Innehållsförteckning för April 2020 från Simply Knitting

This early spring issue is the perfect excuse to think about exciting new knits, new colour combinations, new stitch patterns and new garment shapes! To help ignite that creativity we bring you our Knit Your Own Alphabet pattern booklet, which encourages you to personalise a sweatshirt, bag or beanie with your initials, or perhaps add a string of bunting for a birthday party? The possibilities are endless! Talking about creativity, one thing I always feel inspired by is the amazing local yarn shops that we’re able to feature in SK issue after issue. It never ceases to amaze me how many independent retailers are stepping up and making waves in the yarn community with their innovative ideas and initiatives, and we are always super proud to support them. Check out…

KNITTING STASHBUSTERS: 25 GREAT WAYS TO USE UP YOUR YARN LEFTOVERS OF ONE BALL OR MORE by Fiona Gable (Cico Books, £9.99) Bringing a much-needed colour boost with 25 inspiring projects, this modern book is bursting with ideas on how to put your yarn stash to good use. The creative designs range from a garland of hearts to brighten up a room, a sweet penguin to gift to a loved one and cute stationery accessories. If you have an overflowing leftover stash, then this could be your go-to throughout the year. MACRAMÉ 2 by Fanny Zedenius (Quadrille, £14.99) This bumper book includes 20 fabulous macramé projects we think knitters will really love. While the craft of macramé differs from the technique of knitting, there is a similarity in its intricacy…

Saguaro Snood Fancy a bit of crochet? This two-tone snood makes a confident statement, come wind or snow! Buy the complete kit for £70. Acacana Poncho Available in choose-your-own colourways, this poncho knitting kit (£111) comes with long tassels and traditional American patterns. Astrofito Cardigan This slim, long-line cardigan kit (£176) delivers a flattering silhouette and is filled with a myriad of pleasing colourwork.…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab (100% British wool, 100g/225m) For yarn qualities and measurements see size table ❏ A pair of 3.75mm needles ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ A 3.75mm circular needle, 40cm long ❏ Stitch holders TENSION 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 STRIPED JUMPER STRIPE PATTERN FRONT AND BACK STRIPES 4 rows Yarn B. 4 rows Yarn A. SLEEVE STRIPES 4 rows Yarn B. 4 rows Yarn C. BACK Cast on 102 (106: 112: 118: 124: 130: 134: 140: 146: 152) sts using 3.75mm straight needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) K2 (2: 3: 2: 3: 2: 2: 3: 2: 3), (P2, K2) to last…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) Small amounts of the following: Yarn A Sunflower (978) Yarn B Azure (824) Yarn C Lime (882) Yarn D Aloe (660) Yarn E Black (965) ❏ A pair of 3mm needles ❏ A brooch pin TENSION 30 sts and 40 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles MEASUREMENTS 7cm (2¾in) diameter ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 PANSY BROOCH PETALS Begin at the centre of the flower. Cast on 3 sts, using 3mm needles and Yarn E. Row 1 (RS) (Kfb) to end. [6 sts] Row 2 Purl. Change to Yarn A. Work the first 2 sts only, leaving 4 sts on the needle. Row 3 (Kfb) to end. [4 sts] Row 4 (Kfb)…

SWEET WINGS Geraldine decided to use some flesh coloured yarn from her own stash for the face and hands. Doesn’t the finished angel look lovely! Geraldine Halama via email ANGEL FACE Nicola styled the hair herself and chose a lighter shade of yellow yarn to complete the look. We love the character-filled facial features that Nicola has created. Nicola Dannan via Facebook HAPPY HALO Wow! Doesn’t the finished angel look great! Glenna says that she had fun making this cover kit from Issue 192. We think she must have looked gorgeous hanging from the tree. Glenna Waterhouse via Facebook…

In the round as I can avoid a purl row and sewing up those pesky seams! Jean Trinder, via Facebook Circulars every time – no likelihood of taking somebody’s eye out for a start. I also find that they’re more ergonomical, and in the round = no sewing up, which is always a bonus – yey!! Carol Oakes, via Facebook In the round every time. When knitting straight the needles can sometimes catch on the chair. Very easy to change the size of needles as you go. A great invention. All my straight needles are confined to a box hidden away! Glenys Lawrence, via Facebook In the straight! I find moving the stitches from the plastic part to the wooden part of the needles on the round annoying! Nia Mererid…

