The Purl District Blog

February's Pints & Purls Special Guest: Blissful Knits

2012-01-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

Blissful Knits - Colors blending together in perfect chaos. Raya, of Blissful Knits says:

As a teenager I came across one of my dad's books; it was about Chaos Theory by James Gleick. What I took away from the book is the interconnection between nature and science, and a new appreciation of nature's unpredictability. As my dyeing technique evolved over the last three years I began to see more and more of that chaos theory emerge. Using the low immersion dyeing technique I apply dye in small scale randomness to present large scale, visually pleasing patterns. This is what makes my yarns unique, and easily distinguishable, and are guaranteed to keep you guessing until the last bind off stitch to discover the full spectrum of color in your skein.

Be sure to attend Pints and Purls this month and meet the artist, get your hands on some yarn, and see for yourself what makes Blissful Knits so amazing!

Leethal Patterns!

2011-07-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Heh you guys! Lee Meredith is coming to Pints and Purls,6-8pm,This Thursday,July21st, at 7 Brides Brewery across from MacDonald's in Silverton, Oregon. She is bringing samples. Patterns for us all to buy. Bring your knitting to share! Look her up online.She rocks! We have her patterns in The Purl District right now!

CeliaBedelia

Yarn Bomb Bombed!

2011-06-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Heh guess what? We yarn bombed the bridge in the middle of Silverton . About 20 people ,kids,dogs,dads,moms,and folks were there Saturday night at 8:30pm. We did it in about 15minutes! It looked great. See pix on FB for The Purl District. the next am it was there for a few short hours and some jerk/s took it all down and threw our Artbombs in the garbage can............so guess what we're gonna do it again!

Thx to all the great peeps who showed up even from Beaverton! We all had a blast.

CeliaBedelia

Floofy Skirts are cool!

2011-06-03T18:13:00.001-07:00

Heh girls a Floofy skirt is where its at for summer or winter,spring or fall. The Ladies at Yarns in the Farms in Mass. make them like these. We are begging them for a trunk show and patterns. Soooooooooooo cute. Great for kids and big Mommas alike. We have our examples here in the shop,mostly for little girls and a baby!

Yarn Bombing happens!

2011-06-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Heh Guys and Dolls...Come on June 11th Sat. @ 8:30 pm twilight! and yarn bomb with us. We'll be using I-cord to dress up the Silverton Bridge downtown on Main St.. Wear dark clothing. Put black under your eyes like football players do. We will be making i-cord til we go on that Sat. night. If you don't know how come in or u-tube it.

Gonna be fun!

Amsterdam Zuiderkerk-5" of snow!

2010-12-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

Remember Sara who was a volunteer at the Purl? She is in Amsterdam going to school for her Masters with her Boyfriend.They are coming home to USA, well right now, and will be in the shop in January. Check out your emails for exact time or look at the class schedule calender on The Purl site. Isn't this a beauty of a picture? Sara is busy with school mostly but is involved in a knitting group with a lot of famous knitters . Their names escape me right now! Evidently they are VERY serious about what they do. Well, you won't find that at The Purl. We're serious about knitting but not about ourselves. We do have fun! Stop in and unwind. Don't forget the Super Bowl Sunday Sale and Frolic. Toodles,Celia

Shawl knit in cotton/elastic

2010-12-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

Cute isn't she? Her father is a photographer and she models for him often! Oh no I forgot her name........If you read this call me or email.So sorry. The shawl is all stockinette stitch with 3 buttons and 1 buttonhole so you can button it asymmetric if you want. Come in and I'll give you my pattern. It's also for sale in our mini knit boutique,instore! We'll have things for sale all year around from now on.

Lucy in her self knit hat with Diamonds!

2010-11-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

This is Lucy,Tk's granddaughter. She is 5,yep 5. She knits and she made this hat! It is done with 1 ball of Encore by Plymouth Yarn. We Love it at The Purl District. We give the pattern away FREE with the purchase of 1 stinkin' ball of Encore and the needles,sz15/16"circs. Get busy knittin'! It's almost Christmas you know. We have a special on giftcards at the shop to help you.

See ya soon,Celia

HELLO FROM THE DAM!

2010-09-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I know that many of you insisted before I left Silverton that I keep you updated on my time here in Amsterdam. Well, a couple weeks into the whole thing life has settled down enough that I have time to write a little something. I have many ideas for posts in my head, and hopefully with school and all, I'll be able to have time to write you some sweet nothings.

Many of my friends describe having an internal force screaming to them that they want children. While babies are cute and all, I really get this longing in my ovaries over houses. All I want to do is nest. The thoughts of picking out new bedding, painting walls and rearranging furniture fills my heart with joy. Thus, I was excited for my move to Amsterdam to have a whole new place to set up and decorate. However, when I got here I was greeted with a boxy room, an extremely restrictive rental contract (No tape on the walls!) and an extremely limited budget. This means other than borrowed items all I've bought are groceries, a candle and two plants. While my roommate and I contemplate ways to make our space less institutional, I've been escaping on to home decorating blogs (my favorite is Re-Nest the eco friendly site of Apartment Therapy).

Whilst browsing and escaping into beautifully decorated spaces online , I came across these chairs. I'm pretty sure the chairs are wet felted by the pictures, a technique that you'll have to ask Celia all about. No matter which method they were felted with, it just made my desire to needle felt all that much more. Sadly, when I moved I had to leave all my needle felting behind at the shop, and so far my search for new supplies has been fruitless. Now as some of you may know I've recently gotten into needle felting, perhaps I've even converted you to needle felting. There are so many wonderful things about needle felting it would be hard to extoll them all. My favorites are the speed and ease it takes to learn, the wide range of things you can do with it, and of course, the stress relieving quality of stabbing something over and over again. So I want to know what you've been working on, what inspiration has struck you in recent days? Have you picked up needle felting and fallen as in love with it as I have? Drop us a line, pop into the shop and tell us a story about what's happening in your fiber life. In the meantime I'm going to follow up on a rumor I heard about a yarn lady at the local farmer's market...

Lots of Love,

Sara

Jellyfish Crocheted

2010-07-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Come in anytime and we'll make a jelly or 2 or 9! You just have to know how to crochet. This is for someone who already crochets. Beginning crochet is a different class.

Use any variegated yarn for a colorful jelly or pale watery colors for a differnet kind of jelly.We have examples in the shop window. Free Jelly class with purchase of yarn.

Celia Bedelia

Lisa Jorgensen in the window at The Purl District

2010-07-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Mama Lisa,knitting for your enjoyment! She even has a bun! We are promoting knitting of any kind not just ole lady knitting like Lisa. She did knitting theater all First Friday.

