In the seven years that I've been crocheting, I've made fifteen blankets using a variety of yarns. I've used pure wool, pure cotton, pure acrylic (if you can call acrylic yarn "pure"?!), cashmere/merino blends and cotton/acrylic blends. I've used eye wateringly expensive designer yarns as well as cheap and cheerful budget yarns. And without exception, I've always chosen my blanket-making yarns based on their colour credentials. For me to love a yarn enough to use it for blanket making, it has to exist in a range of colours that make my heart happy.
The above yarn colours are all Stylecraft Special DK yarn. Since I made my first blanket using this yarn almost five years ago, I have grown to love the glorious range of colours (SiXtY to choose from!), the durability and washability (essential for camping/outdoor blankets) and the price (unbeatable good value). It also happens to be soft and non-splitty, making it a pleasure to crochet with. Truthfully, it's not my number one most favourite yarn (that spot goes to Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino), but really it's a pretty great yarn for blankets. My Little People love them and currently Little Lady and Little B both have Stylecraft ripple blankets on their beds (the Cottage Ripple and the Coast Ripple). But most importantly, when my Stylecraft blankets get dragged across the beach or used to make a den over a picnic table at a camp site, my blood pressure remains stable. They are great family blankets and are much loved and well used here in the Attic.
But anyhow, aside from the fibre content and the durability - we need to talk about the sixty colours! In my studio I've got two shelves stuffed with Stylecraft Special DK, that's 55 out of the 60 available shades. The five that are missing from my shelves are :: white and black, plus the three neon shades (fiesta, bright green and jaffa).
Last October when I began my Cosy blanket Crochet A Long I hit on the idea of winding lengths of yarn onto wooden clothes pages. I found this a really useful way to plan the random colour stripe order for this blanket, it's much easier to line up 15 pegs than 15 squishy big balls of yarn! However, since then I've used my yarn pegs as a nifty way of creating groups/palettes to inspire future projects. I keep my yarn pegs in a shallow ceramic bowl on my work table and find myself constantly playing with them, trying out ideas and taking photographs, creating little visual "colour notes" to be stored away for future reference. Vintage kitchen colours, Spring flower colours, Fairground colours, Beach Hut colours, - all sorts of images, memories and emotions can be harnessed and translated into colour palettes. Colour underpins every creative thing that I do, that's for sure.
Now then - the title of this post, did you notice that? Did you clock that I am supposed to be talking about a Colourful Competition? I've been bursting to tell you about this since last year, so here in a nutshell is the low down - this is a competition organised by Stylecraft Yarns in conjunction with Lets Knit magazine. The idea is that Stylecraft are asking yarn lovers to help them choose the next new shade for their Stylecraft Special DK range.
Entering couldn’t be easier - all you need to do is send a sample of your favourite colour to Stylecraft by 31st March 2015. The sample can be anything at all - photographs, pieces of fabric, scraps of paper, a sweet wrapper, a postcard, a child's toy, a sock - all acceptable forms of entry! Stylecraft will be able to accurately replicate the winning colour using an amazing gizzmo that analyses colour and produces high tech info to enable accurate reproduction.
What do you think? Does this sound like fun or what?!
In April, a panel of judges (of which I am one) will work with the Stylecraft team to select a shortlist of 10 colours, which will then be put to a public vote. The new colour will be launched in October at the Autumn Knitting and Stitching Show in London, and the winner will also receive a whopping 100 balls of Special DK to add to their stash (yes, One HUNDRED squishy, colourful balls!) The 9 shortlisted shades will also receive a superb Stylecraft goodie bag containing a key ring, a new fringed shade card and 5 balls of Special DK.
Post your colour idea along with your name and contact details to:
Stylecraft Special Colour Competition
Stylecraft
Spa Mill
New Street
Slaithwaite
Huddersfield
HD7 5BB
Alternatively you can email your entries to [email protected]
There are two more things you need to know ::
1. If you aren't already familiar with the complete range of Stylecraft Special DK, you will need to have a good look at the sixty colours that already exist in order to decide which colour might make a good addition. The very best way to do this is to locate your Local Yarn Shop to have a look at real yarn balls (a list of stockists can be found here). Wool Warehouse also go to a great deal of trouble to photograph their yarn colours accurately and their listing of Stylecraft Special colours gives a great on on-screen representation.