I’M LOVING… An exciting new yarn This is a variegated yarn from Countess Ablaze in Bluefaced Baron 4ply in the colourway Dragon Island. I love trying out no-nylon yarns and this is so fun to knit with! I’M MAKING… More socks! This is the Sockhead Hat – a free pattern from Ravelry – with a ball of WYS Winwick Mum Brightside yarn. I love the way the colours look like crayons! I’M SHARING… Something new A brand new sock pattern – Sanctuary Socks – available to download for free from my blog at www.winwickmum.co.uk. Think chunky texture and pretty shades of purple.…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Cascade 220 Superwash Merino (sport weight, 100% wool, 100g/200m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table ❏ Also oddments of the following for embroidery: Cascade 220 Superwash Sport (sport weight, 100% wool, 50g/125m) Jasmine Green (240) Pumpkin (822) Cotton Candy (901) Golden (877) ❏ A pair of 3.75mm needles ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ 6 buttons ❏ Stitch holders TENSION 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 EMBROIDERED CARDIGAN BACK Cast on 94 (102: 106: 114: 118: 126) sts using 3.75mm needles. Rib row 1 (RS) K2, (P2, K2) to end. Rib row 2 P2, (K2, P2) to end. Rep the last 2 rows 4 times more,…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ DROPS Nepal (aran, 65% wool, 35% alpaca, 50g/75m) 1 ball of Yarn A Goldenrod (2923) ❏ Small amounts of contrast DK yarn in bright colours ❏ A pair of 6mm needles ❏ A 6mm cable needle ❏ Tapestry needle TENSION 16 sts and 26 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over reverse st st using 6mm needles 24 sts and 24 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) cable patt using 6mm needles MEASUREMENTS 50cm (19›in) long x 5.5cm (2in) wide when sewn up ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 CABLE HEADBAND Cast on 24 sts using 6mm needles. Set-up row (WS) Knit into the back of all sts. Row 1, 5, 9 and 13 (RS) P8, K8, P8. Row 2 and every alt row K8, P8,…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) 1 ball of each: Yarn A Bluebell (0969) Yarn B White (0961) ❏ A pair of 3.5mm knitting needles ❏ Toy filling, 200g ❏ 2 x toy safety eyes, 15mm diameter ❏ Locking stitch markers or waste yarn TENSION 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3.5mm needles MEASUREMENTS 39cm long x 20cm tall x 20cm wide (including tusk and flippers) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 If you’re knitting for children under three years old you may want to swap the plastic eyes for embroidered eyes NARWHAL Note Use the long-tail method to cast on for all pieces (www. woolandthegang.com/how-to/knit/long-tail-cast-on). BELLY Cast on 5 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B.…

DECREASE STEPS Q Do you have advice for decreases at the end of a purl row? Alison via Facebook The simplest way is p2tog, purl two together, but if you are doing fully fashioned shaping where you want the decrease slants to go in the same direction then it is best to use ssp or slip, slip, purl. Debbie BEGINNER TIPS Q What is the best cast-on method for a beginner? There are so many to choose from! Kim, via email It’s all very subjective really! In my experience I have found that most knitters generally have a preferred method. Personally, I like the thumb method as it gives an elastic cast-on and so is perfect for beginners who may struggle with working between the stitches for a cable cast-on.…

Julie Clare tells us all about how knitting and creativity combined to make a memorable performance of classic play The Snow Queen! A festive family adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, which debuted in the Park Theatre in London on 4 December 2019, featured an amazing knitted background – an idea that was imagined by the show’s crew, who were inspired by ‘yarn bombing’. They created a garden filled with colourful knitted and crocheted flowers for the show’s ‘world of spring’ section. We talk to the show’s producer, Julie Clare, to find out more about the project and how knitting formed a salient part in the show. The idea to incorporate knitting into the set design initially came from the director, Abigail Anderson, during an early production meeting…

Hello and welcome to our bright and brilliant spring issue! To inspire you this new season, we unveil the best yarn shops in our knitter’s guide to Merseyside, have a chin-wag with knitting group A Good Yarn, and introduce our Shop of the Month, Skeins & Bobbins, on page 73. Plus, enjoy a pretty pastel copyright-free pattern on page 74, and read all about our Charity of the Month, St Gemma’s Hospice and their exciting Easter project which you can be a part of! Turn to page 75 to discover Irish-based brand Hedgehog Fibres and be sure to read about our special feature on the devastating Australian wildfire crisis, and how you can help make a huge difference. Don’t forget, if you have any charity or community news, please drop…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Yarn A white DK yarn from your stash ❏ Any DK yarn in various colours (as detailed in the Chart) from your stash ❏ A pair of 3.5mm needles TENSION 25 sts and 26 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Fair Isle pattern using 3.5mm needles MEASUREMENTS 8.5cm (3›in) tall x 10cm (4in) wide, after sewing up ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 This pretty mug-hug is a perfect project for using up spare scraps of colourful yarn in your stash. The Fair Isle pattern sets off the cheerful colours of the yarn beautifully, as they look perfect together. It’s designed in a sleeve shape, without a fastening, so it’s quick and easy. The mug-hug works best with trendy tumbler-style cups. It’s great for…

