Friday, May 10, 2013

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Biggan Design Yarns

Biggan Design

Where to Find: Biggan Design


Getting ready to post my #biggandesign #yarn #review stay tuned to the blog! #knitting

If I had to sum up Biggan Design in just two words, that would be simple vibrant color.

BigganDesign_213bBiggan Design is the creative brain child of Swedish knitwear designer/Australian transplant, Biggan Ryd-Dups.  Unable to find the broad color palette she yearned for, Biggan decided to create her own.  She and her husband spent a month searching for the right mill to collaborate with, then two years getting the twist, weight, softness and color palette just right.  The yarn made it's public debut in April 2005 at the Autumn Craft Fair in Brisbane.  Two years later, BigganDesign.com was launched and in 2008, this beautiful line of yarns had knitters all over the UK grabbing their needles, ready to stitch something colorful.  Since then, this can't-help-but-make-you-smile line has been spotted on needles all over the world - including the USA!

UntitledI was first mesmerized by the vibrant colors and intoxicating Biggan Design yarn in October 2012 at the Interweave Knitting Lab in New Hampshire. The colors made me stop and look, and Biggan's wonderful accent made me stay and listen.  She is one amazing lady with a knack for color and design like no other!  There was just one small issue -- she wasn't there to sell her beautiful yarns, she was just there to show them off and get the word out in the states. I left and kept thinking back to those stand-out colors that I knew all of my knitting friends would love. I had to do something to spread the word, and after a few emails with a wonderful lady named Eleanor at Biggan Design, a gorgeous little package arrived on my doorstop from Australia.  Inside I found three of the softness, most colorful skeins of merino wool I had ever seen - two DK Merino First Cross (100% Australian Merino First Cross Pure New Wool, 50 grams, 115 yards) and one 4 Ply Merino First Cross (100% Australian Merino First Cross Pure New Wool, 50 grams, 196 yards). 

Going to cast on a #knitting project with #BigganYarns this weekend for #review ... Stay tuned! Love these vibrant colors! #AustraliaMy first reaction was literally OMG... this yarn is absolutely stunning!  Eleanor even took the time to look at my blog and notice my love of all things fall -- notice the color palette she sent?  That little bag looks like someone took a perfect New England fall day and wrapped it up.  If fall colors aren't your thing, don't worry... just wait until you see the rainbow of colors available!  Jewel tones have never sparkled so brightly as they do from Biggan Design

This review has been more than a few months in the making, which is not typical, however I seriously had to sit down and decide just what to knit up with these beauties... and the timing had to be just right to tell you all about my new favorite yarn line!  I thought the holiday season had us all too busy to pay attention, so I waited... Now that Spring has officially sprung here in New England, I felt it was time to spring Biggan Design on all of you!

BigganDesign_213My first project with Biggan Design yarn is a pair of fingerless mitts using the Cool Little Llama-Silk Mittens pattern from Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders.  This DK Merino may not be llama-silk yarn, but it sure as heck is soft as a llama!  The beautiful golden color is shade 350, and it is knitting up like a dream.  The yarn feels great as it glides through your fingers and easily slides across your needles.  I'm a little disappointed in myself that these mitts aren't finished yet, but they will be a perfect addition to my Fall 2013 wardrobe.

Now, what to knit with the other two skeins?  Decisions, decisions.... and no, I'm not just sitting here petting the skeins.  Well, maybe I am.  Don't judge me, you would be doing the same.  In fact, I have a wonderful opportunity for you to to pet and knit with some Biggan Design yarn of your very own!

AAAAstashGIVEAWAY! How would you love to see, touch and knit with some Biggan Design yarns of your very own?  I have a beautiful Stash Bag to give away to one lucky reader!  The Stash Bag allows you to sample a range of vibrant colors (and yes, I'm very jealous... I'd be turning these little balls into one very color mini-blankie).  To enter:

~ Follow Lapdog Creations publicly (see "Followers" on the side bar)
~ Leave a comment below telling us what you love most about color in your knitting and what you plan to do with this Stash Bag from Biggan Design

To be eligible to win, you must complete both steps above. Please be sure your entry includes a way to contact you (i.e. link to your blog or include your email address).
** You can get extra entries by sending your friends here to enter (be sure to have them mention your name).... blog, Tweet, Facebook and text away! **

Winner will be selected by random number generator. Deadline for entries is Thursday, May 16th at 11:59pm EST (midnight)


Disclosure: Biggan Design sent the above noted yarns to Lapdog Creations, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

9 comments:

Marjie said...

Those are such pretty, vibrant colors! I'm glad you found the perfect projects for that yarn.

But don't enter me in the giveaway. I crochet so little that I'd love for someone who could use that beautiful bundle to win it!

SissySees said...

I love color in knitting because it doesn't allow for boredom, and it's pretty.

As for what.. Oh gosh... I have no idea. Maybe something baby, as (still? again?) I have a host of good friends expecting?

Or maybe an intarsia hat or headband for me?

Jo's World said...

I have a new little baby boy in my life and it would be great fun to knit a nice little colorful fall cardigan for him. Jacob's Mom and Dad are best friends of mine and he is gonna be special too.

I also love knitting colorful wool socks to wear all winter.

Thanks for the give-a-way, they are always fun!

Jo in MN

WonderWhyGal said...

oooooh, now this is a giveaway I want in on! Those colors are gorgeous and all together yummy. If I had that stash bag...I'd knit a colorful cowl. I'm really diggin' cowls right now especially the long ones.

Melissa said...

Beautiful colors! I'm thinking they would work great for a granny square afghan.

tubby3pug said...

gorgeous colors, it should make some lovely scarves and things or maybe a hat or dog sweater

urban hounds

Kenyetta said...

So pretty! I follow and I probably will make something for Little Man! Just what I would need to get knitting again!

Sue said...

Sorry I'm late but I'm in time for the drawing! When I was younger I loved to wear black with just a touch of color, but I woke up one day and decided that I needed lots of color in my life and that's why these are so appealing. I have a whole closet of fabric and yarns in beautiful bright colors that called to me as I walked by. I'm working my way thru them, but there are so many more out there calling to me.

Anonymous said...

have a great little great-great-niece and this would make a nice fall sweater and hat for her

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...