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 October is a great month here at the Palace. The much-awaited Panda Pearl has arrived, and we have many new free patterns for it and other Crystal Palace Yarns. We also are showcasing beautiful indie designs this month from knitwear designer Carol Wells and weaving and knitwear designer Judith Shangold. Be sure to check out our Fall 20114 video to see all that is new this season. Sincerely, Cathy Campbell Crystal Palace Yarns
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 Panda Pearl has just arrived in our warehouse, and we have been oohing and ahhing over this absolutely beautiful yarn. It was difficult for everyone in the office to contain their excitement. You would think we were receiving the hot new smartphone. Panda Pearl is a four-ply, light-worsted blend of bamboo, merino and silk, the same luxurious blend that you know and love in Panda Silk. There are 11 solid colors and eight prints available.  Fiber Content: 53% bamboo/42% merino /5% silk
Yardage: 220 yds/100 gram skein
Gauge: 5-6 sts/inch on US 5-7 needles Check out the free Panda Pearl patterns for project ideas. |
Mini Solid
New Fall Colors are Here
In addition to the Panda Pearl, we also received the new Fall 2014 colors of Mini Solid. There are now 12 Mini Solid colors available with the addition of these four new Fall shades: 1107 "Everglade", 1108 "Deep Periwinkle", 1109 "Byzantium" and 1110 "Lily Pad". Combine Mini Solid with coordinating Mini Mochi for enhanced color effects, like in the free Estonian Rib Hat pattern, or use it alone, as in the Betwixt and Between Gloves by Moira Engel from the Indie Patterns section. |
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Fall 2014 Video
We have now received the complete Fall 2014 line-up. Check out the Crystal Palace Yarn Fall 2014 video to see all the beautiful yarn and colors we are offering this season.
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FREE Knit Patterns:
Panda Pearl, Panda Silk & Nocturne DK
 We have several new knit patterns free on our website.
The Wave Stitch Cowl (or Scarf) pattern is just in time for the introduction of Panda Pearl. Dropped yarn-over stitches form the wave-like pattern, with eyelet accent row and garter rows in between. Panda Pearl is silky smooth and very comfortable to wear. This pattern can be made as a cowl (shown in 7041 "Morgan Green"), or as a scarf. I tried our sample on today, and it felt soooooo good around my neck! It only takes one skein to make.
 The Pearly Rib Hat and Pearly Rib Scarf patterns are also done in silky smooth Panda Pearl. Panda Pearl is soft and has incredible stitch definition, a perfect choice for this set. Both patterns feature the Tunisian Knit Rib stitch (not to be confused with Tunisian Crochet). The pattern stitch is a two-row repeat that is fun to work up and produces a soft fabric with a handsome tailored look. The scarf has lovely drape. The hat slouches just enough for comfort and style. Each piece takes one skein to make.
 Next, we have the very fun Panda Silk Striped Socks pattern. These cute striped socks feature a rolled top edge, a short rib just below the roll and a Stockinette stitch body. Panda Silk makes these socks luxuriously soft and smooth. The leg and foot are worked in the round, while the heel is worked back and forth. Stitches are picked up to work the foot. These socks would look great with a pair of Mary Janes or dressy sneakers. They can add a bit of whimsy to a Halloween, winter holiday or everyday outfit. The sample is shown in new fall shades, 3043 "Purple Magic" and 5209 "Green Glades".
Lastly, we have a new pattern in Nocturne DK, the Autumn Leaves Hat by Laura Andersson. This pattern uses a simple repeating motif that is easy to learn. The central K3tog stitch is not difficult and provides a distinctive look. The shaping of the hat is snug, with a little fullness in the crown shaping - and it works up quickly. This is a great one-ball pattern.
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Indie Knit News:
Carol Wells Designs with CPY
 Carol Wells has mad knitting and designing skills! She continues to add wonderful new indie patterns to her Ravelry store. She has recently added three patterns done in Crystal Palace Yarns.
The Kateri Brioche Stitch Cowl is a lovely accessory. This cowl pattern demonstrates beautifully the brioche stitch, using one ball each of Mini Mochi (shown in 336 "Festival") and Mini Solid (shown in 1105 "Walnut Brown"). The designer is generously offering this pattern for FREE on Ravelry.
 Next is the Sweet Pea Baby Sweater & Hat, also designed in Mini Mochi. "The sweater has raglan sleeves for minimal finishing," writes the designer, "an easy cable that does not require a cable needle, and front button placket. Sweater is knit flat in one piece for back and fronts with sleeves joined at the yoke. Neck and front bands are added. The hat has practical ear flaps easily knit into the contour and a basic, rounded shape. The all-over ribbing stitch gives lots of stretch to make one size fit a growing baby for quite a while for both sweater and hat." The pattern is for sale on Ravelry.
 The third design is the Aleksandr Hat, knit in Mochi Plus. The zig zag points keep the ears toasty, while looking good, too. The slow-stripes of Mochi Plus accentuate these ear-flap points. This project takes just one ball to make, and it works up quickly. The pattern is for sale on Ravelry.
Photos courtesy of Carol Wells
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Indie Weaving News:
Weave Knit Wear by Judith Shangold
 Judith Shangold's long history with textiles and exceptional sense of design are very apparent in Weave Knit Wear, her gorgeous new book by XRX. This book contains 27 projects, as well as valuable weaving, knitting, sewing and designing information. The garments in the book were all made on a 20-inch rigid-heddle loom, making them accessible to weavers of all skill levels. Most of the projects use hand-knitting yarn. The graphics and layout of the book are wonderful, with plenty of schematics and how-to's to assist the weaver.
 Crystal Palace is featured in two of the book designs. The Mad Plaid Jacket, featured on the front cover of the book, uses Aria color 101 "Tosca" along with two yarns from Trendsetter to create this textural and visually stunning piece. "A very evenly woven plaid goes m-a-a-a-d thanks to three space-dyed yarns with varied textures," writes the designer. "The shape is a wide rectangle achieved by weaving two pieces for the front and two for the back, each with a tab for the collar; the sleeves are knit." The piece is finished off with a large accent button.
 The Sorbet Jacket was designed using three colors of Panda Silk. The designer admits that this is one of her favorites from the book. Panda Silk's excellent drape translates beautifully in woven fabric. "The log cabin weave, alternating a space-dyed yarn with a solid color in the warp," she writes, "created an interesting fabric because the design called for four separate warps, I was able to vary the warp drafts to create a patchwork effect."
Not ready to make a full jacket? Do not worry; there are many smaller projects offered in the book as well, like cowls, scarves and hats. Rigid-heddle looms are great for beginners and savvy weavers alike. Consider adding this book to your shop's selection. Click here to order your copy.
Photos courtesy of Judith Shangold
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Yarn Events (Updated)
 Here is the updated list of upcoming yarn events. Newly added events are highlighted in BOLD.
If one of these are located in your area, be sure to check them out for fun activities, classes, community stitching, Crystal Palace prizes and lots of other goodies.
10/21-10/26: Central Kansas Yarn Hop, Central KS 11/11-11/15: Mountain Knits & Pearls 10th Anniversary, E. Stroudsburg, PA 11/13-16: Knittreat, Bedford Springs, PA |
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