People, I bring you good news. The sort of news that could result in you receiving an enormous and colourful parcel of yarn on your doorstep some day soonish, no matter where in the world you live. Seriously, if you live on Planet Earth, you’re in. A few days ago I posted about a competition by Stylecraft yarns to find a scrumptious new shade for their Special DK range. (As I’m co-judging this competition, I’m even more excited about it than I would be anyway.) At the time, the terms and conditions stated that only UK residents could enter, BUT there’s been a marvellous change of plan that made me smile from ear to ear when I read about it: they are now accepting entries from anywhere in the world. Wa-hey! Definitely the right decision. 🙂 Here’s a project I crocheted in this yarn:-
So for anyone who was distracted from my previous post by weeping because they were ineligible to enter on account of living in Djibouti, here’s what you need to know. For when you want an acrylic, Stylecraft Special DK is, in my opinion, the best quality option out there (and believe me, I’ve had some less-than-cheery encounters with its rivals – there are some really really bad acrylic yarns on the market). Nobody is paying me to say that, by the way. And it’s available in about 60 shades from strong brights to gentle pastels. But the good folks at Sylecraft feel they need to add another shade, and for this they need your help. Here’s the Arne and Carlos blanket I’m knitting in Stylecraft Special:- (Actually I’m knitting something else in this photo, but my mum is adding a row to the blanket.)

To enter the competition, simply send them the colour that you think they should add. You could paint this colour, photograph it, or cut it out of a sweet wrapper you nicked from your housemate. Doesn’t matter, just send Stylecraft a sample.
Oh, I’ve just noticed another project I crocheted (almost) entirely in Stylecraft Special:-

Entries must be received by 31st March. After that date, the fun begins for those of us tasked with judging the competition, namely me, plus Lucy from Attic24, Sarah Neal from Let’s Knit magazine, with some wise folks at Stylecraft who recognise a near-edible colour when they see one. Ten possible shades will be selected and – believe me – suitably drooled over. These will then be put to the public vote, giving you the chance to select the final winner. Want to know what’s most exciting? The winner will receive 100 balls of Stylecraft Special DK! Not bad, huh? Except that the winner won’t have all that yarn for very long because I’ll be popping round to borrow a shade or two to finish my blanket. Even if they live in Djibouti. Sorry about that. Runners-up will receive prizes, too.
Here’s another of my makes in Stylecraft Special DK: the replicas of my family for the ‘About’ page of this blog:-

Entries should be sent to:-
Stylecraft Special Colour Competition
Stylecraft
Spa Mill
New Street
Slaithwaite
Huddersfield
HD7 5BB
United Kingdom.
Or you can email entries to creative@stylecraftltd.co.uk .
More information here.
So…. let your imagination go wild. Of all the million colours out there in the world, what shade would make your heart sing? What would make you want to skip work and neglect your family to grab your hook/needles and start stitching? Tell us – we need to know! Good luck, people.
YIPPEE!! ?
🙂
This is such exciting news!
Yup. Definitely the right decision.
Thank you, I hadn’t quite cried those dragon tears yet, but I’m no longer beside myself with disappointment. However, I still don’t know how I’m going to focus on mid-terms.
🙂 🙂 🙂
I know my colour but can’t find it to send in!!! Am looking everywhere. Have avoided asking people to display their undergarments as I feel that would be going too far but am looking absolutely everywhere for the colour that is inside my head…
Ha ha ha ha ha. I do worry slightly that we’re going to be sent some very strange objects….
Hope you find the colour. 🙂
I wish everyone happy knitting and good luck! And I love the way you got snugged up on the couch with your Mum to knit, not to mention that blanket!
Yes it was lovely to share a few minutes of companionable mother-daughter knitting.
You are such a funny girl! I only discovered you a few weeks ago and just love reading your blog from down here in warm, sunny Australia (well, some of the time). You and Lucy are my favourite, un-met (can that be a word?) people. I’m actually not really a social media fan – don’t “do” Facebook or “Comments” etc. Just like to follow a few special blog people and to communicate occasionally on a one-to-one basis. Hope you don’t mind? Might be because I’m quite old (nearly 65!!)
Am thrilled that the Stylecraft competition is open to all of us. Now I’ll sit with the colour chart on my iPad screen and see if I can come up with a gorgeous colour that isn’t already there. I would LOVE to to win 100 balls of this fabulous yarn that Lucy introduced me to. I’m currently crocheting two of her blankets. I also embroider and applique.
I’ve just been back to the start of your blog and also found your first anniversary cake – my goodness, Mr. Twisted must be one very special stoic spouse! By the way, is your name really Twisted? Mine’s Connie (Italian parents).
By the way, do you do on-line counselling? Might be fun. Happy yarning, Connie
>
Thank you Connie, for such a lovely comment. Yes am happy to chat, although as you can see from this tardy reply, it sometimes takes me a few days to respond when I’m distracted by toddler illnesses. Thank you for such a kind comment. My real name is Phil, and as I sit here in cold rainy England, I’m envying your sunshine!
Wonderful News! Now to find the right color representing Las Vegas, Nevada.
Do it, do it, do it!
Hi Phil – ok ok maybe I’ll embroider just a small portion! Thanks for stopping by.
Awesome!!
Definitely good news. 🙂
OK, so I’m basically in love with crocheted hippo! My favourite bloggy project I’ve seen this year! *swoon*
Thank you. It was a lot of fun to make, but the pattern isn’t mine so I can’t take any credit. It’s a Heidi Bears design, called the Happypotamus. I think it was a free pattern. I recommend it if you’re looking for a fun make.
Only problem is I can’t crochet… Yet!
Awesome! The only problem that I see, is that once someone from “outside space” wins, once they finish their 100 balls, they are going to have to move to Old Blighty to satisfy their addiction on a regular basis… small sacrifice folks, this stuff is tasty gold! 🙂
Hmmm, good point. Even 100 balls won’t last forever.
That crocheted hippo is the bomb! I love it, and I’m not even partial to hippos (though they are pretty cute).
Thank you. It’s a pattern by Heidi Bears called Happypotamus.
Beautifully executed and great fun.
This is very! exciting. I just have to say I LOVE that blanket!! WOW! And the hippo is amazing!! Your knits are very inspiring!!
Thank you – you’re very kind.
Do you have a pattern for the blanket or was it your own creation??
It’s an Arne and Carlos pattern from their garden book. Arne and Carlos are cool
I agree about the Stylecraft Special DK, it’s lovely. So easy to work with, beautiful colours and incredibly soft. I used it for a baby blanket and it’s currently being adored by an eight-month old girl and her parents