Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Giveaway: 24 Shades of MillaMia Yarn

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The winner of this giveaway is Kathy. Congratulations! We have sent you an email.

24-shades

MillaMia of Sweden has introduced 10 new shades for Naturally Soft Merino and 14 new shades for Naturally Soft Aran and these are eclsuively available from the good folks at loveknitting.com.

Following the MillaMia philosophy of a tightly-curated colour palette, the new shades have all been carefully hand-picked to compliment their existing core collection. Inspiration for the new shades has come from a diverse range of sources – some are long-standing customer requests, whereas others have been created to meet the needs of MillaMia’s favourite independent designers.

In some cases, shades that have been most popular in one of the yarn weights will now be added to the other. To inspire MillaMia fans and show how easy the new shades are to work with, MillaMia are also reworking some of their most popular patterns. There are endless beautiful colour combinations for you to create and enjoy!

WIN WIN WIN

And we have 24 shades of these yarn to giveaway to one lucky CraftGossip reader.

To win, leave a comment letting us know why you want to win. Tell us what you hope to make using this yarn! Some inspiration?

Ends: 24th May 2016

Comments

  1. I would love to win some quality yarn! I would like to make one of the knit/lab shawl designs that combine lace and intarsia

  2. I’ve seen this brand on websites before and I want a chance to use it myself. I would like to make hats with it.

  3. I collect 25cm and 43cm ball jointed dolls and I’d love to do something for them. I have no idea what, I have tons of patterns though!

  4. I would like to make hat & scarf sets for my family.I have never tried that yarn. it would be nice to get a chance to work with it and discover new to me yarn!

  6. If I had 24 shades of this luxury yarn, I’d (first) squeal like a little girl and (second) settle down to construct beautiful hats and scarves for family and friends.

  10. I would be crafting some cute modern baby gifts since I have 3 nieces and nephews due before the end of the year!

  11. Oh! I bought some of this yarn at Webs last fall, and I loved its tight twist and spring. I would love to have it in a bunch of shade so I could do all sorts of colorwork. And who wouldn’t love striped hats and mitts? This is fantastic give away!

  13. I would love to win for my granddaughter – to make clothes for her baby dolls.

  14. With so many patterns im not sure what i would make first. But it sure would be nice to use something good instead of cheap acrylics

  15. Debbie (from Ohio) – I would use the yarn to make a lacey scarf and top that I have wanted to try makeing something that I have to follow a gauge to make it a certain size.

  16. I’d love to win such a great range of colours so that I could try my hand at a Fairisle jumper

  17. I would LOVE to win this to give to my sister so she can teach me how to crochet. 🙂

  20. I’ve been wanting to try this yarn for what seems like forever! A friend will become a new mom this Summer and I’d love to make a striped sweater for the baby to wear come Fall, and perhaps a baby blanket, as well.

  23. This would make a great Birthday gift for me, since I’ve never used this particular yarn before. As to what I would make, I’m leaning towards a throw of some type, preferably knitted, but a granny style isn’t out of the question. I also love shawls, and am sure it would be beautiful. Thank you for a giveaway beyond comprehension!!

  25. I would love to win as I can see these shades making a beautiful baby outfit, like a cardigan and matching hat.

    Zina, London,UK

  26. This wool looks amazing!!! I would love to make mittens and socks for the homeless. Thanks for the chance!!

  29. I would love to win this gorgeous yarn because you can never have too much yarn! These colors would make an awesome mandela!

  31. I would love to win this yarn, I would make scarves with some of the balls and share some with my mom.

  34. I have just started weaving and these lovely colors would make a lot of beautiful wall hangings! I made my first wall hanging on Saturday and am so in love with this new craft! I am going to go broke buying yarn so I can continue to weave so this would be VERY helpful!! I am sure it would keep me busy for at least a week or two! Thanks for the chance to add these lovely colors to my meager supply!

  36. This yarn looks so soft and lovely; I would love to make some special lace like scarves and some lovely sweaters! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to win this prize!

  37. I’m a newbie, just getting started. What I don’t have available to me is a store that sells quality yarn. What Walmart carries is my only option. =\ I would love to win!

