Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

Hello, and Welcome to Plymouth Yarn's Blog!

You can find Design Details from Cia Abbott Bullemer and Marketing News from Christine Welsh Forester - Find out our newest ideas and thoughts. We plan to talk about all aspects of the industry from yarn, knitting, crocheting, design, patterns, etc. If you are looking to purchase yarn, please click the "Find a Shop" link to the right. We are wholesale only. To always be in the loop, be sure to subscribe to our blog by clicking here. We welcome all to join and participate. Let's have fun:)

Crochet Magazine Winter 2012 Cover!

Written on November 30, 2012 at 8:30 am, by Allison

Check out the upcoming issue of Interweave Crochet Winter 2012/2013, online edition release date is November 30th and you will see it on newsstands December 18th.

On the cover, you will see the Ghost Cone Scarf  by Sue Perez using Grignasco Champagne: #306, 6 skeins. Champagne is 75% pure new extrafine superwash merino wool and 25% mulberry silk.  It’s 100% gorgeous and elegant,  it’s the perfect yarn for this project.

Call your yarn shop today to reserve your copy and to see the beautiful line of Grignasco yarns available.

Grignasco Camel Hair Headband

Written on November 29, 2012 at 8:30 am, by Cia

Winter is coming!

I haven’t lived in these climates since 1994 when my husband and I packed up the kids and moved south!  BRRR! This little headband or neckwarmer is a fun little 1-2 hour project made with Grignasco’s Camel Hair.  You can actually make 2 from the 2 balls of yarn-obviously they are mirror images of colorway, but hey! You get 2 out of it.

I also see this as a nice and easy way to test your skills on Fair Isle or 2 color knitting.  You only have 13 rows to deal with changing colors, and you are working in the round. No need to struggle with your tension expertise on that purl row!

Have fun with picking color combos, and get some holiday gifts done in the meantime.

Enjoy!  Cia

Pattern F479

SNOWFLAKE HEADBANDS

View as pdf

Approx. Finished Measurements: 21” x 4.5”

Materials: Grignasco Camel Hair

2 balls (1 ball of Main Color, and 1 ball of Contrasting Color)

Gauge: 18 sts = 4” in Stockinette Stitch on size 8 needles

Needles: Size US 8 (16”) circular knitting needle,

(1) Stitch Marker, Tapestry Needle.

 

 

 

Directions:

With Main Color (MC), loosely cast on 96 sts. Join in the round making sure to not twist the sts.

Place marker to indicate beginning. Knit 8 rounds.

Row 9: With MC and Contrasting Color (CC) Beg motif following chart working MC and CC colors as indicated on the graph.

When 13 rows of graph have been completed, work 8 rounds with MC. Bind off loosely.

 

Weave in all ends.

 

 

 

 

KEY (Repeat 15 sts x 13 rows)

Black Square =Main Color

White Square=Contrasting Color

Start with St # 1 and repeat between St # 2 and St # 16.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company. 110412cab

 

Quick & Fun Free Pattern for Baby Alpaca Grande

Written on November 19, 2012 at 10:34 am, by Heidi

A Cabled Cravat, “what’s Thot?”, you say.  It makes a great looking neckwarmer, that’s Whot.  I don’t know why I haven’t made this before.  It only takes one skein, a couple of hours, and when you are finished, you will notice it was not boring!  Lots of fun for the knitter, and even more for the recipient.  I am thinking of making one in every color I can find, plus Baby Alpaca Hand Dye, Tweed, Glow or the newest variety Baby Alpaca Grande Hues.

Baby Alpaca Aire Shrug and Hat

Written on November 15, 2012 at 8:30 am, by Vanessa

Oversized knits are everywhere! Large sweaters and shrugs don’t need to be heavy. Soft, billowy yarns and stitches have been gracing the runways for several seasons. Plymouth Baby Alpaca Aire is a chainette constructed, 100% baby alpaca yarn; all the warmth and loft but no heft. Most of the colors are in heathered tones, making them easy to mix and match with many colors in your wardrobe. My shrug and slouch hat are made in a simple Brioche stitch. The shrug is basically a rectangle with armholes; the only shaping (with short rows) is at the collar.

