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Crochet! Contest Winners!
 Congratulations to CPY fan Debbie R.! She won the Grand Prize in the Crochet! Yarn Giveaway last month! She won nine balls of Panda Cotton and a Crystal Palace Bamboo crochet hook to make the fab new Easy-Does-It Tunic by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby. Way to go, Debbie!
Congrats are also in order for Lori R and Lisa U! They were our two Runners-Up and won three balls each of Party Ribbon for the Garden Party Purse by Randy Cavaliere.
Thank you to all who participated. Check out details about the Creative Knitting contest in the left margin for more chances to win yummy prizes from Crystal Palace.
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New Free Crochet Pattern:
Super Quick Cowl in Chunky Mochi
Are you looking for a great, beginner crochet pattern to teach yourself crochet? Look no further! The Super Quick Crochet Cowl in Chunky Mochi works up fast and is very cozy. This cowl took two balls to make. It is shown in a new color coming this fall, 846 "Cherries Jubilee", but you can work it up now in any of the 22 color ways currently available. It is worked in the round on a P hook (10.0 mm), and it features a single-crochet foundation and double-crochet body. It can be done in one sitting, and looks fabulous on!
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Indie Knitting News:
Steps of Change in Mini Mochi
 Ursa Major has just finished another stunning knitted scarf in Mini Mochi (shown in 306 "Red Zone"), called Steps of Change. The slow-stripes of Mini Mochi do all the color-changing work, so the knitter can concentrate on the fun construction. It is worked in a continuous, modular form, so there are not too many ends to weave. The in-pattern tutorials make it appropriate for even a beginner to try! If you prefer to use Mochi Plus instead, there is a chart to help you convert it to this gauge.
 Check out all the gorgeous geometric creations by Ursa Major Knits, including the Peruvian Pyramids and Surges and Waves scarves, both done in Mini Mochi.
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More Indie Knitting News:
"Fur" Cape, Baby Blanket, Pouch & Socks
 The indie designers have been busy! Here are more fabulous designs from the talented knitwear community.
The Natalie Fur Cape is just plain (well, more like spectacular) fun. Imagine this over an elegant black dress; it adds just the flair you need to make a splash at your special event. Speaking of splash, this cape is made up using three colors of our fashion yarn, Splash. This cape was designed by the über-talented Annie Modesitt and is one of 17 designs from her self-published book, History on Two Needles. Each piece in the book was inspired by historic works of art. This Victorian cape was styled from the painting entitled "Natalie Clifford Barney in Fur Cape" by Alice Pike Barney, 1905. Consider adding this unique book to your collection.
 The Stippling Baby Blanket by Kathleen Sperling is incredible. It is double knitted in Mochi Plus and Plus Solid. The designer writes, "It takes determination and perseverance to tackle a double knitted blanket! However, the good news is that because you are always decreasing, the rounds get smaller and smaller, and the project gains momentum the further you go." This is a special blanket for a special baby. This pattern was featured in Issue 17 of the UK-based magazine, Knit Now. You can purchase this issue from the Knit Now website.
 The latest Panda Silk creation from HeartStrings FiberArts has to be the loveliest yarn holder I have ever seen! The Pretty Awesome Yarn Pouch (aptly named) with optional beading takes just one ball to make and will keep your knitting around the house, neat, tidy and elegant. It can be lined and used for a bridal pouch, too. If you are in the mood to make a lace project but do not want to commit to a large sweater or shawl, the Yarn Pouch is a great choice. You can purchase the pattern at yarn stores, or you can purchase digital or hard copy versions directly from HeartStrings.
 Panda Cotton is a great, non-wool choice for sock knitting. The bamboo and cotton keep feet cool. The bit of elastic gives the fabric nice stretch while retaining its shape. Char Kohl agrees. Her Walk this Way socks are darling in either a solid or a print, although I must say they are really fab in the solid "Calypso" color (as shown in the pattern). The stitches really stand out nicely.
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Indie Crochet News:
4 Projects in Crochet! Magazine, Summer 2013
 There are more Crystal Palace crochet patterns coming your way in the upcoming Summer 2013 issue of Crochet! Magazine. This issue will be available in digital format May 10, 2013, and hard copies will be available June 4, 2013. Against-the-Breakers Cardi was designed in Cotton Twirl by Annette Stewart. It has a beautiful open lace body with three-quarter-length sleeves and shaped waste. This is a great lace cover-up for casual or dressed-up outings. The "Blue Lagoon" color way adds extra interest while the open stitch pattern keeps it light and summery. It takes nine to 14 balls to make.
 Next is the super cute Tuxedo Vest. I love this pattern! It was designed by Kim Guzman in comfortable and stretchy Panda Cotton. Panda Cotton is a high-quality, affordable bamboo, cotton, elastic blend in fingering weight. The pattern is shown in rich 509 "Foliage". This color is quite popular and has been seen in other recent designs, such as the Eyelet Vines Cowl (free knit pattern) and the Easy-Does-It Tunic (indie crochet pattern). This vest is a great little layer that is fairly quick to work up and very fashionable. Look hip this summer with this darling piece! The pattern is written in six sizes and takes four to eight balls to make.
 The Sideways Skirt by Linda Dean is also made out of Panda Cotton, and the print color way 7190 "Coral Sea" is a lovely summer shade. Crochet is a very good choice for making a skirt. The stitches can be worked much more firmly than knitting, which helps prevent the skirt from pulling out of shape. The elastic nylon component of Panda Cotton helps to keep the shape as well. This skirt has an adorable ruffled detail at the bottom for extra flirting power! It is secured by a drawstring at the waist. It takes eight to 11 balls to make. I think I might crochet one (or more - a girl cannot have too many cute skirts in her wardrobe) of these myself.
 Last but not least is the Isolde Shawl. This sweet shawlette was designed by Wendy Lewis (designer of the As-You-Like-It Cowl from Fall 2012) in Mini Solid. It only uses two balls to make. This would be a quick and eye-catching accessory in either Mini Solid or slow-striping Mini Mochi.
Crochet! is an indispensable resource for beginner and advanced crocheters alike. Order the single issue or subscribe today!
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