  38. what beautiful colors for any project. very thoughtful of the vender. my thanks to them.

  39. You mean what would I do besides roll around in6it like I won a cash lotto?

  40. I would love to win some luxury yarn – beats the affordable yarn I buy!! I would love to make some scarves for my dear aunts who are so special to me.

  41. would love to win such fabulous colors!! And I have some marvelous shawl pins for gifts & this yarn would make lovely shawls

  43. there is a baby coming into my life this year .. a grand nephew will be born over the summer. it would be lovely to have such a soft yarn to make him (we know it will be a boy) his first outfit with. thank you for giving me the chance to win something so incredible as your Naturally Soft Merino

    diane
    🙂

  44. Mmmm…merino! I would make myself a colorwork sweater and lots of hats for a friend’s preschool – she likes to have plenty for the kids who forget or lose theirs.

  45. I would love to make an afghan for my brand new niece born today! So excited for her to be here!

  46. i have never heard of this brand before and like comparing to others. i think pajama bottoms would be cute with this yarn.

  47. I love some good quality yarn for my crochet.. I would make a under the sea play mat for my nephew with this yarn 🙂

  48. I would like to try this yarn, from MillaMia, as I have not used before

  49. I have several projects in my to-make list that require multiple colors, so this prize pack would get me going on them!

  50. I would like to make a shawl–the pattern has my mother’s name so I thought that would be neat. Thanks for the chance to win.

  51. I love to knit small items – doll clothes, animals etc. I never seem to have the right colours. Would be nice to have a large assortment.

  52. I make lots of baby layettes. I would love to make a set out of this beautiful yarn

  53. Hats… or maybe it is enough for a small blanket… I would love to knit with this yarn
    Thanks for the chance

  54. I would love to win this amazing yarn especially in these beautiful colors. I would make some baby hats and booties and mabye a sweater~

  56. I’d love to knit a colorwork hoodie sweater, colorful and cozy! Wow! I’d love to win!

  59. I think that if I won this yarn, I would like to knit a sky scarf in which you knit 2 rows of the color of the sky each day for a year. (ex: blue for clear days, grey and white for cloudy and snowy days).This would be so fun to document the years’ weather in a scarf.

  62. I would love to win. I would make something for me for a change, a lace scarf.

  65. Made 2 hats from Millamia aran yarn and fell head over heels in LOVE with this yarn.

    This would make a wonderful and sweater for my great niece, who just turned 3. She is named after the national flower of Sweden.

    The bright and fun colors would mirror her sunny and wonderful smile and personality.

  68. Gorgeous colors of yarn. I have a friend who knits little hats for preemies, and I’d share these with her!

  69. One of my co-workers is having a bit of a tough time economically and she LOVES to crochet. This might just brighten her day.

  70. Omg I would love to win these! Besides the scarves that would inevitably happen, is love to try making a lacy poncho with a bunch of the colors. Something decidedly boho for sure.

  71. I think I would make a funky tunic with lots of colours :). And then a hat and/or scarf with the leftovers!

  72. 24 colors! whow, I had better get to work on a color work design. Maybe a fair Isle type, or
    Andian type knitting they use lots of colors and I have been dieing to try knitting the Andian way.

  74. Oh, I love this yarn! It’s so soft! I want to make a few parakeets that look like my parakeets with this yarn! My husband has been asking for them for a while!

  76. I would love to knit a colorful throw or bedspread, thanks for the chance!
    Kim R.

  79. I would love to win these for my mother as she never buys herself quality yarn X

  81. My baby nephew was born one week ago and I have just found out I am pregnant with my first baby so plenty of baby knitting to be getting on with!

  82. I would love to win this yarn and I would learn how to knit with these beautiful colors , and I can cross knitting off my bucketlist

  83. I would love to win this gorgeous looking yarn, as we don’t have this yarn in our town and I would love to introduce it to my customers. I would be making beanies, berets and cloches with it.

  84. Always open to working with a new brand of yarn. A striped blanket comes to mind, especially with a textured pattern! Thank you.

