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What's New at STRAW.COM & Crystal Palace Yarns
Free Knitting Patterns, Yarn News and More

This started as a "scratch pad" for me to keep track of what I was working on, but I realized that return visitors to STRAW.COM would find a list of changes and additions helpful in finding what was new. The earliest entry in 'What's New?' is from Dec. 1995 when this web site first opened. This web site is maintained by Susan Druding. [ last addition made to page: 05 April, 2007 ]

   Want to go back in time and read earlier "What's New" Entries?
- they are all still here, back to 1995. Click HERE to start going back in time.

Susan

April 5, 2007 - We are adding 4 new yarns for Fall 2007 (which means
they arrive in late summer). We know the sock knitters
will enjoy our new sock yarn : MAIZY- 82% Corn Fiber + 18% Elastic Nylon (same elastic as used in our popular Panda Cotton).
An entire new range of colors,too, including some for men's socks. 
We've received samples of the printed colors
and you can see them here!

March 21, 2007 - Pretend you're in Lucy Ricardo's kitchen
or maybe June Cleaver in Leave it to Beaver with this
great looking retro apron knit with soft Cotton Chenille.
Cotton Chenille's huge color range has colors to complement
every kitchen decor!
The free Apron Pattern is here (and includes an optional pocket.)

 

March 17, 2007 Bunny Hop kids' sweaters knit from Ann Norling Pattern Kid's Basic pattern #29 - See photos of the 3 sweaters - click Here

March 17, 2007 - Bunny Hop is our soft, cozy angora blend yarn.
It's popular for baby items, but no reason a mom can't be cozy, too! 
Here is a classically styled short sleeved cardigan with cable trim.
The free pattern for this Bunny Hop Cardigan is here.

March 11, 2007 - A lace panel set into a raglan style short sleeve sweater.
Bamboozle makes it a lovely weight sweater
and with its elastic content, it won't stretch out of shape.
The free pattern for this lace raglan is here.

March 11, 2007 - our newest Panda Wool Sock Pattern:
Hearts & Shamrocks by Laura Andersson.
Have fun making socks with colored motifs.
The free pattern for this sock is here.

NEW NEW - SOCK INDEX
We are building an Index linked to many free sock patterns
Visit it here

March 4, 2007 - A cozy sock in Creme (60% wool/40% silk)
with a heart motif to keep your feet warm and feeling elegant.
You can knit a pair these high-silk content socks for under $20!
Here's the free pattern by Nancy Wild
for knitting the Creme Heart Socks.

March 1, 2007 - Here's a fun mitered sweater with only 4 squares
each forming the front and back. If you haven't knit a mitered project before,
this is a good one for beginning. Using Taos makes miters fun as the colors
form a great design as they meet and change.
We show two colors on the pattern page,
but any of the Taos colors will look super! The sleeves are a simple wide rib.
The free mitered Taos pullover pattern is here.

February 25, 2007 - A cropped lace cardigan with matching hat
 in our new Bamboozle bamboo blend yarn.
The free sweater pattern includes instructions
for making a longer version, too. The hat takes 2 balls and
has the same lace pattern as the sweater.
The free pattern for the lace cardigan and hat is here

February 24, 2007 - A textured ribbed vest in Fjord, printed color.
The model shown is in the new "rose musk" color of Fjord,
in a masculine color it would be a fine vest for a man.
The free Fjord vest pattern is here.

February 21, 2007 - Another wonderful bag by Terry Ross.
This WILD THING bag is large enough to hold your knitting projects or shopping.
The vertical stripes give it a different look.
Embellish as suggested or leave plain, it's up to you.
A combination of Fjord, Iceland & Taos.
The free felted Wild Thing Bag pattern is here.

February 20, 2007 - a new felted handbag from Terry Ross!
Sweet Dreams is knit with Fjord and Taos with a CPY handle
and trefoil embellishment made of I-cord.
The free felted bag pattern for the Sweet Dreams bag is here.

