Whoa! You guys completely blew us away with your response to the Curls giveaway!
It was so exciting to see your entries come pouring in and, honestly, they were absolutely fascinating to read because each one gave us insight into what makes a design appeal to you. I told Hunter, “You gotta go read these comments!” and when she did, she was as excited about them as I was.
And the Winner is…
But wait! Before I tell you who the winner is I want to tell you that we’ve got a another fantastic giveaway that I’ll announce tomorrow. And I think this may possibly be the best giveaway we’ve ever done. I won’t give much away until then but do you want a little clue?
So make sure you open your SpaceCadet email tomorrow, ok?
Ok, the Winner Really is…
Here we go! After assigning numbers to all the entries, I used the Random Number Generator to pull one entry out of the hat. And the winner is…
Bronwyn
Congratulations! Please send an email to info(at)spacecadetcreations(dot)com and give us your name and address, and we’ll send you a brand-new copy of Hunter Hammersen’s new book, Curls, and a skein of SpaceCadet Oriana yarn to go with it. Woooot!
See You Tomorrow!
And if you didn’t win, don’t worry. I’ll be back with another fantastic giveaway tomorrow!
We’ve got some beautiful Mini-Skein Pattern Picks for you this month but, before we get to that, I’ve just gotta share something with you. We’ve had so many awesome changes to the Mini-Skein Club lately (such as the innovative 360° blend of the Start Anywhere™ Ombre&Gradient Mix and the stunning month-to-month flow of the Never Ending™ Gradient) that I really wanted to update the club page to reflect that.
And what I really wanted was to to show it all off in a new video: something bright, happy, bouncy, and fun — everything that the Mini-Skeins bring to our club members every month.
Now, the trouble was that I really didn’t know much at all about creating videos. But I decided to try to teach myself Premiere Pro and, after a really steep learning curve on and a lot of frustration(!), I finally got the video I was hoping for. And I’ve been dying to share it with you ever since! I hope you’ll forgive me just a little showing off, but I’m just so darned proud of it. Here is our new Mini-Skein Club video:
(Squee with me?)
January’s Mini-Skeins
This month, we took our Mini-Skeins in a moodier direction. Both the Multicolour and the Ombre&Gradient went a little darker and pensive — and I have to tell you, I loooove the way that plays into the Never Ending spectrum. After all those bright colours, a little depth looks really amazing. Where do you think we’ll take it next month?
Maybe it’s the shorter days, or that everything outside has gone gray, but I’ve been craving bright pops of colour lately – and this crocheted blanket has plenty! With options for large and small circles, varying yarn weights, and adjustable dimensions, it’s an extremely versatile way to use 3 (or more!) bundles of minis and a contrast colour. The colours (either the new never-ending ombres or bright multis would be stunning) will pop against a white or pale shade (like Sliver) or dazzle against a black or dark shade (like Dark Skies). And the best bit from our point of view? They look a bit like planets in space!
I came across this shawl in early November, and knew it would be perfect for ombre or gradient minis, if it just didn’t require so much yardage (960 yards, which would be at least a double subscription!) That very problem, though, is exactly what makes it so perfect for the never-ending ombres – the delicate drape and smooth stockinette stitch would showcase all the subtle shifts in colour, and the size of the shawl ensures that you’ll flow through at least two full gradients and into a third!
And if you’re looking for something for just one bundle of minis, try this gorgeous pullover that features a feather-and-fan accent at the yoke, cuffs, and hem. It looks great in two contrasting colours, but how much fun would it be with an ombre or gradient bundle against Sliver, Drizzle, or Dark Skies? You’d only need 1 bundle of mini skeins, and depending on size, 3-4 skeins of a contrast colour.
Last Chance to Enter our Giveaway!
Don’t forget to enter our fabulous giveaway for a copy of Curls, Hunter Hammersen’s stunning new book of patterns, and a skein of SpaceCadet Oriana yarn to cast on with. All you have to do is click here and leave a comment at the bottom of the post, telling us what you love most about Hunter’s designs. But hurry — the giveaway closes Sunday night!