With our blistery fall in full swing, it is a nice time to cozy up to your knitting! –Vanessa

Pattern F477

Baby Alpaca Aire Shrug and Hat

View as pdf

Hat Circumference: 21 ½”, (22 ½)
Shrug to Fit Ladies: S/M, (L/XL)
Shrug from sleeve to sleeve: 46”, (50)

Materials:
Baby Alpaca Aire:
2, (2)—100G balls, color 5011 for Hat
6, (7)—100G balls, color 5011 for Shrug
Gauge:  16 sts, 24 rows= 4” in st st on size 9, 3.75 sts= 1” in brioche stitch on size 9.
Needles: US size 9 straight needles and long circular (for collar of shrug) and short circular (for hat rib), 4 stitch markers.

 

Brioche Stitch (Multiple of 2 sts)
Note: Work slip sts with yarn in back.
Row 1 (WS): *k1, yo, sl1; rep from * across.
Row 2: k1, *sl the yo st, k2; rep from *, ending with sl yo st, k1.
Row 3: *yo, sl1, k2tog, (the yo st and the next st); rep from * across.
Row 4: *k2, sl the yo st; rep from * across.
Row 5: *k2tog (the yo st and the next st), yo, sl1; rep from * across.
Row 6: k1, *sl the yo st, k2; rep from *, ending with sl yo st, k1.
Repeat rows 3-6 for pattern.

Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger size in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Hat
Cast on 80, (84) sts.
Work in Brioche stitch for 7”, (7½), end having worked a WS Row.
(There will actually be 120, (126) strands of yarn on top of the needle in brioche stitch; this is ok!)
Next Row (RS): *k1, k2tog; rep from * across.  80, (84) sts.
Row 1: pf&b, p to end of row. 81, (85) sts.
Row 2: k1, *k2 sts, k2tog; rep from * across. 61, (64) sts.
Row 3 and all WS Rows: purl all sts.
Row 4: k1, *k1 sts, k2tog; rep from * across. 41, (43) sts.
Row 6: k1, *k2tog; rep from * across. 21, (22) sts.
Row 8: k1, (2), *k2tog; rep from * across.  11, (12) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail for seaming, and draw through remaining sts. Sew the side seam of the hat.
Rib band: With size 9 short circular, pick up and knit 72, (76) sts along the cast on edge of the hat. Pm and join in the round.
Rib Round: *k1tbl, p1; rep from * around. Repeat this round 6 times more. Bind off all sts in rib.
Weave in all ends.

Shrug
Cast on 74 sts. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 2 ½”, end having worked a RS Row.
(WS) Cast on 12, (22) sts, k across 74 sts, decreasing 4 sts evenly across ribbing. 82, (92) sts.
(RS) Cast on 12, (22) sts, purl to end of row.
94, (114) sts.
Begin working in Brioche stitch.
(There will actually be 141, 171) strands of yarn on top of the needle in brioche stitch, this is ok!)
When Brioche stitch measures 41”, (45), end having worked a WS Row.
(RS): *k1, k2tog; rep from * across. 94, (114) sts on needle.
(WS): Bind off 12, (22) sts, knit to end of row.
(RS): Bind off 12, (22) sts, purl to end of row. 70 sts.
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 2 ½”, increasing 4 sts evenly across first row. Bind off all sts.

