Plymouth Yarn Company Blog

Oh yeah, we love crafts too.

Monday, October 31st, 2011

I started my Christmas knitting but I’m also planning which cookies I am making and starting to piece together some of my holiday cards.  I realized there are probably lots of other knitters and crocheters out there just like me.  Your craftiness doesn’t end with yarn and you aren’t always using it with hooks or needles.  I was first introduced to yarn while making plastic canvas tissue box covers with my grandmother when I was 6.  Then, a decade or so later, I used a furry, eyelash type of yarn and wrapped it around a large wreath form.  That wreath, which is a bit tattered, still goes on my inside door every Christmas season.  It wasn’t until my early days at Plymouth Yarn that I started knitting almost daily.  I am always looking for deals on blocks of paper and scrapbook supplies.  I’ve tried at least half of Martha Stewart’s recipes.  I own hundreds of buttons but rarely use them in clothing.  Finally, anytime I go on vacation I try to find a ceramic studio to take my son to, as they are few and far between where I live.  My yarn stash lives down in my basement but I have 3 shelves of non-yarn goodies too.

Where am I going with this?  Most of us who like to play with yarn, also like to craft, bake and create.  We had a rare snow in Bucks County, PA over the weekend and it was a wet, cold, slushy mess.  I opted to stay in and found a fun website that caters to all of my crafting needs.  If you are looking for a project, of any type, check out Craftfoxes.  I found this adorable free pattern for a crochet zombie from the book  Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots To Make by Nelly Pailloux. Image by Andrew Perris.  Encore DK would be perfect for this project.

Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots to Make

I also found this fun free pattern for a crochet sandwich from the book Yummy ‘Gurumi: Over 60 Gourmet Crochet Treats to Make by Christen Haden and Mariarosa Sala.  Image by Jeremy Hopley.  You’ll find the perfect colors in Encore Worsted.  Everyone needs a crocheted sandwich, it has only a fraction of the calories a real sandwich has!

Yummy 'Gurumi: Over 60 Gourmet Crochet Treats to Make

I also found how-tos on recycling old books, DIY decor, recipes from pickles to cookies, and so much more.  They even have instructions on coffee dying!  So if you want to make your holiday gifts this year, craftfoxes is the place to start. Become their fan on facebook and follow them on twitter.   Find a yarn shop near you to start with those knitting and crochet patterns!

Sharing is Good Giveaway

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Sharing is Good Giveaway!

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!

Minnesota State Fair-Oh How I Wish I Was There!

Friday, September 9th, 2011

I wanted to wish a big congratulations to Linda from Kelley’s Quality Sewing Center in Rochester, MN.  She entered her Boku Mitered Square Afghan in competitions at the Minnesota State Fair.  Linda won both the sweepstakes for  Afghan Knitting and the Minnesota Knitter’s Guild.  She also won the blue ribbon for Best Wool Article.  The pattern she chose is 1063 and Linda used 5 different colors of Boku.

I have always heard such fabulous things about the Minnesota State Fair from many of our yarns shops who have participated over the years.  This year, it ran from August 25th to September 5th, in St Paul.  The fair was first held in 1859 and has been held every year with only five exceptions due to war and a polio epidemic! It hosts dozens of competitions for everything from needle crafts and canning to hogs and dairy products.  Not to mention all of the great exhibits, rides and food.  It is the second largest fair in the United States.  Many of our yarn shops were there. This year’s total attendance was 1, 769,872!  I really think I should be there next year, reporting live.  We’ll see if the boss will go for it!

You can get pattern 1063 at your favorite yarn shop that sells Plymouth products, or give Kelley’s Quality Sewing Center a call at 507-288-9051.  Visit their website here and like them on facebook to keep up to to date with all the latest news.

Congratulations again Linda, what a beautiful afghan!

Vogue Knitting’s Fall Issue Hits Newsstands August 23rd!

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Check out this Worsted Merino Superwash sweater pattern featured in the fall issue of Vogue Knitting.

Photo by Rose Callahan

Designer: Pat Olski
For Sizes: X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)
Amounts: 5 (6, 7, 8)hanks in #36 green, Worsted Merino Superwash.

Check out the Vogue Knitting Fall 2011 Fashion Preview today!

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.

Beautiful views in Florence

another beautiful sight

Christine with our agent, Peri

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.

Gorgeous!

Exquisite detail

Lots of great hats to be seen

We also wanted to share the color trend chart.

I'll take one in every color!

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!

The yarn I love, the pants...not so much!

Knit & Crochet unite!

You won't catch me in this one but the colors are fabulous!

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.

Free Pattern Friday!

Friday, July 1st, 2011

The tribe has spoken and Baby Alpaca Ultimo is the yarn with the most votes in our free pattern poll.  You click, we listen.  You will love this cowl in all it’s beautiful, cuddly, super chunky goodness! Since it’s knit on a size 13 needle, you can make it this weekend while sipping on some lemonade in the backyard.  If your thinking about your holiday knitting projects, this will make a wonderful gift. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

F371

BABY ALPACA ULTIMO
Cabled Cowl

Approx. Finished Measurements: 20” tall  x 20 around”
Materials:  Ultimo- 2 hanks
Gauge:  8 sts = 4” in garter st on size 13 needles over st st.
Needles:  Size US 13 knitting needles.