Celia Bedelia

Tigerlily new kitty at TPD

2010-07-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

Cayman,grandson, and new Tigerlily kitty at The Purl District. She's in and out because right now she's more tiger than lily. Lisa Jorgensen brought her in the shop and I confiscated her for my own! She plays in the window and terrorizes Rusty in between naps.

Celia Bedelia

Silverton Parking Meter Yarn Bomb

2010-07-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just a beginning here in this picture but the whole post is covered now!

Silverton's penny parking meters are the only ones left in the USA. Once these are broken there are no more parts and digital meters are being installed a little at a time. Boo Hoo. Hence, we are decorating them with Yarn Bombs!

Celia Bedelia

Yoyo action happening with Jori!

2010-06-19T15:31:00.000-07:00

August 14,Saturday,placemat or runner..1 day from n00n to 4pm with Jori Halbirt our fave teacher for fun and games! Just a few scraps,or fat quarters, and a yoyo maker,needle and thread is all you need. Great project to take along with you 1 yoyo at a time.

See you there!

Celia Bedelia

Kathy Holt's done it again!

2010-06-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Kathy Holt,a knitter,spinner lady has made yet another fab shawl for the auction up at the Abbey in Mt. Angel.

She makes up a combo of lace patterns and combines them to make the perfect shawl.

she shows up at The Purl on Tuesdays off and on if you want to pick her lace brain.

Knitted or Crocheted Felted bag

2010-05-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

June 6th,1x class from noon-4pm, til we're done! $10 plus materials,100% wool. Great for gift bags or storage put a recycled pickle jar in it for a vase! Novelty yarns add glamour and Fun with a capital F. If you want a fresh earthy look we can do that too. Make a million for Christmas presents,use up your scraps and bits.

See ya soon..........

Celia Bedelia

Little Sweetie sun dress

2010-05-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

Class for this corn ,soy,cotton or milk yarn dress with Sara Nathan is coming up. It is a pattern in the Awareknits book,which I sold the last book today. Will order some more for the class as you tell me you want one.

Saturdays starting May 29th, June 5th and 12th. If you can't make it one of those dates you can arrange with Sara to makeup a class but only before the 12th of JUNE. She's teaching rich Korean kids at Summer camp in California............those lucky dogs!

Adorable!

Celia Bedelia

Linda Kirsch in Italy!

2010-05-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Linda Kirsch is sashaying around Europe for awhile so she's not at the every Wed. Free spinning time 1-3pm, here at The Purl District. Here's a picture of where the group she is leading is staying. They check out fiber farms, dyeing, and handspinning. Linda says no yarn shops except a little yarn in dress shops. Linda met Mrs. Lamborghini and is going to invite her to come and knit with us in Silverton at the Big Red table. Evidently Mr.L sold the car biz and bought a golf club and spa where the Mrs. hangs and knits. Mr. L.has since passed on.

Have fun and see you soon ,Linda

Celia, jealous in Silverton

Free Class Crochet Along

2010-05-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

Lisa J. is going to do a baby blanket crochet along to go with the neck down sweater she just made in Jeanne Baldwin's class. Anybody who crochets should come in on Saturdays in May and June and join us for an ez project. Lisa likes bright colors but you can do whatever you want. It has a heart in the center.

Come on keep knitting............

Celia Bedelia

Baby boy born to family Stapleton.

2010-04-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Baby Brudder Bobble before and after pix. You ask before and after what? a train wreck? no Before is a non-knitter,after as a knitter! Don't know what to tell ya. My family is SPECIAL.

Mostly he designs and builds bikes and scooters out of re-cycled parts. His site is omahgarsh.blogspot.com.Crazy clown bikes,tall bikes,scooters out of crates,long skateboards,etc. He sells them and plans to teach a re-cycled upgraded bike workshop thru the Silverton Art Association this summer.

Theresa Kelley's hat in Magic yarn.......

2010-04-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

We still have free patterns of this ridged hat. We don't however have anymore Magic Yarn. It's not around anymore nowhere no how. Well, if you shake down Rosa you might get one for a high price.

Celia Bedelia

Sock Monkey Class May 1st Saturday,Noon,$20.

2010-04-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

WOW! How about you take the class then make them in all the sizes for your family and then take a picture for Christmas cards this year? We are making ours from SWTC Soy Silk in a mottled grey very cute. We have a sample in the shop.

Come on I dare ya.

Celia Bedelia

Earflap Hat with Mochi Plus

2010-04-22T13:58:00.001-07:00

I know Gma Laurie I haven't put anything new up for awhile. Here's Lisa Jorgenson's latest project. She is writing the original pattern for all to buy at The Purl District. It is knit from Crystal Palace Mochi Plus worsted in what I call "Eugene" colorway. It's really called radiant rainbow. Very cool earflap hat.Lisa has fitted it to the face and forehead very well so it envelops your face. It has ridges at the top an I-cord from the crown with optional tassels or Pom Pom. Come in and check it out.

Celia Bedelia

Sheepsies in the field with Maggie!

2010-01-29T17:06:00.000-08:00

Maggie is wearing Sylvia's fab Needlefelted,sheeps and field on a machine felted re=cycled sweater from her closet! Isn't she/that a cutie? We have what we call the National Needlefelting Union at The Purl District. We meet on the last Sunday of the month. It's this Sunday from 11am-1pm. There is no cost to play, unless you want to buy kits or tools or fiber or? Maggie made a 2hour hat for her first project in knitting. She is 9yrs old. If you want a 2hour hat pattern they are free with yarn purchase. We'll even get you started! OOps! almost forgot.....We'll be making felted Red Valentines too!

I know I'm terribly random in my writing. It's how I talk too.

Toodles,

CeliaBedelia

2010-01-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

HI! It's Thursday the 28th of January. Here's a smashing pic of Jeanne's Wow Barbarella Boot Class actually designed by Kristin Nichols. We jus re-named it for our class! Kristin is a fan of color can you tell? Call us and sign-up for the class in Feb. 2,9,16th,tues eves,6-8pm $40. plus materials.

Mistake Rib Scarf Contest

2010-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

From Now until Feb. 7th we are having the Mistake Rib scarf Contest. Use our yarn at the Purl District and our FREE pattern bring it back and we'll judge them on Feb. 7th,Super Bowl Sunday for 3 prizes. We'll have 1st prize of $15.gift card, 2nd prize of $10. gift card,3rd prize of $5. gift card.

