Plymouth Yarn Blog » hand knit

Cleo Winner!

Allison — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:58:19 +0000

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!

Coffee Beenz Ribbed Cowl by Cia Abbott Bullemer

Cia — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:40:44 +0000

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

Baby Zhivago

Allison — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:25:41 +0000

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!

Little Zhivago

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!

Plymouth Yarn featured in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2012

Allison — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:38:17 +0000

That’s right, I said it. Holiday gifts. Don’t shoot the messenger.

It’s that time of year again folks! Let’s start thinking about those holiday projects. My request list has grown over the years, probably because I’ve been outed by this very blog! Now everyone knows I knit. Boy, are they lucky that I love to do it, and my husband works the night shift!

So shine up those needles, wind up the hanks and grab your patterns, it’s yarn o’clock.

Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2012 edition hits newsstands on September 4th 2012 but the online issue release date is today for those of you like me who just can’t wait and must get started. There are two perfect-for-gifts patterns in this issue made with Galway and Baby Alpaca Grande. Photos by Nathan Rega of Harper Point Photography.

Galway Worsted: #722, 1 skein for BRAIDED TOQUE by Andrea Babb

Baby Alpaca Grande: #2691, 1 skein for HIDDEN PICTURE COWL by Sara Spencer

Don’t forget to pick up your digital copy or newsstand copy on September 4th. You can check out the Interweave Knits website for other editions and great project ideas!

50 Shades Quiz Winner & Free Pattern for All!

Allison — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:51:40 +0000

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!

Pattern F142

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.

Knitting for Preemies

Allison — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:48:42 +0000

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.

Wonderful, Wearable, Washable Whitney. Free Pattern Too!

Allison — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:55:40 +0000

Are you still wearing your scarves and trusty cowl when you leave for the office in the morning? I did take the fingerless gloves out of my pockets. We are ready for Spring! I will finish up my last warm and fuzzy WIP this weekend then I will count all the little sprouts in my garden, maybe even buy some mulch. Of course, I’ll be waiting at least a couple of weeks until my husband gets all my gardening tools out from behind the snow blower and shovels in the shed. So since I know I’ll be waiting, I have a little project in mind and wanted to share with you.

Let’s talk about Whitney, which is new this spring. Whitney is an aran weight 91% cotton, 9% nylon blend and available in 16 rich colors that are just perfect for so many projects. Whether you are using it for babies, kids, adults or home accessories, you will not be disappointed.

Here is a great project to get you started. I’ll be making a bunch of these bibs as there is always a baby coming and mom can never have enough. What a special gift this bib will make. That’s why you need to make at least two, one to use and one to cherish! Visit your favorite yarn shop and ask for Whitney today!

F386

WHITNEY
Baby Bib
F386 Whitney Baby Bib PDF Download
Size: 1 size
Materials: 1- 50g ball Whitney; size 7 needles,
1 button.
Gauge: 4.5 sts =1” over garter st.

Bib:
Loosely cast on 4 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K2, yo, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 45 sts.
Begin decreasing as follows: K1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat this last row until you have 26 sts left.
Next row: Bind off 20 sts, knit to the end of the row: 6 sts left.

Make Strap:
On the 6 remaining sts, knit every row for 7”.
Make buttonhole: Next row: K1, k2tog, yo twice, k2tog, k1.
Knit 7 more rows even.

Work buttonhole row, followed by the 7 plain knit rows- twice more for 3 buttonholes in all. You will be ending with 7 knit rows. Bind off on next row. Sew on a 1” button as shown in photo. You have 3 length adjustments possible with the 3 buttonholes. Weave in all ends.

New Year Resolutions

Allison — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:48:17 +0000

Most people will make a New Year’s Resolution for 2012. We want to lose a few pounds, save more money, drink less coffee and be more organized. But what are your New Year’s Knitting Resolutions? I’d like to share a few of ours with you, along with the resources to help you accomplish them!

