New Stylecraft Special Colours

I'm pretty sure I don't need to give any sort of introduction to this yarn, it's been my main go-to yarn for blanket making since 2010. Over the seven years that I've been using Stylecraft Special DK, there have been 22 new shades added to the already impressive colour palette, and now I am thrilled to tell you we are being spoilt with three more.  That means there are now 88 shades in total (made up of 8 variegated colours and 80 solid ones)

The lovely peeps at Stylecraft love keeping us on our toes I think, and they don't seem to have any real set times for introducing new shades. You might remember earlier this year I showed you the three new colours that were launched in the Spring ? They were Buttermilk, Vintage Peach and Mushroom and I was lucky enough to be in the know about these colours waaaay before they appeared on the shelves. In fact I had been holding onto this top-secret intel for soooo many months it almost did me in! 

This time around however, these three new colours came as a complete surprise and the first I knew about them was when the yarn landed on my doorstep in a cardboard box last month. 

So let me introduce you to Blush, Lincoln and Lapis. Hello, pretty new colours!!

Now unless you have access to the whole range of Special DK, it can be hard to tell exactly how these new colours might fit in. That's where me and my trusty yarn pegs can help you out - shall we take a closer look?

First, lets look at Blush. This is an incredibly pretty mid-tone pink, very girly and gorgeous. As you can see in the above picture it's very similar to the existing Fondant shade, but with a little bit more subtlety about it. I would say it's a bit more floral inspired rather than candy-sweet inspired! It sits beautifully next to Vintage Peach (although it maybe makes the V-Peach look a wee bit dirty?!), and I think will be easy to work with in a lot of different colour schemes.

Next up we have Lincoln, and I have to tell you I absolutely LOVE this colour. It's one that has been on my personal wish list for quite some time, and I think Stylecraft has really given us something inspirational with this colour. It's soft and pretty without being wishy-washy, and fits so so well with many of the current soft/vintage shades (oh, you should see it next to Duck Egg - so so good!!). When I looked at this colour on it's own, I thought at first that it looked very similar to Sage, but as you can see from the above picture, there is actually quite a difference between the two. It really is beautiful and I can't wait to have a play with it.

Finally we come to the new Lapis, which is a strong and vibrant shade of blue. This one is probably my least favourite - it's quite a knock out colour, and would need some strong partnering shades to sit with it comfortably. Also, as you can see above, it's very, very similar to the existing Lobelia colour which seems a shame to me. I think there is a bigger gap between Aster and the paler blues which could have been filled with something very pretty and more versatile.....but maybe that might come next time??!!

I get so much pleasure from playing around with these colours and dreaming up new palettes and colour-stories. SOoooo. Much. Fun!! I find I am very drawn to this soft palette which instantly takes me back to my young childhood, and these colours remind me of my beautiful Grandma. I have memories of a soft pouffy floral eiderdown, the scent of lavender, pretty hand embroidered table cloths, afternoon tea, a walled rose garden, running in damp grass with bare feet, walking quiet country lanes picking wild flowers.  These colours are soft, pretty and highly nostalgic for me, and you can see how well Lincoln and Blush fit in with this palette...sooooo pretty!

Lapis needs strong company, and mixes well with a vibrant palette of rich jewel colours. These are cold-weather colours to me as they remind me of Christmas baubles and tins of foil-wrapped chocolates, log fires and candlelight. They are cosy and joyful, and make me think of all that is good about the cold season - celebration, family and home comforts.

And in other colourful news.....my Summer Harmony blanket is finished and I cannot wait to show you! I took some time to block it, and it's now ready for a little bit of a photo shoot, I am so excited to show you how those squares look with the border added.  Come back tomorrow and join me for a gloriously happy Ta-dah Moment??!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps in case you are wondering, this is not a sponsored post.

 

Comments

[Jane Hansford]

I get so excited when my delivery of Stylecraft Special arrives from Wool Warehouse in one of their beautiful bags - almost a shame to start using them! Though the resulting ta-dah moment is equally exciting. Thank you for reintroducing crochet into my life Lucy.

[Carol]

Lovely new colours that I am sure you will incorporate into something special Lucy.

[EV]

If you're ever in the mood and have time for it, could you please, please make a warm green and yellow combination with your yarn pegs ;-). I can only order this yarn online and that makes it a bit difficult to play with the colors. Only if you have time for it :-).

Thank you!