FAQs

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How do I contact Stylecraft?

Click here for our contact form.

Stylecraft Yarns
Spa Mill
New Street
Slaithwaite
Huddersfield
HD7 5BB

Email: info@stylecraftltd.co.uk

Telephone: 01484 848435

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5pm excluding bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. We will get back to you as quickly as we can.

Are you open to the public?

Stylecraft is a wholesaler, our premises are not open to the public.

Where do I find a list of your stockists?

How do I become a stockist?

Please visit the trade stockist page of the website where you can complete a form to tell us a little more about you. It’s quick and easy to complete.

Can I buy online from you?

No, Stylecraft is a wholesale business. Please click here to find your local stockist.

If you are interested in becoming a stockist please click here.

Do you sell shade cards?

You can find pdfs of our shade cards free of charge by following this link.

We sell a fringed shade card for Special DK – to buy one please contact your Stylecraft stockist or email us at queries@stylecraftltd.co.uk .

Where can I buy your patterns?

Our patterns are available from all good Stylecraft retailers. You can find a list of our stockists here.

Where can I find you on Social Media?

We are very active on Social Media and share lots of exciting content. You can find us on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylecraftyarns/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylecraftyarn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StylecraftYarn

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StylecraftYarns/videos

I would like to subscribe to the Stylecraft Newsletter. How do I do that?

To subscribe to our monthly newsletter for updates on new yarns, patterns, giveaways and news about make alongs please click here http://eepurl.com/b1WdAT to register.

If at any time you no longer wish to receive the email, you will find an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter.

How do I stop receiving emails from you?

If you no longer wish to receive the monthly Stylecraft Newsletter, you will find an unsubscribe button at the bottom of the newsletter or you can click here and enter your details.

What is your diversity policy?

Stylecraft is strongly committed to representing diversity in all its forms throughout our business and to our customers nationwide; from the models we use, to the staff we employ the designers we work with and the wider knitting and crochet community.

As a business we never want to be complacent so we will constantly interrogate our processes to ensure that we reflect the diversity we seek to embrace. We will continue to listen and learn to ensure that we are respectful and inclusive to all, and we will not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Do you have an environmental policy?

Our environmental impact has been an important focus of our business for some time and we are constantly assessing how we can improve our processes.

Stylecraft yarns are predominantly made from a premium acrylic, which is a conscious choice we made many years ago.  This type of acrylic means that less fibres are shed by the yarn during washing, which can be a source of micro plastic pollution. Our acrylic yarn is spun in Turkey. There has been no acrylic spinning in the UK since the 1990s when the last acrylic wholesaler in England ceased trading. This means that it is a necessity for us to source our acrylic yarns from abroad. 

We have also looked closely at the way our yarns are constructed. The Bellissima and Bambino ranges are spun in a way that means they are less likely to pill or shed fibres as they are multistrand yarns with a tighter twist.

We are constantly on the lookout for more sustainable products to include in the Stylecraft range and have introduced our new Naturals collection, including a Bamboo + Cotton blend yarn. We have other new yarns in development at the moment, however the price of such alternative products is still very high and we are always mindful of keeping our prices commercial and competitive.

We are always looking at alternative fibres, including recycled options, but the processing of all fibres, natural and man-made, have an impact on the environment in different ways, making it a very complex situation. 

We are committed to educating ourselves on an ongoing basis by consulting industry experts regularly. The charity WRAP has produced a very interesting report you may find useful called ‘The Sustainable Clothing Action Plan’ (SCAP), which has helped to educate us in our environmental approach.

Why do you discontinue yarns and patterns?

We discontinue yarns and patterns for a number of reasons. The most common is that we need to make space for new products in our warehouse and so we choose to discontinue yarns and patterns that are no longer selling well.

When can I expect an answer to my email?

Our offices are open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.

We will get back to you as quickly as we can, usually within 2 working days.

What if I have a question that wasn’t answered here?

Please email us at info@stylecraftltd.co.uk and we will do our best to help you.

What do the abbreviations on my ball band pattern mean?

ABBREVIATIONS

cm centimetre(s)

g grammes

in inch(es)
inc increase(ing)

k knit

mm millimetre(s)

p purl

patt pattern

rep repeat

rs right side

st(s) stitch(es)

tog together

ws wrong side

 

Are your yarns safe to use for toy making?

To be safe for toy making, a yarn needs to comply with British Standard BSEN71-3. The yarns listed below have been tested and carry the Standard which is necessary for CE Certification requirements.

You can find these certificates below:

Please remember that the yarn is only one small part of a toy and you will need to check whether the other components also meet the standard.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/toy-manufacturers-and-their-responsibilities.