  85. I really would love to win this yarn.
    My stash is vert low at the moment,and I’ve been diligently trying to use up all of my left overs.
    I’d use this yarn for Christmas gift knitting.

  86. Thank you for this generous giveaway. These past months I have been doing mostly stranded knitting. I would love to use these colors for traditional Nordic mittens.

    • Such beautiful yarn! Being a senior on a limited income I have to budget in the yarn I can afford. Thank you for the opportunity to win some!

  87. I can just image how beautiful a prayer shawl would look in this gorgeous selection of yarn…I’m picturing a shawl with colours fading into one another!!

  88. What beautiful, inspiring yarn! I would use this yarn to make gifts for family and friends.

  89. How lovely! What would I do? I would choose a Fly Away blanket pattern and try several shades together!
    lulufree on Ravelry

  91. I would love to win this because who doesn’t need more yarn!?! i would use this to make something for my granddaughters.

  92. Hats, scarves, blankets, gloves/mittens. Actually it would depend on the colors, because I love being spontaneous.

  93. I want to win because I want to fill my bathtub with all these beautiful yarn balls in every colors and just lay there…..
    asteride on Ravelry

  94. I would knit a beautiful patchwork blanket for my bedroom to cheer me up in the winter months!

  95. I enjoy trying new yarns – I’ve never used yarn from MillaMia before so would be very happy to be the big winner. I would use it to make preemie hats for our new neo-natal unit at our brand new hospital.

  96. I am certain that I would find shades that would make lovely scarfs for teacher Christmas gifts.

  97. as a new knitter I don’t have much yarn to knit with, so this would be awesome!

  99. I would love to win this yarn as it is a “new to me” company. I cannot recall seeing it in my LYS. I think this yarn would make great accessories.

  101. I wanted to make a knitted bedspread for quite a while now. Winning that fabulous yarn would give me the perfect excuse to start that project. Furthermore these shades seem to be perfect for my collage room. Best wishes to all participants 🙂

  102. Colors, colors, colors – the more the better! I’d love to have a huge palette like this to design something resembling a tapestry of a lovely garden full of different flowers – maybe entrelac with a different flower in each square?. I had not heard of this brand, but looking around the net, there’s a lot of very good things being said about it. It would be great to be able to jump on the bandwagon and sing it’s praises! Thanks for the giveaway. KittenWhiplash on rav.

  104. I would like to win so I have standard yarns/wools to work with. I am on medical disability now for 6 yrs and most of my fiber has been donated to me via charity agencies and some from yard sales via friends/family and a few contest wins. I am a newbee to knitting and love it so, find it so peaceful, brings me back to my childhood listening to my grandmothers knit , the clicking of the needles, I was taught to crochet in my teens with thread and never used yarn/wool until 4 yrs ago to crochet, it opened up new projects that is for sure…. I never seem to have the right fiber a pattern calls for, so this type of winning would allow me to try some standard patterns out there.

  105. Lately I have been thinking of working on a blanket in the same pattern my grandmother used for me

  107. Well, 24 balls are all I need to make one colourful baby blanket! Fingers crossed!

  108. I would love to win this beautiful yarn. As for ideas on what to make, I have so many it would be hard to choose. I think first on the list would be a gorgeous colourful poncho for myself 🙂 I would also make some beautiful garments for my daughter and sons!

  111. I would use this yarn on my homemade loom, it would nice to have a large colour range to choose from. As it is right now, I only have a few.. So im a bit limited in choice. Thank you.

  112. I would love to use the wool to improve my garment making – knitting or crochet a long sleeve jumper (I’ve only done an off shoulder jumper before)

  114. I’d love to have all these colors to make the Christmas Ornaments from patterns by @ Arne and Carlos

  115. I’d love to win this yarn for a beautiful and colorful layette. A blanket with matching sweater sounds perfect to me.

  116. Oh the things I could knit/ make. Scarfs and hat sets baby kick sacks/cocoons and But my favorite thing to make is hats and scarfs for babies. Love seeing them in tiny hats and scarfs. I’m not very lucky but wanted to throw my hat in the ring too. Thanks.

