Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

Glitter it up!

Monday, September 10th, 2012

“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…..

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!

50 Shades Quiz Winner & Free Pattern for All!

Monday, August 6th, 2012

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!

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.

Designed by Diana Shannon  ©2005 102105jbt

Give 1, Get 1 Giveaway!

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Are you looking for a great summer sweater? Do your friends & family always try to steal your knitted garments?  This may just be the giveaway for you.

Up for grabs, we have a Covington Jacket.  It’s short sleeved, 100% mercerized cotton and perfect for summer.  Not only will you get the garment, already made,  but you’ll also receive the pattern and enough yarn to make another.

Visit and follow us on one or all of our hot spots,  Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.  When you come by, say hi, post a project photo, follow, retweet, repin us or subscribe to our blog.  Just let me know your out there, as I love to hear from you!

We will contact the winner on or about July 6th via direct/inbox message.

Free Pattern & Kids’ Camps

Friday, June 8th, 2012

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

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.

©2006 Plymouth Yarn Company.  Design by JoAnne Turcotte. All rights reserved.

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.

Free Pattern, Put a Bear in The Basket

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Peter Cottontail is about to embark on his bunny trail.  This time of year, I like to create smaller or lighter projects that I can throw in my bag and take to my son’s baseball games.  This little bear was my project last weekend.

The pattern calls for Fantasy Naturale, and  I used the same colors listed. There is a huge color selection with Fantasy Naturale so the possibilities are endless and it’s so easy to customize.   I found that because of the mercerized cotton , the bear was soft, smooth and cuddly. I know my little guy will love it (he’s 6 so don’t dare tell his friends he still likes to sleep with a bear!)

There is just enough time to knit a keepsake gift for that special little boy or girl in your life.  You can tuck it right in their Easter basket after the bunny puts all those sweets in!

Pattern F203 PDF Download

FANTASY NATURALE
Stuffed Bear

Finished Size (Approx): 5” x 9”
Materials:  1- 100g hank of Fantasy Naturale (MC) and (CC), small pieces of black yarn for face.  Shown in colors 7360 (MC) and 5398 (CC).
Gauge:  18 sts = 4” on a US 7 needle over garter st.
Needles: US 7,  double pointed and straights. Crochet hook size E.  Polyfill stuffing, stitch holder.

Beginning at head:  Use double pointed needles & MC.
With MC, cast on 25 sts.  Work in the round.  Knit for 2½”.
Next row:  *(K3, k2tog); repeat from * around: 20 sts.  Knit 2 rounds even.
Next round: *(K4, M1); repeat from * around: 25 sts.  Knit 1 round even.
Next round: (K8, M1); 3 times, end k1: 28 sts.
Knit even in the round for 3”.
Next round: K14,  place remaining sts onto a stitch holder, or spare needle.
Leg: Working on 1 set of 14 sts only in the round: knit for 2½”.  Next round: (k2tog) around.  Cut yarn, pull through remaining 7 sts.  Pull up tight and fasten.  Reattach yarn to remaining sts, repeat as for 1st leg.  Sew up crotch area.
Stuff Bear legs.  Sew a seam across top of legs to allow them to bend.  Stuff  Body.  Sew up across head.

Ears (Make 2):  Using straight needles, & MC, cast on 4 sts. Knit 1 row.   Next row:  P1 M1, p2, M1, p1: 6 sts.  Work in st st for 1½”, ending with a purl row.  Next row:  K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1: 4 sts.  Purl 1 row.  Bind off.  Fold ear in half with purl side out.  Sew in place.  With small bits of black yarn sew on eyes, nose, mouth.

Arms (Make 2):  With double pointed needles & MC, cast on 10 sts.  Work in the round for 2”.  Next row:  (K2tog) around: 5 sts.  Cut yarn, pull through remaining 5 sts.  Pull up tight and fasten.  Stuff Arm.  Sew up cast on edge and sew that edge to side of bear.  Repeat for other arm.  Wrap yarn around neck area to accentuate neck.

Vest:  With straight needles & CC, cast on 30 sts.  Work in garter st for 1½”, ending with a WS row.  Next row: Divide: Knit 7 sts, BO 1 st, Knit 14, BO 1 st, K7 sts.  Working on last set of sts only, knit 2 rows.  Decrease 1 st at beginning of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts.  Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”.  Bind off.  With WS facing, reattach yarn to center back sts  Work even until total length  is same as front.  Bind off.  With WS facing, reattach yarn to remaining 7 sts.  Knit 2 rows.  Decrease 1 st at end of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts.  Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”, same as other front.  Bind off.   Sew up shoulder seams.  Make 2 chains with crochet hook for ties in front, sew in place.
Bow tie:  With straight needles & CC, cast on 8 sts.  Knit for 7 rows.  Bind off.  Wrap a strand of yarn several times around the center to draw it in.  Tie off.  Run a strand of yarn behind the bow, through the wraps.  Use this to tie around back of neck.  Weave in all ends.

©2006 Plymouth Yarn Company.   Design by Linda Jones & JoAnne Turcotte.  All rights reserved.

Wonderful, Wearable, Washable Whitney. Free Pattern Too!

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

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!

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.

©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company.
All rights reserved.  092011jbt

Freebie Friday with Camino Alpaca!

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Just in case you haven’t yet, meet Camino Alpaca.

I know many of you love it already because we are sending orders for it left and right!  This 98% Alpaca, 2% Nylon blend is a soft and wonderful yarn.  The color palate includes both brights and neutral shades that have been dyed using a tricolor injection method.  Our customers are telling me it’s the perfect Alpaca to use in projects for men because of the colors and composition of the yarn.  Check out our color card here.

So I asked some of our facebook fans what they most wanted to see a free pattern for today and Camino Alpaca was the clear winner.  Give your favorite yarn shop a call and get started this weekend! You can also try F412 PDF Download for easy printing.

CAMINO ALPACA
Berry Stitch Hat
To Fit: Adult
Circumference: 21”
Materials: Camino Alpaca: 3—50G skeins, color 102
Gauge:  16 sts, 21 rows = 4” in st st on size 8 needles, 4.75 sts= 1” in Berry Stitch on size 8 needles.
Needles: US Size 8-16” circular, size 8 double points, stitch marker

Berry Stitch (Multiple of 4 sts)
Rounds 1 and 3: Purl
Round 2: *(k1, p1, k1) into next stitch, k3tog; rep from *
Round 4: *k3tog, (k1, p1, k1) into next stitch; rep from *
Repeat these 4 rounds for pattern.

HAT: With size 8 circular, loosely cast on 96 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds, increasing 4 sts evenly across last round. 100 sts.
Begin working in Berry Stitch.
When hat measures 8” from cast on edge, purl across next round, decreasing 16 sts evenly. 84 sts.
Round 1:  *(p5, p2tog); repeat from * (72 sts).
Round 2: purl
Round 3:  *(p4, p2tog); repeat from * (60 sts).
Round 4: purl
Round 5:  *(p3, p2tog); repeat from * (48 sts).
Round 6:  *(p2, p2tog); repeat from * (36 sts).
Round 7:  *(p1, p2tog); repeat from * (24 sts).
Round 8:  *(p2tog); repeat from * (12 sts).
Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 093011vle