A popular choice for use in special blends, the Oxford Down has a fine wool which creates wonderful clothing of a high-quality. The first society of the Oxford Down sheep was officially established in 1889 in the UK.The Oxford Down is the result of cross-breeding a Cotswolds and Hampshire, and there are two main types of sheep under the breed, the Oxford Down and the pure-bred Oxford Down. An adorable feature of the Oxford Down is that it even has wool on its cheeks! Discover more about the wonderful world of British sheep at www.britishwool.org.uk.…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Stylecraft Dreamcatcher DK (90% acrylic, 10% wool, 150g/435m) 2 balls of: Tree of Life (3217) ❏ A 4mm circular needle, 80cm or longer ❏ A 3.5mm circular needle, for picking up edging sts ❏ 4.5mm crochet hook ❏ Scrap cotton yarn ❏ Stitch markers TENSION 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles MEASUREMENTS Wingspan 180cm (71in) Depth 75cm (29›in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 LACE SHAWL Notes The Shawl starts with a long provisional cast on and is worked in segments using short row shaping to create a semicircle. It is worked in rows using a circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches. After five segments, start looking for a good place to…

ISSUE 190 * NOVEMBER Orange lace panel jumper Stylish poncho Poppy brooches Men’s cable jumper Textured throw KAL Purple gilet Kid’s monster jumper Beastly bear toy Cow cushion Cool Halloween keyrings PLUS! Gift kit to make two poppy brooches* ISSUE 191 DECEMBER* Bold zigzag jumper Robin baby jumper Advent calendar The Snowman™ toy Textured throw KAL Sparkly teenage jumper Festive mice decorations Rowan longline cardigan Delicate yoga socks PLUS! Fab bamboo needles and sock stitch markers* ISSUE 192 FESTIVE* Glitzy Christmas jumper Festive angel decoration Kid’s snowman sweater Cuddly santa toy Textured throw KAL Jazzy Fair Isle hat Cute gingerbread friends Moomin™ toy PLUS! Fab Burda pattern magazine and festive angel kit* ISSUE 193 FESTIVE* Elegant lace party top Hat, cowl and mittens set Kid’s owl jumper Rowan Fair Isle…

CABLE CAST-ON METHOD  Use it for a firm edge, and when adding stitches to your work Make a slip knot. Insert right-hand needle into the stitch as if to knit. Wrap the yarn around the point and pull through, slipping the stitch on to the left-hand needle. Push the point of the right-hand needle between the first and second stitches. Wrap the yarn anti-clockwise around the point of the right-hand needle. Pull the loop out with the right-hand needle, then slip it over the tip of the left-hand needle. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have the number of stitches you require. THUMB CAST-ON METHOD  A great all rounder, use it to cast on stitches quickly and easily Make a slip knot and place it on a needle, leaving…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Rico Creative Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/115m) 1 ball of each: Yarn A Red (008) Yarn B Fir Green (017) Yarn C Royal Blue (012) Yarn D Orange (007) Yarn E Candy Pink (005) Yarn F Cardinal (010) Yarn G Sky Blue (014) ❏ A pair of 3.25mm needles TENSION 28 sts and 50 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over garter st using 3.25mm needles MEASUREMENTS Height 10cm (4in) Width 7 to 14.5cm (2 3/4 to 5 3/4in) ABBREVIATIONS A full list is on page 95 in Simply Knitting magazine Notes The letters are worked throughout in garter stitch. In many cases, two ‘legs’ of the letter are worked separately at first and then joined, or begun together and are then separated. Where this occurs, left…

1 Insert the point of the right-hand needle through the loops of the next two stitches as if to knit. 2 Wind the yarn around the tip of the right-hand needle and pull the yarn through the two stitches, knitting them both together. 3 Drop the two stitches from the left-hand needle and keep the new stitch on the right-hand needle. 4 Knitting two stitches together decreases your stitch count by one, and the decrease stitch leans to the right. This is how a series of k2tog decreases will look.…