2. There will be THREE NEW SHADES of Stylecraft Special DK launching in early April, and I can tell you they are beautiful additions to the range. I'll be able to show you the colours early next week, although they're not due to launch until early April. You might want to see these colours before deciding on your competition entry, or you might already know exactly which colour you simply can't live without (!)
I am very excited to be involved with this competition, I can't wait to see what you come up with. Wishing you lots (and lots) of colour-filled inspiration, here's hoping your yarny colour-wishes come true!
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EDIT to add :: GREAT news my lovelies, Lets Knit magazine and Stylecraft Yarns have agreed to open out the competition world wide so that everyone who loves colour and yarn can enter no matter where they live on our beautiful planet. Now get those colourful thinking caps on, send in your dream shade and you could have 100 balls winging their way to your door.......
Great idea winding yarn onto pegs so you can try out different colour combinations, I'm going to have to try that now. As for the competition... every time I look at all those amazing colours in the wool shop I end up buying more. My mind boggles at thinking of an addition but I'm working on it!!
Posted by: Cherie Chudyk | February 23, 2015 at 08:13 PM
Wow! Would love LOVE to win this competition! The hardest part will be choosing just one colour, that could take a while. Fab idea for a competition :) Love my Stylecraft blankets and the memories that they bring. Each one made for a different purpose but equally important and they are treasured by my little people who sleep with them, use them for den building, wrap themselves up in them then roll around on the floor, hide and seek and essential for afternoon tea parties. We even have a magic granny squares blanket which is super colourful and required to keep the wearer safe and warm whenever a little person is ill. Yay for colourful crochet blankets!! :0) Sarah xx
Posted by: Hula Loop | February 23, 2015 at 08:04 PM
Email already post to Stylecraft !
I am really excited, even if I think I won't win ...(100 ball of Special DK, that's a dream)
Posted by: Nadine | February 23, 2015 at 08:02 PM
I am guessing that this competition is only open to UK residents........??????
Posted by: Eileen van der Wilk | February 23, 2015 at 08:00 PM
Isn't it funny how different people read different things into what is said. Sheila seems to think that Lucy meant stylecraft is second best but I feel as she does. You don't spend as much on acrylic as you do merino et al so those blankets are the ones you don't mind getting used in a more rough way just as you do your best jacket or boots. She in no way meant stylecraft was inferior as Sheila seems to believe. I love stylecraft yarns and use them all the time but it doesn't stop me hankering after making a blanket out of merino and there is no way I would want it using on the beach or my caravan. Any way I'm off to photograph my choice of colour for the competition 100 balls of stylecraft. Who else is drooling?? XX
Posted by: Lisa Lancaster | February 23, 2015 at 07:33 PM
How exciting! In my opinion you can never have too many colors to choose from. lol That last photo with the pins, in a mandala formation would make a pretty wall art piece. Just clip them together or glue them. Even add numbers for a clock...OR add a stem and leaves for a flower! The photos where the pegs are all in rows, remind me of geraniums as well as the hydrangeas, the next row- a sunflower, the short row- a stormy sky, the last two- the moods of water and summer trees. Inspiration everywhere! ;D
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | February 23, 2015 at 07:24 PM
I am so excited about this competition! the problem for me is that there is NO store within reachable distance for me to visit.
After seeing your beautiful blankets with Stylecraft DK, I HAD to order scads of it in those delicious colors! I've yet to use them because I'm saving for 'special' project - and other things keep getting in the way. I've decided that as soon as I finish with Dedri Uys Sophie's Universe - and the massive afghan I'm making with that (for California king bed! with very long drop-I need stepstool to get into bed.) I'm going to take out that Stylecraft and get to work.
I had already started smaller squares for afghan (which will be used around sides for afghan) so had to keep using the same yarn to complete it.
