Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

While The Boss Is Away Giveaway!

Friday, February 1st, 2013

The TNNA show is just about to be under way in beautiful Long Beach, CA. Stop by our booths to meet some of our team.  I am sitting in my office, it’s about 30 degrees out and we are having an icy, snowy mix.  There isn’t any sunshine in the forecast for days.  I see that Long Beach is looking at 72 degrees and sun for today.  Am I angry? No.  Bitter?  Well, no, but I am bitter cold.  Jealous?  Maybe, just a little.  I have decided to work through my frustrations.  It could be your lucky day in the  While The Boss is Away at TNNA Giveaway!  I have a Cleo kit to giveaway like the one in this picture.  *Color may vary

This kit includes everything you need to create this masterpiece.

 

One winner will be picked at random from one of our social media spots.  Like, share or comment on our facebook page.  Tell @PlymouthYarn  what you like to do when #thebossisaway on Twitter,  repin us on Pinterest.  Blog comments are not included as “entries” at this time and are disabled.   I’ll be watching all of them because, well, the boss is away! Winner will be announced February 8th.

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.

Joy-full Knitting and Glorious Free Patterns!

Monday, December 5th, 2011

You can tell the holidays are right around the corner. The phones are ringing off the hook in the office, the fax machine is practically smoking and email boxes are bursting at the seams. I am more excited this year then ever before. Why, do you ask? Well, it’s the new Joy collection of yarns we have been shipping to our shops. I finally was able to get a ball of each and I whipped the scarves up in no time this weekend. I wanted to share the yarns and patterns with you. Call your favorite local yarn shop TODAY because everyone is telling me it’s flying off the shelves.

First we have Joy Metallic. It’s a super quick knit full of ruffles and sparkly goodness. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve out on the town or with a pair of blue jeans.

Free Pattern

Joy Metallic Scarf

F390 Joy Metallic PDF

Scarf

Materials:  1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size:  4” x 48”
Needles:  Size US 10.

Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the glitter effect is at the bottom. Cast on 8 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening per stitch. Knit every row.

Next up we have Joy Prism with it’s sweet ruffles and delicate loops of sparkle. The color palette will go with everything in your wardrobe.

Free Pattern

Joy Prism
Scarf
F391 Joy Prism Scarf PDF Download

Materials:  1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size:  4” x 55”
Needles:  Size US 9.

Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the prism effect is at the bottom. Cast on 7 sts across the top edge using a size US 9 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row.  Knit every row.

2011 Plymouth Yarn Company.  092711jbt

Last but not least, we have Joy Rainbow.  Lots of beautiful ruffles in feminine color combinations without the sparkle.

Free Pattern

Joy Rainbow Scarf

F392 Joy Rainbow Scarf PDF Download

Materials:  1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size:  3” x 48”
Needles:  Size US 10.

Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the rainbow effect is at the bottom. Cast on 6 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row. Knit every row.

2011 Plymouth Yarn Company.  092711jbt

If you would like a little guidance on how to knit with ruffle yarn, you can check out Plymouth Yarn‘s YouTube page and view the “How to knit with Joie de Vie” video as the instructions are similar.  Always knit through the top edge with the effect at the bottom.

I hope you have as much fun as I am with our Joy collection of yarns, keep your eyes peeled for new additions to the line.  Have you made scarf already with one of these yarns?  Come visit our facebook page, post a picture and tell us all about it.

Sharing is Good Giveaway

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Sharing is Good Giveaway!

We want to reach 5000  fans on facebook and hope you will help us spread the word. Here’s how it works-Like Plymouth Yarn on facebook(if you haven’t already), share our page with your friends. If we hit 5000 by September 30th, one of our new fans will be chosen at random to win a mystery prize. We will ask the winner who shared our page with them and you can win a mystery prize too. Good luck and happy sharing!

Bazinga Bel et Bon Mitts

Friday, August 19th, 2011

For those folks who don’t already know, I LOVE BAZINGA! This super bulky, wool/acrylic blend has colorways that are to dye for.  It knits up quickly and can be used for so many different projects.

Our friends at Double Ewe Yarn Shop in Circle Pines, MN love Bazinga too.  The owner of the shop, Kelly Judson, has created a darling set of mittens that can be knit in your choice of fingerless or full cover.

Kelly is offering a free download of the Bel et Bon Mitts pattern through Ravelry and on the Double Ewe Yarn Shop website.   You can also check out Kelly’s blog.  But if you are in the Circle Pines area, be sure to stop by.  The gang at Double Ewe would love for you to visit.  Check out their website for shop hours, classes and more.  You can also check them out on their facebook page.

Is there a Bazinga project you would like to share? What else are you working on? We love project pictures! Please visit Plymouth Yarn’s facebook page and share your photos and stories.

Friday’s Felted Freebie

Friday, August 12th, 2011

As a few of you might know, I am a huge fan of felting.  I talked about it earlier this week on Plymouth Yarn’s facebook page.  Of course, my choice felting yarn is Galway.  With over 120 colors in it’s catalog, you can felt a bag to match every outfit! Here are some pictures of my favorite felted patterns.  You can find them at your local yarn store or you can find a shop on our website.