Fran Morgan’s latest KAL is a bright and cheery blanket knitted in Deramores Studio Aran (left, £12.41 for a yarn pack) or Baa Ram Ewe’s Winterburn Aran (above, £84.99 for a yarn pack). Offered in two distinct colourways – the Deramores Studio Aran option is a lighter, fresher mix of shades, whereas the Baa Ram Ewe Winterburn Aran choice delivers a more muted, rustic result you’ll equally fall in love with. Visit www.deramores.com/ products/mirror-knit-along-byfran-morgan or call 0845 519 4573.…

Bronagh works as a designer and pattern editor. She also looks after the social media accounts of various knitting brands Up early or slow to rise? I’m a natural night owl, but I try to start my day reasonably early so a large alarm clock is essential! First job of the day? Once I have some breakfast and a mug of tea on the go, I check messages and social media. Mid-morning pick-me-up? I’m not a snacker (except for the odd square of dark chocolate) – I run on black tea and Diet Coke! Fave time to sit back and take five? I work through the morning writing content and working on patterns. After lunch I spend a couple of hours sample knitting, sketching new designs or taking photographs. Clocking-off…

DOWNLOAD THE ONLINE PATTERNS! Rowan Island Blend Fine (£14.79 for a 50g skein), is a dreamy fine yarn that’s incredibly light to knit with, and simply perfect for creating beautiful garments you’ll fall in love with as soon as they are off your needles! The yarn range is accompanied by a selection of 20 downloadable patterns at £4 each, or just £12 for the whole set. Choose from cowl-neck jumpers, Fair Isle hats, long-line and lacy cardigans, colourful capes, shawls, scarves, jumpers and much more. Each pattern is finished with a pop of brilliant colour, or a touch of modern texture to add that truly unique touch. For more details on the patterns, or Rowan Island Blend Fine, visit www.knitrowan.com.…

1 Push the point of your right-hand needle through the first two stitches on your left-hand needle, going from right to left as you would for a purl stitch. 2 Bring yarn anti-clockwise around the needle, between the two needles. 3 Pull the yarn through both stitches, as you would when working a purl stitch, and drop both stitches from the left-hand needle. 4 Purling two stitches together decreases your stitch count by one, and the decrease stitch leans to the right. This is how a series looks on the right side of stocking stitch.…

TO CAP IT ALL... I bought Simply Knitting for the first time and couldn’t resist making the cuddly teddy featured inside Issue 187 by Amanda Berry. For a touch of nostalgia I put my late father’s flat cap on her. At the moment she’s still waiting to be named. I am pretty happy with how the project has turned out! Andrea Wathen, via email What a cute teddy! The added flat cap and pink scarf tops off your knit perfectly. Well done! EVERY DAY IS A SCHOOL DAY Dear Simply Knitting team, I loved making this shawl which involved learning new stitches, mosaic stitch and an icord edging. I’ve even started another! I feel more confident to try out some more patterns in Simply Knitting now. Jo Rolfe, via email…

BERGAMO, ITALY I took my knitting with me during a non-competitive walk organised in the beautiful northern city where I live, near Bergamo! The upper town, where I am in this photograph, is composed of a Venetian walled core, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here I reached the very last knit stitches of what will be the back of a cross stitched pillow – another one of my passions! Camilla Maffiuletti, Italy A stunning backdrop, Camilla! Our letter writer wins a mystery prize of yarny goodies worth £15!…

We love hearing from our readers so don’t delay, pop up a post on Facebook, tweet us on Twitter, tag us on Instagram, follow us on Pinterest, add to our Ravelry Finished Projects Board, drop us an email or post us a letter! Here are all the details you need: WRITE TO US Stay in Touch, Simply Knitting magazine, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST. EMAIL US simplyknitting@immediate.co.uk FIND US AND FOLLOW US Facebook.com/simplyknitting @SimplyKnitMag ravelry.com/groups/simply-knitting-magazine @simplyknittingmag pinterest www.pinterest.com/simplyknitmag…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ King Cole Natural Alpaca DK (100% superfine alpaca, 50g/100m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table ❏ A pair of 3mm needles ❏ A pair of 3.25mm needles ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ A cable needle ❏ 2 stitch markers ❏ 2 stitch holders ❏ 2 spare needles or waste yarn TENSION 26 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over cable patt using 4mm needles 26 sts and 29 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over cable eyelet patt using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS C3F slip 1 st onto cn and hold at front of work, K2tbl; K1 from cn C3B slip 2 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, K1; K2tbl from cn picot cast-off cast off 3 sts, *sl…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Sirdar Snuggly 4ply Merino (100% Merino wool, 50g/225m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table ❏ A pair of 3mm needles ❏ A pair of 3.5mm needles ❏ Stitch holders ❏ 4 (4: 5: 6) small buttons TENSION 30 sts and 33 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over patt using 3.5mm needles ABBREVIATIONS K1B/P1B K or P using Yarn B For a full list see page 95 CARDIGAN BACK Cast on 66 (72: 78: 84) sts using 3mm needles and Yarn A. Rows 1 to 8 *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Change to 3.5mm needles. MAIN PATTERN Row 1 Knit using Yarn A. Row 2 Purl using Yarn A. Row 3 *K1B, K1C; rep from * to end. Row 4 *P1B, P1C; rep…

