Shawl the Love with Claudia’s Hand Painted Yarns

We got an interesting thing in the mail the other day. Claudia’s Hand Painted Yarns is hosting a Shawl design contest called Shawl the Love (cute, huh?). (Follow the link to downloadable pdfs with contest rules and entry forms).

There are fabulous prizes, for both the designer AND the yarn shops!

Entries must be submitted by July 1, 2011.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at Stitches East 2011.

There are 4 categories:

1. Wow me with Yarn – Feel free to use an existing pattern and color outside the lines. Make it your own, but feel liberated from the need to write a formal pattern and instructions. You can even create your own unique unrepeatable design. This is the category for anyone who wants to knit but feels intimidated by the need to document their work with a formal pattern.

2. Original Design – Write your own pattern, design your unique shawl. In this category we are looking for designs with patterns. This is the place to share your creative nature with many others, allowing them to duplicate your shawl and share the shawl love with countless others.

3. Fresh Eyes – Artisans 14 years and younger. Welcome to the next generation of knitters, crocheters, weavers, give us a glimpse of the future. Your designs can be original with a pattern, or utilize an existing pattern as a base.

4. Professional – If you are paid to knit, crochet, weave etc, teach classes in these skills, or sell yarn, you are a professional for the purposes of this contest. This is your category and your skills and creativity are eagerly anticipated. Your designs can be original with a pattern, or utilize an existing pattern as a base.

So what are you waiting for? Start designing!!