Lucy, I so enjoy our "visits"...stopping by to visit at your blog always cheers me up and makes me feel as if I've been with a friend.
Thank you for being here...and for all you share with us.
One project I want to do is to scale down your Poncho in size for my toddler granddaughter...and then one for me (maybe that's where I'll use my Stylecraft!)..
Please be well. and enjoy that wonderful family....wish I could sit by that beautiful fire and hook with you for a bit.
Posted by: Carol De | February 23, 2015 at 07:21 PM
Black, white and the neon colours are exactly what I would leave out too!
Very exciting competition - wish I crocheted! It reminds me of this man I met who told me that he keeps a colour 'diary'. Every day he notices the colour of something - the blue of someone's eyes, the colour of his coffee - anything that strikes him and really, really looks at it and gives it a name (a bit like those names they give paints - or yarns I guess). Then he writes that name and what it was the colour of under that date in his diary to remind him of that day (that person, that cup of coffee, etc). I love that!
Colour is wonderful!
Posted by: Claire | February 23, 2015 at 07:15 PM
For years I've been a pure wool purist, but I recently joined in with your wonderful blanket CAL and have used half the stylecraft yarn to make a blanket for our, as yet unborn, first grand child (SO exciting!) It's great, and I'm a convert! I'm going to try hexagons with the rest of the yarn - never done them before. Thanks so much for your wonderfully inspiring blog.
Posted by: Terry Baker | February 23, 2015 at 07:02 PM
Well someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning. What a pointless, negative comment...I mean really...its not even constructive?! You carry on doing what your doing Lucy..your wonderful blog is inspiring, educational and a breath of fresh air! I'm a great believer in "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all"..PS. I've worked in textiles 30 odd years and stylecraft acrylic wool is excellent quality and if the person were to look more closely through the blog they would see that said blankets are indeed not relegated solely to the caravan!!
Posted by: Dawn | February 23, 2015 at 06:42 PM
I'm struggling to think of a colour that isn't already in the range! So many colours!
Posted by: fairyhedgehog | February 23, 2015 at 06:40 PM
Hi Lucy, great post as usual. Sounds as though Sheila has had a bad Monday, it isn't compulsory to use Stylecraft yarns for the blankets just select what you want. Most people like the colour selection with the Stylecraft yarn, 60 colours to choose from but you can use any DK yarns if you prefer though a lot of Attic24 followers like to use Lucy's selection as they work so well together and if you do lots of Crochet like Lucy it is a bargain price. Is it really patronising to offer a chance to win 100 balls of yarn just for sending a new colour sample? I think not. Cheer up Sheila, I know Monday's can be miserable, back to work after a relaxing weekend, whatever the reason is it really necessary to suggest Lucy made you buy Stylecraft yarn, you have a free choice. I think the reason Lucy uses and loves this yarn is because it is a great Acrylic yarn, some are not good to use, and when you have a family of young children they need to be laundered more frequently.
You have suggested 2 colours already why not send a sample you might be surprised you could win 100 balls of yarn and if you don't want them give them to a Crochet or Knitting group that make things for charity an opportunity to feel good.
Keep up the good work Lucy, looking forward to seeing the Winter Wreath and the new Granny Squares you have made a start on, everything you make lifts my heart. Glad to hear you enjoyed your break in Hull, Scarborough and Filey, places I know well as I was born near Hull. I live in Somerset now but have also lived in Dorset and wonder if you have been to Hengistbury Head near Bournemouth they have fantastic beach huts that the owners can sleep in! They are beautiful and the walk to them from the car park, either on the flat or over the Hill, is rewarded with a hot Chocolate or a meal. They even have a small train if you don't want to walk both ways, a real treat whatever you decide.
