Buried somewhere in this blog post are a giveaway and a product review.
It’s been a week of minor frustrations. Nothing catastrophic or blogworthy. Nobody has been squished by a falling grand piano, and nobody accidentally clicked ‘Delete Entire Database’ during a meeting at work. Just lots of trivial challenges. On the bright side, I have learned how to re-programme a car key, I have ordered the reclaimed Victorian bricks for this project, and the twinnage have adopted a pair of worms – Bartholomew and Matilda* – who are now living in an improvised wormery in the utility room. I do wish we could get a proper pet. Don’t worry, the twinnage are taking good care of vermicular welfare. (Another bright side: I’ve learned the word ‘vermicular’.) Also, there’s blackthorn blossom:-
And some tasty things from the allotment:-
But this has been a good week for crocheters (and knitters, but this post is about cotton, which is often slightly more of a hooker’s thing). At the risk of sounding like an advert, a new range of 100% cotton yarn (4-ply – that’s US fingering-weight) arrived in the shops a couple of days ago. I do have to declare an interest because I was given the whole range for free, but there was no requirement to write about it, let alone to say anything nice.
Introducing Stylecraft Classique Cotton 4-ply. If it looks familiar, that’s because there’s already a range of Classique in DK-weight, but people who make Very Small Things, and patient sorts who make Very Big Things Out Of Very Small Yarn, can now join in the fun, too. In addition to the ‘Soft Lime’ shade above, there are eleven other colours. Look!
I hope they bring out some more strong, dark, colours to add to the range, but that’s just my personal preference. So what’s it like to use? ‘Excellent’, is the short answer. 🙂 It’s relatively soft and forgiving for a pure cotton, compared with the firmness of DMC Natura, for example. I knitted some teeny tiny fruits with it (apologies but they’re a bit Secret Squirrel so I can’t show you those quite yet) and the stitch definition was good. I can show you some crochet, though. Well, Tunisian crochet, which is a sort of bicraftual hybrid that feels more like crochet than knitting. I decided to make a washcloth. Love this purple (‘Lavendar’) with the cream (‘Ivory’). See: it’s a reasonably firm cotton, not a fluffsome mess:-
We were taught Tunisian crochet at the most recent Blogstars meet, and the general consensus was that it was interesting, but s-l-o-w. It’s also more difficult than either knitting or crochet to do whilst walking:-
You don’t go to Stylecraft for your one-off skein of merino that’s been hand-dyed by eunuchs under the light of a full moon. (Note to Stylecraft: new product idea there?) But you do go to Stylecraft for very affordable yarns of absolutely consistent quality with a good range of colours. Classique Cotton 4-ply is very well-priced: as an example, from one of the major online retailers that supplies worldwide, you’ll pay £2.59 for a 50g ball, compared with £3.79 for an equivalent ball of DMC Natura. But still, The Twisted Yarn cannot take responsibility for any abuse of your credit card that takes place as a result of this post.
So let’s have a few more details about the yarn. For now, there are twelve shades, available in 50g (1.8oz) balls. Knitting tension: 28 sts x 36 rows in a 10cm/4″ square on 3.25mm needles.
If you’re wondering about the Tunisian crochet hook in this post, it’s a lovely specimen from the Symfonie range by KnitPro. Look!
So, at the end of a longish week, let’s celebrate with a giveaway that could enable you to get some of this fine yarn for free! There’s one tiny problem, and I’m very, very, sorry about this, but unlike the usual giveaways on here, this one is UK-only (unless you’re based elsewhere but are planning a trip to the UK soonish to spend your prize, in which case, do feel free to enter). Big apologies. Anyway, we have THREE prizes to be won, each comprising £10-worth of vouchers for Stylecraft products! Wa-hey! They can only be spent in bricks-and-mortar shops, not online, but if you don’t live nearish to a shop that sells Stylecraft then you’re probably hopelessly lost in the wilderness somewhere, and should probably concentrate on finding your way back to civilisation anyway.
Usual Twisted terms and conditions apply. Sorry that this is a UK-only contest, due to the fact that the prize can only be used in UK shops. To enter, leave a comment below. To gain a sneaky additional entry, ‘like’ the Twisted Facebook page, and leave a comment on its post relating to this competition. The contest opens RIGHT NOW, and will close on Saturday 18th March at 12.00 noon, UK-time. After then, three winners will be randomly selected using random.org, and I will contact them to arrange delivery of your prizes. If for any reason any of the winners cannot be contacted within a week, then alternative winner(s) will be selected at random.
Am I making sense? I hope I’m making sense. Good luck.
Ooh look! More spring flowers!
And now, I must go and check on the worms.
∗ Names changed to protect the identities of innocent worms.
I was reading the other day that the Natural History Museum is encouraging people to take more interest in/care of worms (because without them there’s no earth to grow plants in), so well done to the twinnage for adopting a pair.
And thank you for the giveaway,
I could take the wool to knit and natter so we could knit for someone else.Just completed a load of hats for newborns
That yarn looks yummy
Don’t have any small people of my own. No sign of anything which may even lead to grandchildren either, but I’d love to try knitting some of the Stylecraft yarn. Four-ply sounds just right for friends’ small people.
The cotton looks lovely, would love to give it a try.
Are they male or female worms or are you hoping to breed? Cotton looks good.
Lovely yarn, might have to go buy some of that – if I don’t win the competition of course!
I love the Classique DK and would love to try the 4ply version!