Fold the shrug in half and sew the 12, (22) stitch cast on edges of the shrug together with the side edge of the 2 ½” garter band. Repeat this for the other side, where the bind off edges are.
Collar: With RS facing and long circular, start at one of the sleeve seams and pick up and knit 164, (180) sts along the side edge of the shrug to the other sleeve seam, pm for side seam, pick up and knit 164, (180) sts along the other side edge of the shrug, placing a marker on both sides of the center 44 sts (this will mark the back neck), PM to mark beginning of round/side seam. 328, (360) sts.
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds.
Next Round: Rib to third marker, turn.
Next Round: Rib to next marker, turn.
Next 2 Rounds: Rib to next marker, remove marker, rib 3 sts, replace marker, turn.
Repeat the last 2 rounds until you reach the side seam markers. Then, work across all sts as before in the round, removing the back neck markers.
Work 7 more rounds in ribbing.
Bind off Round: k2, slip these 2 sts back onto the left hand needle and *k2tog through the back loop, slip the new stitch back onto the left hand needle; rep from * around. Cut yarn and weave in all ends.
Block lightly.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company.  100112vle

 

ABBREVIATIONS: dec = decrease, inc = increase, k = knit, k2tog = knit two together,  m1= make one, pf&b= purl into the front and back of stitch, pm= place marker, psso = pass slip stitch over,  p = purl, RS= right side, sl = slip,  SSK =  slip 1 st as if to knit, slip a second st as if to knit, knit them together through the back loop, st(s) = stitch(es), st st = stockinette st,  tbl = through back loop,  tog = together,  WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back

Easier to Find Than a Needle in a Haymarket…

Written on November 10, 2012 at 7:27 pm, by Heidi

Needles in the Haymarket, in Haymarket, VA, after several years with Pam and Judy at the helm, has recently gotten a new owner, Marti Lawrence. Marti is uniquely prepared to be a yarn shop owner, since she has been a stay at home Mom to 3 (almost grown!) sons, has raised show dogs and horses, and considers herself a professional volunteer. In Prince William County for almost 30 years, she is originally from Western Pennslvania, and learned to knit and crochet from her mom when she was about 8. Of course, like many of us, she put it down, and picked it up again during her first pregnancy, and then again during the scarf craze. With 5 months yarnshop ownership under her belt, she loves the customers best, and is getting energized, organized, putting lots of things on sale, and ordering plenty of new inventory! Needles in the Haymarket also carries some needlepoint supplies and LOTS of crossstitch! There is a fabulous cupcake and coffee shop next door, (said the manic knitter)! New workshops and events are planned for each month. Check out the shop website at http://www.needlesinthehaymarket.com and Ravelry group http://www.ravelry.com/groups/friends-of-needles-in-the-haymarket

 

Get Your Kicks, Right off Highway 66…at Hunt Country Yarns!

Written on October 31, 2012 at 2:21 pm, by Heidi

Bob Kelly, owner of Hunt Country Yarns in The Plains, VA, is an educator at heart. His eyes light up as he explains how he got started as a knitter and the story of his 15 years as a yarn shop owner. Originally from the Bay Area near San Francisco, he learned to knit at age 10 from his uncle, who told him, “you never know when you might need to knit a pair of socks”. This skill has served him well, when later as a starving college student, he decided to make sweaters as Christmas gifts for everyone in his family, from a “Yankee Knitter” pattern, with which some readers may be familiar.  He also, like me, has a technical background in the computer field,
where he discovered that knitting is an excellent pastime while working a help-desk, or waiting for programs to run. He has run a scuba shop, and has a Masters in Education, and a B.A. in Graphic Design, and has taught college level photography courses. In addition to knitting, spinning and weaving, he has a freshwater aquarium, and a small Quaker Parrot at home, named Georgie, who loves to talk and laugh alot. Bob is the founder of a special trade-only email list that has been in existence almost as long as the internet, the Skeins list. Hunt Country is the only shop in my territory featured on interstate highway “wayfinding” direction signs (in both directions)!  This way, you will never get lost trying to visit. The Plains is also home to several memorable restaurants and shops. The shop website is http://www.skeins.com, Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hunt-Country-Yarns/55108061733?fref=ts, and on Ravelry, you can find them at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/hunt-country-yarns

Baby Zhivago

Written on October 26, 2012 at 1:25 pm, by Allison

See this cutie! One of our sales reps decided to try out the Dr Zhivago hat by CiD Hanscom Designs.  Made with just one skein Passion Fur Yarn and  the pattern is found on Ravelry.  It just happens that her model was this adorable little guy who braved wearing the hat for long enough to snap the pictures!  What a trooper!