How do I care for my handknits?

We try to ensure that all our yarns may be machine washed at 30 degrees, so that your knitted and crocheted items are easy to care for.  The specific wash and care instructions for our yarns are on the ball bands.

It’s a good idea to keep at least one of your ball bands, so that when you come to wash your project for the first time, you will be able to refer to the washing instructions. If you do not have the ball band, you can find washing instructions on this website too, by looking for the yarn you have used in the yarns section of the website here.

Machine washing

To get the best results we recommend using a mild detergent on a delicate setting. We do not recommend using softener or a detergent containing bleach, as they may damage your project.

To help your garment look better for longer, turn it inside out before putting it in the washing machine.

Drying

Many of our yarns can be tumble dried. See the ball band for details.

If not using a tumble drier, we recommend reshaping your item and laying it on a flat surface to dry.

Hand washing

It is also possible to hand wash anything that can be machine washed.  We recommend using a mild detergent which has been fully dissolved in luke-warm water.

Once washed and rinsed, remove excess water by carefully rolling the garment in a towel and pressing gently. Then lay the garment on a flat surface to dry.

Ironing/Pressing

Unless stated on the ball-band, we recommend that your project should only be lightly steamed without the iron touching the fabric. This should be done on the inside or reverse.

How ethical is the fibre that you use?

All our suppliers conform to the Oeko-tex standard which means that they are regularly tested to ensure that the yarns they produce for us are sustainably manufactured to protect our planet for future generations.

The wool component in any of our blended yarns comes from South America. Our suppliers visit and check the farms on an annual basis to check on welfare and employment standards. Mulesing is not a common practice in South America.

The fibre our manufacturer uses in Naturals – Organic Cotton is GOTS certified. A copy of the certificate can be obtained on request.

Where do you source your yarn from?

All our suppliers are based in Turkey. The yarns they supply conform to the Oeko-tex standard which means that they are regularly tested to ensure that the yarns they produce for us are sustainably manufactured to protect our planet for future generations.

Are your yarns vegan friendly?

All our 100% acrylic yarns, cottons and bamboo yarns are vegan friendly.

Why does my ball of yarn have a knot in it?

It is technically impossible to make a continuous thread from any yarn fibres with no breaks or joins. If a break occurs the yarn is re-joined which results in knots.

We consider it acceptable for there to be one break or join in a ball of yarn and this more than complies to British Standards.

Finding one knot does not mean you ball is faulty, but if you have purchased a ball which you are unhappy with, please contact us at  queries@stylecraftltd.co.uk with the shade number and dye lot information along with any images of the yarn/knot and we will be happy to help you. You can find this information on your ball band.

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5pm excluding bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. We will get back to you as quickly as we can.

What do I do if I think my yarn is faulty?

If you think you have purchased faulty yarn please email queries@stylecraftltd.co.uk  with the name of the yarn, shade number and dye lot information along with images of the fault and a brief description of the issue. We will then refer this issue onto our in-house quality control department to investigate.

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5pm excluding bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. We will get back to you as quickly as we can.

Why is dye lot important?

Our yarn is dyed in large batches in vats during the manufacturing process. Each batch of colour is known as a dye lot and given an identification number which you will find on the ball band. Although we do our very best to ensure colour consistency between batches, slight differences in temperature, dyeing time or the amount of water in the vat can affect the shade of the yarn.

Although these variations may be very small, it is best to use yarn from the same dye lot for a project to make sure the colour is consistent. If for any reason you do end up with yarn from more than one dye lot, there are a number of things you can do to avoid colour problems:

  • If your project is striped or is made up of separate motifs, use the different dye lots in individual stripes or motifs.
  • In a garment use one dye lot for the body and one for the sleeves.
  •  Alternate dye lots by working two rows in one and then two in other throughout your project.

Why does my variegated or self-striping yarn not knit exactly like the picture on the pattern?

With variegated and self-striping yarns, each ball of yarn may start at a different point in the colour repeat, but should always follow the same sequence.  Unless you find the same point in the repeat to start from, each part of your sweater will look a bit different to the image on the pattern. We don’t suggest that you try to match up the colours, this way you can create your own originally coloured knit.

If you want the repeat to be identical on the front and back of a sweater you will need to unravel the ball to find the same point in the repeat to start the front and the back. It is possible to match the sleeves to each other as well by doing the same. They will not match exactly to the front or back as they start out narrower than the front/back and so the first stripe will tend to be longer.
If you are knitting a cardigan you can make both the fronts match each other but they cannot exactly replicate the back as the pieces are of a different width.

When changing from one ball to the next you may also want to pull through the yarn until you find the same point in the repeat, so that your garment continues without any break in the pattern.

