whispers Would you like to win lots (and lots) of yarn? In all sorts of near-edible colours? Yes?
Well I have to declare an interest in publicising the Stylecraft competition below, because look who is one of the judges, along with Lucy from Attic24 and the editor of Let’s Knit magazine! How much fun is it going to be to look through everyone’s colourful suggestions and work out what would work best in fibrous form? I’m sitting here willing everyone to let their colourful imaginations run riot. The only downside to judging this competition (and it’s a big downside) is that I can’t enter it. Oh well.
Now I’m sorry, but the competition is only open to UK residents… and it will look a tiny bit suspicious if there are suddenly two thousand yarn-loving inhabitants at my home submitting their entries, so I can’t help you there. (Actually it wouldn’t look very suspicious to the Stoic Spouse, who daily tolerates a multitude of yarn and yarn-lovers passing through his home and life.) But seriously, if you’re in the UK, have a go. Special kudos to my friend who, when told about the contest, suggested a transparent yarn with which to knit the emperor a new suit of clothes. 😉
Go on. Have a try. You might win. Is it possible to manufacture perfectly transparent yarn?
Meanwhile, there is knitting here, of course. The 100% pure, almost insanely soft, qiviut cowl is finished! I’ll toddle off to wash and block it in a moment for its proper photoshoot, but here in the meantime is a picture of when it was nearly done:-
Oh my goodness that yarn is soft. And getting softer. I really do see what all the fuss is about.
And of course I’m still NOT knitting socks. Oh no. Not even slightly. The picture below isn’t a swatch, motivated by finding some sock-suitable yarn left over from the camera strap I designed. Noooo. It’s, erm, well, y’know, just a way of keeping my knitting fingers occupied now that the cowl is finished, yeah?
Those needles are just are just crying out for meaningful occupation, and they happened upon some Rico sock-weight yarn. Could happen to anyone, yeah? They could just as well have been gainfully employed as hair grips. Like this:-
Yikes, when did I get so GREY? Oh, that’ll have been when the Twinnage came along. Sigh.
See, no need for any sock knitting addiction with these DPNs. Oh no.
Caroline says
February 21, 2015 at 10:42 pmI have often put my hair up with knitting needles, and may have forgot and gone down the shops like that once or twice! I think it’s quite a cool look 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:53 amOr pencils. Pencils work well.
mollieandclaire says
February 21, 2015 at 11:08 pmGoodness. You’re famous! ?
Nice cowl. Nice not-socks-at-all… Be interested to know if you do get hooked..
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:54 amWell predictably, I caved. Socky blog post coming soonish….
Allison says
February 22, 2015 at 12:33 amI think I can feel how soft your qiviut cowl is just from the pictures! So lovely 🙂 Please start knitting socks…then it means that I will have to too!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:54 amI caved. There are socks on my needles. Blog post coming soon. YOUR TURN! 🙂
narf77 says
February 22, 2015 at 1:43 amI might not be allowed to enter that competition but I CAN lick the screen and you can’t stop me…more licking over that soft yarn… tastes like fairy floss…emm…good try on the subterfuge but no banana Ms Twisted. We ALL know you are knitting socks and will be hopelessly addicted and furtively buying unusual yarns from elderly ladies wearing BIG overcoats leaning against the wall outside craft shops.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:56 amYup, I caved. There are socks on my needles.
Meanwhile, at least you will no longer be reduced to merely licking the screen while this competition proceeds. Good luck if you enter.
narf77 says
March 2, 2015 at 4:54 pmNot sure I have time to enter…madly studying, learning how to code to make websites and create 3D images. For a technical Luddite like me that is tantamount to tackling the Holy Grail side on! Hopefully I come out at the end of this course a bit wiser, more skilled and with my mental faculties intact 😉
bristolcrochet says
February 22, 2015 at 8:56 amOh my goodness I love stylecraft special dk.i think I have almost all the colours.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:57 amSounds like you should enter. 🙂 Good luck! If you’ve got most of the colours, you’re well-placed to ponder on what needs to be added…
Gallivanta says
February 22, 2015 at 10:16 amYour hairstyling adds another twist to your name. 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:57 am🙂
LavendarLadi says
February 22, 2015 at 12:25 pmI may not be able to enter but I am enjoying my blog side seat!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 8:59 amNow that they’ve changed the rules to make it worldwide, you CAN enter! T’was definitely the right decision on their part.
LavendarLadi says
March 2, 2015 at 1:22 pmAwesome!
KerryCan says
February 22, 2015 at 12:38 pmThe cowl looks gorgeous–that’s a purple I could, maybe, just maybe, learn to love.
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:00 amGood grief – I never thought I’d see you put ‘purple’ and ‘love’ in the same sentence! Ever!
sewchet says
February 22, 2015 at 2:25 pmI haven’t dared google Arctic Qiviut yet, as I know hubby won’t let us increase the mortgage (spoilsport). Is there really room in the Stylecraft range for more colours? I’ll have to investigate further. Thanks for the heads up:)
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:01 amHey, what’s a few more million on the ol’ mortgage? I mean it’s for yarn, right? Not something trivial? 🙂
arlingwoman says
February 22, 2015 at 3:24 pmI saw a shark sock with fins and teeth yesterday. Slipper, more like, I guess. Looked as though it was going after the leg of the wearer…That is a beautiful cowl, by the way, and I wish you pleasure looking at all those entries you’ll get…
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:02 amOoh shark socks – that sounds rather wonderful. And a little like a fish hat that I saw which is knitted to look as though it’s gobbling the head of the wearer.
Amy at love made my home says
February 22, 2015 at 6:54 pmWell, that would be an amazing competition to win wouldn’t it!! xx
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:02 amYup. Good luck, if you decide to enter!
loobyloucreations says
February 22, 2015 at 9:24 pmYour cowl looks gorgeous! Your hair too 🙂 my husband asked why are your eyes so wide what are you reading? Well dear I am just daydreaming if I can win a contest that can make me 50 blankets for the rescue centres hahaha
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:03 amWell very very good luck if you do enter. It’s a fabulous prize…
Jane says
February 23, 2015 at 4:36 pmDo you know where the pattern for the blanket shown in this competition comes from please?
The Twisted Yarn says
February 23, 2015 at 4:41 pmI’m sorry Jane, I don’t. I can ask them…
Amyxmoo says
February 23, 2015 at 11:10 pmWell that’s quite exciting!
cricketfox says
February 24, 2015 at 5:14 amI use a double pointed to hold my hair up. doesn’t give me a headache
Cammie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:18 pmThe contest was opened up to the entire world today I believe!
The Twisted Yarn says
March 2, 2015 at 9:04 amYup, you’re right. Happy news! 🙂