Innehållsförteckning för March 2016 från Simply Knitting

Is it time for Easter again already? It’s so early this year we still haven’t finished off all our eggs from last year (just kidding!). In between eating all our chocolate, we do love a good Easter knit. That’s why we’ve got some cute little chick decorations for you on page 52. Plus, Alan Dart’s done it again! You can find his udderly adorable Hattie Holstein on page 47. If you’re still trying to shake off the cold weather, don’t worry – we’ve got a great mix of snuggly knits and springtime makes this issue. We’ve also got you covered for Mother’s Day, with great gifts such as our light cape, cosy slippers, keyhole scarf and (if you’re looking for something fun), a lovely lion tea cosy. We’re excited about…

Q I find cable needles difficult to use – they keep falling out of my knitting! Are there any alternatives? Elizabeth Winters, Fowey A If you’re currently using straight cable needles, try switching to curved ones. These are designed to be more secure, with the bend in the needle helping to keep it in place. Check that you’re using the right size needle as well – too small and it’ll easily slip out of your stitches. Should you be feeling adventurous you could even try going without a cable needle altogether. There are lots of tutorials online to show you how it’s done, and once you’ve mastered the technique you may never need the needle again!…

Favourite knitting technique? I love the effects that can be produced by using different slip stitch patterns. Describe your design style. Modern designs inspired by the world around me. Metal or wooden needles? Always wooden (metal ones make too much noise). Biggest knitting ambition? To have the patience to knit a true Shetland lace shawl! Must-have knitting gadget? I’m not sure Post-its count, so it would have to be my tapestry needles with the giant eyes – they make sewing in ends so quick. Tips for knitting garments? I probably sound like a stuck record, but knitting a tension square initially is an absolute must. And taking care to sew garments together properly – otherwise all your hard work will be ruined. Why do you particularly enjoy designing knitting patterns?…

1 Insert the point of the right-hand needle into the next stitch as if to knit and slip it on to the right-hand needle. 2 For the next stitch, insert the right-hand needle into the next two stitches on the left-hand needle and knit them together. 3 Insert the point of the left-hand needle into the slipped stitch on the right-hand needle. Take this stitch back over the k2tog. 4 Take the slipped stitch off the right-hand needle and drop it off the left-hand needle. The slipped stitch will slope towards the left.…

PERFECT PERCY I just thought I’d let you know that I simply loved knitting Percy the Polar Bear (issue 138). The photo really doesn’t do him justice! I do like the occasional knitting kits that you give us but of course, my main love is Alan Dart’s patterns – I can’t wait to start Mr Werewolf. My little knitting group have just finished knitting woollies to go to an orphanage in Nepal and one of my friends is expecting a great-grandbaby so I’ll have to fit in some baby coats, too. Thanks again! Mrs A Warick, Nottingham We love Alan Dart’s patterns too! COVERGIFT INSPIRATION When Simply Knitting issue 140 arrived I turned the Bauble Knit Kit over and over in my hands. The colours inspired me in a completely…

The thing about knitting yourself into fashion is that most of the time, it’s more expensive to do that than to just pick something up from the high street. Yes, it might unravel in less than a month, but some of my projects have also been known to do that when they’re still on the needles, so potayto, potahto. Trying to save money by making your own clothes is a fundamentally flawed concept, if you don’t want to go down the Maria Von Trapp route and take down the curtains (unfortunately, we have blinds). HIGH-END KNITS Except, that is, when it comes to my new-found Holy Grail of knitting, Wool And The Gang: an ingenious label that not only delivers the kind of achingly cool knitwear that you want to…

How clever is this? Designer Linda Parkhouse has created a tartan pattern in knitting, and it looks just like the real thing! While the Fair Isle design is the star of the show, there are lots of other things to love about this jumper – from the relaxed, comfortable fit to the beautiful stitch definition of MillaMia’s Merino yarn, it’s a real winner! YOU WILL NEED MillaMia, Naturally Soft Merino (100% Merino wool, 50g/125m) A pair of 2¾mm needles A pair of 3mm needles A pair of 3¼mm needles For yarn stockists contact LoveKnitting 0845 544 2196 www.loveknitting.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 25 sts and 34 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3¼mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see…