Enjoy this free pattern for a small felted bag.  I like to use these as gift card and cash gift holders.  I also have made a couple for my niece for Easter, and a wedding.  It’s very versatile and quick.

Pattern F319, Galway 2 Color Felted Bag

Before Felting

Gauge: 10 sts = 4” in stockinette stitch before felting, done on a size US 13 needle; yarn used double stranded.
Materials:  2 skeins Galway—1 MC, 1CC.  Before starting- double strand each color by dividing balls in half.
Needles: 24”-Size 13 needles, double pointed needles- size 11 or 13.
Finished Size:  Approx. &” wide, 4” deep, 6” tall, not including handles.

NOTE:  Make handles first and set aside.  Use remaining yarn for the purse.
NOTE:  Use double strand of yarn throughout.

Handles:  With CC
Using double points- cast on 6 sts, leaving a long tail.  Work in I- cord on the 6 sts.  Work I cord until total length from beginning is 14”.  Bind off leaving a long tail.  Make second handle the same.  Set aside.

Body of Purse:
With the circular needle and CC, loosely cast on 20 sts.  Knit 22 rows.  Bind off loosely.  Change to MC, and pick up 21 sts along each long side and 11 sts along each short side: 64 sts.  Place marker.  Begin working in st st in the round (knit every round) for 8 rounds, ending at the marker.  **Change to CC and knit 4 rounds.  Next round: Change to MC and knit, picking up the back of the sts 4 rows below (first row of CC), and knitting them together with the st on the needle to make a large lump.  Work 8 rounds total in MC, repeat from ** 2 times more (3 CC ridges total).  Continue with the MC working: purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round.  Bind off loosely knitwise.  Weave in all ends.

Sew the 2 handles along each long side- centered, with the ends about 5” apart.  FELT THE BAG AND LET DRY.
After felting:  Stretch over a box which is just slightly larger than purse to stretch the purse as it dries.
I-cord:
Work I- cord on the 6 sts as follows: **Knit across the 6 sts, then without turning needle, slide stitches to other end of the double pointed needle, wrap yarn around back of stitches and continue knitting from **.  Repeat this process until desired length is reached.

Felting:
Set the washer to hot wash, cold rinse, and lowest water level.  Add a small bit of laundry soap, not detergent.  Do not put anything else in the machine with the purse- things can get tangled in the handles and can distort them.  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 spin lightly.  Spinning can set in creases.  Remove purse, stretch it over a sturdy box slightly larger than the purse.  Straighten handles.  Brush to remove excess lint or shave with a disposable razor.  Let dry, which may take up to 2 days.

©2010 Plymouth Yarn Company.  052510jbt

We would love to see pictures of your Galway felted creations.  You can post them on our Facebook page, contact us or email them to me, allisonp@plymouthyarn.com.

If you can dream it, you can felt it……..

Catch of the Day

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Do you like to fish? Do you like to crochet? Do you like to crochet while your friends are fishing? Here’s your chance to be a master angler and come home with a fish every time! Your crochet hook is your rod and Galway is your line.  There is no messy bait to contend with either!

This little cutie came across my desk via email the other day.

His name is Wal and he is the brain child of the vary talented Stacey at freshstitches.com.  For this tiny fish, she used about 60 yards of Galway in color 154 and just 5 yards of the white, color 8.  After I met Wal, I visited the website and met lots of other cuties.  You can purchase Wal and Stacey’s other “Amigurumi” patterns here.  There are also free patterns available here.

Stacey loves to hear from her customers and you can reach her just about any way imaginable!

stacey@freshstitches.com

FreshStitches on facebook

Find Stacey on  twitter

Stacy Trock on Ravelry

FreshStitches Etsy store

Find items featuring her adorable crochet amigurumi designs at CafePress

Buy the 5 star rated book Cuddly Crochet on amazon!

Ciao from Italy! Pitti Filati Tour

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

This week, our Marketing Director, Christine had the opportunity to visit the Pitti Filati show in Florence, Italy.

This event demonstrates the latest innovations in yarns, yarn technology and stitch design.  You can see all of the newest fiber trends on the horizon in some of the pictures below.

We also wanted to share the color trend chart.

With over 100 yarn brand representatives in attendance, it proves to be one of the most diverse and exciting events we attend.
The show’s focus this year is in ethical quality.  Fiber prices are higher than we have ever seen.  This directly influences all of our choices. Plymouth Yarn Company strives to keep the quality you deserve and the affordability you crave. These decisions are difficult ones and we have discovered some fabulous fibers!

Keep any eye out for new colors in some of your favorite yarns.  We are also considering two new beautiful yarns from Peru and just wait until you can feast your eyes (and needles) on Mushishi Black. We would like to announce that coming soon…Plymouth Yarn will be the exclusive distributor for Grignasco Knits in the United States!

For more photos of Christine’s adventure, please visit our facebook page.