Adding your own personal touches to your crafting is both challenging and rewarding, but it really doesn’t have to be difficult. One of the best ways to add interest to a knitting fabric is with contrasting colour. There are many ways to mix shades and colours throughout your knitting, from the more traditional methods of Fair Isle and intarsia, to one of the newer ideas – like woven darning. Darning has been around for centuries, but using darning as a woven accent is a relatively recent revelation and once you have the technique under your belt, it couldn’t be easier! SO MANY USES Darning originated from the need to mend and make to refresh your garments, like worn sock heels and thinning sweater elbows, but nowhere does it say that…

ALL THE STRIPES Q My daughter has asked me to knit her a stripy jumper, but I’m yet to find one she likes and I’m running out of options. Can you suggest any patterns? Cecelia B, via email Apart from the one on our cover this issue, we love this jumper called Colours In The Mist by Kaffe Fassett for Rowan. It’s knitted in simple stocking stitch stripes and has a strong grey base shade which really helps to make the contrast colours pop. It comes in sizes 32-50in and is knitted in Rowan’s Felted Tweed. Download the pattern for £4 at www.knitrowan.com. Kirstie WOOL ON A BUDGET Q I’ve fallen head over heels for knitting in 100% pure wool yarns but I’m worried about being able to afford this…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Rico Design Fashion Alpaca Dream DK (63% virgin wool, 27% alpaca, 10% polyamide, 25g/105m) 1 ball of Berry (006) ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ Cable needle (cn) TENSION 41 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over cable patt using 4mm needles MEASUREMENTS Circumference 20cm Depth 6cm ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS C6B slip the next 3 sts to cn (cable needle) and hold at back of work, K3, K3 from cn For a full list see page 95 HOW TO USE OUR CHARTS Start at the bottom right-hand corner. Read right side rows from right to left and wrong side rows from left to right. A row of squares represents a row of knitting. CABLE MUG COSY…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Rowan Felted Tweed DK (50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose, 50g/175m) 1 ball of each: Yarn A Zinnia (198) Yarn B Bottle Green (207) Yarn C Eden (209) ❏ A pair of 3.25mm needles ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ Pompom maker TENSION 24 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Fair Isle pattern using 4mm needles MEASUREMENTS To fit head circumference 47 (53: 59)cm, 18½ (20¾: 23)in Actual head circumference 41 (47: 54)cm, 16 (18½: 21¼)in Length from top of crown to brim 22 (23: 24)cm, 8¾ (9: 9½)in ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 HOW TO USE OUR CHARTS Start at the bottom right-hand corner. Read right side rows from right to left and wrong side rows from left…

Peak District Yarns Commercial Road, Tideswell, Buxton SK17 8NU Stocking a range of yarns inspired by the stunning surroundings of the Peak District, you will be spoilt for choice in this delightful shop. Yarns are hand-dyed in the studio. For more visit www.peakdistrictyarns.co.uk Sew-In, Buxton 1 Spring Gardens, Buxton SK17 6BJ Sew-In is a local shop in the Buxton area that is popular with local customers, thanks to its fabulous selection of hand-knitting yarns, with brands such as BDF, Debbie Bliss and Sirdar available. Visit www.peakdistrictyarns.co.uk. Wye Wool 11 Water Street, Bakewell DE45 1EW Wye Wool isn’t short on great reviews online. So if you’re in the Peak District be sure to visit! This small shop is run by Lynda, and stocks an amazing selection of knitting patterns and yarn.…

1 Bring the yarn to the front of the needles before you work the next stitch. 2 Insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch, and wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle to knit the stitch. 3 This will bring the yarn between the needles to the front, and you can then pull it through the stitch as normal. 4 Slip the stitch off the needle. You will notice that the yarn over forms an extra loop to the right of the stitch you have just worked.…

Our back issues sell out fast! Why not subscribe and get every packed issue delivered direct to your door? Plus you’ll save on the shop price too! Turn to page 28 to see our current offers. † UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri, 8am-6pm and Sat, 9am-1pm for orders only. For enquiries call Mon to Fri between 8am-6pm. *While stocks last. Free gifts may not always be available. Please note digital back issue orders do not receive cover…