Cheep, cheep! Aren’t these little chicks adorable? They’re really speedy to knit up using two strands of yarn held together, so there’s time to make a few to hang around the house this Easter. You could also knit some without the hanging loops to sit on a windowsill, or pop them in a basket with chocolate eggs as a sweet gift. YOU WILL NEED DROPS, Alpaca (100% alpaca, 50g/167m) 1 ball of Off-white (0100), remnants of Goldenrod (2923) and Black (8903) for eyes and beak DROPS, Kid Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25g/200m) 1 ball of Off-white (01) A set of 3mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) Cotton wool for filling A 3mm crochet hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as 4ply…

ROLLING WAVES Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 1. Row 1 (RS) P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end. Row 2 and all even rows Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts. Row 3 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end. Row 5 P1, K2, P1, *CO, P1; rep from * to last 3 sts, K2, P1. Row 7 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end. Row 9 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end. Row 11 P1, *CO, P1; rep from * to end. Row 12 Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts. Rows 1-12 form pattern. TRAPEZIUMS Cast on a multiple of 8 sts. Row 1 (WS) *K4, P4; rep from * to end. Row 2 *K4, P4;…

These stylish lace socks by DROPS offer the best of all worlds – there’s wool for durability and warmth, plus a strand of mohair and silk for softness and luxury. The yarn is great value for money, too! YOU WILL NEED • DROPS, Karisma (100% wool, 50g/100m) 3 (4: 4) balls of Yarn A Light Old Pink (40) • DROPS, Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25g/200m) 1 ball of Yarn B Heather (05) • A set of 3mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) • Stitch marker • Locking stitch marker FOR YARN STOCKISTS, CONTACT WOOL WAREHOUSE 01926 882818 WWW . WOOLWAREHOUSE.CO.UK TENSION 23 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles and Yarns A and B held together SIZE To fit UK…

SAVE Smooth as silk Rosewood needles with mother of pearl inlay, £6.95, 01665 606062. www.paviyarns.co.uk SPEND Take your pick Handcrafted rosewood needles by Pony, from £9.29, 0845 519 4573. www.deramores.com SPLURGE Perfect pins Beautiful DPN set in a tin, from Blue Sky Alpacas, £26.50, 0207 288 1160. www.loopknitting.com PS You can subscribe to the digital edition of Simply Knitting from just £3.99. For more details visit our website: www.simplyknitting.co.uk/digital.…

We know a classic when we see one, and mark our words, this stunning jumper will stand the test of time! It’s knitted in Rowan’s cosy blend of hard-wearing lambswool and fuzzy mohair, which has gorgeous stitch definition to show off all those lovely cables. Cast it on for mum, or make one just for yourself… YOU WILL NEED Rowan, Kid Classic (70% lambswool, 22% kid mohair, 8% polyamide, 50g/140m) A pair of 4mm needles A pair of 4½mm needles Cable needle For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 22 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over textured patt using 4½mm needles Body cable panel (60 sts) meas 21cm and sleeve cable panel (24 sts) meas…

1 Sue Culligan – Knitting Holidays in France Based in the Cognac area of France we offer the opportunity to enjoy relaxed knitting and crochet retreats and workshops where you can meet like-minded guests and brush up on your skills. Prices start at £395 per head for full board. sueculligan@gmail.com | www.knittingholidaysinfrance.com 2 Bergère de France Knitting Holiday Come and join fellow knitters for a trip to France! Enjoy a private guided tour of the Bergère de France factory with presentations, visit the factory shop, plus workshops with our tutor Bronagh Miskelly. Yarn kit included. 19-23 Apr 2016, from £999 pp. 01473 660800 | www.arenatravel.com 3 StraightCurves StraightCurves provides high quality courses and workshops for all abilities from their fully accessible studios in…

My husband and I volunteer at a centre for disabled people. However, the centre has recently had its funding stopped and now the charity is depending on fundraising to keep its attendance charges to a minimum. I had already knitted a large amount of Alan Dart patterns, so using the labels which are downloadable from Alan’s website, I sold a great number of them at a local festival. We raised a total of £200, which included a donation of £60 for Mr & Mrs Christmas. This will pay for a whole month’s worth of electricity at the centre! I would like to thank Alan Dart for allowing us to use his patterns in this way. Heather Gower, London Great work, Heather. We’re sure you’ll keep it up! OUR LETTER OF…