  118. I would love to win this yarn. I am teaching myself lace knitting and these colors are stunning.

  119. I’d love to win some quality yarn to knit lovely stuff for my baby boy due in July.

  120. I am knitting twiddle muffs for dementia patients. These lovely colours would look so good for muffs and for embelishmnets to go on them

  121. My best friend loves to knit! She also was just blessed with twin grandbabies, so I know she’d put this yarn to good use making some sweet baby sweaters and blankies.

  122. What wonderful yarn! I want to make beautiful lacy shawls. Thank you for this giveaway 🙂

  123. Knitting and crocheting has been lifesaving for me for the past 18 months. I suffer from severe depression and it’s my way to calm my frazzled nerves and stay sane. Some free wool to help me would be a God send.

  124. This yarn looks amazing. Merino is a pleasure to work with and to wear! I think these colors would make a beautiful scarf!

  125. I would love to try this yarn. I don’t know what I would make yet but sure grandkids will help me pick out a pattern.

  127. I’d love this yarn to work on a striped baby blanket – so many friends having babies that need lovely blankets!

  129. I wouldn’t exactly know what to do with that many different shades but if I were to win I would use at least a fourth of the amount of yarn to knit squares to donate to “Warm Up America” which is a nonprofit organization in New York that stitches these squares together to make blankets to give away to the homeless.

  132. I would like to win this yarn for a good friend of mine. She crochets beautiful blankets and clothing items that she gifts to friends and family. She was also unfortunately laid off from work so her budget is very tight right now. Thank you for the chance to win.

  133. I would start out making their Snow Storm Cowl, or at least use that color pattern on something else. I love it! I used it on a chemo hat for my friend: http://ravel.me/wil4ds/ssc. It looks great on her and she told me she has to guard it from being stolen by one of her kids.

  134. If I win I will gift it to my Mom as she would be able to knitt herself a pullover/scarf whatever she feel likes.

    This one would be for my Mom!!..
    Hope to win. 🙂

  140. Want to win for my wife. She makes all sorts of baby things like mittens and socks

  143. I’d love to have this quality yarn. My family loves the hand knit and crocheted gifts I make for them.

Have you read?

12 Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns for Cat Lovers

A Christmas tree covered in dangling decorations must look like a very generous present to a cat. Shiny things to tap, branches to investigate, a cosy hiding spot underneath—and then the humans have the cheek to say it’s only for looking at.

That little combination of festive sweetness and inevitable mischief makes Christmas cat cross stitch patterns such fun to stitch. Some capture the moment before a bauble hits the floor. Others feature sleepy cats, Santa hats and little faces that would look lovely on a handmade card.

I’ve gathered twelve patterns and pattern sets, including free downloads, smaller gift projects and larger Christmas scenes. There are choices for beginners who prefer whole cross stitches, as well as designs with backstitch, metallic threads or enough detail to keep you happily occupied over several evenings.

If you’re making a gift, start with the cat rather than the Christmas colours. A ginger tabby, a black-and-white kitten or a rather unimpressed grey cat can make a stitched present feel wonderfully personal.

Christmas Cat by Satsuma Street

This is the one I’d choose for someone who loves colourful Christmas decorations with a slightly retro feeling. Satsuma Street’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a Siamese cat in a Santa hat beside a mid-century-style tree, with presents gathered underneath. The model’s bright red background gives the design real presence, although the listing also shows alternative fabric ideas. With twenty-six shades, including metallic threads, I’d treat this as a project to enjoy gradually rather than a last-minute gift.

Pattern details: Designer Satsuma Street; paid PDF; 111 stitches wide × 141 high; approximately 7.93 × 10.07 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count linen worked over two threads. Uses twenty-six DMC shades, including two metallic threads; a complete stitch-type breakdown is not stated on the listing.

Cat and Christmas Tree by Lola Crow

There’s a very familiar look of concentration in this little orange cat’s interest in the Christmas baubles. Lola Crow’s Cat and Christmas Tree Cross Stitch Pattern captures that moment beautifully in a compact square design. The designer describes it as suitable for beginners, making it an appealing choice for someone comfortable following a counted chart. I particularly like the simple framed finish, which lets the cat’s outstretched paw tell the whole story.

