We’ve been doing Monthly Mixers for 20 months now, and have so enjoyed seeing what you have come up with to match the challenges! We’ve decided to up-the-ante and start a new challenge program this fall, called The Great Loopy Knitting Challenge (and The Great Loopy Sewing Challenge). Are you a fan of The Great British Baking Show? – On your mark, get set, BAKE! (If you haven’t seen it, you might check it out. Seasons 1-3 are available on Netflix.) We’re patterning our new challenge program on that. Kind of. 🙂

This fall (and then next spring) we’ll have Knit A Longs, Crochet A Longs, and Quilt A Longs as well as regular challenge options for you to pick from. You can do one project, one from each section, all six or twelve, or any amount in between. Pick whatever you like. And of course there are points for completing projects. We love helping you earn points to spend on fun things in our Loopy Rewards Store.

For yarn participants:

Signature Challenges

These are all about picking your favorite type of item to knit (50 points per project, 200+ yards per project).

Challenge One: In the News – Complete a project that relates to current events or current popularity.
Some possible ideas: Total Eclipse Mitts, Wonder Woman Wrap, (or crochet version), What the Fade, The Great American Eclipse
Challenge Two: KAL – Aeque or CAL – Lost in Time

Technical Challenges

These are all about learning new stitches or techniques (75 points per project, 300+ yards per project).

Challenge One: Sampler Knits – A sweater, scarf, socks, cowl or shawl with texture created by cables or stitch variety (not including lace/yarnover types of texture)
Some possible ideas: Vestige Shawl, Eden Fells Scarf, High Pines, Coming Home Cardigan, Secret Paths, Fins
Challenge Two: KAL – Viriditas, or CAL – Mandala Madness

Showstopper Challenges

These are all about pulling out all the stops to create something amazing (100 points per project, 300+ yards per project).

Challenge One: Change it Up – Take a pattern and do something different with it. Add more colors, change the shape, take a shawl stitch pattern and turn it into socks instead, etc.
Challenge Two: KAL – Plaid is the New Fad , or CAL – Spirits of Life

*** Again, you can pick a single challenge, or a group of challenges, or all of the challenges, or anything in between. Make something fun for yourself or someone special! ***

For fabric participants:

Signature Challenges 

These are all about picking your favorite type of item to quilt or sew, 50 points per project, 2+ yards per project)

Challenge One: Home is Where the Stash Lives – Make something combining stash fabrics and new fabrics.
Challenge Two: QAL – Sew Together Bag

Technical Challenges

These are all about learning new techniques or trying new things, 75 points per project, 3+ yards per project

Challenge One: Holiday Happiness – Pick any holiday pattern to work up in quilting, sewing, or wool appliqué.
Challenge Two: QAL – Timber! Lumberjack

Showstopper Challenges

These are all about pulling out all the stops to create something amazing, 100 points per project, 4+ yards per project

Challenge One: Scrappy Delight – Use a Jen Kingwell pattern in a project
Challenge Two: QAL – Using the book The Splendid Sampler, make a quilt or wall hanging using 20 or more blocks.

To earn points:

Supplies need to have been purchased from The Loopy Ewe (you can use yarn previously purchased from us, or of course you can order new yarn from us for the projects!)

Projects must be started and finished between 9/1 and 12/31, and photos of completed projects need to be uploaded to our Great Loopy Knitting Challenge Photo Gallery by 12/31/17. Each challenge must use the yardage in one project, unless you’re making socks/gloves/mitts, which require a pair.

For those of you who order during September and leave us an order note that you’re participating in our Great Loopy Knitting Challenge, we’re going to email you The Loopy Elves Recipe Collection #1 – a pdf of 20 delicious recipes collected from the Loopy Elves, in honor of this challenge that was inspired by The Great British Baking Show!

We’ve started threads on our Loopy Groupies board on Ravelry so we can all talk patterns and supplies. We’re looking forward to knitting, crocheting and sewing along with you this fall. On your mark, get set, CREATE!

Sheri and The Loopy Ewe Crew

P.S. New Loopy Academy assignments are also out on the blog – click here. You can double dip and pick projects that would count for both in some cases!