There's a picture above of one I did with Crystal Palace Mini Mochi. It is reversible and lays flat.

An ideal scarf for all, great for a man's tailored looking scarf in the right boring boy colors! Well I'm on aroll now,blog entry a day program! Stop the madness............

Oh No! Can you believe a new chapter on the blog!

2010-01-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

Hello boys and girls.........

Here's a little something to chew on....We just got a sample in the mail from Deb Vaughan ,one of our new favorite customers! She knit us a sample from knitty.com. She used swtc pure soysilk. Well as you can see it turned out great!

A big thx to all the Friends of The Purl

2009-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

You guys saved my everloving knitting and crocheting butt if ya wanna know. I was on the very eve of destruction as the song goes. Now to keep us going and stayin alive stayin alive you must keep coming in and take a class or teach a class and buying yarn to keep the Purl here in Silverton. That's the only way it works for us to have the kind of shops we want and need in our lives. Homegrown, surviving and thriving that's us.

Celia

News from the Purl!

2009-10-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

Howdee!

It's fall and the knitters are running rampant. TK and her gang have come up with another winner. Check out the naked sheep.com for the free cupcake hat pattern. It's a girly girl kid hat. Anyone make it for adults? We made it out of Plymouth's Cleckheaton pink DK AND CREAM PUNTA LAVA AND some fluffy Fizz from Crystal Palace. Use brown for chocolate and how about beading the top with bugle beads for sprinkles. A Cherry is a red felted ball...Beyond cuteness. I'll put a pic up soon.

Celia Bedelia

2009-06-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Felted Animal Artist, Renee Andes, displays her hand made animal collection which includes goats, cats, dogs, horses and bears.

You can make your own! Learn how and pick up supplies at the Purl District.

2009-05-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Make this hat using Encore worsted weight yarn with the Mission Falls striped hat pattern.

This hat was created my Grandma Laurie Chadwick.

2009-05-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Create a stuffed toy! This one is an original design by the artist, but the Purl District has a plentiful supply of toy patterns to choose from!

2009-02-26T16:41:00.000-08:00

Just thought this was spectacular and that everyone needed to see it!

~Selina

2009-02-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

FREE knit class! Learn to knit this Valentine's Heart Washcloth on Saturday, Feb. 14th from 1-3 pm at the Purl District. Materials can be purchased at the shop!

2009-02-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

Free "Mistake Rib" pattern now available at the Purl District!

2009-02-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

OK so Selina bleached her hair and now looks like a totally different girl. So she will have to put another updated pic on the blog. I'm working on a mistake rib scarf with 2 yarns held as one. They are very yummy from Newton yarns,some metalic,peach and beigey fuzzy kinda,wool,rayon,nylon,mohair. I'll take a pic when it's done. Yes, smarty pants, out there I do too knit! Ha ha ha

CeliaBedelia

2009-02-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

Check out Anacam.com/hats to see some really interesting knit hats!!!

2009-02-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

Nicole McLoughlin displays the blanket she has crocheted for soon to be born daughter, Roslyn Nicole. For her original design she used Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande yarn with Mango Moon Nirvana Handspun yarn every 10th row.

2009-01-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

This sample triangle shawl was made by, the Millstream Guild Member, Carol Richmond. This particular piece is made with Koigu Premium Merino yarn, but can be replaced with any hand-dyed, sock weight yarn. Multicolor skeins create beautiful and varied color patterns.

This is one of our newest patterns offered. It's meant for the beginning knitter, but creates professional results with use of the lace knit. Subtle effects make this shawl easy to make and easy to wear on a cool day.

Hi I am Selina

2009-01-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

I started at the Purl District about a week ago and am loving the positive, creative environment that this store is. I'm always here Mondays and Fridays and often times additional days throughout the week.

The Sock Market is Up!

2008-11-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

We're a little clueless about the stock market, but we sure are bullish on yarn. In these interesting economic times, we think yarn is one of the best investments you can make.

With stocks slipping down faster than our knee-highs in grade school, you'll want to find a safe place to put your money. May we recommend a yarn store?

Think of buying yarn as a little like buying futures: you're investing time, skill and yarn, and you're betting that two sticks and some string are going to turn into the most fabulous (insert name of garment here) that anyone has ever seen. But unlike the stock market, you never get less out of it than you put in.

Yarn is an investment that saves you money. We heard you; you just said, "Get out!"

No, really! When you've put those needles to good use and are dressed in wool from head to toe, you can turn the thermostat down to "arctic". Even in its unknit state, your stash of yarn strewn over the attic floor could step in as an insulation substitute, keeping those electricity dollars in the house and not flying out your roof.

Yarn is also an investment in your friends and family. Grandma teaches Mom, Mom teaches Son, Son teaches Pal, and so on and so on. And how many of us feel we can hang out with our friends without justifying it with a purpose? Hello, knitting night! Think of all that togetherness! Priceless!

Best of all, an investment in yarn is an investment in creativity and fun. And we're thinking we're ALL gonna need more of that!

Boo!

2008-10-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

Since it's Halloween, (we thought we'd better tell you that, just in case you think this is the way we normally dress for casual Friday),

the Devil made us do it! We put every-

thing in the store on sale at prices guaran-teed to scare the pants off Celia, but

put a great, big, jack-o-lantern grin on your face.

With the entire shop at 30% off today, your budget will definitely not need rescuing like a damsel-in-distress. And the savings have oozed over to the other side of the building, because the deep discount also applies at Snippets, next door. Rosa (aka, Miss December 1972, gone to seed) will be glad to ring up some Amy Butler fabric for you after you've made a big haul at the Purl.

Remember: Don't wait for your treats! If you come in tomorrow, you'll feel tricked, cuz we'll be closed over the weekend to move those 10 skeins of yarn that don't get sold today. But we'll be back open on Monday with more yarn and more fabric -- and a whole new look.

Jane, Unhand That Baby!

2008-10-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

No can do. Jane obviously left her mark on our cutie-pie model, Sebastian, when she popped him into this sweater and hat set appropriately named "Hand."

After Mission Falls sent us a big box of their 136 Merino Superwash, Jane went a little nuts, grabbed the Wee Knits booklet, and whipped out this fall ensemble almost before the UPS guy got back in his truck.

Ever since it arrived, we've been playing touchy-feely with this yarn. It is so soft you'll be surprised it's wool. As you can see from Sebastian's face, he's a little surprised, too.

Celia Goes to the Dark Side

2008-10-17T16:25:00.001-07:00

No surprise: Celia is going to the dark side. But it is a surprise that she's taking us and all the yarn with her. Next month The Purl District is crossing the great divide(r) to be roomies with Snippets.