1. Knit for yourself! Now that you have the feeling back in your fingers from the last-minute-holiday-crunch knits, sit down and find a pattern that you want for you. Even if it’s as simple as a new scarf. Think of the time you will have to fit in knitting for yourself. If you only have an hour or two a week, think of a spring or summer shawl so when you are done your project, it will be the right season to use it. Here are a few to consider….

2. Make a gauge swatch. I am notorious for not following my own advice on this one. I often go blindly into a project. I learned my lesson just a few weeks ago while making a Christmas gift for my niece. I switched a yarn in a pattern for a slouchy hat. There were very few differences between the two yarns, fiber content and put-up were the only things that jumped out at me. My slouchy hat ended not fitting my niece but fitting my husband and I can’t talk him into wearing a purple hat with a touch of glitz. Check out this article from knitty.com on the importance of and how to knit a gauge swatch.

3. Use your stash! I tried to use my stash this year for all of my holiday knitting and will try to continue to do so. I ran out of masculine colors and only had to purchase a few balls! I am left with mostly baby yarns so I am hoping for a very long, cold winter so I will get news in the spring that I have some babies to knit for. I am going to use some for charity but I will get to that later in this post. There are some wonderful things you can do with those one or two skeins you picked up. If you have 100% wool, felt, felt, felt! Small coin purses, small bags, small bowls and headbands. Have a baby or wedding shower to attend? If you have cotton, consider washcloths. I have one that a friend made me almost 10 years ago. It was in my wishing well at my bridal shower and it may be the only linen that hasn’t needed to be replaced! Hats are a great way to use up the stash too. Here are some pattern ideas you can try.

4. Finish the projects you start. I’ll admit it, I have 3 wips in my inventory for about a year now BUT I also started and finished at least 20 others this year. Will I ever finish those other 3? Hopefully, maybe, well, I can’t answer that question. There are some great reasons why this should be a resolution you keep. First is if you get to the end and realize you need just 20 more yards, it may be impossible to track down the dye lot. Second is while I always try to have a couple pairs of needles in each size, they do me no good if they are tied up in a project I’ve been procrastinating on, then I am off to buy another set or borrow from one of my many knitting buddies. Which isn’t so bad I guess as I get to see all the new arrivals at my LYS. Third is the most obvious, that baby will grow right out of that sweater you started. I am going to choose my projects more carefully and think ahead to make sure I have the time and supplies I need to complete them. Try looking up your patterns on Ravelry and get real world tips, advice, materials lists and pictures of finished products.

5. Knit for Charity. I know so many of you are already doing this and it’s such a wonderful opportunity to use your talents. I send scarves to a local homeless shelter. I can get them done in one or two nights while I’m watching t.v. and it’s a great way to use your stash. Check with your local yarn shop, they will likely have a program set up for donations of all sorts. Here is a list of just a few organizations we have had contact with….

Chemoclothes.org

Bob’s Blankie Brigade

Project Linus

Hair Flair for Hope

Stitching for America

6. Use your technology! Did you know there’s an app for that? Use your smartphone for more than Angry Birds! I use my iPhone for everything. There is a free app (called Needles) for cataloging your needles so you know what you’ve got on hand. It can also direct you to the nearest yarn shop when you are on the go! Vogue Knitting and Knitting Daily are available too. YouTube is a great resource for how to videos on just about everything. I’ve used it to learn a new stitch and how to knit with the new ruffle yarns. You can also find yarn reviews there. I can’t talk about technology without mentioning Ravelry. If you haven’t joined yet, get on it! It’s a fantastic resource for everything yarn, patterns and the people who love them.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday and the gang here at Plymouth Yarn wish you a very Happy New Year.

Joy-full Knitting and Glorious Free Patterns!

Allison — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:05:35 +0000

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.

Joy Metallic

Free Pattern

F390

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.

Joy Prism

Free Pattern

F391

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

F392

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.