Plymouth Yarn Blog » crochet

The National NeedleArts Association Needs You!

Allison — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:43:08 +0000

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

TNNA Long Beach 2013

Allison — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:25:15 +0000

The National Needlearts Association hosted their winter trade show in beautiful and warm Long Beach, CA. Our team was there and loved visiting with some of you in our booths. We hope you enjoyed our newest yarns and garments on display. For those of you who couldn’t make it to the show this year (hopefully, you entered into our While the Boss is Away at TNNA giveaway), we wanted to share some photos with you. Yarn shops-be sure to call your sales reps for the most up to date info on what you see. Knitters & Crocheters-if you see something you must have, call your favorite local yarn shop and make a request. Below you will see great new yarns like Cleo, Linen Concerto, Colorando, The Grignasco Collection, Maria Diaz Collection, and favorites like Baby Alpaca, Merino Superwash, Galway and Encore.

Cleo

Linen Concerto

Colorando

Just a taste of the Grignasco line of yarns

The Maria Diaz Collection

Plymouth Select Superwash

Galway

Baby Alpaca Grande

Baby Alpaca Collection

Encore

Dick Power and Plymouth Sales Reps Melody and Bonnie.

Our designer extraordinaire Cia and Deborah from Yarning for You in San Marcos, CA

Dreambaby DK Crochet Popcorn Hat

Vanessa — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:30:03 +0000

Ask any knitter, crocheter, or crafter; the time for quick, last minute gifts is upon us. I’m definitely feeling the pressure!

Many of my friends are having babies, so luckily these gifts tend to be for the little ones. Anyone who has crocheted and knitted can tell you that crocheting is quicker than knitting in most regards.

My popcorn baby hat is crocheted in Dreambaby DK. It is a great gift for the babies in your life, and you’ll be happy to know it can be made lickety-split! Enjoy–Vanessa

Dreambaby DK Crochet Popcorn Hat

View as pdf

To Fit Size: 0-3, (6-12, 18-24) months
Approx. Hat Circumference: 14 ½”, (16, 18)

Materials:
Plymouth Dreambaby DK:
1, (1, 2)—50G balls, color 137 Brown
Gauge: 17sts, 20 rows = 4” on size US G crochet hook in single crochet (sc),
16 sts in popcorn stitch= 3 ½” on size US G hook.
Needles: Size US G crochet hook, stitch marker

Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger sizes in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Use a marker to help mark the beginning of the round(s).

Begin (starting at the top)
Ch 5. Join with a sl stitch to form a ring.
(OR use the magic loop method to make 11 sc-
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/tutorials/magic-ring-right-handed/ if using this method, skip to round 2)
Round 1: work 11 sc in ring. (11 sc)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each sc across round to last st, sc in last st. (21 sc)
Round 3: work 1 sc in each sc round. (21 sc)
Round 4: *work 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (28 sc)
Round 5: *1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (35 sc)
Round 6: *1 sc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (42 sc)
Round 7: *1 sc in each of the next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (49 sc)
Round 8: *1 sc in each of the next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (56 sc)
Round 9: *1 sc in each of the next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more (63 sc)
0-3 Month size only:
Round 10: 1 sc in each of the next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc to end of round. (64 sc)
6-12 Month and 12-18 Month Size Only:
Round 10: *1 sc in each of the next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (70 sc)
6-12 Month Size Only:
Round 11: (1 sc in each of the next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st)2x, sc to end of round. (72 sts)
18-24 Month Size Only:
Round 11: *1 sc in each of the next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 6 times more. (79 sc)
Round 12: 1 sc in each of the next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc to end of round. (80 sc)

All Sizes
Next Round: sc in every sc around. (64, (72, 80) sc)
Begin Popcorn Stitch
Round 1: *work 5 dc in next sc, drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first dc of the group, grab the dropped loop and pull it through the stitch (1 popcorn made), sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. (16, (18, 20) popcorn sts)
Round 2: sc in every stitch around (popcorn st counts as 1 sc). (64, (72, 80) sc)
Round 3: *2 sc in next 2 sts, work popcorn stitch (work 5 dc in next sc, drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the first dc of the group, grab the dropped loop and pull it through the stitch (1 popcorn made), 1 sc in next st; rep from * around. (16, (18, 20) popcorn sts)
Round 4: sc in every stitch around (popcorn st counts as 1 sc). (64, (72, 80) sc)
Repeat the last 4 rounds for popcorn pattern.
When hat measures 3”, (3 ½, 4 ¼) from beginning of popcorn stitch, end having worked a sc round. (Approximately 8, (9, 11) layers of popcorn will have been made). Work 4 rounds of sc. Work 1 round of backward crochet firmly. Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in all ends.