Pattern details: Designer Lola Crow Cross Stitch; paid PDF; 54 × 53 stitches; approximately 3.9 × 3.8 inches on 14-count Aida; seventeen DMC colours. Additional stitch types are not specified on the product page.

Free Christmas Calico Cat

A limited thread palette is always welcome when the Christmas craft budget already has several demands on it. Ruth Cartwright’s Christmas Calico Cat Cross Stitch Pattern uses four colours and whole cross stitches, with no backstitch required. The sitting cat and Santa hat make a cheerful little framed decoration, especially for someone with a calico cat of their own. This is a good starting point for beginners who would prefer to concentrate on counting and keeping their crosses consistent.

Pattern details: Designer Ruth Cartwright, Craft with Cartwright; free PDF; 51 stitches wide × 64 high; approximately 3.64 × 4.57 inches on 14-count Aida, calculated from the chart dimensions; four DMC colours; whole cross stitches only.

Christmas Cat Cards by Lucie Heaton

Handmade cards are a lovely way to give someone a small piece of stitching without needing to find room for another framed picture. Lucie Heaton’s Christmas Cat Cards Cross Stitch Patterns includes four festive black-and-white cats. Whole cross stitches and backstitch give these little characters their detail, so I’d recommend them to stitchers happy to spend time on the finishing touches. The included aperture-card tutorial is particularly useful if mounting the stitching is the part you’re less confident about.

Pattern details: Designer Lucie Heaton; paid PDF set; each design approximately 60 × 60 stitches, or 4.3 × 4.3 inches on 14-count fabric. The listing specifies sixteen colours, whole cross stitch and backstitch.

Christmas Cats Decorating Together

Apparently, putting six cats in charge of the Christmas decorations produces a rather entertaining result. Climbing Goat Designs’ Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Pattern brings together festive cats around a “Have a Purrfect Christmas” greeting. The designer rates it suitable for beginners, with only a tiny amount of backstitch for the whiskers, although the overall size makes this a longer commitment. I’d choose it for someone who enjoys stitching a larger design in manageable sections.

Pattern details: Designer Climbing Goat Designs; paid PDF; 140 × 140 stitches within the intended hoop area, approximately 10 × 10 inches on 14-count Aida. The optional stitched outer circle increases the chart to 142 × 142 stitches; twenty-four DMC colours; full cross stitches and a small amount of backstitch.

Small Christmas Kitties

If you prefer choosing from several little characters, FloReenStudio’s Small Christmas Cats Cross Stitch Patterns offers a collection of festive kitty designs. Their smaller format makes them appealing for individual gifts or a coordinated display. I’d suggest them for stitchers comfortable changing colours, since a small chart can still contain plenty of detail. Check the dimensions of your chosen cat before buying a frame, as the listing gives approximate measurements for the collection.

Pattern details: Designer FloReenStudio; paid PDF; approximately 40 stitches wide × 50 high per cat. Those dimensions work out to about 2.86 × 3.57 inches on 14-count Aida, although individual designs vary; eighteen DMC colours listed for the collection. Additional stitch types are not specified.

A Cat Dressed as the Christmas Tree

This grey cat has the expression of someone who did not approve the decorating plan. AuthorEmbroideDesign’s Funny Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a cat covered in lights and ornaments, with a star on top. The seller describes it as suitable for beginners, and the nine-colour palette keeps the supplies fairly manageable. It would make a funny gift for the cat owner who insists their pet has a very strong opinion about everything.

Pattern details: Designer AuthorEmbroideDesign; paid PDF; 59 × 61 stitches; approximately 4.21 × 4.36 inches on 14-count white Aida; nine DMC colours. The files include chart views with and without the backstitch layer; the listing does not provide a complete inventory of other stitch types.

Upside-Down Christmas Cat

Some Christmas cat patterns are sweet. This one is the moment just before somebody shouts from the other room. Stitch Jam Studio’s Upside-Down Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern features a white cat hanging from a branch and clutching a red bauble, using only three colours and full crosses. It’s approachable in technique, but the chart is considerably larger than an ornament, so allow enough time for those filled areas.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 90 × 121 stitches; approximately 6.43 × 8.64 inches on 14-count Aida; three DMC colours. Full cross stitches only, with no backstitch, fractional stitches or French knots.

