Enter our "Name our Newsletter" Contest!
|  |
Let's face it; "Crystal Palace Yarns Newsletter" as a title is a bit dull, is it not? Help us jazz up our newsletter with a title that reflects what CPY is all about. The person who enters the winning name will receive a Crystal Palace Yarns package worth $150 in merchandise! The first 50 people who enter will receive a yarn tasting goody bag. Please email us your entry, along with your full name and complete mailing address. Winners will be announced in the October issue.
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome, yarn fans, to the first issue of the Crystal Palace Yarns Newsletter! We are so excited to be able to share product information, pattern updates and other CPY news with you. Crystal Palace Yarns/Straw into Gold has been selling to the hand textile market since 1971. We currently sell wholesale only to retail shops, so be sure to check out your local yarn shop or online retailer for our products.
Throughout the almost 40 years in business, CPY has always been a company driven by education, innovation and customer satisfaction. Today, we carry over 30 yarn lines, three needle lines, and a selection of yarn tools and accessories, as well as provide an extensive library of free patterns online.
We will send you a new issue each month, telling you about the latest and greatest of Crystal Palace Yarns. We will not share your email addresses with any third party, and you may unsubscribe at anytime. We also welcome your feedback, so feel free to drop us an email to let us know how we are doing. We thank you for this opportunity to share our love of the craft with you all, and we hope you enjoy staying tuned in to all things CPY.
Sincerely, Cathy Campbell
Crystal Palace Yarns
|
|
|
The Mochi Family
Each month, we will feature one or more of our yarns. For this first issue, our focus will be on the beautiful Mochi Family: Mini Mochi, Mochi Plus and, new for fall, Chunky Mochi. I must admit, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling every time I walk the Mochi aisles in our warehouse. The soft texture, the slow self-striping effect and the rich and gorgeous color palette are enough to make anyone swoon. All of the Mochi yarns are made from 80% merino wool and 20% nylon. The merino makes the yarn soft, smooth, warm and wonderful while the nylon adds strength and stability.
Mini Mochi Caramel Latte
New Color for Fall 2010!  | Mini Mochi: We introduced Mini Mochi, the first in the family, in Fall of 2008. Since its introduction, it has been a tremendously popular yarn. It is a lovely fingering-weight yarn (7-8 sts/inch on #1-2) that can be used for lace, scarves, wraps, socks, hats, and so on. Each ball contains approximately 195/50g. It is available in 24 self-striping colors, including eight new colors for this fall. Mini Solid is a sister line consisting of eight solid colors that coordinate with Mini Mochi.
Mochi Plus
Jessica's Crayon Box
New Color for Fall 2010!  | Mochi Plus: Then in 2009, we introduced Mochi Plus, an Aran-weight version of the original Mini Mochi. This has also been wildly popular. Each ball is 95 yds/50g. With its larger gauge (4-4.5 sts/inch on #8-9), it is great for knitting or crocheting sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves, and any other project appropriate for Aran-weight yarn. It is available in the same 24 self-striping colors as Mini Mochi, including eight new colors for this fall. Plus Solid is a sister line consisting of eight solid colors that coordinate with Mochi Plus.
Chunky Mochi
New for Fall 2010!  | Chunky Mochi: And brand new for this fall, we have introduced the biggest Mochi of them all, Chunky Mochi. This yarn is pure fun in a ball! And it is already showing up in shops. This is a super chunky yarn which is soft as soft can be. I made a neck cowl (pattern coming soon) out of this and it is pure heaven against my skin. With its thick gauge (2.75-3.25 sts/inch on #10.75-13), it can really fly off the needles or crochet hook and is great for quick accessories and bulky sweaters. Each ball is 49 yd/50g. It comes in 14 vibrant shades from the Mini Mochi and Mochi Plus palette.
We have worked with very talented designers who have designed projects that enhance the self-striping nature of the Mochi yarns. You can read about some of them in the following newsletter articles, and you can visit the Free Patterns by Yarn Type section on the website for a complete list.
Are you excited about the Mochis but not sure what to make? Go to
your nearest yarn shop that stocks CPY, grab your needles and hooks,
and read on!
|
|
Free Patterns: The Mochi Family
Many of you may already know that CPY offers free patterns online for a variety of skill levels and yarn budgets. If not, you are in for a treat! You can either go to the general Free Patterns section, which lists the patterns by project type, or to the Free Patterns by Yarn Type section.
