Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

So, You Want To See New Yarns…..

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

It’s that time of year again! Fall yarns are blooming! We have a wonderful mix of exclusive classics.  This season is sure to bring bold, rich and intoxicating colors just waiting to jump on your needles and hooks.  If you are ready to explore, let’s go!

First up, meet the Cape Town Collection, brought to you from the finest spinners and dyers in South Africa.  Johanne is Dk weight and 327 yard per skein. Contents are 40% Wool, 30% Acrylic, 30% Mohair blend.

Also from the Cape Town Collection, we have Toria. Light and delicate, lace weight 80% Kid Mohair, 20% Nylon blend.  The 229 yards per ball will knock your shawl off!

I won’t lie, Revel from Grignasco is my personal favorite of the season.  275 yards of 85% Baby Alpaca, 15% Merino Wool sport weight delight.

Revel knit swatch

Bamtastic is 248 yards and 60% Bamboo Rayon, 40% Nylon.  You will love the drape with this cozy, machine wash and dry yarn.

Beauty and warmth await you in Colca Canyon.  This chunky and soft 80% Baby Alpaca, 20% Merino Wool blend has a unique construction that will make every project a work of art.

Next we have Just Fur Kicks,  all the delight of fur without the guilt!  88 yards of Nylon/Polyester blend fluffy goodness.  Perfect for all of your trims, boot cuffs and accessories!

Last but surely not least, we bring you Monte Donegal and Monte Donegal Hand Dyed.  A lush blend of 40% Alpaca, 40% Merino Wool, 14% Acrylic, 6% Rayon.  These indulgent yarns are worsted weight with 109 yards per ball, perfect for so many projects.

Hand Dyed

Color Cards and samples will be at your local yarn shop soon. Check out plymouthyarn.com to see available patterns and news.

An Oldie But Goody!

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

How about a quick & easy afghan that is wash & dry, and just downright beautiful?   I hope you like it.

Feather & Fan Mega Afghan

Encore Mega Afghan PDF Download

Measurements: Approx 40” x 55”

Materials: 12 Balls Encore Mega, size 17 (or 19 if you are a tight knitter) 32″ circular needles

Pattern repeat is a multiple of 18 (i.e. 36, 54, 72, etc.), plus 4 stitches for border.

Cast on 94 sts.

Rows 1-6: K 92, then work border as follows: bring yarn to the front as if to purl (YF), then slip last 2 stitches as if to purl.

PATTERN:

Row 1: K2, K2tog 3 times, *(YF, K1) 6 times, (K2tog)6 times, repeat from * until 8 stitches remain, then K2tog 3 times, last 2 stitches: border as above.

Row 2: K to last 2 stitches, YF then slip last 2 stitches as if to purl.

Row 3: same as row 2

Row 4: K 2, P to last 2 stitches, YF then slip last 2 stitches as if to purl.

Repeat rows 1-4 until almost desired length. Then do row 1 of pattern, 5 rows of Garter Stitch (K every row, continuing border), then bind off and get cozy.

Summer’s coming! Summer’s coming!

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Written by Cia Abbott Bullemer on 5/2/13

Let’s knit something that we can work up quickly.  And in the end have a nice accessory that can be worn on a nice summer evening, or carried along for that blasting air conditioning indoors.  And then lo and behold you will find it is your “go-to” accessory for all seasons.

I know this for a fact because I made one of these about 2 years ago with Kudo. And I seriously wear it all year long.  Even if the reasoning is to just spruce up your color for the day, or to ward off that chill at the back of the neck.  And there is inevitably always a nice comment by someone every single time I wear it.

This one in the pattern is made out of a new colorway # 61, I adore. Get outside the box and find your favorite Kudo color. My first one I made was out of  # 47.  Cheerful, huh?    It only takes ONE ball and pretty mindless – but not brainless- to knit. I always love knitting this stitch, Half Linen Stitch. It lays beautifully, it is fun to work, and not as much work as seed stitch or the sand stitch.  But almost the same motion.

Have fun! And click here to find a shop near you!

F505 Kudo Half Linen Cowl

Cleo Winner!

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

We are pleased to announce the winner of our Creative Knitting Cleo Giveaway! Lucky knitter, Anita J. of Pennsylvania, took the prize.  Anita’s favorite shop is Butler’s Country Knit Shop ! Anita had such wonderful things to say about her favorite shop that I wanted to share a bit of it with you.

“Marge is a wonderful person and friend, and it’s always a pleasure to visit her shop at the corner at Knit & Purl! Marge is always helpful whenever any of her customers have knitting woes! And holds special events such as “knit in public day” at the shop. Often,her husband, Don, is minding the shop and is equally knowledgeable about the stock on hand.”