Loosely cast on 50 sts
Row 1, 3, 5:  K1, p1, k1, p1, k12, p1, k1, p1, k12, p1, k1, p1, k12, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 2, 4, 6: P1, k1, p1, k1, p12, k1, p1, k1, p12, k1, p1, k1, p12, k1, p1, k1, p1.
Row 7:  K1, p1, k1, p1, cable 12 back, p1, k1, p1,  cable 12 back, p1, k1, p1, cable 12 back, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 8:  As row 2.
Row 9: As row 1.
Row 10:  As row 2.
Repeat rows 1-10 until total length is about 20” long, or desired length, ending with row 2.
Bind off.  Sew the cast on edge to the bind off edge.  Weave in all ends.

Cable 12 back:  Place 6 sts on a cable needle, hold in back, knit the next 6 sts, knit the 6 sts from the cable needle.
©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 032511jbt

Here are some other Baby Alpaca Ultimo patterns available at your favorite yarn shop that sells Plymouth Yarn.

2012

2103

2104

Tom Hank’s knitting prank on Julia Roberts

Friday, June 24th, 2011

I thought you folks might enjoy this link from accesshollywood.com.

http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-hollywood-live-tom-hanks-larry-crowne-knitting-prank-on-julia-roberts_video_1335958

Tom Hanks plays a knitting prank on Julia Roberts!

The Royal Wedding Shrug

Friday, June 24th, 2011

It has been just a couple of months since The Royal Wedding and still all eyes are on Kate Middleton (her official last name is Mountbatten-Windsor; I’ll stick with Middleton for now!). She has such a wonderful sense of style and grace.  The future queen has become a fashion icon, as well as her sister, Pippa.  I always peek in the fashion magazines to see what they are wearing.

Kate on her wedding day, wearing a beautiful shrug

Stylish sisters

A few days ago, designer Angela Juergens posted a picture of her Royal Wedding Shrug/Bolero finished project on Plymouth Yarn’s facebook page.

Angela's Shrug

I absolutely fell in love with it and found myself on a mission to find out what I could about the pattern.  I was delighted to find that it was made with and written for Plymouth’s Angora yarn which has been a favorite of mine since the first day it landed in our office.
Angela designed the pattern for Absolute Knits on Ravelry where it is available for purchase.

Soft & Delicate detail

You can find Plymouth’s Angora at your favorite yarn shop that carries Plymouth products.  If you need help locating a shop, you can use the “Find a shop” link at plymouthyarn.com or give our office a call and we will be more than happy to find one for you.
I Googled Kate Middleton’s wedding day attire and found that Angela hit a home run.  She captured the delicate and sophisticated qualities of the original.  It’s almost like Plymouth’s Angora was made for this shrug!  Check it out on Absolute Knits on Ravelry for the details and you’ll want it too!

If you are looking for a variation of the shrug with short sleeves, Plymouth’s Design team has taken care of that.

Pattern 2210, Wedding Jacket

You can order pattern 2210 from your favorite yarn shop or contact our office for more information.

Stitch N Pitch 2011

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Stitch N’ Pitch brings together two traditions — Baseball and needle arts. Whether you knit, crochet, embroider, or cross-stitch, everyone is welcome from the beginners to the experts.  On Wednesday, June 15th, the Plymouth Yarn family attended the major league event at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia to cheer on our Phightin’ Phils! The weather was ideal and the moon was full.  It was perfect knitting weather for me.  With 16 Major League and 19 Minor League Stitch N Pitch events this baseball season, I hope you get the chance to attend a game.  It’s sew much fun!

Stitching the night away!

Knit one, Pitch two

Play ball (or skein)!

If you know the Plymouth gang then you know we love our local sports.  We have had several company outings to Phillies games, Lakewood Blue Claws minor league games and quite a few “friendly” company softball games. We listen to the Phillies on the radio in the afternoon and sometimes our customers will hear some cheers in the background when they are speaking to our customer service team on the phone. We even try to attend a game when we go to trade shows.

Sales Rep Jennifer Phillips and Design Director JoAnne Turcotte catching a game in Ohio.

Christine, our Marketing Guru and her husband enjoying a night out

But we get the most excited about Stitch N Pitch.  It’s a time when we get to meet some of our shop owners, colleagues, and fiber fans!

Some Stitch N Pitch swag

More swag

We were lucky enough that the Phillies won the game. They filleted the Marlins in the 10th inning which gave me just enough time to almost finish the Baby Alpaca Grande cowl project I brought and learn to knit with our new yarn, Joie de Vie!
Thanks so much to all who attended, the Phillies, and The National NeedleArts Association for taking part in such a great night.  Check out www.stitchnpitch.com for a game near you.  See you next year!

Chemo Clothes, Hope you can wear.

Visit Chemo Clothes facebook page to find out how to donate.

Village Mountain Mission Project

Monday, April 25th, 2011

My name is Sarah Punderson and I design for Plymouth Yarn.  I initiated a group with the teacher Margi Wright to teach the students how to knit or crochet and make hats for babies in the Dominican Republic. It’s a great way to broaden the number of knitters/crocheters and gain awareness for the Village Mountain Mission Project.

A former Spanish teacher from Monsignor Donovan High School runs the mission programming for the Village Mountain Mission Project.  (it is not a religious mission)  Groups of students, usually, go down for 9 days and build houses.  Thank you Plymouth for donating yarn to this project.