Yes, even though we're moving, you won't have to go far to find us: we will have moved about 10 feet. No matter whether you knit, sew, crochet or just make yo-yos, you'll be in a one-stop fiber paradise.

And don't worry, we're keeping the couch and the big red table. True, the little red table will have to go. (Any buyers? Contact Celia.) But the important thing (YARN!) will be there in abundance.

Those of you who know and love us will realize that we don't want to go to all the trouble of moving aaalll that yarn aaalll the way over to the other side of the building. So being clever and devious, we've developed a cunning plan. On October 31st we are having a moving sale! That way you can haul the yarn to your house instead of making us stagger the incredible distance of less than five yards under the weight of tons of wool. And since the Snippets employees are just as lazy as we are -- probably because we're the same people -- Snippets will have a big staying-in-the-same-place sale on the same day. You won't want to miss it.

Meet the Family

2008-10-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last week we were graced with the arrival of an entire family of dolls from the country of Kyrgyzstan, all wearing their traditional garb. (We can now cross "use the word 'garb' in a published format" off our bucket list.)

They are cute; no, they are charming; no, they are beyond words. You have to come in and see them to experience how exquisite these little people are.

This tall lady in the top photo is wearing elechek, the traditional headdress for married women, and the smaller girl below her has on the cone-shaped hat worn by brides.

The detail on all the work is painstaking and fascinating. When we pick them up to take a closer look, we just have to smile in wonder.

The bottom grouping is a roly-poly family of mother, father, and daughter, who are all looking for a permanent home here in the states.

And if only we could get iphoto to cooperate, we could show you the cat slippers -- the colors and the embroidery are amazing. When you put them on your feet, you'll just want to hug them, which starts to look a lot like yoga but might feel better.

A co-op of women in Kyrgyzstan makes all of the items by hand. Each member has her own specialty -- one woman creates the dolls, another makes the slippers, another works her felt into bags, etc. Each one of them is a master of what can be done with wool and hard work. What makes all of this even more mind-boggling is that the wool is felted in a very low-tech way by rolling and beating it in their driveways! And it comes out in rich, bright colors, often subtly shaded or shot through with contrasting streaks. Wow!

We've got to stop now before we start using regrettable words like fabulicious and cutesy-wootsey, but when you stop by to look at them, feel free to use any adjectives you like.

We're Classier Than You Thought

2008-10-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

The kids have been back to school for a month now, and their minds are picking up speed after their cranium-softening vacation. But how about you? If you're still suffering from a bit of summer brain rot, don't take a pill -- take a class! That's right, it's not too late to sign up for fall classes at The Purl District.

Bunny Gail has skills to spare and share, whether she's teaching you the basic knit stitch or helping you figure out why all your decreases won't slant the same way. Come to her class, Beginning Knitting and Beyond; it restarts every month on the first three Tuesday evenings, 6-8 p.m.

Now, if you're ready to amaze your friends and confound your enemies, it's time to learn how to knit in the round at Jane's Socks! class. Can't you just hear Aunt Tilly, who always told your mother you were a klutz, say, "However do you knit with four needles? I could never do that!" You don't need to tell her it's a CINCH -- and we won't say a word.

Jane will also help you get a jump on those Christmas presents with our Felted Clogs class. After three Monday evenings, you'll be cranking those puppies out for every member of your family -- Aunt Tilly excluded.

Perhaps you suspect crochet may be your "thang." Our fearless leader, Celia, can teach you how in three sessions custom fitted to your schedule. Once you've got the basics under your crocheted belt, Celia has a couple of other classes for you to try: Crocheted Flower class, where you can grow your own garden with just yarn and a hook, and Crocheted Felted Bucket Bag class, not guaranteed to hold water, but absolutely guaranteed to hold your interest.

Did we mention that there's a 10% materials discount on whatever you buy for any class? No? Well, we'll mention it now. All classes start this week, so join us and save your brain!

Got Sweater?

2008-09-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

One more example of what happens when you lock our Jane alone in a room with a basket of Cascade 220 Superwash and just one pattern.

Happily, that pattern was Mission Falls' Zelda Pull Sweater. Ten sweaters, ten colors, but we notice she only made them in one size -- hers!

By the way, Celia Bedelia and Bunny Gail are off! No, not as in you-have-to-be-a-little-off-to-work-here, we mean they're on another field trip. This morning they packed up half the shop, loaded it into the Purlmobile, and drove away to Canby for the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF). If you're one of the fiber fiends who will be there this weekend, be sure to stop by our booth and do a little shopping.

Autumn is Here! Autumn is Here!

2008-09-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, the scientific, meteorological types may say it won't come until September 22, but the rest of us know it in our bones -- autumn has arrived!

How do we know? True, the leaves haven't turned yet, but the air is crisper, and there's fresh cider down at the farm stand. The most important clue of all? The autumn colors have arrived at The Purl District.

You don't have to wait until the autumnal equinox to see the browns, golds and oranges of fall. They can be in your knitting bag now -- or at least as soon as you come down here and get 'em.

Road Trip!

2008-09-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Next week Bunny Gail and Celia Bedelia are loading up the truck to move to Beverly (well, maybe just to Portland). Why? It's time for the Knit & Crochet Show, sponsored by The Knitting Guild Association and The Crochet Guild of America, and The Purl District is gonna be there.

We've got a booth, yarn, and attitude. Starting Thursday night, September 11, from 7-9 PM and then all day Friday through Sunday, Gail, Celia, and our special guest star, Nita Porter, will be selling their little hearts out at the Portland Convention Center. And we want you to be there, too.

All of Gail's special angora yarn will be there -- hand-dyed and spun from Gail's own rabbits.

There will be lots of sock yarn, too, good for socks (yeah, duh), but also good for KnotSoPlainJane's hoodie sweater for kids. As the photo shows, self-striping is not just for feet.

The Purl District's very own brand of circular needles also get to make a trip up I-5. Made of bamboo, with smooth joins and ultra-flexible cables, these needles are just what your knitting bag has been missing. And at the crazy low price of $5 a pair, you can stock up and up and up...

And since it wouldn't be the Purl District without some sass, we saw Celia packing up pins, bags, and t-shirts with some smart-sass sayings (how's that for alliteration?) to take along for your consumer enjoyment.

We know that you are going to go to the show just to shop at our booth, but don't forget all the classes! The powers that be wanted us to tell you that while it's too late to sign up for classes online, you can still register for them when you get to the Convention Center.