DESPITE NOTICES advertising Shepton Mallet’s newest knit and natter group, founder Eileen O’Grady sat alone on the first arranged get-together in Chats Café, knitting and waiting for others to bring the nattering. But it wasn’t long before her craft caught the attention of locals, and soon she was joined for the Wednesday morning gathering by 24 other knitters. Even non-knitters wanted to join the lively lot, including Vince who brought a new dimension to the knit and natter set-up. “We discovered that Vince wrote wonderful poetry so we persuaded him to read one of his pieces at each weekly meeting,” says Eileen. “Not many groups have their own resident poet and we’ve decided to honour this tradition by having someone read a poem each week.” The atmospheric Dusthole pub provides…

1 This is what happens to the yarn that you carry over on the wrong side. Work a stitch in the first colour as usual. To change colour, twist the two yarns together before working the next stitch. 2 Work the next stitch in the new colour as normal. When working alternating stitches of two colours, try and keep an even tension and do not pull the yarn too tight. 3 Change back to the original colour, not forgetting to twist the two yarns together before you work the stitch. 4 A completed row shows the yarn ‘floats’ carried across the back of the work. If the floats of one colour always stay above the other colour, your work will look more even.…

Have you tried knitting bobbles? They produce a wonderfully tactile raised effect, and they’re lots of fun to work too. We love how Sarah Hatton has used them to create the pattern on this cape. It’s worked in chunky yarn, so it’s easy to see what you’re doing, and your friends will be very impressed with your knitting skills! YOU WILL NEED Rowan, Brushed Fleece (65% wool, 30% alpaca, 5% polyamide, 50g/105m) 2 sets of 6mm needles, 40 and 60cm long Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com TENSION Yarn used knits as chunky to this tension: 13 sts and 19 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over rev st st using 6mm needles ABBREVIATIONS MB make bobble without turning – K1, yo, K1 all into…

Make tea breaks the mane event of the day with this majestic lion cosy! Knitted in bright yellow, orange and red, he’ll bring some colour into your home – and he’s heaps of fun to make too. You’ll work the cosy part first, and then create the lion’s head. Just remember to put the kettle on when you get to the last step! YOU WILL NEED Hayfield, Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m)1 ball of each: Sunflower978 Black965 BrightOrange981 Apricot721 Cerise984 SignalRed977 ClassicRed833 A pair of 4mm needles A pair of 5½mm needles Stitch holder 1 pair of yellow 18mm safety eyes Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm…

“I wish I could recreate every place I’ve been to in yarn!” Do you wish you could bring your holidays home with you? Sam Barsky does just that through knitting incredible pictorial sweaters! Baltimore resident Sam learned to knit when he was 24 after seeking a new direction in life. “I have a learning disability and also a neurological disorder that makes me tired and weak at times. In 1999 it forced me to leave nursing school – at first I didn’t know what I was going to do.” At around this time Sam met the owners of a local yarn shop. “They agreed to teach me how to knit on the condition I buy their yarn. To make a long story short, I’ve fulfilled my yarn buying debt to…

SCANDI STYLE DROPS, Extra 0-834. A little coat with a big impact! This free pattern is made for smaller dog breeds.www.garnstudio.com GREAT OUTDOORS King Cole, K9. Go for a DK or aran weight design, and treat him to a blanket as well.www.kingcole.com, 01756 703670 CANINE CHIC Hayfield, 7261. Four coats to choose from – who can resist the one with the bow tie? www.sirdar.co.uk, 01924 231682 FANCY DRESS Wendy, 5855. Dress your pup as a tiger or ladybird with these cute crochet designs. www.tbramsden.co.uk, 01943 872264 FASHION FOR FIDO Stylecraft, 9178. If you need a coat quickly, choose this chunky ribbed knit. www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk, 01535 609798 LOVE THESE? FIND MORE GREAT PATTERN IDEAS ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.THEYARNLOOP.COM!…

SOCK-YARN ACCESSORIES Jen Lucas (Martingale, £21.99) Show off your favourite skeins of sock yarn with 20 pretty knits to suit a variety of skill levels. Organised into 12 individual patterns and four matching accessory sets, the designs encompass beautiful textured scarves, lacy shawls and cosy fingerless mitts. Standouts include the slip-stitch ‘Paragon’ scarf, designed to showcase a multicoloured yarn, and the understated, easy-to-knit ‘Cobblestone’ cowl and mitts. There are handy tip boxes to help you adapt and personalise your projects, too. If you have an ever-growing sock yarn stash, this is the book you need! KNITTED NURSERY COLLECTION Jem Weston (Search Press, £9.99) Choose from 14 modern knits to brighten up baby’s bedroom. We love how Jem combines knitted pieces with patterned fabric to create colourful quilts and cushions, and…

