Happy December! The holiday season is upon us. We are showcasing several beautiful indie designs, as well as a gorgeous new free Mini Mochi pattern, for those last-minute gifts or holiday projects. We also have results in for the successful "Wrap it Up" KAL/CAL contest. We hope everyone has a wonderful Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, and a very happy New Year! Here's to lots of stitching in 2015! Sincerely, Cathy Campbell Crystal Palace Yarns |
FREE Knit Pattern:
Mini Mochi Fair Isle Boot Toppers
Get the knee-high look in a third of the time with the Fair Isle Boot Toppers! Inspired by the popular Fair Isle Hat & Mittens design by Sandi Rosner, these boot toppers feature a repeating two-color latticed diamond pattern. Choose between Option 1, which uses two different ends of the same color of Mini Mochi to create a gorgeous illusion effect, and Option 2, using one color each of Mini Mochi and Mini Solid to create a crisp and stunning accessory.
I love how this pattern turned out, especially in the sample shown here, done in Mini Mochi 324 "Drama" and Mini Solid in the new 1110 "Lily Pad" color. The project takes a total of three balls to make.
|
Indie Knit News:
Cathedral Brioche from Nancy Marchant
There are many wonderful qualities of Mini Mochi. One of its strongest qualities is its potential to dazzle with its slow-stripes and amazing color effects. Nancy Marchant knows this well and has used it in many of her brioche designs, including the new Cathedral, a gorgeous scarf using two color ways of Mini Mochi. The sample shown is knit using two balls each in 116 "Feldspar" and 305 "Caramel Latte". See other Nancy Marchant designs in Mini Mochi, like Rodekool from Knitty.com and the Brioche Swirl Hat from Vogue's Ultimate Hat Book.  Cathedral is one of 12 designs in her new book, Knitting Fresh Brioche: Creating Two-Color Twists & Turns. This book would be a beautiful addition to your library. Nancy Marchant will be hosting a KAL in early 2015 using her Willow pattern from the book. Stay tuned to Purls for details in the new year.
Photos courtesy of Nancy Marchant and Sixth & Spring Books
|
More Indie Knit News:
Canyonette by Ursa Major
Ursa Major Knits uses Mini Mochi to create amazing color effects. Last month, we featured Lotus by Ursa Major, a cowl and wristlet combo in Mini Mochi. Now, she brings us Canyonette, another outstanding modular, "join as you go" design, worked in fabulous Mini Mochi color 331 "Yosemite". Because of the modular construction, there are no seams to sew and very few ends to weave. It is also reversible! The designer offers photo tutorials and schematic drawings for proper construction. This pattern is for sale by the designer on Ravelry
 Do not forget, Lotus is available for free through the end of the year! Act now to get your copy. Be sure to check out more Mini Mochi inspiring designs by Ursa Major Knits.
Photos courtesy of Ursa Major Knits
|
Indie Crochet News:
Cowl & Boot Cuffs by Tamara Kelly
 The Ups and Down Cowl and Boot Cuffs are two great new FREE patterns by indie designer Tamara Kelly. Both projects are designed in Crystal Palace Merino 5, a luxurious, worsted-weight yarn made from 100% machine-washable merino wool.
The Ups and Down Cowl uses just three balls of Merino 5. It is worked in the round, and has an almost knitted-cable look, with a central looped band that can be braided at the end and pinned together. This pattern is available for free and would make a lovely winter accessory.
 The Ups and Downs Boot Cuffs are great for a gift or to dress up those winter boots. Get the leg-warmer or knee-high look in a lot less time. These boot toppers fly on I9 crochet hook and Merino 5. This pattern also include the optional braided center. They are custom-sized and are finished off with decorative buttons.
Be sure to check out Tamara's popular knitting blog, Moogly for more wonderful designs.
Photos courtesy of Tamara Kelly
|
More Indie Crochet News:
Mittens by Brenda Anderson in Mini Mochi
Crochet Ever After is a brand new book by Brenda K. B. Anderson (published by Interweave Press). It features 18 designs inspired by fairy tales. The Deep Dark Forest Mittens pattern is one such project. "If you don't want to get lost, eaten, or turned into a troll," the author writes, "I would recommend that you steer clear of anything called the 'Deep Dark Forest.' Maybe just admire it from afar. Better yet, to be on the super-safe side, you could make a representation of it (say some mittens, for example) and then you and all of your friends can admire it close-up without any nasty repercussions." These whimsical mittens are crocheted using Mini Solid 1198 "Jet Black" as the foreground and Mini Mochi 303 "Spice Market" as the background. I love the way the colors play off each other, the crisp silhouettes of the trees against a sunset sky.  To purchase your copy of Crochet Ever After, go to your local book or yarn shop, or order online from the Interweave Store.
Photos courtesy Joe Hancock and Interweave Press
|