Holiday Gift Alert, Volume 3

Written on October 25, 2012 at 8:29 am, by Allison

This installment of the holiday knitting guide brings us to a casual, quick knit scarf yarn, Passion Nette.  I like to think of this one as your everyday scarf yarn.  This cotton/acrylic blend has a relaxed drape and a soft, natural feel against your skin.  It’s available in 8 versatile colors that will coordinate with anything in your wardrobe.

Click F443_Passion_Nette_Scarf for the PDF download

The passion doesn’t stop there either, there have been some great ideas coming out of the woodwork.  Tell us, what can you do with Passion Nette?

Christmas Countdown

Holiday Stocking In Galway

Written on October 19, 2012 at 8:30 am, by Cia

Wow! Not only is this season great for knitting, but to create yet another Holiday Stocking for yet another grandbaby! My latest granddaughter Zoey is the recipient. This is the 4th holiday stocking I have made in less than 4 years!  Four girls under the age of 4!  I know!

….You can guess what holidays will be like when all of my grandgirls come to visit Nonnie and Papa.
If you can see the scale of this stocking you will see how I have learned to secretly spoil them every single year.  It will take a tank load of treats to fill these!

One thing that can be done to this stocking is felt it if you would like it smaller and denser.  And Galway is a perfect yarn to do that with.  The array of 124 colors in the Galway palette give you an infinite number of possibilities for colorways.
With the large scale of this pattern, it could be a good tool to learn (or teach a class) on how to turn a heel, or shape a toe.  Way fun!
Or if you are “old hat” at socks, make a pot of soup, put your feet up and enjoy the colors emerging.
–Cia Abbott Bullemer

 Pattern F474

Holiday Stocking

View as a pdf

One Size –approx. Large 10”x 24”

Materials: Galway- 3 colors 1 skein each (100 gm)

Shown in Color A (# 185) Color B (#163) Color C (#145)

Gauge:  20 sts= 4” in st st on size 9 needles,

Needles: US size 9, (16”) circular, and size 9 dpn’s, 1 stitch marker.

 

Cuff:

Using Color A and circular needle, cast on 144 sts.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2:   K4*[Sl2, k1, psso2], k9; repeat from *. (120) sts.

Row 3: K5 * P1, K9; repeat from * end  k4.

Row 4: K3 *[sl2, k1, psso2], k7; repeat from * end k4. (96 sts).

Row 5: K4 *p1, k7; repeat from * end k3

Row 6: K2 *[sl2, l1, psso2], k5; repeat from *, end k3. (72 sts).

Row 7 & 9: k3 *p1, k5; repeat from *, end  k2.

Row 8 & 10: Knit

Continue in Garter St until piece measures 4” from the points.

Purl one row for Folding Row.

Continue in Garter until piece measures 6”.  Cut color A.

Body:

With WS facing, join in the round.

Stripe # 1: Using color B knit 2 rounds.

Next round k2 with B and k2 with C across entire row.

Repeat for 3 rounds total. Next work 2 more rounds with just color B.  (Note: Carry  Colors B and C snuggly along the inside to avoid gaps when changing colors)

Stripe # 2: Using color C, knit 2 rounds.  Next round k2 with c and k2 with b across entire row.  Repeat for 3 rounds total. Next work 2 rounds with just color C.

Alternate Stripe # 1 and Stripe # 2 for a total of 8 stripes.  Cut colors B and C.

