As it’s Sunday, we thought we’d treat you to some photos of alpacas (as if we need an excuse)! These fuzzy cuties are a reminder that the British Aplaca Society (BAS) are holding their annual family fun days on 11 and 12 May, and you’re invited. 

We've teamed up with Wonderwool Wales 2013 to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to this annual festival of wool and natural fibres, which bursts at the seams with creativity, inspiration and fibre-filled fun.

We have a great selection of special offers for you in issue 106, which should be dropping through subscribers' doors any day now. If you buy your copy, it'll be in the shops this Wednesday, 17th April.

For the 'Vanilla delight' cardigan pattern on page 12, you can get save 10% on the Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Sincere DK yarn when you order it from Deramores or call 0845 519 4573 - quote 'SKTFS'. This offer is valid until 9th May 2013.

Issue 106 of Simply Knitting will be in the shops on Wednesday 17th April, and if you subscribe you may have received your copy already. The great prizes up for grabs this month are fun needle gauges, a needle roll, show tickets, and a fantastic book, so don't miss your chance to win - turn to the relevant page in the issue to find the keyword and details of how to enter, and then click the links below to fill in the entry forms.

Win a fun needle gauge

We have 12 fun and funky needle gauges to give away, as showcased in issue 105, thanks to Deramores, KnitPro, Tangled Yarn, Viridian, KaratStix, and 7 Yaks Design. They include a dinosaur, owl, sheep, robot, pom-pom hat, and more...

For your chance to win, turn to page 7 to find this issue's keyword, and then click here to fill in the entry form.

Knitted toys are welcomed by everyone, whether it's a member of your family or the recipient of a charity knitting campaign. Here we've collected together our five favourite books to inspire your next project...

If you don’t have any real pets at home – or even if you do – these characterful knitted cuties are the next best thing. Knitted Pets by Susie Johns contains patterns for a whole host of playful pets, ranging from puppies to parrots and tortoises to tarantulas. There are patterns for both novice and experienced knitters, with clear instructions. It's published by GMC, and costs £14.99; you can buy a copy on Amazon here for just £8.99.

Whether you're looking for a workshop, class, craft fair or festival, we've rounded up a great selection of knitting events around the UK in the coming month...

APRIL

Saturday 13th PROFESSIONAL FINISHING TECHNIQUES
www.blacksheepwools.com Warrington 01925 764231.
Get a professional finish, with various shaping techniques, blocking, and sewing up.

Have you picked up your copy of issue 105 yet? As well as all these fabulous patterns, your free gift is this indispensable set of cable needles, in a handy storage bag.

Step into spring with this elegant striped sweater created using a beautifully soft selection of premium quality 4-ply yarns from Alpaca Select.

Along with our sister magazine The Knitter, we're offering you the chance to win one of their appropriately named ‘April’ knit kits – in sizes 32/34 to 44/46, to knit up this classic design - worth between £36.65 and £51.50.