KITCHENER STITCH  The best way to graft your sock toes together Arrange your stitches so that the ones for the top of the foot are on one needle, and those for the bottom of the foot are on the other, with both needle tips pointing to the right. Cut a 40cm (15¾in) tail of yarn and thread onto a tapestry needle. Using your needle, thread the tail purlwise through the first stitch on the front needle, and then knitwise through the first stitch on the back needle. *Thread tail knitwise through the first stitch on the front needle and drop off the needle. Thread the tail purlwise through the new first stitch on the needle closest to you. Thread the tail purlwise through the first stitch on the needle furthest…

ISSUE 195 MARCH Cream cable jumper Baby jacket Simple cardigan Hot water bottle cover Men’s ribbed jumper Kaffee Fassett scarf KAL Fair Isle footstool cover Yellow bag Bright toy cars Snuggly beanie hat Cosy cable socks PLUS! Burda supplement and fab King Cole booklet ISSUE 194 FEBRUARY Romantic eyelet tunic Kid’s ladder stitch sweater Heart gadget cases Hanging baskets Kaffee Fassett scarf KAL Stylish geometric cushion Goldilocks and the three bears Scarlet lace beret Monkey hot water bottle cover ISSUE 193 JANUARY Lacy sideways top Kid’s owl jumper Hat, cowl & mitts set Rowan Fair Isle cardigan Peter Rabbit™ toy Cafetière cover Textured KAL Spots & stripes jumper Cute animal keyrings Baby hat & bootees Modern eyelet jumper Zesty orange socks ISSUE 192 DECEMBER Santa jumper Angel decoration Snowman sweater…

CABLE CAST-ON 1 Make a slip knot. Insert right-hand needle into the stitch as if to knit. Wrap yarn around point and pull through, slipping the stitch on to the left-hand needle. 2 Push the point of the right-hand needle between the first and second stitches. Wrap the yarn anti-clockwise around the point of the right-hand needle. 3 Pull the loop out with the right-hand needle, then slip it over the tip of the left-hand needle. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have the number of stitches you require.…

1 Start by knitting the first two stitches of the row as normal, but don’t go any further along as you usually would. 2 Insert the left-hand needle through the first stitch, as shown. Lift this stitch over the other stitch on the right-hand needle and over the needle point. 3 Knit another stitch so you have two on the right needle. Lift the first stitch over the second, then repeat Steps 1 to 3. 4 When you get to the last stitch, cut the yarn about 15cm (6in) away, feed it through the loop and pull through firmly to fasten off.…

Spring Into Wool Show We’ve got 10 pairs of tickets to the Spring Into Wool Show at The Grammar School, Leeds! This top event filled with 90 exhibitors includes workshops and demonstrations, as well as a selection of tasty foods. With free parking outside, inside you’ll find stalls for knitting, crochet, felting, weaving, spinning and dyeing. Tickets cost from £4 and more show details can be found at www.springintowool.co.uk. SIrdar Pattern 5393 Hat and Cardi Free Download Catch up with the latest baby hat trend! This free soft bobble hat pattern is reminiscent of the one worn by baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk and is available as a free download at www.woolwarehouse.co.uk. Visit bit.ly/38CdSIA or call 0800 505 3300. Novita Majakkasaari (Moomin…

The ever popular King Cole Drifter range delivers a wide selection of varied yarns in different weights and shade finishes! From 4ply, Baby, DK, Aran and Chunky there’s a yarn for every project and every season. The latest addition to the LoveCrafts website is Subtle Drifter DK (£4.99 for 100g). This acrylic, wool and cotton mix comes in a range of ten shades that neatly suit any season, from vibrant Fuchsia and popular Grey to gentle Lilac. Available from www.lovecrafts.com.…

Finish off the colder months with a flurry of wonderful fluff! Rico Petit Lapin (£7.99 for 100g) is a new indulgently furry yarn that adds a delightful new element to your knits. It’s soft as a rabbit (hence the name) and it comes in a range of eight different colours from Cream, Pink and Mustard, to Grey, Brown and Anthracite. We love it for creating cosy cardis, plush hats and making adorable toys. You can discover the full range at www.woolwarehouse.co.uk.…