Cozy Christmas Cat for Book Lovers

A cat, a book, a blanket and a hot drink sounds like a fairly sensible way to spend a December evening. Stitch Jam Studio’s Cozy Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern turns that combination into a colourful festive scene. The pattern uses full crosses without backstitch, but every square is stitched, which makes it a more substantial project than its size might suggest. I’d choose it for a patient beginner or an experienced stitcher making a gift for a book-loving friend.

Pattern details: Designer Stitch Jam Studio; paid PDF; 91 × 91 stitches; approximately 6.5 × 6.5 inches on 14-count Aida; eleven DMC colours. Full coverage with 8,281 full cross stitches; no backstitch or fractional stitches.

Christmas with Cats

For a larger decorative project, Infinity Bear Designs’ Christmas with Cats Cross Stitch Pattern celebrates the combination of cats and Christmas-tree activity. Its square format would suit a framed picture or a carefully planned cushion finish. The download includes several chart styles, which is helpful if you have a strong preference for colour symbols or a simpler black-and-white layout. I’d approach this as a leisurely seasonal make, with the fabric and finishing chosen before the stitching begins.

Pattern details: Designer Infinity Bear Designs; paid PDF; 100 × 100 stitches; approximately 7.1 × 7.1 inches on 14-count Aida; thirteen DMC colours. The public listing does not specify additional stitch types.

Free Cat with Christmas Baubles

DMC’s Cat with Christmas Baubles Cross Stitch Pattern is another lovely choice for anyone whose cat finds dangling ornaments irresistible. The free design is labelled easy, and DMC suggests using Light Effects thread to give the baubles some sparkle. I’d choose this for a stitcher interested in trying a festive thread effect, checking the downloadable chart before deciding on the fabric and finish. Keep your finishing plans flexible until you’ve confirmed the design dimensions.

Pattern details: Designer/publisher DMC; free pattern, reference PAT2156. Stitch count, finished size, colour total and a complete stitch-type list are not displayed in the accessible product description; consult the download before cutting fabric.

A Tiny Free Christmas Cat for Cards

When you want a genuinely small stitching area, Rhona Norrie’s Christmas Cat Cross Stitch Pattern is a useful little find. Originally published in The World of Cross Stitching, this festive kitten measures just twenty-two stitches square. It includes backstitch and French knots, so it would suit someone who already knows the basics or wants to practise those details on a small project. I’d mount it on a card with a scrap of Christmas paper, leaving plenty of space around the kitten.

Pattern details: Designer Rhona Norrie; free PDF; 22 × 22 stitches; approximately 1.57 × 1.57 inches on 14-count Aida, or 28-count evenweave worked over two threads. Nine thread colours; cross stitch, backstitch and French knots.

Which Christmas Cat Pattern Should You Start With?

For a project with a short supply list, the free calico cat uses four colours and avoids backstitch. The upside-down cat also has a limited palette, but its larger filled areas mean it needs more stitching time.

If you’re making cards, compare the design dimensions with the actual opening in your card blank. Lucie Heaton’s cats are substantially larger than Rhona Norrie’s tiny kitten, so they need quite different mounts.

The Satsuma Street scene and Climbing Goat collection are lovely choices when you want something to bring out every Christmas. Give yourself time to enjoy them instead of turning the whole thing into a December deadline.

For more small feline projects throughout the year, our Mini Cat Cross Stitch Patterns feature is worth keeping handy.

Make Your Stitched Gift Feel Personal

A frame that suits the recipient’s home, backing fabric in their favourite colour or a handwritten note can make a stitched gift feel particularly thoughtful. You don’t need elaborate packaging when you’ve already put time into making something by hand.

If you want to adjust a cat’s colouring to resemble someone’s pet, plan the changes before starting. Keep enough contrast between neighbouring shades for the face, paws and markings to remain clear.

And leave the final mounting until you’ve checked for stray pet hair. Christmas cross stitch for cat lovers has a funny way of collecting a little contribution from the real thing.