Spring Competition 2012

We thought you might like to see the entries for our Spring Competition...

Sky Cardigan by Alessandra Parsons "At the moment I'm making a cardigan based on the sky. I'm knitting one row a day matching the colour to the sky that day. I'm halfway through the sleeves at the moment." Yarn: Regia 4 Ply plain colours	Little Monsters by Clare Trowbridge  "I made the attached monsters as gifts for my young cousins with your Anchor Style Creativa Cotton DK yarn. This yarn is brilliant value and comes in a great range of colours for all kinds of projects." Yarn: Anchor Creativa Cotton DK	Fingerless Mitts by Dagmar Mora  "On those chilly spring evenings that are only too familiar here in Scotland, I still like to protect and warm my hands with a pair of lightweight fingerless mittens. They are knitted in Regia 4 ply Plain Colours. The thin 4 ply yarn makes them warm, but not excessively so - just right for spring chills!" Yarn: Regia 4 Ply plain colours
Coat by Heather Garbutt "This coat is just below knee length, snuggly warm, and goes with everything. Can be dressed up or down." Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Aran	Pram Blanket by Kay Thomas "Hope you like my creation. Had the fabulous Knitcol trends from your good selves. 100% Merino Wool. I loved using it :)" Yarn: Adriafil Knitcol	Aran Sweater by Liz Dahl "I have just finished knitting this sweater from the Debbie Bliss book Cotton Denim Aran. I substituted Sirdar Recycled Aran as the tension is compatible. I loved the yarn, it's very soft to work with and true to the shade card, it is also very economical. This is probably the most complicated pattern I have followed but I loved the challenge." Yarn: Sirdar Simply Recycled Aran
Coin Purse by Mandy Beer "My entry for the spring project comp is actually a Mothers' Day present - I used a vintage pattern and Patons Fairytale 4 Ply from your Stirling shop." Yarn: Patons Fairytale 4 Ply	Kilt Hose by Nina Vivanco "I used Patons Merino DK and Patons Pattern 3285 adapted to give more bulk at the top." Yarn: Patons Merino DK (this yarn is now discontinued. Why not try SMC Extra Soft Merino DK as an alternative? Pattern: Patons 3285	Socks by Christine Janet "I've just finished The World's Wildest Wee Welly Socks for a little girl in Skye, for those April showers and muddy May days. The socks were so much fun to knit." Yarn: Regia 4 Ply Kaffe Fassett Design Line
Crochet Cushion by Tracy Reynolds "It was crochet with Anchor style Creativa 100% Cotton. May I say this yarn is so lovely to work with and it has inspired me for loads of other projects! I've made this for Mothers Day gift. I didn't use any pattern, only the one in my head!!" Yarn: Anchor Creativa Cotton DK	To vote for any of these beautiful creations,                              please visit our Facebook page.

Yarns we love: Patons 100% Cotton

My favourite yarn has to be Patons 100% Cotton, both in DK and 4 Ply.  With a fantastic meterage of 210m and 330m per ball respectively, this yarn goes so far.

Patons Booklet 3809

Patons Booklet 3804

Patons Leaflet 3768

The superb colour range, with its beautiful vibrant shades, means that there is always plenty of choice for the next project.  It knits up consistently well and washes superbly giving excellent value for money.  I think there might have to be another project soon using either Jade... or Delta... or maybe Lilac.  So much choice!

Post by Linda W in our Edinburgh branch.

Yarns we love: Regia 4 Ply

I am obsessed with sock knitting. At any given time, I'm likely to have anywhere between two and five sock projects on the go, and my go-to sock yarn is Regia 4 ply.

It's 75% wool, which gives it fantastic bounce and stretch - perfect for cables. The 25% polyamide makes it super strong, and it washes like a dream. I like to give recipients of my handknit socks a little of the spare yarn wound around a card, just in case emergency repairs are needed. An average pair of socks for a woman takes around a ball and a half, while a pair for a man takes around two balls, and at £3.95 per ball it's the perfect price for gift knitting.

I love the plain colours for complicated lace and cabled socks, while the self-patterning shades are perfect for keeping more straightforward socks interesting. My partner loves his dark grey socks, and my grandmother was ecstatic over her bright blue cabled ones. I've even managed to get my sister hooked - she loves the Erika Knight design line.

Socks are fantastic for knitters on the go because they fit neatly into most handbags and you can do a few rows here and there. Before you know it, you have a pair of warm socks and it's time to cast on for the next pair.

Post by Cayt in our Stirling branch.