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments.  Your LYS  owners should be proud that you think so highly of them.  If you can’t find a shop in your area, check out our website and try the find a shop feature today!

Next up- we will be having a Thank You giveaway to celebrate reaching 10,000 fans on facebook.  Stay tuned for details!

Ellensburg, WA-There’s a New Shop In Town!

Friday, April 12th, 2013

Our Northwest region sales representative, Bonnie, was kind enough to pass along some information on a new Plymouth Yarn retailer in Ellensburg, WA.  Yarn Folk celebrated their grand opening during a “Girls Night Out” event held locally on April 11th and as of today, are officially open for business! You can check out their website and facebook page too!

Take a sneak peak at the shop in the pictures below.

Comment to Win! Creative Knitting Cleo Giveaway!

Monday, April 8th, 2013

I’m sure you have seen the Cleo Carefree Cover Up from the Spring 2013 edition of Creative Knitting Magazine.  How would you like to win everything you need to make it?  We have one prize that includes 10 skeins of Cleo in color 102, Starfish, needles, copy of the pattern and one issue of Creative Knitting Spring 2013.  **Please note that you will receive the color the pattern used.  Any other photos of Cleo are for reference only.

Carefree Cover Up as seen in Creative Knitting Spring 2013

To Enter: Comment on this blog entry between 4/8/13 and 4/19/13.  Tell us your first name with last initial, your favorite Plymouth Yarn retailer along with their city and state.  Winner will be picked at random and notified by email or message.

Visit Plymouth Yarn’s Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest or Youtube Channel today.

The National NeedleArts Association Needs You!

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Every three years,  TNNA conducts a very important survey called the TNNA State of Specialty NeedleArts 2013 needle artist survey.  The more responses from knitters, crocheters, needlepointers, cross-stitchers, weavers, and spinners, the better the results for YOUR needleart!  See below for official TNNA info and link to the survey…..

The 10-minute survey asks about your experiences with the needlearts you
enjoy: crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, needlepoint,
spinning, or weaving. Let us know which types of projects you prefer, how
you like to learn, and what you’d like to see needlearts shops do better.
The needlearts community needs your advice and opinions, whether you are a
beginner or an expert! This survey is conducted every few years by The
National NeedleArts Association (TNNA). Your input is very important and
will be included in a published national report.

Your answers are anonymous. No one will use your survey responses to market
to you.

In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:
. Gain a chance to win one of five $100 needlearts gift certificates.
. Ensure stores, manufacturers, and other suppliers provide what you want.
. Explore your needlearts interests.

Your valuable input will also help the needlearts community:
. Give guilds, associations, community groups, and others guidance to grow
the world of needlearts.
. Help independent retailers and family-owned suppliers succeed by giving
them the customer feedback they need.

Please complete the triennial national Yarn, Stitching, and Weaving 2013
Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNNAfiber

Coming Soon…Creative Knitting Cleo Giveaway!

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Do you love Creative Knitting Magazine?  Do you love Plymouth Yarn Cleo? Stay tuned on April 8th when we announce an amazing giveaway just for you!

Carefree Cover Up as seen in Creative Knitting Spring 2013

Coffee Beenz Ribbed Cowl by Cia Abbott Bullemer

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

With winter dragging on, and the days getting a bit longer, I thought I would like something to perk up the winter doldrums.  This great yarn, Coffee Beenz, part of Plymouth’s Encore Family, popped onto my needles.  I love the sophistication of the outcome and the durability of the fiber content.  One thing I also love about this pattern is the possibilities: button it straight on and you get 2 sold stripes of color, or twist it once and you get a checkerboard affect when it is buttoned.  Also try just buttoning it part way and leave it slit at the bottom to lay nicely on the nape of your neck.

I hope you find it as much fun as I did to make. It is reversible and the possibilities of color combos is extensive…hey! try it in a solid color too!

Bring on the winter-but arrive in style for the beginning of Spring!

F494 Coffee Beenz button cowl

Happy Hour- For Yarn Shops Only!

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Introducing our very first happy hour!  These will be lightning deals Plymouth Yarn will offer to our yarn shops during a specific time and day.  The deal will only be valid during the time frame posted and only for orders called into our office.  You can call the office to find out what the deal will be.  They are not valid on past or future orders.  Due to the nature of this sale and the risk of stock depletion, Plymouth Yarn reserves the right to substitute deal items for an item of equal or greater value.

Now that all the legal mumbo jumbo is out of the way….let’s celebrate!  Here are the details of our first happy hour!

Do you want to carry Plymouth Yarns in your shop? Contact us to get started today!