Patricia Goes to the Fair, Doesn't Bring Us Any Cotton Candy...

2008-09-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

but she did bring in her prize-winning sweaters for us to show you.

At left, Patricia Henderson, of Silverton, is wearing the sweater from Interweave Knits Magazine that she knitted and entered in the Oregon State Fair. It took third prize.

And below, Patricia is modeling her vest (made from a Berrocco pattern) that earned her a 2nd place ribbon.

Disclaimer: Patricia wants you all to know she didn't know we were going to make her put on the sweaters, and she "wouldn't have worn these pants" with them. Patricia, you should know by now: prize-ribbons go with everything! Congratulations on your wins.

Celia got the Gold

2008-09-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

We forgot to update you on Celia's hat marathon. Drum roll...... She did it! Celia won gold! Twenty-six hats in 17 days. Whew.

Celia's next goal: sell 20 hats in 17 days. Hmm. There must be a connection here.

We Don't All Have to Fit In This Tent

2008-08-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

Don't pack away that tent and gear after Labor Day; you have one more camping trip this year! Clear your calendar for Friday, September 19th; it's time for The Purl District Camp Out. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, you are going have some fun roughing it surrounded by some of the best yarn in the world.

Twenty bucks gets you an indoor campsite (aka a chair) -- no worries about skeeters or rain -- and a chance to mosey up to our chuckwagon-- not just beenie weenies and smores-- AND a 20% discount on whatever you buy that night. (The discount is good at both The Purl District and Snippets, 'cause we're all camping together that night.) Bring in a pop-up tent or camping equipment and we'll bump up that discount to 30%. Wow! What more could you want? It's an excuse to knit and laugh and eat and pretend that summer isn't over. But since autumn really is just around the corner, there will be hourly door prizes to jumpstart your autumn knitting.

Be sure to come in and sign up by September 11th. We're not sure that we can build a campfire, but we can't wait to hear you tell us scary knitting stories around the big red table.

2008-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Barbara designed these beautiful socks with viscachas (a small South American animal somewhere between a squirrel and a chinchilla) on them, but she found a mistake, we believe some ripping was involved, and now she wants nothing to do with them.

We're going to nag her here in the blog to try to guilt trip her into finishing these gorgeous bits of footwear. I mean, check out the 3D edging at the top of the socks.

So, Barbara, you know who you are, we want to see you at the big red table on Friday with these puppies in hand. Pleeeease. (We're also not above begging.)

Has She Hit the Wall?

2008-08-22T13:34:00.001-07:00

It's been said that a marathon can be divided into two equal halves -- the first 20 miles and the last six. All marathoners know that there's a point -- different for each runner, every race -- where it seems that you can go on no longer. It could be in the 18th mile, maybe it doesn't happen till the 21st, but sooner or later you hit the wall.

In crochet, the wall is made out of yarn.

Celia's crocheting a hat marathon. She set herself a goal during the Olympics: 26 hats in 17 days. Here in the basket you see 20 hats. There is sworn testimony that there are two more hats at her house, and a couple of our mannequins are wearing some pretty warm headgear for August, so that brings us to 24 completed objects with only a couple of days left to go. It looks like she's going to make it, BUT it's possible that she's hit the wall. Those last two skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash could be the equivalent of six miles of grueling road.

Check in next week to see if she won the gold...

Yarn Dreams

2008-08-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

It could be a yarn shop. It could be a small, well-organized fiber warehouse. Or it could be the headboard of Jane's bed. Take a guess.

Our Jane, The Purl District yarn slave and incredi-knitter, lives for fiber -- and not in an All-Bran sort of way--which explains why, when she needs a respite from a hard day of being surrounded by skeins of wool, alpaca, and bamboo at the shop, goes home to this. Last thing she sees at night? Yarn. First thing she sees in the morning? You get the idea. Just in case you didn't feel that Jane is fully committed (and feel free to think of the word 'committed' as you like) to the fiber lifestyle, you should know that she is here in the shop right now -- on her day off! Some people are crazy like that.

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Deja Vue Web Page

2008-08-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

You may have checked out our website lately and said, "Whoa, haven't I seen this before?" The answer is probably 'yes'. The page has been a little bit on hold since spring, and we bet you're gonna ask why. So we're gonna tell you. Tim, our webdude, is revamping the whole shebang.

When Tim's done, we're going to have a shopping cart, and while you can't ride it up and down the aisles like at Safeway (yes, you know you've done that), you can load it up with yarn and yarn and more yarn. Oooh, and you're going to want some of those buttons, and dang if you haven't misplaced your 24" and 40" size 8 Addi Turbos, so throw a couple of those in there. And before you finish clicking, there's a new book on needle felting you MUST have. Whew! You've done a full day's shopping and nobody needs to know you're still in your jammies.

The Purl District will also no longer be calendar-challenged. We'll have one for you to click on, so you can check on upcoming events. And never again will you have to sheepishly call to find out what time Gail's teaching that class-you-signed-up-for-but-can't-remember-when-you're-supposed-to-show-up-at. (It's okay, it happens to all of us.)

So the upshot is: keep visiting our site. We're sure it'll be worth the wait.

Oh, since you're going to be shopping in your pajamas, you'll need new slippers. What a coincidence -- Jane will be teaching a clogs class, beginning Tuesday, August 12th. As the picture shows, these are fabulous, so soft and cushy. Yep, you definitely are going to want these.

When It Comes to Yarn: Moths Bad, Butterflies Good

2008-08-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

Susan Carr brought in her Butterfly afghan today. "Only 3 rows to go." And sitting around the big red table, she polished off those rows; pictured here is the result. (By the way, that's Susan, hidden by her feat of crochet.)

Using Tunisian stitch and an afghan hook (which looks a lot like a regular crochet hook on steroids), Susan turned 18 balls of Encore yarn into a work of art. This fall Susan is going to teach the Butterfly Afghan class for us (details pending). We'd love to have you join us.

First Freaking Friday

2008-07-25T12:36:00.001-07:00

August is here next week, and you know what that means: 1st Friday!

For those of you out-of-the-loopers, on the first Friday of the month, we, along with most of Silverton's stores, don't close up shop at 6:00 -- oh, no-- we stay open until 9:00! Wahoo! We gather around the big red table and knit and gab and eat. There's always fun. There's always cheese. And this month, there's Stella.

No, we're not talking "A Streetcar Named Desire" Stella. This Stella is a tape yarn from Rosetti Yarns that makes super funky ruffle scarves. (Check out the pic of Jenna modeling one for us.) They're easy. They're fun. And Celia and Gail will show you how right here next Friday evening.