For full official rules, go to http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Uf
Some days are just great mail days, aren’t they? From the sounds of our Yarn Alliance members on the Ravelry forum, they got a great mail day when their parcels began arriving earlier this week. And if you’re in the SpaceCadet’s Mini-Skein Club, you’ll be getting a great mail day very soon. As a business owner, most of my mail tends be bills and other (boring) official business, but I had a really fantastic mail day last week…
Hunter Hammersen, the author of the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet series and designer of some of the most deliciously delicate patterns I’ve ever seen, sent me a copy of her latest book, Curls. Based on wonderfully curved shapes that drape beautifully around the neck and shoulders, Hunter’s patterns can become a cowl, a scarf, a shawl, or something even more dramatic. And because they can be knit in any size yarn at any gauge, the creative options are wide open.
I pulled the book out of the packaging and flipped through it quickly. I was looking for one particular Curl — the one that I knew Hunter had designed in SpaceCadet yarn. It’s Ianthine and it uses the incredible drape of SpaceCadet Oriana yarn to full effect. The smoothness of the yarn allows the beautiful lace stitchwork to really open up, and the fantastic hand of Oriana’s 8-ply construction is perfectly suited to the drape and shape of one of Hunter’s Curls. I can’t tell you how excited I am that she chose this yarn for her beautiful Ianthine!
But you know what’s even more exciting? There was a second copy of Curls in the parcel that Hunter sent me. So now, let me see… What should I do with that?
Giveaway: A Copy of Curls and a Skein of Oriana!
How about I share it with one of you? That’s right, let’s give it away to one lucky winner! And because nothing is more torturous than having a wonderful new pattern but nothing to cast on with, I’m throwing in a skein of Oriana yarn too! How fun is that?!?
To enter, just leave a comment on the blog post, telling me the thing that appeals to you the most about Hunter’s designs (be sure to enter before Feb 1, 2015 — see official rules below).
And then, please take the opportunity to pay it forward by sharing this giveaway with your knitting friends on Twitter, Facebook, and Ravelry. And for every share you make, I promise the Universe will send you a cosmic wave of good luck. Because, seriously, who doesn’t need a cosmic wave of good luck?!?
For Facebook: Woot! The SpaceCadet is giving away a copy of Hunter Hammersen’s new book, Curls, and a coordinating skein of SpaceCadet yarn! Click here to enter: http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Uf #SpaceCadetCurls
For Ravelry: The SpaceCadet is giving away a copy of Hunter Hammersen’s new book, Curls, and a coordinating skein of SpaceCadet yarn! Click here to enter: http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Uf
Grab a January Pullover kit before they go!
This weekend is your last chance to grab a January Pullover kit and join in Jenise Reid’s fantastic KAL. We’ll be closing the listing on Monday evening, so click here to get yours now!
There’s always small print! Official rules: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to entrants worldwide, age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sweepstakes ends 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2015. Official entry is made by commenting on the SpaceCadet blog post titled “Giveaway! Hunter Hammersen’s New Book, Curls” . Limit one entry per person. One prize, consisting of one (1) copy of Curls by Hunter Hammersen, valued at $21.95 and one (1) skein of SpaceCadet Oriana yarn, valued at $28. Total prize value: $49.95. Winner will be selected by random drawing. Prize cannot be redeemed for cash. Prize cannot be substituted. Employees and family of employees of SpaceCadet Inc are ineligible. A list of winners will be available on the SpaceCadet blog on or after Feb 3 2015. Sponsored by SpaceCadet Inc, PO Box 113312, Pittsburgh PA 15241. For full official rules, go to http://wp.me/p1TnPQ-1Uf
The holidays always sneak up on me. Always. Are you the same? And here we are, the shopping days slipping away alarmingly fast, and suddenly realising that it’s really, really late to be starting that gift shopping. What to do?!? Well, as I’m in that same boat trying to think of last minute gifts, let me share what I’ve come up with…
For any knitter or crocheter who enjoys learning new skills, Craftsy has a class to suit every skill level. And it’s not just yarny pursuits: Craftsy has classes on sewing, photography, cooking, woodworking, and tons more. With instantaneous delivery, this is a gift you can order on Christmas Eve and still be in the good books, but why would you wait? There’s a sale running right now, so grab a gift quick and save a little extra for yourself!