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the littlest superhero in their brand new tank top! This fun colourwork knit is easy enough for a relative beginner – just take the chart section slowly and you’ll be fine. You won’t need much of the different colours for the ‘Zap! Pow!’ motif, so check your stash for any DK scraps that might be suitable. YOU WILL NEED King Cole, Big Value DK (100% acrylic, 100g/290m) A pair of 3¼mm needles A pair of 4mm needles Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see…

Get ready for your new favourite springtime accessory. This sweet little reversible scarf will give you a bit of a challenge as it uses the double knitting technique, but we think it’s definitely worth it! Wear it with denim to create that perfect beginning of spring look. We love that it has two fabulous contrasting colourways! YOU WILL NEED Noro, Janome (60% silk, 40% wool, 50g/150m) 2 balls of Shade 3 A pair of 3mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) Cable needle (3mm or smaller) Tapestry needle Short (30cm) lengths of spare yarn in contrasting colours Button for flower decoration (optional) For yarn stockists contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 20 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double-sided…

Here I am with my Simply Knitting magazine at Edinburgh airport where I was made to pack my knitting in the luggage hold. With nothing to do while I waited for my flight, I popped into the shop and bought the latest issue of the magazine, so at least I was able to do loads of great reading. Dale Wright, Northern Ireland We’d love to see more pictures of you with Simply Knitting (or even just your knitting!) in foreign lands. The sender of every letter will receive a circular needle from Coats Crafts UK.…

GREAT DAYS OUT SHEPTON Shepton Mallet is a small market town known as the gateway to the Mendip Hills, in East Somerset. The town has 218 listed buildings, including the Market Cross that dates back to the 1500s. Shepton is also home to a 10th century church and just a short stretch from the town are well-known attractions such as Cheddar Gorge and Wells Cathedral. For more information visit www.visitsheptonmallet.co.uk. THE CHAMOIS Pop down to Shepton Mallet’s Cider Mill and say hello to the iconic Babycham chamois. The cute little deer still sits outside the factory where the now-famous drink was born, reminding us of its rather humble beginnings. www.sheptoncider.co.uk…

Meet Hattie Holstein! Alan Dart’s laid-back bovine is basking in the spring sunshine in a straw hat decorated with pretty buttercups. There’s a bit of colourwork involved in this project, and you’ll also sew a small beanbag to help Hattie sit up straight, so making this cuddly cow is sure to keep you a moo sed. Let’s begin! YOU WILL NEED Hayfield, Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) 1 ball of each: White (961), Black (965), Primrose (957), Walnut (927), Peaches (888), Sunflower (978) and Grass (825) 1m length of dusky pink DK yarn A pair of 3mm needles A 2.5mm crochet hook 60g of washable toy stuffing 100g of PVC beanbag granules 25cm diameter circle of white muslin Hair spray White sewing thread Long tweezers For yarn stockists contact Sirdar…

Nothing brightens up this time of year like a pair of dazzling knitted mittens or bold vibrant bunting. Designer Amanda Hawkins knits both by hand and machine, creating vivid accessories for children. It all stems from her own childhood of joyful and imaginative crafting. “From a very young age, I had endless patience and was always immersed in a project – knitting, sewing, constructing, designing and drawing,” she recalls. “By my early teens, I was making my own clothes, adapting old patterns.” This path prompted Amanda to take an art foundation course at an art college, and then enrol on a textile degree, specialising in weaving. After graduation and with a head full of ideas, Amanda started her design business, Amanda Hawkins Knitwear, in 1990. “I chose knitting for the…

Knitting a jumper can be a big undertaking, but when it uses chunky yarn like this fab Fair Isle design, you’ll be finished in no time! There’s lots to savour as you go, though, including two colourwork motifs and a memorable textured pattern. Enjoy! YOU WILL NEED King Cole, Chunky Tweed (72% acrylic, 25% wool, 3% viscose, 100g/138m) A pair of 5mm needles A pair of 6mm needles A pair of 6 mm needles A 5mm circular needle 2 stitch holders For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION Yarn used knits as chunky to this tension: 14 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over main patt using 6mm needles ABBREVIATIONS  mp Make 1 st purlwise by picking up and purling into back of…

