Innehållsförteckning för Issue 94 från The Knitter

MAKKIN MORE A successful crowdfunding project is helping to keep knitting traditions alive in Shetland. The Peerie Makkers scheme has begun teaching knitting skills to island children, after raising more than £7000. There had been concerns that Shetland’s culture of knitting might die out, after funding for knitting tuition in schools was cut. The Shetland Peerie Makkers scheme was backed by the Brough Lodge Trust as part of its mission to support Shetland’s heritage, while its patron is designer Kaffe Fassett. The money raised will cover the basic expenses of the volunteer teachers, including buying traditional knitting belts. Teachers will also use and share Shetland dialect words such as ‘makkin’ (making), ‘geng’ (cast off), and ‘wirsit’ (woollen yarn). For details visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/peeriemakkers-shetland Creative colour Knit Picks has launched a UK version…

Influential design and yarn brand Brooklyn Tweed has launched its first-ever printed pattern book. Called Capsule, it has stunning projects by innovative designer Olga Bureya-Kefelian. The 128-page book contains eight designs, accompanied by a glossary of techniques and beautiful photography. Olga is known for her architectural designs, and here she brings us ‘Cusp’, an unusual hexagonal pullover, knitted from the centre out. The ‘Apex’ cardigan uses mitred corners and unexpected angles to create an intriguing shape, and blends braided cables and lace for a richly textured fabric. ‘Nobu’ is a cabled jumper with a dramatic peplum, a dense lattice of small cables on the back and sleeves, and a panel of OXO cables on the front which resembles chainmail. Other patterns in this wonderful collection include a gradient-striped seamless dress,…

Amy Herzog has a mission: to help knitters achieve a perfect fit. Now the author of Knit To Flatter and the CustomFit pattern series has teamed up with Rowan Yarns to help more people create their perfect sweater. The Options Knit-Along is hosted on Rowan’s website, and is available to all Rowan.com subscribers (it’s free to register). As the name suggestions, Amy’s pattern provides knitters with a range of options to customise their design. It can be worked as a pullover or a cardigan, have a plain, textured or striped fabric, have long or cropped sleeves, and a V-neck or a crew neck. The pattern calls for Rowan’s Pure Wool Superwash DK yarn. To provide support to knitters while they work through the pattern, Amy has made a series of…

Thrilling tartan When I first saw the chart for Brandon Mably’s classic tartan in Issue 81, I knew my search had ended. Although the photo showed a woman’s sweater, I had been hunting for an afghan pattern for my grandson’s college graduation gift - and this timeless intarsia design was perfect. I changed the muted heathery hues to bold blues and greens to match my grandson’s favourite clipper ship hooked rug, and switched from stockinette to garter stitch to provide the heft an afghan would need. A slip-stitch crochet in burgundy duplicated the vertical stripes, offering increased stability in the lengthwise direction. After casting on 301 stitches, I repeated the altered row gauge garter pattern to achieve the final dimensions of 64 by 72 inches, finishing with a five-row border…

SIZE 41cm x 32cm (16in x 12½in) YARN Yarn Stories Fine Merino & Baby Alpaca Aran (Aran weight; 70% wool, 30% alpaca; 95m/104yds per 50g ball) A Anthracite; 3 x 50g balls B Rouge; 2 x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Set of two bag handles (sample uses 58cm black piped leather handles from U-handbag.com) Iron-on/fusible interfacing, 44cm x 67cm (16in x 26¼in) Lining fabric, 44cm x 67cm (16in x 26¼in) Sewing thread TENSION 25 sts and 26 rows to 10cm over patt on 4.5mm needles STOCKISTS Yarn Stories 01484 848431 www.yarnstories.com U-handbag 01273 748944 www.u-handbag.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS T3B: Slip next 2 sts onto cn at back of work, K1, P2…

Amanda Jones AMETHYST EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL, this lightweight jumper by Amanda Jones is a real show-stopper. Combining delicate lace patterns, tiny beads and feminine details such as lacy cuffs and an ornate neckline, the design has a romantic feel. It’s knitted in the classic Rialto Lace yarn from Debbie Bliss, which comes in more than 25 shades. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) knitting needles Size 6 seed beads, approx. 1600 (1700:1800:2000:2100) Sewing needle for threading beads TENSION 32 sts and 40 rows to 10cm over Body pattern on 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Debbie Bliss c/o Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com KEY K on RS; P on WS Yo Place bead S2kpo Sk2po K2tog SSK Repeat BLOCKING DIAGRAM CHARTS SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS PB (WS): Bring yarn to…