If you decide to match your repeat you may need more yarn than stated in the pattern.

My yarn doesn’t look the same colour as the picture on the pattern. Why is this?

Colours always look different in different lights and so there can be a variation in colour tone when photographs are taken. Every effort is made at the point of printing to match the images to the yarn itself but the process does have limitations which is why some differences can occur.

How can I keep my yarn from unravelling?

It is in the nature of a ball of wool to unravel as you work. However, to help keep your ball intact while knitting or crocheting, it may help to place your yarn in something that stops the ball rolling around. This can simply be a cardboard box, or bag loosely tied. There are also some beautiful products you can buy such as yarn bowls or winders.

Can I knit from the middle of the ball?

Stylecraft do not recommend knitting from the centre of the ball as this can often lead to a tangled mass pulling out.

If a yarn is recommended to be knitted or crocheted from the centre of the ball (most common with cake yarns) we say so on the ball band.

Why has my garment pilled?

Most knitted or crocheted fabrics will gain surface or pill over time due to natural wear and tear. This is usually caused by two surfaces rubbing together and this friction creates the pilling effect. You may find that certain areas of the garment will pill more than others due to constant friction such as under the arm and across chest, where a seatbelt sits. Special pilling removers are available to purchase from your yarn shop.

How do I know if a yarn has been discontinued?

Once a yarn has been discontinued, we flag this up on our website. After a yarn has been discontinued for 6 months or more it is removed from our website.

Where do I find discontinued yarns?

Try asking your local yarn shop. If they can’t help you. Keep an eye on ebay or search in Ravelry.

What is a standard yarn tension?

Standard yarn tensions

Yarn Count (thickness) Standard Tension
4ply 28 sts x 36 rows = 10cm
Double Knitting 22 sts x 30 rows = 10cm
Aran 18 sts x 24 rows = 10cm
Chunky 14 sts x 20 rows = 10cm
Super Chunky 9 sts x 12 rows = 10cm

 

 

Achieving the correct tension

It is essential to work to the stated tension to ensure the correct size of garment and you should always knit a tension square.

If there are less sts and rows to 10cm, 4in, change to finer needles if there are more sts and rows to 10cm, 4in, change to larger needles.

Instructions are given for the first, smallest size. Larger sizes are given in square brackets. Where only one figure is given, this applies to all sizes.

Where the figure 0 appears, no stitches, times, or rows are worked for this size.

Can you help me find an old pattern?

Many of our old patterns are still available from online retailers. Try searching for our name and the pattern number eg. Stylecraft 4005 and see if this returns any shopping options. If you cannot find it online please contact us by emailing queries@stylecraftltd.co.uk and we will see if we can find a copy in our archive for you.

How do I download a free pattern?

You will find all of our free patterns here for you to download.

Please note that on some devices when you click on a section to download, it will open the pattern on your screen to save but other devices will automatically download it without opening. If your file does not appear to download please check your download/files folder.

Are your patterns subject to copyright?

Yes, Stylecraft Patterns are subject to copyright. You cannot copy our patterns and share them with friends or family. You cannot copy them and sell them and you cannot use our patterns to make items to sell.

The Legal jargon: Stylecraft patterns may not be reproduced or copied either by photocopying or in any other way.  Our patterns are sold on the condition that they are used for non-commercial purposes.

Can I photocopy your patterns?

Stylecraft patterns are copyright protected. It is not permitted to photocopy Stylecraft patterns to sell them or pass them on to friends and family.

I think there’s a mistake in the pattern I am making. What do I do?

First search our website with your pattern number. Then click on the pattern amends tab just below the images and you will find any changes to your pattern there.

If the information there doesn’t solve your problem, please contact our friendly and helpful team by emailing queries@stylecraftltd.co.uk with a brief description of your problem, the size you are making and your telephone number. We will ask a member of our pattern team to contact you.

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5pm excluding bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year. We will get back to you as quickly as we can.

How do your sizes relate to UK standard dress sizes?

This chart shows standard dress sizes and the inch or centimetre measurements that they relate to.

Dress size 10/12 14/16 18/20 22/24 26/28
IN 32/34 36/38 40/42 44/46 48/50
CM 81/86 91/97 102/107 112/117 122/127

How do I know what size to make?

In every Stylecraft pattern you will find an information box on the inside front cover. This gives measurements for each size in cm and inches. You can decide what size you would like to make by measuring yourself around your back and chest, which will give you an overall round measurement and help you decide what size you would like to make. For example, if your chest measures 85cm, 33 ½ in you would want to make size 32/34.

Can I use a different yarn for a pattern?