February 19, 2007 - NINE new colors coming for Panda Cotton.
Our new bamboo-cotton-elastic sock yarn has been such a hit that
we decided to add some mid-season new colors. See them HERE. 
Florals, fruit, Reggae and official Mardigras colors!

February 13, 2007 - Here's a new Taos pattern that is quite easy to knit.
It's a garter stitch separated with single knit sts, so we call it a 'garter stitch rib'.
The simple stitch and boat neck pullover design make for minimal shaping and easy knitting.
The striated colors of the Taos make the design seem more complicated.
The free pattern for the Taos Garter Stitch Rib is HERE.

February 8, 2007 - Maybe you want to knit your own
"Easter Bonnet" and a bag to match?
Even if you aren't a "Red Hat Lady" you can enjoy
these patterns in a wide range of colors
available in Iceland and Fjord yarns.
The Pillbox Hat pattern is here.
The Red Hat Bag Suite is here.

Two different colorways of Taos Asymmetrical Jacket  8-10 balls

February 3, 2007 - Our newest Taos pattern is this updated cropped jacket with asymmetrical front. The striated pattern of color all happens naturally with Taos yarn. Shown are two of the 4 new colors of Taos.
The free Asymmetrical Jacket pattern is HERE. It uses 8-10 balls and is sized from Small to X-Large.

February 1, 2007 - We owe a huge debt to
Laura Andersson, Ph.D.
who has helped us in so many ways
with the launch of our first sock yarns.
She's tested yarns, knit mini-socks, developed patterns,
and put us in touch with other sock-obsessed knitters
and been an all-around wonderful email correspondent
about more-than-socks, too! Kudos abound!
And here is one of her versatile sock patterns -
she's knit this in both Panda Cotton and Panda Wool.
Here's Dr.Laura's Scallops Sock Pattern.
There are more of her patterns coming soon!

Jan. 31, 2007 - And Panda Wool socks are here, too.
Here is a design called Tumbling Blocks based on a traditional quilt pattern.
Panda Wool is a blend of bamboo-wool-nylon and has a lovely luster and feel.
The free pattern for these Tumbling Blocks socks by Nancy Wild is HERE.

I'll be setting up an Index of Sock Designs soon
as we gather all the sock patterns.
I'll post the link here when available.

Jan 30, 2007 - We are beginning to publish our first sock patterns
using our new sock yarns, Panda Cotton and Panda Wool. 
Here is a beautiful sock in Panda Cotton "Early Spring"
by a very talented sock designer, Janice Kang.
The free pattern is written in excellent detail and
is available as a PDF file.

January 20, 2007 - We are ever so pleased to announce
the imminent arrival of the self-published book:
TWELVE BAGS FULLED by Terry Ross, our favorite bag designer.

The book will feature a year's worth of 12 felted bags,
each themed for the month.
Plus instructions and tips on felting and a mini-bag for practice.
SEE photos and more details about the book HERE.

Terry's book will begin arriving at shops in early Feb.
 

January 9, 2007 - Sock Knitters! We have wonderful socks coming to CPY Web site!
With help from Laura Andersson and her sock-knitting-pals and some of our other sock contacts we gathered up a group of fabulous sock knitters to try out our new yarns (and some other of our yarns, too) and I'm busy photographing them and editing patterns for this site. So check back soon for some truly exciting and free sock patterns! We have received some of our Panda Cotton, but all the Panda Cotton and Panda Wool will arrive in early February and I should have the patterns ready for the yarn arrival. Bamboozle yarn is already in stock and shipping. You'll love knitting our 3 new Bamboo yarns on CPY Bamboo Needles!
Here are some mini-photos of just a few socks in the collection:

Early Spring elegant Panda Cotton design

Waves Design in Panda Wool with great stitch definition

Bamboozle Bubbles Sock - we'll show 2 color combinations

December 24, 2006 - Bamboozle has arrived and has begun
shipping to shops that placed early orders. Here's a new pattern
for a lovely lace panel tunic in Bamboozle.
The lace panel runs down the sleeves as well and the front.
A classic look in our new bamboo yarn.
The 21% elastic fiber will help it hold its shape, too.
Free Bamboozle tunic pattern is here.