Deborah Helmke MARCASITE “THIS GARMENT was inspired by ornate lace and delicate details of the Baroque period,” says Deborah Helmke. “I have given it modern details such as the decorative buttons on the back, and slightly flared sleeves with side openings.” The body is worked in the round from the hem up, dividing for the front and back at the raglan shaping. The sleeve edging is worked straight to form a split, then joined for working in the round up to the raglan shaping. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 2 sets 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular needles, 60cm and 80cm long 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or circular needles for working Magic Loop method 1 set 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) circular needles 7 x 20mm buttons…

Cecilie Kaurin & Linn Bryhn Jacobsen Little Sailor INSPIRED BY the Danish tradition of ‘hen knitting’, this sweater is designed to use up odds and ends of yarn, and have a quirky, homemade feel. “When out on the lake, little sailors need a warm and soft sweater, and this one is extra cosy with its motifs from the coast: fish, ducks, hearts, fishing boats, gulls, and sail boats. We’ve added a panel for your little one’s name,” say designers Cecilie Kaurin and Linn Bryhn Jacobsen. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) circular needles, 40cm long 1 set 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) circular needles, 40cm long 1 set 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 3mm (UK 11/ US 2-3) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 2 small…

I HAVE been lucky enough to make the trip of a lifetime to Australia, and within 18 hours of landing I am walking down a leafy street in Cottesloe, a suburb of Perth. Yes, leafy – not what I was expecting in this sunny city in Western Australia. A fashionable café nestles between colonial and ultra-modern houses that are among the most expensive in the area. In this place I am about to meet one of my all-time heroes, a handknit designer who combines the elegance of Calvin Klein with the quirkiness of Paul Smith or Sibling. Her name is Jo Sharp, and she is on her way home after a family celebration to the north of Perth. Jo Sharp was an incredibly popular designer across the world in the…

Abbreviations alt alternate approx approximately beg beginning cn cable needle cont continue dc double crochet (US single crochet) dec decrease (work two stitches together) DK double knitting DPN double-pointed needle dtr double treble (US treble crochet) est established foll following inc increase K knit KFB knit into front and back of stitch K2tog knit the next two stitches together kwise knitwise meas measures M1 make one (inc 1 stitch) M1L Left leaning increase. With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from front to back. Knit lifted loop through back of loop M1R Right leaning increase. With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from back to front. Knit lifted loop through front of loop MB make a bobble mrk marker P purl patt pattern(s) PB place bead PFB purl…

AMANDA JONES With her passion for texture, Amanda creates beautiful patterns that celebrate the endless possibilities of the knitted stitch. This month, she has been inspired by Baroque art and textiles to create a lightweight beaded jumper, which has beautiful lace stitch patterns and an intricate neckline. Turn to page 44. JUDY FURLONG As well as her delicate lace patterns and stunning colourwork, Judy has a talent for creating elegantly tailored designs, which always display an incredible attention to detail. Her latest pattern for us is a neatly fitted, peplum-style cardigan, which has rich Milanese lace fabric and beaded embellishments, on page 56. ANNIKEN ALLIS Originally from Norway, Anniken has lived in England since 1990. She loves to knit, crochet and spin, and also teaches workshops around the UK and…

Inspired by her love of penguins, designer Anna Maltz has created whimsical yet wearable garments and accessories, in a book that’s just brimming with happiness! Each pattern plays with construction, colour and texture to keep knitters entertained. The ‘Rockhopper’ shawl uses a series of descending ‘steps’ with mitred corners and a contrast edging, for example, while the ‘Adélie’ striped hat (pictured above) has neat shaping to form earflaps. The ‘Teenguin’ cardigan pairs a vintage chevron lace body with a loopy yoke, and ‘Aptenodytes’ is a drape-fronted cardigan with a pattern of eyelets and daisy stitch. A clever technique is used to create the marled, checked fabric on the ‘Humboldt’ jumper. Other patterns include mittens with a penguin chick design, socks, a linen stitch beret and cowl, and a gorgeous penguin…

The Edinburgh Yarn Festival is nearly upon us, and this year’s event has an amazing line-up of exhibitors, workshops and entertainment. It’s being held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 18-19 March. The marketplace will have a huge range of stalls from the best of British yarn producers, dyers and designers - from Scottish legends including Ysolda Teague, Old Maiden Aunt, Di Gilpin and Jamieson’s of Shetland, to independent companies from all across the UK such as Kate Davies, John Arbon, Eden Cottage Yarns, Fyberspates and Kettle Yarn Co. An incredible workshop line-up has classes from the likes of Gudrun Johnston, Stephen West and Bristol Ivy, while the Friday night festival party is sure to be a highlight! For details visit www.edinyarnfest.com NY style Quarry is a plump new yarn from…