You seem so much brighter Lucy it must be all this lovely colourful yarn around you and Spring is on its way. Much love from a chilly Somerset xxxxx
Posted by: Pauline | February 23, 2015 at 06:33 PM
What a brilliant competition and oh my goodness what a prize to try and go for .... can you imagine "100 balls of stylecraft yarn". I of course thanks to you Lucy have all 60 colours on pegs and swatches and of course I will be entering!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Xx lots of love Joy Xx PS I've got to go cos I've got a competition to enter :-) x
Posted by: Joy | February 23, 2015 at 06:26 PM
I'm all over it. There is a a colour I want but it is in my head so I need to find a way of showing it. Thanks for sharing. Jo x
Posted by: Jo | February 23, 2015 at 06:13 PM
Lucy, I just love your enthusiasm so much! I also get really excited about color just as you do and I truly understand the feelings of happiness that radiate from your blog pages :) Thank you for all of your inspiration! I look forward to each and every one of your posts! You will be a wonderful judge for the contest :)
Posted by: Lissa Jacob | February 23, 2015 at 06:10 PM
The trouble is that we are supposed to feel that Stylecraft is great yarn to use for all our needs. However, the blankets you make with it are those relegated to the caravan, as it doesn't matter so much if they get messed up, while those you really like stay indoors and are made from the posh and rather too expensive for most of us yarns. Most of us don't have caravans and the message given I'm afraid is that it isn't good enough for you to have as your choice indoors. So why should we?
No matter how much you sing and dance and coo over it, that is the ultimate message I receive. Seeing as I made a Stylecraft blanket for indoors, that is a bit disappointing to have to see my work as made with second best yarn.
What a lot of fuss about a single new colour. No it really isn't that exciting, it seems a long drawn out process for just one colour and rather patronising if I am honest. Let them do their own work I think! What is needed for sure is a nicer green though and a purer orange. All acrylic brands seem to reproduce exactly the same shades as each other and are interchangeable. A bit of variety and less gaudy would be good.
Posted by: Sheila | February 23, 2015 at 05:30 PM
I love the;fact that the same palette of colours looks so different in the squares and the blankets. I have my colours woulnd on lolly sticks
Posted by: Ann | February 23, 2015 at 05:15 PM
Well that was a feast for the eye sqeee so much wonderful colour, I have a huge stash of stylecraft it's go to yarn for me
Clare x
Posted by: Clare | February 23, 2015 at 05:15 PM
How exciting! You'll have quite a job on your hands choosing a winner, I expect! Still, a nice sort of decision to make, eh? :-) xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | February 23, 2015 at 05:14 PM
Well Lucy what a lovely competition will be looking at the New Colours, then I have one in mind, hmmn A 100 balls of Style craft Special thank you love Jenny x
Posted by: Jenny | February 23, 2015 at 04:57 PM
Brilliant a competition! Thanks to you I've come to love Stylecraft DK, it's lovely to work with, I've made your last crochet along blanked and enjoyed it so much that I've made a second one for my son and his family, then I made matching cushion covers, wich I love! When I finished them I made the Coast ripple blanket ( with matching cushion) Lucy, you are such an inspiration your colourchoices are fantastic! Thank you for all your hard work! X
Posted by: Martina | February 23, 2015 at 04:55 PM
Exciting!!!
Posted by: Sandra | February 23, 2015 at 04:46 PM
I love this yarn and these colours.....and I love your blog.....and my to do list is very long 😃
Posted by: Uta Kothen | February 23, 2015 at 04:43 PM
Very exciting that there will be new shades of Stylecraft DK - I had an almost complete set too but have been busy using it up so another order might be on the cards. I have in mind a colour I would really love but will wait to see if its in the new three. Looking forward to seeing your next project xxx Kathryn
Posted by: Kathryn | February 23, 2015 at 04:34 PM
Wow! A colourful blog to go with a fab colourful competition! We get more and more from you, thank you! I lurve the colourful yarn pegs, a great idea! I am also pleased you have tried lots of cheap and expensive wools to know which is best. I have been fortunate to be given wool from my late mother in law - some of it is itchy and scratchy and other balls are beautiful...many don't have a label so I don't know what they are! I just keep making bits and bobs and flowers for my spring wreath! Thank you for all your inspiration and the hard work you put into each blog and blankie!
Karen x
Posted by: Karen Williams | February 23, 2015 at 04:30 PM