Chunky Mochi
Eyelet Twigs Scarf  | In keeping with the theme of Mochi, there are some dynamite patterns that you should check out. Since the hot new Chunky Mochi is beginning to hit the yarn shop shelves, we are working hard to get patterns up on our site. Most recently, we added the Chunky Mochi Eyelet Twigs Stitch Scarf, which is quick, squishy-soft and is an adorable accessory. Scarves and neck warmers are all the rage. They can dress up a simple outfit easily and are great tools for self-expression. The twig scarf features a simple, stylish lace stitch created by yo's and k2tog's. Other accessories in Chunky Mochi include the Easy Broken Rib Scarf, the Fan Stitch Scarf, the Dragon Ribs Hat , the Fingerless Mini-Mitts and most recently, the Triangle Shawlette.
Mochi Plus
Flower Garden Wrap (detail)  | We also have a great selection of free Mochi Plus patterns. One particularly eye-catching project is for our crochet fans, the Mochi Plus Flower Garden Wrap by Gail Tanquary. This is an excellent example of how a designer takes full advantage of the self-striping effect of Mochi Plus. This spectacular pattern is a larger-gauge version of the Mini Mochi Flower Garden Shawl. Some more recent Mochi Plus patterns include the Just Enough Ruffles Scarf, the Mochi Plus Rippled Stole and the Mochi Plus Collar Cowl. Be on the lookout for more Mochi Plus patterns this fall.
Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat  | And since its introduction in 2008, we have offered many Mini Mochi patterns. Last year, we added a stunningly beautiful Fair Isle Hat & Mittens set designed by Sandi Rosner, which deserves some more attention for the upcoming season. The gorgeous fair isle pattern is produced by working color A from one end of the ball and color B from the other end of the same ball. The result is a subtle and sophisticated fabric that takes the color effect to a new level. Consider knitting up this set for yourself or as a gift this fall. Other delectable Mini Mochi patterns include the Entrelac Panel Socks, the crocheted Diagonal Stitch Scarf and the Mini Mochi Ruffled Scarf.
Check the Free Patterns by Yarn Type section of our website for all the Mochi patterns we offer. Visit the page periodically, as we are always adding more.
|
|
Indy News:
Knitty.com and Knot Another Hat
Coquille Wrap in Mini Mochi  | Not only do we offer a wealth of free patterns on our website, but we also support independent designers who use Crystal Palace Yarns for their own pattern lines or in other publications. Each month, we will feature one or more of these indy designers or publications in the newsletter. We are also working on a new section of our website that will list featured indy patterns with source links.
Knitty.com: The new Fall 2010 issue of Knitty.com features a knock-out scarf/shawl/wrap, Coquille, designed by Mary Lou Egan in Crystal Palace Mini Mochi.
In Coquille, Ms. Egan uses two different needle sizes, one which is
appropriate for the yarn and one which is about six sizes larger, a
technique from the 1970's and 1980's referred to as condo knitting.
This technique results in bands of lacy openness. Coupled with short-row, scallop-like gussets, it makes for a very interesting and wearable
project. It is also quick to knit, and requires little counting. Quick, elegant,
wearable, an excellent use of self-striping yarn and FREE - this is a great choice for Mini Mochi knitters.
Mochi Neck Cozy by Knot Another Hat  | Knot Another Hat: Sarah Keller of Knot Another Hat has recently made available her Mochi Neck Cozy pattern on Ravelry. The cozy uses one ball of Chunky Mochi and is available as a FREE download. This is a cute, one-to-two-day project that you can keep in your bag, knit on your lunch break and wear whenever there is a chill in the air. It would make a great gift as well.
|
Is once a month of CPY news not enough? Become a fan of Crystal Palace Yarns on Facebook and keep up-to-date on
yarns, patterns and just all-around CPY fun. We published the page just this month
and already it is alive with fans and posts. Click on the link above and join the conversation.
 You can also find us on Ravelry by clicking on the Ravelry link above, or you can visit the Crystal Palace Yarns pattern page and group page on Ravelry as well. |
|
|
|
|