A subscription to Coop Press’s Knit Edge magazine is a delight for any knitter. Not just for the beautiful patterns they’ll receive, but for the all trend-watching and fascinating articles that delve deeper into the fiber arts world we all love so much. Published three times a year, you can give a gift subscription right at the very last minute and the recipient will never be any the wiser. Even better, click here to order, enter the gift recipient’s name and email address at the top, and enter the code LASTMINUTE14 at the bottom of the screen to get a one-year, non-renewing subscription to KnitEdge for the price of one issue. Who can resist a deal like that?!?
Know a knitter or crocheter who just loves big, smooshy yarn in glorious hand-dyed colours? We have the perfect, easy, last-minute gift! The SpaceCadet’s SpaceMonster Mega Yarn Club is designed all around those lovely squishy bulky and worsted weight yarns, with 6 month or 12 month subscription options, the chance to buy more skeins for larger projects, and an awesome gift in every third parcel (we seriously love picking the gifts!). The SpaceMonster Club is open for subscriptions only until Dec 21 so you’ll have to hurry, but we’ll make everything about this gift super easy. Just click here to set up your gift subscription, be sure to note during check out that it’s a gift and who it’s for, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Click here to give a SpaceMonster gift subscription
Hunter Hammersen’s designs are intricate, intriguing, and incredibly beautiful. And her latest book of patterns, Curls, focuses on an innovative wrap design curls around the body with a flattering drape. How does this make a great last minute gift? Well, unlike a regular book purchase, if you buy Curls at the last minute (or, right now!), your recipient will get an electronic copy of the book that they can start reading immediately, plus a beautiful hard-copy in the post that they can enjoy all through the new year. Perfect!
Our Sweater Kits have been flying out the door this holiday season, but we have a few left and, if you order them quickly, we’ll get them in the post to your recipient straight away. Choose a kit in either fingering or sport weight, in colours ranging from the elegant Dark Skies Ombre to the sublime South China Sea kit to the eye-catching When Life Gives You Lavender Gradient Kit. What knitter or crocheter wouldn’t go mad to receive a whole sweater’s worth of gorgeous hand-dyed yarn this holiday season?!?
So there you are — five great gift ideas that will make your last minute holiday shopping a little easier. And hopefully allow you to relax a bit in these last crazy days and get back to the things that really matter on these snowy winter days… curling up with your knitting and crochet!
One of the best things about my job is getting to meet our customers and to see what they create with SpaceCadet yarn. We’ll be getting to do just that next weekend at Indie Knit & Spin, and I am sooo looking forward to it.
And one of the other best parts of my job is collaborating with some really fabulous designers (really, sometimes I have to pinch myself when I look at the collection of designs that have been created for SpaceCadet yarn!). And I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to a designer whose work I think you’re going to love..
I had been a fan of Hunter Hammersen‘s stunning botanical knits for a long time before we met. You can see why, can’t you? I’m captivated by the intricacy in her stitch patterns and the delightful details of the construction. Each nature-inspired pattern seems more beautiful than the next.
So I’m afraid went all fan-girl on her when she came into our booth at a show and introduced herself. She handed me her card and, before she even had a chance to say her name, I practically shouted, “You’re Hunter! I LOVE your stuff!” Fortunately for me, she was all grins at that.
Turns out, she’s pretty keen on SpaceCadet too! And to my absolute delight, she’s used our yarn for the very first design in her brand-new book, Ne’er-Do-Well Knits, a delicious little collection of patterns that are both quick and intriguing — perfect for holiday gifts!
(And if you’re in the Yarn Alliance, you’re in for a treat! The parcels went out this week so, as tempting as these patterns are, you just sit tight until your parcel arrives, ok?)
And here’s something to really get excited about: right now, Hunter is running a super fun giveaway –a skein of SpaceCadet Astrid DK yarn in your choice of colours! All you have to do is go and leave a comment on her blog, telling her which SpaceCadet colourway you’d choose for your yarn, and you’re in. But hurry, because entries are open only until the end of today — and you don’t want to miss your chance!