December 22, 2006 - a new colorway added to the felted,
Diamond Elegance bag by Terry Ross and a new way
to add the strap with I-cord and grommets.
This bag combines 4 yarns:
Taos, Merino Stripes, Fjord and Blippity.
See details in the free pattern here.

December 21, 2006 - a richly colored baby-toddler pullover
combines one color of Taos with 3 solid Aran colors.
All in extra-soft wool. A wonderful change from baby pastel colors!
The free baby - toddler pullover pattern is here.

December 18, 2006 - a new colorway for our popular English Garden Bag
- felted with Taos and Aran wool yarns.
Here's a version with soft blues and lilac and a printed berry color
of Aran Print for the floral embellishment.
See the yarn colors for #3 here.
The free pattern for the English Garden felted bag is here.

December 17, 2006 - a feminine Camisole top in Bunny Hop.
Bunny Hop feels so good against your skin, and it's not just for babies!
This Camisole in Bunny Hop uses 5-7 balls in 3 sizes.
The Free Pattern is here.
See the 11 new colors coming in Bunny Hop in early 2007 here.
 

December 10, 2006 - Bunny Hop with it's angora content
makes a soft gansey pullover for a baby or toddler,
sized from a 22" to 28" chest. (1-2 yrs range).
The free pattern for this Bunny Hop Gansey is here.

Dec 8, 2006 - A simple shaped, box style jacket knit in TAOS,
100% wool in striated colors. The softness of Taos
will make this a favorite jacket for wear in all seasons.
The free pattern for this Taos Jacket is HERE and includes
the stitch chart for the Knit and Purl stitch texture pattern.

November 28, 2006 -
A bell-sleeved lace top in rayon-cotton blend, Waikiki -
layer a similar or contrasting color tank top under it.
This lightweight top has a faintly retro 70s look to it,
but is as modern as today.
Free Pattern for this Lace Top is here.

November 14, 2006 - Bunny Hop is not just for babies!
Here's a soft, classic woman's design to knit in Bunny Hop.
The angora blend is so comfy to wear.
The Free Pattern for this Bunny Hop pullover is HERE.
Also, see the 11 new colors for Bunny Hop
due early in 2007 - Click HERE to see the new colors.

Baby Jacket	Hat	Booties	Blanket
Bamboozle Bambino Layette Set - click each link to go to that pattern

Complete Bamboozle Color Card samples shown - Click HERE

November 8, 2006 - Our new bamboo yarn, Bamboozle,
will be arriving in December and we are busy getting patterns
ready for the arrival. Here's a fun sampler pullover in Bamboozle.
This would make a great Knitalong or for teaching stitch patterns
as it is an easy pattern with minimal shaping,
the various stitch patterns make the pattern fun.
With 31 different colors coming in Bamboozle
you could make many color combinations, too!
The free pattern for this Bamboozle Bobble Sampler is here.

October 30, 2006 - Another grandmother-knit baby blanket.
A baby blanket is a perfect project to pick up
when you just want to knit and not worry about pattern details.
This one is half Bunny Hop and half our new 55% bamboo yarn,
Bamboozle. Bamboozle will be here in December,
but if you can't wait you can knit it all in Bunny Hop.
The free pattern for knitting the baby blanket is here.

October 24, 2006 - Knit yourself a holiday themed sweater
and try beading a motif. Meringue is a soft, merino blend yarn
and knits quickly at 4 sts/inch. Designer, Sandi Rosner, has included
3 different charts for the beading: a snowflake, a tree or a star.
We show in blue yarn with silver beads, but try a red with gold beads
or many other color combinations.
The free Meringue Beaded Sweater pattern is HERE.
The 3 charts for the beading are HERE.