Cast on a panda everyone will love this springtime with this wonderful pattern kit from the experts at Sirdar. Cute as a button it’s knitted in fabulous Sirdar Alpine yarn, one of the great fur-like options that’s come onto the market over the last few seasons. Sirdar Alpine is a joy to knit with and the results are simply stunning! This two-tone cuddly treat, in shades of black and white is available for you to buy as a yarn pack for just £15.99 from The Knitting Network. Check it out here www. theknittingnetwork.co.uk/pandain-sirdar-alpine .…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ King Cole Big Value (DK, 100% acrylic, 50g/145m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table ❏ A pair of 3.25mm needles ❏ A pair of 4mm needles ❏ Stitch holders ❏ 3 x black buttons, 1.5cm diameter TENSION 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS k2togtbl knit 2 stitches together through the back of the loop p2togtbl purl 2 stitches together through the back of the loop For a full list see page 95 ROBOT JUMPER BACK Cast on 60 (68: 76: 80: 84) sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 (RS) *K2, P2; rep from * to end. Rep Row 1 until piece measures 3 (3: 4.5: 4.5: 4.5)cm from cast-on edge, ending…

Every month, three subscribers win a prize as a thank you for their loyalty to Simply Knitting. This month, the winners (below) will each receive 6 balls of Caron Simply Soft Light yarn, along with a lovely ‘Walk in the Park’ spring cardigan pattern, worth £28.49! The perfect weight for spring and summer! IMMEDIATE MEDIA COMPANY, PUBLISHERS OF SIMPLY KNITTING, SUBS STARS GIVEAWAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Prizes were dispatched before the on sale date of this issue. There are no cash alternatives. Three winning entries will be chosen at random from all current subscribers. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into.…

One thing that we should never be, as knitters, is cold. As I write this, it’s a bright day – there’s even a hint of sunshine as I look out of the window – but it’s a bit nippy out there and I’m wearing ‘All The Layers’. I’ve had my hat and mittens on whilst I was out with the dog. I’m wearing my woolly socks of course (it doesn’t really matter what the weather is like, I’ve usually had my woolly socks on at some point during the day – hard experience has taught me not to walk the dog in sandals!), and I’ve got my jumper on. I’ve also got plenty of cardigans, scarves, cowls, shawls and blankets tucked away in the drawer should I need to wrap…

CAST ON OUR KAL Collect all three parts to create this gorgeous Kaffe Fassett scarf Pure luxury knitting YOU WILL NEED ❏ Rowan Felted Tweed (DK, 50% wool, 25% viscose, 25% alpaca, 50g/175m), 2 balls of each: Yarn A Bilberry (151) Yarn C Rage (150) Yarn E Zinnia (198) Yarn F Barbara (200) 1 ball each of: Yarn B Peony (183) Yarn D Iris (201) Yarn G Mineral (181) Yarn H Lotus Leaf (205) Yarn I Seafarer (178) Yarn J Delft (194) Yarn K Pink Bliss (199), Yarn L Avocado (161) Yarn M Amethyst (192) ❏ A pair of 3.25mm needles ❏ A pair of 3.75mm needles TENSION 26 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over patterned st st using 3.75mm needles MEASUREMENTS 25cm (9›in) wide x 190.5cm…

1 Insert the point of the right-hand needle through the loops of the next two stitches as if to knit. 2 Wind the yarn around the tip of the right-hand needle and pull the yarn through the two stitches, knitting them both together. 3 Drop the two stitches from the left-hand needle and keep the new stitch on the right-hand needle. 4 Knitting two stitches together decreases your stitch count by one, and the decrease stitch leans to the right. This is how a series of k2tog decreases will look.…

HOW TO DYE Q I’d love to learn how to dye my own yarns but I have no idea where to start! Do you have any very basic advice for a first-timer? Nora Harvey, Colchester You can buy undyed yarn hanks online from places like www.laughinghens.com and it’s best to hunt out ones made from animal fibres. Make sure your hank is wound into a large loop then tie your hank at regular intervals around the loop to hold the threads together. Wash your yarn in mild soap adding a little vinegar to the mix. Don protective clothing, an apron and gloves should do the trick. We suggest dyeing with food colourings in the first instance as they are, for the most part, harmless. Find a large old saucepan with…

Keeping mum cosy Wonderfully warming – let her snuggle up with these beautiful designs This stunning Siren Song Shawl uses slip stitches and a glorious Merino singles yarn to eye-catching effect, creating a sunshine-filled shawl perfect for beach walks and cool spring days out. Pattern £6.15 from www.trulymyrtle.com, kit £54.50 from www.loopknittingshop.com This gorgeous Askham cowl features elegant cable panels and is worked in Rowan’s luxurious Hemp Tweed yarn. It is designed by Martin Storey and is sure to keep mum warm and stylish on the chilliest of days. Pattern free from www.deramores.com If mum likes her TV in the evening, knit her a cosy blanket to snuggle up under every night. The Bounty Throw is made of simple knit and purl stitches so ideal for beginner knitters, and worked…