11 Feb Reading Intermediate Lace Knitting with Anniken Allis www.artesanoyarns.co.uk 0330 124 1821 11/18 Feb Bridport Sock Making www.bridportyarn.co.uk 01308 455669 13 Feb Reading Fair Isle & Steeking with Anniken Allis www.artesanoyarns.co.uk 0330 124 1821 13 Feb Ipswich Cables, Twists and Crosses www.jennywrensyarns.co.uk 01473 805208 19-21 Feb Farnham Unravel www.craft.farnhammaltings.com 20 Feb Cambridge Steeking www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 20 Feb Falkirk Brioche Stitch with Carol Meldrum www.mcadirect.com 0131 558 1747 20 Feb Warrington Professional Finishing part 1 www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 20 Feb Dunchurch, Warks Continental Knitting www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk 01788 810626 20 Feb Cambridge Stranded Knitting/Fair Isle www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 25 Feb Warrington Fair Isle and Intarsia www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 26-27 Feb Farnborough Knit & Stitch It Show www.knitandstitch-it.org.uk 0844 477 1000 28 Feb Dorking Vintage Knitting with Geraldine Warner www.gilliangladrag.co.uk 01306 898144 Tell us about your event! theknitter@immediate.co.uk Subscribe now at TheKnitter.co.uk…

We asked… What’s the best yarn you’ve knitted with in 2015? “I have to say I have loved using Artesano’s 100% Alpaca, 4ply & DK. Beautiful and so soft” amanda jones @knittingmand “Illustrious and Jacobs DK, both by West Yorkshire Spinners” Rae S-G-M @MmedeBeauvoir “I have two - Westminster by Kettle Yarn Co. and Ceremonials from iKnit London. Like knitting with kittens in yarn format” Venetia Headlam @hownow_browncow “So many lovely yarns. One my favourites has been Eden Cottage Yarns BFL Sock. It is so soft and the colours are lovely.” Neurotic Pandora @knitandbunnies “Cascade 220 and New Lanark Aran.” Clare Usmar @pipusmar “Jade Sapphire 2 ply Cashmere. Pure luxury.” Amber Weinberg @amberweinberg “West Yorkshire Spinners BFL” Sara @Saraf201318 “Sublime Aran. Soft, great stitch definition, beautiful colours.” Tracey Smith @catnapped3…

Anniken Allis JADE THIS BEAUTIFUL shawl by Anniken Allis starts with a centre triangle worked in garter stitch with yarnovers along the edges. Stitches are then picked up around two edges of the triangle, and the wide lace edging is worked from the top down. The soft Coast yarn from Mabel & Ivy comes in a huge palette of 48 shades, from neutrals and pastels to jewel-bright colours. SIZE Wingspan: 177cm (69½in) Depth: 85cm (33½in) YARN Mabel & Ivy Coast (Light fingering weight; 55% merino lambswool, 45% cotton; 350m/382yds per 50g ball) Robin’s Egg; 2 x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular needles, 80cm long Locking stitch marker TENSION 15 sts and 24 rows to 10cm over Chart A on 3.75mm needles, after blocking.…

Marie Wallin Sesame Wrap MARIE WALLIN’S sumptuous wrap is knitted using Rowan’s new Big Wool Silk yarn. This beautiful, chunkyweight blend creates a plump fabric with well defined stitches and a subtle sheen, and is available in six muted hues. Her soft, enveloping wrap features a lace pattern with large leaf motifs, which make a big impact. SIZE 48cm x 160cm (19in x 63in) YARN Rowan Big Wool Silk (Chunky weight; 70% wool, 30% silk; 80m/87yds per 100g ball) Journal (708); 9 x 100g balls YARN STOCKISTS Rowan Yarns 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com BLOCKING DIAGRAM NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 9mm (UK 00/US 13) knitting needles TENSION 12 sts and 15 rows to 10cm over patt on 9mm needles SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS RT: K2tog leaving sts on left needle, insert right needle…

Tóra Joensen Vigdis THE BLACK fabric on this teen cardigan ensures that the colourwork yoke really stands out and makes a dramatic impact. Designed by Tóra Joensen for the Faroese yarn company Navia, it’s sized to fit older girls with chest sizes from 30in to 32½in. The body is worked in one piece to the armholes, then once the sleeves are knitted they are joined with the body to work the yoke. The cardigan is knitted in Navia’s Duo yarn, which blends Faroese and Shetland wool with Australian lambswool. SIZE YARN STOCKISTS Navia c/o The Island Wool Company 0845 200 1162 www.islandwool.co.uk YARN TENSION 20 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 3.5mm needles Tension note: Navia yarn is designed to be knitted with a slightly looser…

Deborah Helmke Poppy Meadow THIS LONG, loose cardigan by Deborah Helmke features a stylised floral pattern, worked around the lower section. The patterning is knitted in a mohair blend from Bergère de France, giving it a fluffy texture and softening the edges of the motifs. The main fabric of the garment is knitted in a pure merino yarn from Bergère. The body of cardigan is knitted in one piece to the armholes, then the back and fronts are worked separately. Circular needles are recommended to accommodate the large number of stitches. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 100cm long Tapestry needle Stitch markers Stitch holder TENSION 20 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over 2x2…