Please can I enter the giveaway, I love Stylecraft yarns and have just the pattern to try out the new 4ply Classique cotton
Brilliant blog to accompany by coffee break, self imposed, from my craft room. I too love knit pro Symphonie, don’t use anything else nowadays. Thanks for the smiles, best wishes to the worms, they are the workforce of good gardens.?
I have used the DK Classique and love it so it would be good to try the 4ply one x
Love this down to earth chatty review. I’ve been looking for a cotton based yarn but on the cheaper side for a lovely Crochet project I have in mind. Good luck with the worms!
Only think I do with 4ply at the moment is knit socks, so would be great to have some cotton ones. I love your blog. Very inspiring, perhaps progress from worms to a guinea pig or two, they can be kept indoors too xx
I am one of those knitters who likes to use little warns to make big projects. That purple is the colour of my crocus flowers. So pleased to see spring.
Look after the worms we need them as much as we nee bees
I live in very rural part of Devon and have no idea where I could buy Stylecraft in a shop nearby but it will be fun finding out lol…. also please continue with the worming as we like worms here in Devon. It helps the grass grow for sheep to eat ( who grow the wool yay)!!. You see they wriggle around and break the earth up, eat buts of leaves and poo it out which enriches the soil, that grows the grass that the eunuchs sit on til the sheep eat it….ok I made that last bit up haha!
Fab blog post (as always!) Lovely spring pics. X
The cotton yarn looks great as I have just recently learned to crochet!
Cotton is my absolute favourite, but I can rarely afford it, so Stylecraft Spacial DK it usually is. My ‘twinage’ are only (nearly) 3 so creepy crawlies aren’t a problem here yet! I discovered a craft shop just an 8 minute walk from my house YESTERDAY and they have the FULL RANGE of Stylecraft !!! I mean YESTERDAY, how in the world have I missed it for so long??? ? I got to physically squish Batik (Charlotte’s Dream is in my sights) Girl twin is called Charlotte so it has to be done ?
I love the current Classique cotton DK so am sure I would love this just as much 🙂
Love a good moonlit eunuch
Was just communing with and feeding my compost heap vermicular friends before reading this post – much writhing appreciation of a warmer day. Would love to win a voucher, and I live in the UK.
What a great giveaway. I have never tried the Classique Cotton but I would love to do so! Thanks for a chance to win some 🙂
Stylecraft colour selection is the best <3
Oooooh Stylecraft is my fave yarn actually! I’ve not tried their cotton yarns yet, but have been admiring them! If I win I’d spend my voucher in the fabulous Button Box wool & haberdashery shop in Scunthorpe!
That yarn looks perfect for making the preemie octopus … think I will need to try it 🙂
I’d love to try these Cotton yarns from Stylecraft – big fan of their wool! 😀
Ooooh! That sounds so exciting. All Stykecraft yarns are lovely but 4ply cotton would be lively to crochet.
Stylecraft is amazingly good value. Since I discovered it, the stash has gone bonkers. Love to try the cotton 4 ply. Good luck to the twinnage and their worms, I can vaguely remember collecting them at their age.
I love Stylecraft, would be great to won 🙂
I absolutely love shopping for yarn. I could spend hours in a yarn shop.
I have liked thetwistedyarn page, great competition
Great review and fingers crossed for the giveaway!
Enjoyed discovering your blog. I’ve not ventured away from DK acrylic yet but this cotton looks rather scrummy so it may be time.
I was SO excited when Stylecraft announced Classique Cotton 4 Ply! I’ve loads of ideas for things to make – I just need the yarn.
I really enjoy reading your posts, you do make me laugh! On the subject of Stylecraft – I’ve only used their special DK but I really liked it so I may well give this cotton a try x
Would love to try this cotton 🙂 and also receive the £10 voucher!!!
My 5 year old grandson came home from school with 2 “pet” worms in his pocket!
Love the giveaway!
Looks like Stylecraft have come up with more things to love – brilliant 🙂 I had just read your latest post about the Etna yarn and gosh that cowl looks stunning! I think I know what I’d be tempted to buy!
Would love to visit my local wool shop and try this gorgeous cotton. Always been a knitter but just learnt how to crochet. One hat and one blanket CAL done and I’m hooked!
Love your new yarn idea!!
An experienced knitter but novice crocheter you have really sold the new Stylecraft yarn – so I would love to win the voucher to try it to make something for the Spring weather that should be on its way
Like you I love, love, love stylecraft yarns…ahh the colour choice (I shamefacedly admit to owning ALL the special dk colours ?…and there’s 3 new ones on the way to tempt me! Oh dear!) Cotton classique dk is also lovely to use and it’s very exciting to see the same colours in cotton 4ply! Big joy?
Looking for cotton yarn for some summer shawls so hopefully this will help me decide
I would love to win a voucher for some of this yarn. I fancy knitting an Easter Bunny for my granddaughter,
Great post. Stumbled across your blog by coincidence and still browsing your posts. Would love to try the new yarn btw
Kidlinks new canine took apart the favorite Ikea chair. When they spotted your fantastic design they decided that was for them and I should make it. I am still laughing.
Would love to use the givaway voucher when we are walking around London trying to shake off jetlag
The artwork on your knitted piece is amazing! I am following your blog and cannot wait to see how it turns out.
Ooooh! More Stylecraft loveliness to play with! Must not buy more yarn….must not buy more yarn……