Shape  Heel:

With Color A K18 on dpn.  Turn and purl 18 sts and then purl an additional 18sts.  (36 sts).  With 2 dpn’s knit 36 sts.  Turn (WS row) k5, p26, k5.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have 7 garter ridges on RS.

Next row: (RS) k13, k2tog, k6, ssk, k13.

Next 5 WS rows: K5, purl to last 5 sts, k5.

Next row: K12, k2tog, k6, ssk, k12.  Continue in this decrease for every RS row by knitting 1 less st at beg and end of each row until you have 26 sts.

Then on next RS row K16, ssk, turn.

WS row: Sl1, p6, p2tog, turn.

RS row: Sl1, k6, ssk, turn.

Repeat this until 8 sts remaining.

With Color B and circular needle, k4, place marker, k4.  Pick up and knit 13 sts along the ridges created for the heel.  Pick up 1 at the corner.  K36 across the instep that are waiting on the circular needle. Pick up 13 more sts along the other side of the heel, then one more at the corner.  K4 to center of the heel.  (72 sts).

Using Colors B and C return to established Stripe pattern starting with Stripe # 1.

When 5 stripes are completed for the foot, cut colors B and C.

Shape Toe:

With Color A, knit 18 sts onto each dpn.

Needle # 1and 3:  knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, p2.

Needle 2 and 4: P2, ssk, knit to end of needle.  Place a marker on the fabric under Needle # 1 to indicate beginning.

Next round: Knit.

Repeat these last 2 rounds until you have 9 Garter Ridges on the Toe.  Then you decrease each round without the Knit row in between.

 

Finishing:

Stitch the cuff with RS facing. Weave in all ends.

If desired, add bobbles, bells, or tassels at the tips of all the points on the cuff.

Hanging Loop:

With Color A and dpn, cast on  sts and make an I-cord. [I-Cord directions: Using dpn’s, cast on 3 sts and knit.  Without turning work, slide the sts to the other end of the needle, insert the rh needle, knitwise into that st and bring the yarn across the back of the piece and knit as usual. Repeat until desired length.] Leave a tail for attaching.

Attach I-Cord to heel side of the cuff.

Weave in all ends.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company.  Designed by Cia Abbott Bullemer 101112cab

Abbreviations: beg=begin(ning), dpn=double pointed needles, K = knit, p = purl, st st = stockinette s, p2tog = purl 2 sts together, st(s) – stitch(es),  psso = pass slipped st over, sl = slip; ssk=slip 2 stitches as if to knit- then knit them together, pm = place marker.

 

 

Moving Right Along…..To The Knitting Corner!

Written on October 18, 2012 at 7:52 pm, by Heidi

The Knitting Corner of Virginia Beach has been in business since 1948 and this is their second location, having started out in the Ghent section of Norfolk, Virginia. Sue Von Ohlsen, owner since 2008, is a Certified Master Knitter with a serious beading habit. Sue seems, like me, to have a wild side, and this suspicion was confirmed when one of her customers, Kim, referred to her as “off the chain.” Okay, there is more to Sue than meets to eye, lest anyone think yarn shop owners are dull. Sue’s beadwork has been on display at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and is part of the permanent “Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef” owned by the Institute for Figuring in Los Angeles, California. She also has several awards and a Beadwork magazine cover to her name as well. The Knitting Corner boasts a massive wall of Encore, pictured below, as well as a tremendous selection of “other” yarns, of course I am partial to Encore. Friendly help is always available, and plenty of inspiration is on tap. The shopping center, Kemps River Center on Kemps River Drive, is referred to as crafter’s central because it also has a quilt shop, bead shop, stained glass shop and embroidery shop all located in the same strip. Make a day of it! Oh, Starbucks is right nearby, too!

The website is www.theknittingcorner.com and classes are listed on the website.  You will love it at the Corner!

 

Plenty of Yarn, Neatly Arranged