The best online knitting videos MOVIE MAGIC A taster of the film Addicted to Sheep, being screened around the UK now http://bit.ly/adstrailer YARN DISCOVERIES Isla from BritYarn shares her thoughts on the latest British yarn launches http://bit.ly/BYpodcast TUNE FOR THE DAY Mason-Dixon Knitting regale us with ‘Pardon Me (I Didn’t Knit That For You)’ http://bit.ly/MDsing SPEEDY STITCHES Stephanie Pearl-McPhee demonstrates her super-quick knitting technique http://bit.ly/SPMknits…

When you design and make handknits as part of your job, it can be hard to find the time (or the enthusiasm) to knit for yourself. This year, though, I’m determined to change that. A tidy-up at home has unearthed a pile of various sock yarns that I’ve bought over the past few years, and my mission for 2016 is to use it all up - so it’s a year of socks for me! First up is a pair of ‘Monkey’ socks by Cookie A; this is a hugely popular pattern that appeared on Knitty.com and in Cookie’s book Knit. Sock. Love. It’s a great pattern for commuting, as the repeat is easy to remember - I can get one repeat done on my daily train journey to work. The…

Nicki Merrall Durham “THE PATTERNS on this man’s sweater were inspired by a visit to Durham Cathedral,” says designer Nicki Merrall. “This Norman building has rows of large patterned pillars along the nave. A cathedral guide told me that the stone blocks in each pillar were carved before construction and this was possible because there was either one block or two different blocks in each pillar. I’ve used the idea to create the stitch patterns on the body, yoke and sleeves. The patterned welt, cuffs and neckband are inspired by the carvings around the arched doorways of the cathedral.” SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) knitting needles 1 set 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) circular needles, 40cm long,…

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 Chesterfield. their ethos is ‘learning in a…

Judy Furlong TOURMALINE THIS CLOSE-FITTING cardigan by Judy Furlong involves working a lace pattern on all rows while shaping the garment at the same time, so it requires concentration. “Consider inserting a ‘lifeline’ every so often just in case you need to take the work back,” advises Judy. The high silk content of Artesano’s Alpaca Silk Lace yarn gives the strength required to support the beads. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) knitting needles 1 set 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) circular needles, 80cm long or longer Fine crochet hook, approx. 0.6–0.75mm (UK 5½/US 13) Sewing needle and thread (to thread beads onto yarn) Stitch holders Stitch and row markers Five x 11mm buttons Size 8 seed beads (sample uses Debbie Abrahams beads, 500 beads per…

ANYONE WORKING Fair Isle for a while will know that it can be a bit tricky keeping your yarn floats neat across the back of the work. Luckily, with the help of what feels like a few ‘new’ stitches, this becomes much quicker and easier, with the added bonus of your balls of yarn staying tidy and not getting tangled up. Note that to work these steps, you need to be working Fair Isle with one yarn continuously as the upper yarn and one as the lower yarn in order for the floats to come out correct, and that the position of the upper and lower yarns will change depending on whether you are working on the right or wrong side of the fabric. For more details on colour dominance…

To advertise in The Knitter Boutique please contact Matt Rushton on 0117 314 7385 EAST Norfolk Yarn www.norfolkyarn.co.uk info@norfolkyarn.co.uk 01603 927034 Stockists of Noro, Colinette, Debbie Bliss, Juniper Moon Farm, Rowan, Manos Del Uruguay, Knit Pro, Brittany needles, Ashford Spinning Supplies, plus more. Regular workshops in spinning and knitting. Online shopping available. Purl Alpaca Designs www.purlalpacadesigns.com/knitting-workshops info@purlalpacadesigns.com Knitting Workshops with Purl Alpaca Designs includes starting a knitting project, one-to-one tuition, fabulous lunch and meeting and feeding the alpacas. NEW DATES for 2016 27th of February 30th of April 16th of July and 27th of August NORTH WEST Sew-In of Marple, Buxton & Cheadle www.myknittingyarnandwool.co.uk enquiries@myknittingyarnandwool.co.uk 0161 427 2529 Three high street gems stocking all that’s best in handknitting! Rowan, WYS, Sublime, Debbie Bliss, Sirdar and more. Extensive selection of needlecraft…

To fit bust sizes 32-50 inches Martin Storey Kew THIS LITTLE bolero by Martin Storey is designed as a layering piece that can be worn all year round. It has set-in short sleeves and slip-stitch pattern details above the cuff and hem. Martin has used Rowan’s Pure Wool Superwash DK, which has all the colours of the now-discontinued Pure Wool range, plus lovely heathered shades. It knits up into a soft, springy fabric that is hard-wearing and machine-washable. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 x 20mm button Stitch holders TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles. 22 sts and 40 rows to 10cm over border patt on…