Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”, same as other front.  Bind off.   Sew up shoulder seams.  Make 2 chains with crochet hook for ties in front, sew in place.
Bow tie:  With straight needles & CC, cast on 8 sts.  Knit for 7 rows.  Bind off.  Wrap a strand of yarn several times around the center to draw it in.  Tie off.  Run a strand of yarn behind the bow, through the wraps.  Use this to tie around back of neck.  Weave in all ends.

©2006 Plymouth Yarn Company.   Design by Linda Jones & JoAnne Turcotte.  All rights reserved.

Marilyn’s Anna Cowl – Knitting Project Detail at Jimmy Beans Wool

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Beautiful Mushishi cowl posted by Jimmy Beans Wool.

Marilyn’s Anna Cowl – Knitting Project Detail at Jimmy Beans Wool.