2008-07-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

O Spinner, where art thou? It's Friday morning and The Purl District awaits you...

Spin 'n' Yak sessions have been on hold, but people have asked us to start them up again, so here we go -- grab your wheel and a latté on Friday mornings and chill out with us.

Elizabee, here at the shop, has been spinning for the Tour de Fleece. While bicyclists worldwide have flocked to Europe for the Tour de France, spinners of a different sort have taken their wheels to the web for the Tour de Fleece to spin yarn out of their stash. Here's a photo of a merino/mohair blend that she's racing to finish. She keeps mumbling, "Too much twist. Too much twist." It must be her mantra or something.

Anyway, if you're in the Tour de Fleece -- or even if you're not -- there's no need to spin alone. And while you're down here, maybe you can give her some pointers, we think she's spinning out of control!

Never Felt Better in My Life...

2008-07-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

We've got some pix for you from our Felting Workshop in May. Fifteen felters descended on the Silver Falls Convention Center along with fiber from Skacel and ArtFelt paper to learn a new-fangled method of feltmaking where you build the art right in.
Instructor Jo Ann Ellis shows how easy it is....to get carried away!

Ready, set, felt!

It's so easy that Nita can do it with her eyes closed.

Look at what they made!

And after a full day of fiber-wrangling, there are only two choices: more fiber-wrangling --aka knitting, as chosen by David, Mary Lou, and Gail -- or a soothing massage. Thanks, Tracy!

Wow! Here's some inspiration for you:

2008-07-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

And just a little something to think about if you're one of those people who think you can never learn to knit...

This is Chloe Nealon, of Silverton, wearing one of the two -- yes, we said two -- scarves that she made this week. Amazing. She came in with her mom today to buy four more skeins of yarn, because she can't wait to create more.

Amazing Thing #2 is that she learned to knit last Sunday, so she's been a knitter for six days and has already finished more wearable items than some of us crank out in a year.

And since good things come in threes, there has to be an Amazing Thing #3. This is it: Chloe is five years old!

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "But I'm not a five year-old knitting prodigy." Good news: you don't have to be; we can help you out. Come on down and sign up for our Beginning Knitting class with Gail. It's perfect timing; the first class starts this Tuesday evening, July 8th, at 6:00 PM.

And Chloe, welcome to the wild, wacky, wonderful world of knitting. You rock!

Ya Gotta Love a Sale

2008-06-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the thing: we can't get Jane to stop knitting, Celia would rather crochet than sleep, and there's only so many places we can hang this stuff. That's why we're having a sale on all those fabulous samples we've had on display to spark your imagination.

We've got sweaters, scarves, funky hats, hip little bags, darling tiny-girl dresses, and more -- all ready to go home with you.
Over the last year or so, we've knit and crocheted up a lot of things just to show you what can be done, and now we want room to show you what's next.

Come on in and see the whole rack of samples -- all at 50% off of the original price. Ooooh, what a deal! And hey, don't worry about cleaning us out -- we'll make more!

Artfelt

2008-04-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

We are having a workshop at Silver Falls Conference Center May 16,17,and 18th. There are approximately 5 spaces left. It is $250. to attend. It includes all your food,lodging,workshop and kit. Call or come in to register. The workshop is called I Never Felt Better. The Purl District is sponsoring the workshop. Jo Ann Elis is the instructor. She is a sales Rep for Skacel, a wholesale yarn company in Seattle. We will have a wine and cheese reception on Friday night for the students and the instructor. Vitus Ridge Wines will be there. They are one of our Premier wineries in the East Valley.
Bring your knitting,crochet,beading,crafty projects, that book you want to read and lay back with us.

Hope to see ylu there,
Celia

Pictures of the Mad Knitters Tea Party

2008-04-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

We had soooooooooo much fun. Here you see Courtnie and Mom Tracy as the catepillar,and the white rabbit. Peter is a card at the queens and JoAnna is the Red Queen.

Tootles,
Celia

Update of the Big Ass Fiber Festival-10/09

2008-04-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

OK, Guess what? this whole conference doing is a BIG job that we are still trying to accomplish . We are finding out that the expenses of such a gig are in the $30,000 plus range and none of us can back it on our own so No signing contracts without the $$upfront to back it.

We are going to have to establish a corporation most likely and seek backing from wholesale yarn companies. The Oregon Garden Hotel and Resort is working with us diligently to make everything affordable and deluxe at the same time. Silverton is a great spot with all its recreational ops and just the coolness factor is very high!

If anyone is skilled at evvents and has some ideas or would like to be on our team come on down.

toot toot,
Celia

Our New Employee/Knitting Slave

2008-04-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Rosa Hernandez, cutie patootie,is our new employee. She is a beginner knitter, and a long time crocheter with personality to spare!She is working on Mondays only for now, occasionally on Sunday for Jane. She makes Killer Flan. Stop by and see Rosa on any Monday or lots of times she's just hanging out with us on any old day. Welcome to The Purl District, Rosa.

Bye,
Celia

Stuff and stuff to think about for 2009

2008-02-24T15:56:00.000-08:00

Fans, Friends, and Fellow Needleworkers of the World,

We are plotting and scheming at The Purl District for 2009,October to be exact. We want to have a Big Ass Fiber Fest at The Oregon Garden's New Hotel and Resort. What do you think? We would invite about 30 Vendors and Workshop Instructors. We'd have Belly Dancers for entertainment and Dinners and the East Valley Wine Association, and a Runway Fashion show. We'd have a Stinkin' lot of FUN and we'd learn stuff and buy yarn and Crazy Cool Baubles etc.And we'd only hang out with the boys and girls who are fun and knit,and crochet and tat, and spin and do yarny things! For a whole entire weekend,Thursday-set-up,Friday-SundayMarket,Classes Thursday-Sunday.The area is gorgeous and you can go to the Abbey or Silver Falls Park,or the creeks or, I don't know ,crazy, if you want to. There are lots of shopping ops in Silverton and dining Galor also a fiber mill to visit in action.. I'll keep you all updated as we confirm instuctors and dates. So far we have Jane Robbins, Paula Schull, and Lisa Jorgenson.........

Toodles,
Celia

CrazyKnitty Women Mob us!

2008-02-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Whoa! We had a 50% off sale on Sooper Bowl Sunday,everybody scored. I can hardly see a dent ,however, in the inventory. What's up with that? So for the entire month of February we are continuing the sale fever with All Red,White, and Pink yarns 20% off. I am also contiuing the 50% off on select yarns mostly novelties that we've lived with long enough. Wouldn't you rather have some silk or new cotton from Egypt?
So come in and check out all the sale yarns, no dogs, I promise. These yarns are good just not the new hip thing! And you know I can't stand not to be hip and happenin'!