Yes, you can use a different yarn. Stylecraft patterns offer suitable alternatives from our ranges. However, you will need to do a tension square to check that your tension is correct. Different yarns have different meterages and you will need to check that you have enough of the substitute yarn before starting the project.

We have written a handy blog post about yarn substitution.

What is the difference between an aran style and an aran weight jumper?

An Aran weight refers to the thickness of the yarn. A standard Aran yarn will usually have a stocking stitch tension of 18 sts x 24 rows on 5mm needles.

Aran style refers to the look or stitch type used in the design of a sweater.  A classic Aran design has a mixture of cables and textured stitches. It is possible to make this style of design in any weight of yarn.

Can I use a different thickness yarn for a pattern?

When we create a pattern, the most important step is to establish tension for the design. This then gives us the mathematical basis for the pattern to be written. This is why tension is so important as It dictates the size and look of the item you are making.

Substituting one DK yarn for another DK yarn is possible, but we would not recommend substituting a DK yarn with an aran weight because  it will change the entire nature of the garment.

Why has my garment come up bigger/smaller than it says on the pattern?

There could be a few reasons why your garment has come up bigger or smaller than the pattern states.

  • This could be due to tension? Check you tension over 10cm to make sure this is correct to the tension given on the pattern. If you do not achieve the tension stated on the recommend needle size, please try going up or down a needle size until you achieve the stated tension.
  • Make sure you are using the correct size needles or hook .
  • Make sure if you are using a different yarn, that you check your tension is correct for the pattern.

To read more see our blog post on checking your tension

My yarn doesn’t look the same colour as the picture on the pattern. Why is this?

Colours always look different in different lights and so there can be a variation in colour tone when photographs are taken. Every effort is made at the point of printing to match the images to the yarn itself but the process does have limitations which is why some differences can occur.

Do you have any "how to guides"?

We have a You Tube Channel which has several How to knit videos as well as interviews with some of our Blogstars and other interesting stuff. Find our You Tube Channel here.

Also click here for a "How to crochet" PDF we did with Inside Crochet.

Can I sell an item I have made using your patterns?

If somebody commissions you to knit one of our designs for them this is ok. If you want to sell garments knitted from our patterns commercially this is not allowed.

Achieving the correct tension

It is essential to work to the stated tension to ensure the correct size of garment and you should always knit a tension square.

If there are less sts and rows to 10cm, 4in, change to finer needles if there are more sts and rows to 10cm, 4in, change to larger needles.

Instructions are given for the first, smallest size. Larger sizes are given in square brackets. Where only one figure is given, this applies to all sizes.

Where the figure 0 appears, no stitches, times, or rows are worked for this size.

What do the abbreviations on my ball band pattern mean?

ABBREVIATIONS

cm centimetre(s)

g grammes

in inch(es)
inc increase(ing)

k knit

mm millimetre(s)

p purl

patt pattern

rep repeat

rs right side

st(s) stitch(es)

tog together

ws wrong side

 

What is a CAL/KAL?

A CAL is a crochet along, a KAL is a knit along. The pattern in a CAL/KAL is usually divided into several parts that are published at regular intervals creating lots of excitement anticipating the next release. Stylecraft run a group on Facebook for participants to share support and progress.

What is a MAL?

A MAL is a Make along which can either be knit or crochet. The pattern is released all in one go so that crafters can enjoy the process of making a project together but without any time pressures.

Stylecraft’s Make along group can be found on Facebook here/

Where can I find the Stylecraft CALs?

You can find the patterns for all our crochet alongs here.

Choose whether you would prefer your pattern to be in UK or US terms or Dutch language. Click through to find buttons for each CAL. Clicking through will take you to all the parts of each pattern which you can download for free.

Please note that on some devices when you click on a section to download, it will open the pattern on your screen to save but other devices will automatically download it without opening. If your file does not appear to download please check your files folder.

You will also find additional information about the CALs such as links to videos and top tips from other crocheters in the ‘Official Stylecraft Yarns CAL Group’ on Facebook. This group is the place to share progress pictures and chat with other people taking part in the CAL.

What do I do to join the CAL?

To join our latest CAL click here where you will find all the available parts of the CAL to download in three versions, UK or US terms or Dutch language. Choose the version you want and you will find the link to the current CAL as the first one on the page. Clicking through will take you to all the parts of each pattern which you can download for free.

Please note that on some devices when you click on a section to download it will open the pattern on your screen to save but other devices will automatically download it without opening. If your file does not appear to download please check your download/ files folder.

To fully take part please also join the Official Stylecraft Yarns CAL Group on Facebook This group is the place to share progress pictures and chat with other people taking part in the CAL.