October 23, 2006 - we are excited about our
new 55% bamboo (plus cotton and a little elastic fiber) yarn,
Bamboozle. Here's a lovely, soft project -
a sleeveless shell with a cable in the center.
The feel is wonderful.
Bamboozle will arrive in December - see a preview here.
The free pattern for this sleeveless, cabled shell is here.

October 15, 2006 - Crème (CPY's wool-silk yarn)
makes wonderful garments and is a joy to knit.
Here is a cabled sleeveless shell with an interesting
center panel (not for beginning knitters though).
Here is the free Shell pattern. check the
Free Patterns list sorted by Yarn type has other
Crème patterns, too.

October 1, 2006 - Two Needle Baby Hat -
for those who prefer not to use circular and DP Needles,
here's an easy hat to knit on Single Points and sew one seam to finish.
It's knit with our new Bunny Hop, super soft yarn and
takes less than one ball to knit.
Free 2 Needle Baby Hat pattern is Here.

Sept 24, 2006 - Knit a Bunny Hop Side Wrap Kimono
to match the Bunny Hop blanket just below and to the left.
This little beauty is suitable for either sex baby
and with all the colors of Bunny Hop
you can go wild and bright with "non-traditional" colors or with pastels.
The free Baby Kimono pattern is here
- sizes for 6 months to 2 years.

September 20, 2006 - Make a baby in your life
or coming to your life a cozy Bunny Hop blanket.
This diamond stitch pattern blanket uses 6 balls
of microfiber-angora blend Bunny Hop.
The free pattern is here and knit at 4.5 sts/inch
will progress at a nice rate of knitting speed!

Sept 19, 2006 - Baby Booties with Pom-Poms
are a great gift and you can make a pair with
one ball of Merino Stripes. The pair will come out charmingly
different due to the slow change of color
in the self-striping Merino Stripes.
The free Pom-Pom Booties pattern is here.

Sept 18, 2006 - A fun Baby Hat pattern in Bunny Hop
made as a tube with a small size at one end and
a larger size at the other. This means you can reverse the ends
and turn the hat around when the baby's head gets too big
for the smaller end. Bunny Hop is super soft and cozy and
has many fun color combos possible.
The free Reversible Baby Hat pattern is here.

August 26, 2006 - a dressy short-sleeve top
knit in CPY's Crème (60/40 wool/silk).
A combination of eyelets and wandering stitches
with pouf bobble trim makes a striking, stylish top.
The free pattern for this Crème Eyelet Panel top is here.

August 5, 2006 - Any little girl would love the soft feel of this
easy-to-knit Cotton Chenille Jumper.
Make one in a solid color or in one of the newer
printed colors of 100% Cotton Chenille.
The free girl's jumper pattern is here.

July 7, 2006 - Terry Ross has designed a super bag in our new Taos and Aran yarns,
with vine and leaf details in Deco-Ribbon. This stunning bag will hold a lot!
The D-shaped handle is from our new Bag Handle Collection.
The subtle and beautiful color effects are achieved by
combining a single color of Taos striated dyed wool with
4 different solid colors of Aran wool. The feel of the bag is very soft.
Here is the Free pattern for this wonderful Carpet Bag.
We are considering making this English Garden bag into a kit,
let us know if this sounds interesting.

April 6, 2006 - A soft and velvety Baby Cardigan
knit in Cotton Chenille. Sizes 6 months - 2 years.
The body is a solid color and the accent trim uses
a new, printed color of Cotton Chenille.
The free pattern is here for the baby cardigan.
We will add a child-sized version of
this cardigan pattern later this spring, too.

February 10, 2006 -
Knit this gorgeous Merino Stripes Triangle Shawl
in the miter square technique. The photo shows the
smaller version, it is sized for Small and Large.
Thanks to the self-striping colors of Merino Stripes yarn,
you have no need to change colors as you knit.
The Small version takes only 7 balls of Merino Stripes [approx retail cost under $60]
and the Large uses 10 balls. See the colors for Merino Stripes here.
And, we have 6 new colors coming for Fall, too!

To read more of "What's New" items from 2006 - Click here

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