1 These steps show what happens to the yarn you carry over on the wrong side of the work. 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 you always keep the floats of one colour above the other colour, your work will look neater.…

Maria White, Fundraiser (Community) Charity St Gemma’s Hospice Established 1978 What do you do? St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds provides the best possible care and support for local people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. We specialise in pain relief and symptom control to help people live as well as possible for as long as possible. St Gemma’s is at the heart of the local community providing care for patients in the Hospice or in their own homes. The hospice would not be able to provide care without the valuable and ongoing support of the community and kind donations. What can we do to help? St Gemma’s sell handmade knitted gifts at Christmas and Easter. Over the festive period we sell knitted Santa hats or Christmas puddings which are filled…

This month we chat to Beata Jezek from Hedgehog Fibres Tell us about Hedgehog Fibres… I got sucked into the knitting world big time in 2008 after I knitted a sock using a YouTube tutorial – and the rest is history! I immediately knew I wanted to create my own line of hand-dyed, soft, squishy yarns. I’m a very visual person and have a huge passion for colour. Hedgehog Fibres is an extension of my personal style and a trend-setter in the industry. What can knitters find at your shop? We offer a wide variety of lovely soft yarns in fun and unusual colourways, from lace weight all the way to bulky and everything in between! You can buy our yarn directly on our website www.hedgehogfibres.com or through a network…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ DMC Natura XL (100% cotton, 100g/75m) 4 balls in White (01) ❏ Oddment of matching DK weight yarn for sewing up ❏ 1 set of 7mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) ❏ A 7mm circular needle, 80cm long ❏ Stitch marker ❏ A 6mm crochet hook for pinhole cast on (optional) TENSION 12 sts and 16 rounds to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 7mm needles MEASUREMENTS 45cm diameter ABBREVIATIONS ryo (reverse yarn over) begin with the yarn at the back of the work, take yarn over the RH needle to front of work, then work next st in usual way if it is a purl st. If next st is a knit st, return yarn between needles to back of work and then work next stitch…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Brown Sheep Company Lamb’s Pride Worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair, 113g/174m) 5 skeins of Yarn A 2 skeins of Yarn B Gryffindor Yarn A M101 Bing Cherry Yarn B M155 Lemondrop Ravenclaw Yarn A M82 Blue Flannel Yarn B M03 Grey Heather Hufflepuff Yarn A M14 Sunburst Gold Yarn B M05 Onyx Slytherin Yarn A M172 Deep Pine Yarn B M03 Grey Heather ❏ 5mm circular knitting needles, 40cm long ❏ Stitch marker ❏ 6mm crochet hook ❏ Tapestry needle TENSION 18 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 5mm needles MEASUREMENTS Circumference 45.5cm (18in) Length 198cm (78in) excluding fringe ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 HOGWARTS’ HOUSE SCARVES Notes This design is worked in the round from the…

YOU WILL NEED ❏ Sirdar Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere; 50g/116m) 2 balls of Yarn A Vanilla (003) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Ahoy (605) Yarn C Skipper (276) ❏ 1 set of 3mm double-pointed needes (DPNs) or a 3mm circular needle 25cm long, or 60cm long for magic loop ❏ Stitch markers ❏ Stitch holder or spare needle TENSION 24 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles MEASUREMENTS To fit foot circumference 23cm (9in) Actual foot circumference 20.5cm (8in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 HOW TO USE OUR CHARTS Start at the bottom right-hand corner. Read all rounds from right to left. A row of squares represents a row of knitting.…

One thing we have learnt this month is how much fun you can have with a stack of rainbow-coloured letters!Which is why we’re convinced you’ll be reaching for our Knit Your Own Alphabet booklet by Ann Franklin over and over again. Knit them in yarns from your stash and create a slogan, or personalise a garment or accessory in a flash! Perhaps you could knit a message to be displayed as a string of bunting, for birthdays, anniversaries and more – there’s simply no end to the ways you could use these rainbow-coloured knits!…

1 Insert the tip of the right-hand needle into the front of the stitch and knit as normal, but don’t drop it from the left-hand needle. 2 Then take the right-hand needle behind the left-hand one and insert the tip of the needle down through the back of the stitch on the left-hand needle. 3 Wrap the yarn around the tip of the right-hand needle to knit the stitch. Bring the needle through to make the stitch, keeping it on the right-hand needle. 4 Take the stitch off the left-hand needle. You will have increased one stitch by knitting twice into the original stitch, first at the front, then at the back.…