Quick enough to make as a last-minute gift but complex enough to keep you on your toes, these mittens are a fantastic way to show off a special ball of yarn. The mix of different textures – including bobbles and lace – gives extra depth to a flecked, multicoloured fabric like the one produced by Rowan Tweed. Stylish and practical, these mitts will be your favourite spring accessory! YOU WILL NEED Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50g/118m) 1 ball of Tissington (600) A pair of 2¾mm needles A pair of 3¾mm needles A holding needle For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 18 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3¾mm needles SIZE 21cm…

SPRING STYLE, P12 C4F Cable 4 front 1 Work up to where the cable pattern starts, then take the yarn to the back of the knitting. 2 Slip the first 2 stitches knitwise on to a cable needle. Hold these stitches at the front of the knitting. 3 Knit the next 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then slide the stitches on the cable needle to the end of the needle and knit them on to the right-hand needle. 4 Bring the yarn to the front of your knitting, and pull the yarn tight to avoid ladders along the side of the cable. Purl the next stitch and continue in the pattern. HATTIE HOLSTEIN, P47 KFB Increase 1 by knitting into front and back 1 Insert the tip of the…

Step into comfort with these luxuriously soft and airy slippers. Decorated with simple cables and quicker to knit than you’d think, you’ll have your very own pair before you know it – plus, they’d be a perfect gift! YOU WILL NEED DROPS, Air (70% alpaca, 23% polyamide, 7% wool, 50g/150m) 2 balls of Light Pink (08) A pair of 5mm needles A cable needle For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as aran to this tension: 17 sts and 22 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 5mm needles SIZE To fit foot circumference 21 (23.5)cm. Length adjustable ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 90 NOTE These slippers are knitted in two parts and sizes can be adapted by…

BEST ITEMS TO KNIT I love designing and knitting toys! It’s fun working out how it will all fit together and how I can design the pattern in as few pieces as possible. I enjoy playing around with the features to fit in with the character I want the toy to have. BEST MUSIC FOR KNITTING In the evenings I like to watch TV and films while knitting, but when I’m doing work knitting during the day I listen to BBC 6 Music. My musical tastes are pretty eclectic and I like the mix you get on it. I also love the DJs – particularly Lauren Laverne and Radcliffe & Maconie, who keep me company when I’m working at home! BEST KNITTING GROUP I regularly go to Knit in Notts,…

Issue 142 February 2016 Polka dot sweater Fair Isle poncho Lace detail jumper Baby bootees Sofa tidy Beaded jumper Cat scarf Cable sweater Kid’s jumper and cowl Heart keyring Men’s mitts Socks Alan Dart’s Kissogram Plus! Knitting Notebook Issue 141 January 2016 Kimono jacket Baby’s hat and cardi Lace jumper Festive cushion Snowman decoration Socks Cable jumper Cosy roll-neck Reindeer jumper Party cardi stocking fillers Alan Dart’s Old Father Time Plus! Hat pattern Issue 140 December 2015 Textured sweater Ladies cardigan Alan Dart’s Aladdin Pantomice Child’s Scandi-style set Cosy poncho Christmas decorations Collection Shaun the Sheep hat Donkey hoodie Festive tea cosy Sparkly socks Issue 139 November 2015 Lace jumper Cute doll toy Teardrop yoke sweater Alan Dart’s Werewolf Festive flowerpot covers Girl’s party cable cardigan Fair Isle stocking Textured…

So simple, but so effective – a single cable runs from the cuff to the toe on these socks, and there’s a matching one on the back too. The slipped-stitch heel adds extra strength to make them ideal for everyday wear. YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners, Signature 4 Ply, (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/400m) 1 ball of Turmeric (358) • A set of 3mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) • Stitch markers • Cable needle FOR YARN STOCKISTS, CONTACT WEST YORKSHIRE SPINNERS 01535 664500 WWW.WYSPINNERS.COM TENSION 31 sts and 40 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles. SIZE To fit foot circ. 19 (21.5: 23)cm Actual foot circ. 17 (19.5: 21.5)cm ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 90 of Simply Knitting magazine LEG…