Oh~! Just because, the Chamber of Commerce voted our shops, Stone Buddha and The Purl District,and us,Renee and Celia the business of the year for 2007. We just got notice and written up in the media in the metropolis of Silverton!

We ROCK the Town.
Celia

Anyas crocheted top

2008-01-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Anya crocheted this top from Eco wool Cascade. It is ridged due to crocheting in the back loop of the stitch. It is from a 1970's c Modular crochet book.
See ya,
Celia

Mary Ann's sweater!

2008-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Mary Ann made this sweater in a class with Nita Porter on many Saturdays and homework. Chris Bylsma is the designer of this sweater. It's all off whites and creamy beiges., many textures. Each block connects to the next as you go.

It's a Creamy,snowy ,warm and fuzzy dream.
Bye,
Celia

Kathy and her harp playing for us!

2008-01-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

Picture coming soon! OK,so I can't get the picture to the text. It must be too large. Kathy Holt spent a Tuesday afternoon in December 2007 knitting,teaching and playing the harp for us with her traveling harp. She has a big harp at home. It doesn't like to go out much.
Bye now,
Celia

Rachel is spool knitting!

2007-11-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

This is Rachel with her knitting spool from Bryson. She is making an elasticized headband out of Cascade 220 pink of course.
Happy Thanksgivng to all..............make someone's day a good one.
Love,
Celia

NONI'S FIRST BAG!

2007-11-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

Noni made this felted bag with Plymouth Boku color#10 all teal and burgundy colors very pretty and felted like a dream. The pattern is free with the purchase of yarn. Check out free patterns on the Plymouth website. The bag takes only 1 ball of yarn.
See ya,
Celia

Olivia and Rusty Bao Wow

2007-11-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

Olivia is our youngest knitter in the Knitsters after School Klub on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm. She pays for the class herself by working in the store selling and organizing the yarn on Saturdays. She is 7 yrs old and a princess. Olivia is a natural retailer!
She is holding Rusty our new Shop Dog.He is wearing a Mission Falls doggy sweater with an Intarsia Zebra pattern. Come in and meet Rusty and see him model the coat. Rusty is a Chinese Crested,Powder Puff. He is a lover boy and kisses all customers!
See ya soon,
Celia

Leslie Samson-Hat,French River,Elora

2007-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Leslie is an expert felter, designer.jeweler,German angora rabbit Maven. Ok, so what? Well, did you look at the picture above? That ,my friends, is needlefelted tapestry! You too can take a shot at making a hat with Leslie's classes in Silverton,Friday October 26th,9am-4pm.Tapestry class is on Sunday,October 28th,10 am-4pm.No experience required. Come to The Purl District and sign up and get your materials list. She is from Canada so this is a chance of a lifetime!

Celia

Carrie and Hat

2007-10-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

I had Carrie wear/model this hat. Looks cute huh? nice and soft. It's Crystal Palace Yarns,Poof,100% supersoft nylon.I crocheted the hat with 2 colors and crocheted a flower for the side. It's a cloche style hat of my design.It also has a Japanese bead in the center of the flower. It's a silk wrapped wooden bead.

Toodles,
Celia

Harvest Knit Night

2007-10-16T16:04:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of our drop-in knitter,Joanna. It is the Harvest Knit Night September 14th,Octoberfest Friday. Also it's Joanna's Birthday and we had her fave cake, carrot cake. Joanna was working on knitting her socks and now she is knitting a wimple from our Claudia hand-dyed lace weight silk in color freesia. Our next Knit night is December 14th the second, Friday of the month. It's called The Knit Before Christmas from 6-10pm. We'll have a traditional turkey dinner and all the fixin's,door prizes every hour and a big big sale to complete your Christmas knitting and crocheting.All for only $20./ticket/person. Tickets will go on sale November 1st.

See ya soon,
Celia

Buttons!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Do you love buttons? We at the Purl District do and how. We've got the best selection around for knitter's and crocheter's. Bring in your sweater or project and match it up. Remember a button or buttons are the crowning touch and can make or break your beautiful bag or sweater.
Celia

Jessica Waters in our Party top!

2007-09-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of Jess in the Crystal Palace "Party ribbon" top that Jane Robbins designed. It is soft and naturally elastic,has a bit of shine. We loved it on especially. Jessica is one of our new knitters gone wild.She goes to the UofO ,first year. tomorrow am. We will be missing her at the table knitting 25 Christmas stockings and a passle of felted animals for her petting zoo! We have several 20 somethings that are crazy knitters and we LOVE them for all their good energy and great ideas.

Celia

Kid's after school Knitsters

2007-09-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

We have a group of kid's that come every Thursday after school from 3:30 til 4pm. We teach them to knit or work on their latest chosen project. so far we have India,Cayman,and Olivia. they are from 7yrs old to 10 yrs old. We LOVE having them come in and they seem to love knitting too.
Celia

More fun with HP

2007-07-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Guin and friend and Mom decked out to have fun at the Wolf building with HP.

Celia

Harry Potter release party

2007-07-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

Attendee and winner of a prize all dressed up for the party!
Celia

Harry Potter release party

2007-07-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

July 20th Midnight,we had a party to celebrate the 7th book and we also had Harrypotter sweaters and the book charmed full of HP designs to knit. Pictures of items coming soon. The party was a blast,we had over 35 people there and more the next morning picking up their books.

Celia

Brianna,our Knitty Intern

2007-07-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Brianna Baker,our intern for the Kid's Camp is modeling this Cotton/Acrylic fab top that Jane knit in Wildflower. It's a very versatile yarn and works up in lace like a dream. Very soft and comfortable. We found the pattern in Summer 07 Knitters Magazine. This is the small size in Orange. Wildflower comes in lots o' colors: lavender,purple,pink,baby blue,bright pink,red,and cream.So if you're a natural fiber girl you'll LOVE this top all year 'round.

Celia

kathy's odds and ends Lace Shawl

2007-07-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Kathy Holt spins and knits lace like a fool! A lovely knitting fool who makes the most beautiful shawls out of her handspun you'll ever want to see. she loves color and wouldn't think to make a single color anything. her ahndspuns are usually multi-colored and Zowie powie in texture and colors. Come in on a Tuesday am and you'll find her knitting away happily. She visits on Friday a.m.s occasionally for our "Yak and Spin" time from 10-Noon. "Yak and Spin" is Free and open to anyone who spindle or wheel spins just to commune with other spinners. Kathy's shawl pictured above is in the shop on display. We have lots of lace weight yarns and will be getting more in for fall August thru Sept.