ABBREVIATIONS: ch= chain, dc= double crochet, dec = decrease, inc = increase, M= marker, RS= right side, sc= single crochet, sl = slip, st(s) = stitch(es), tbl = through back loop, tog = together, WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Allison — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:13:55 +0000

I’m sure everyone is busy with trimming, blocking, weaving ends in, and joining their seams by now. Knitters and crocheters never wait until December to make gifts…..right? HA!

So my mom’s shawl is made as well as the socks for my brother but here I am, December 7th, just remembering all the folks I forgot. It’s easy to overlook when our days are so hectic. I have so many people in my life who’s small actions make things run smoothly. Of course I remember my son’s teacher, but there’s the really sweet, part-time aide who always saves him a chocolate milk at lunch. If you’re a mom, you know it’s important to have people be good to your kids. The holidays are the perfect time to let them know how special they are.

This is where I thank my lucky starts for our line of ruffle yarns! One night, one skein in most cases, one aide remembered! I wanted to share some links for the patterns I’ll be using from Ravelry. Call your yarn shop and get a ball today!

and for the men in your life, a neck warmer published by Knitty Keen…

Encore Worsted Neck Warmer

Crochet Magazine Winter 2012 Cover!

Allison — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:30:21 +0000

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.

Photo by Harper Point Photography.

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

Glitter it up!

Allison — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:19:16 +0000

“Crochet is alive and well in Minneapolis!” This is evident when you step foot into StevenBe, an elegant yarn workshop located at 3448 Chicago Ave in Minneapolis, MN. Many of you know Steven Berg as the “Glitter Knitter” and his beautiful shop lives up to his reputation with a sparkling chandelier and plush chairs to welcome you. Sit back, grab your hooks and needles and enjoy the lovely mix of animal prints and fine art that adorn the space. Imagine all this while creating your masterpiece with classical music or even a live harp playing in the background. There is lots of great Plymouth Yarn to be had. I think I’m in heaven.

I enjoy speaking to Steven every time he calls. So much so that when I saw this ad in a magazine a couple years back, I had to put it on the wall next to my desk. It reminds me of the rock band pictures I had on my walls as a teenager.

Our Design Director Cia stopped by the shop over the weekend and snapped a couple photos during her visit…..

Plymouth’s Alpaca Puffs, a great addition to any hat or scarf.

Yarn heaven!

Minnesota Necessity

So the next time you are in Minneapolis be sure to visit SteveBe and if you happen to be in Rosemount, MN you can visit Steven’s other location, The Yarn Garage and say hi to his mother Christa while you are there!

Shade Quiz!

Allison — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:08:12 +0000

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

Allison — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:58:05 +0000

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

Pattern F184 Boku 1 Ball Purse

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.

Fall Yarns from Plymouth

Allison — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:43:36 +0000

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!

Soft and cuddly

Adore Color Card

Adore Pattern 2462

The beauty of Angora with a hint of sparkle

Angora Glitz Color Card

Angora Glitz Pattern 2383

Soft and lightweight Alpaca goodness

Baby Alpaca Aire Color Card

Baby Alpaca Aire Pattern 2353

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

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

Bi-Use Pattern 2354

Light and soft with a hint of glitz

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

De Aire Glow Pattern 2451

Fun, wild and unique.

Dakota Color Card
F423 Free Dakota Scarf Pattern

Dakota Pattern 2356

You can dye this with Kool Aid!

Great Hand Dying basics here

Roving style tweed, perfect for her or him!

Europa Tweed Color Card

Europa Tweed Pattern 2412

Europa Tweed Pattern 2407

Deep, saturated color. Let the yarn do the work! Customer favorite!

Gina Color Card
F430 Gina Free Cowl Pattern PDF

Gina Pattern 2415

Bulky and fabulous. Rich colors.

Grandiosa Color Card

F431 Grandiosa Free Hat Pattern PDF

Grandiosa Pattern 2421

A long time favorite in a new put up-in all of the best colors!

Jelli Beenz Color Card

Jelli Beenz Pattern 2452

Unbelievable colors, great Alpaca and Wool blend

Pasea Color Card

Pasea Pattern 2455

Your feet will thank you for making socks with this beauty. So many possibilities!

Sakkie Color Card

F447 Sakkie Socks Free Pattern PDF

Sakkie Pattern 2426

Soft and super bulky, I need a cowl!

Wilde Color Card

F429 Wilde Triangular Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Wilde Pattern 2429

Gorgeous colors and endless possibilities! Use with all your Worsted Merino Superwash patterns!

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Color Card

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Pattern 2432

Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles! Make a one ball scarf in no time!

Joy Ruffle Color Card
F448 Joy Ruffle Scarf Pattern PDF

Big, bold and makes a statement

Joy Supreme Color Card

F444 Joy Supreme Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Ruffles and sparkles, you can't go wrong! One ball makes a scarf

Passion Ice Color Card
F445 Passion Ice Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Passion Nette Color Card
F443 Passion Nette Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Customers are having a blast with this one

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!

Is Knitting Easy?

Allison — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:29:10 +0000

“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.

Scandalicious

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

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.