Celia

Sis,Gabriella with friend Maranda

2007-07-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

Knitting away! Must pass on the skills to the younger set or lose them. Studies show the younger they start knitting the longer they knit.It's a great life long skill for any human bean! Helps sooooooooooooo much with stress release and the fun of it and the challenge is great too.

Celia

July Kid's Camp-2007

2007-07-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here they are the stars of Kid's Camp '07,Alexandria,Summer,Maranda and Sydney,Alex's sis,Gabriella came the day after the photo. They worked and played hard and had a blast. They learned to make decorated flip flops,spool knit animals,pom poms,and knit scarves. They had lunch in the park a couple days with our intern,Brianna. All in all the camp was a big success. We are having another one in August,6-10th for a new batch of knitters and sisters. Teachers are Gail and Celia.

Celia

Same Wedding Gown on really Different body!

2007-07-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

Right! see how willing I am to make youall feel better about yourselves........... I tried on Jane Robbins wedding/temple gown to show you what a one size fits all really looks like! The gown is beautiful still, butt? Hope you enjoy yourselves. I know you're laughing.

Celia

Theresa Kelley does it again!

2007-07-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

These are 2 cool felted bags by Theresa Kelley,a local crazy knitter who loves to knit prayer shawls for lucky people(like me!)Theresa designed the Celtic knot closure and we love it. she is an ambitious knitter and keeps the shop going singlehandedly!

Celia

Johanna Wright's Knitty Art

2007-07-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

This is one of many knitty art paintings of johanna's. She is a fab artist and shows her artwork at The Purl District exclusively in Silverton. She also sells online at Etsy. Johanna does other subjects besides knitting but why would you want those? Come in and see her new paintings on August's First Friday in Silverton,6-9pm. We will carry her work all year 'round. Prices are within reach for all.$25 and $40.

See ya
,Celia

Be Sweet Sweater

2007-07-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our recently completed sample of Be Sweet's Magic Cardigan. Marylou Andes knit it and said it was a fun project. She enjoyed choosing the yarns and using the Magic Balls to knit. We fudged on the materials a little and put in some odds an ends of matching yarns in our chosen colorway. The Magic Ball was the inspiration for the colors and fibers to start with for sure.We chose Tudor Rose for a fresh springy look.It is an Advanced Beginner pattern,one size fits most, NOT. It is a small,like size 6,8,10ish...............that not most if you ask me,well not in my Fab 50 world anyway! We have this yarn and the pattern at the shop.
Se ya soon,
Celia

Report on Black Sheep Gathering

2007-06-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yo,

The BSG was successful for Gail on many levels. She sold her Angora roving and other fibers well. She added her hand-dyed angora sock yarn to her offerings. We will be carrying more of her angora yarns soon. They are being spun now as we speak at the NEW Silver Falls Spinnery with Cheryl and Lurene up on Quall Rd here in Silverton. We are very proud of them for opening a spinnery. It is so organized, clean and amazing yarns are coming out the other end. 2 great guys from North Carolina who built the spinning machine are here helping them get it all set up. The quality of the yarn is very nice,even,good twist,and yummy................so there.

Celia

Felted ballssss........

2007-06-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Felted balls are silly and fun. We do that at TPD! Use them on bags or scarves as accents or button closures. They come from Be Sweet . We just ordered some beaded felted balls from Frabjous to add to the mix. We also make crazy cool silk shreds,felted balls,and bead necklaces/scarves. I'll show you soon when I get that photo taken.

Celia

Our Janey speed knitting.............

2007-06-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

So this is Jane Robbins our Secret Knitting Weapon! She knits and designs samples and custom work for The Purl District. We love Jane's work and you will too. We'll show you more examples of her work as we go along. This picture was taken during our Bride's Knight our knitting event. She's multitasking!

Celia Bedelia

David's Lace Shawl

2007-06-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

David Hall has been knitting 1 year now and is very proficient at knitting lace cuz he loves the challenge and the beauty. He has knit 3 lace items so far and this is the Christening Shawl for his first granddaughter.

Thanks for checking in with us...
Celia

Black Sheep Gathering

2007-06-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

The Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene starting tomorrow from 9-6pm at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene,Or. It goes on from Friday to Sunday with fleece,yarns,animals,spinners and lots to see,eat and do. Our own "Bunny Gail" Smith will be there with her German Angora Rabbit wool to sell in roving,sock yarn undyed,sock yarn,hand-dyed by The Purl District's own dyer,Jennifer Church.

The colors are amazing. There's a new kid's sweater design by The Purl's own Designer,Jane Robbins. It has pale lavenders and cloudy blues with mint green,a v-necked pullover,easy to knit and a joy to behold in all it's angora softness. Jane has also done a way cool,but yes,hot angora sock pattern.

So go see all the fun and then come and visit us again for more reports on how the Black Sheep Gathering went for Gail and her daughter Stacy.

"Knot So Plain Jane Designs" Wedding / Temple Dress

2007-06-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

Another one of Jane's fabulous designs. It is a Wedding/Temple dress and it willl be our featured work in the window at the Purl iDistrict for June. The dress is made with Cascade's 220 wool in bright white. The model, Karen, is the owner of the dress. This is top of the line design work and knitting not to be outdone by any international designer...and it's our own Jane!

Milford,Ohio

2007-05-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Yo Yarnies,

Miranda is 8 today and we are partying down! Natalie her little sister,6, tells me to shhhhhhh a lot.
I am knitting on my First Cardigan. It has some boo boos that will soon be turning into design features! I will take a picture of all our First Cardigan class when I get home so you can see our progress.

We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean #3 this am at 10. It was Fab. You gotta see it.
I'm getting lots of ideas for the shop while my mind isn't cluttered with the everyday stuff. What would you think of a hand spa for knitters?

Talk later........
Celia Bedelia

traveling

2007-05-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I'll be traveling to Ohio for my granddaughter,Miranda's, 8th birthday and then moving on from Cincinnati to Columbus for the TNNA convention to buy you all fabulous yarns and stuff. Lynn, Gail, Peter,Marilyn will be in the shop to help you. Don't forget to get your tickets for the Bride's Knight out. We are going to have a Blast!

Loveyameanit,
Celia

Celia's Mom,Donna

2007-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is my mom who came to visit The Purl today for the First time! She is 80 this weekend and it's Mother's Day.