Innehållsförteckning för Issue 97 från The Knitter

ELLA AHEAD Textile designer Ella Gordon has been announced as the patron for this year’s Shetland Wool Week. Born and brought up in Shetland, she works with yarn company Jamieson & Smith as well as designing her own creations, and is passionate about Shetland’s textile culture and heritage. The event takes place from 24 September to 2 October, and will include workshops, lectures, cultural visits and much more. To celebrate her new position, Ella has designed the official Wool Week hat, called ‘Crofthoose’. Inspired by the little croft houses found across the Shetland Isles, the hat combines traditional stranded colourwork techniques with a contemporary motif. The design is free to download from the Shetland Wool Week website, where you can also find full details about the event. www.shetlandwoolweek.com Go wild!…

7 May Bath Brioche Stitch Basics & Next Steps www.ayarnstory.co.uk 01225 429239 7 May Ilkley Wharfe Wool Show www.wharfewool.co.uk 7 May Warrington Therapeutic Knitting Workshop with Betsan Corkhill www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 7 May Rochdale Finishing Techniques www.yarnbarn.co.uk 01706 750824 8 May Leeds Knitting with Colour www.baaramewe.co.uk 0113 278 1788 12 May Reading Entrelac Knitting www.artesanoyarns.co.uk 0118 950 3350 14 May Liss, Hampshire Seamless Finishes www.lisswools.co.uk 01730 893941 14-15 May South Molton, Devon John Arbon Textiles Open Weekend www.jarbon.com 01598 752490 17 May Bovey Tracey Two Socks at the Same Time www.spinayarndevon.co.uk 01626 836203 21 May Warrington Steeking www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 21 May Dingwall Highland Wool & Textiles Festival www.highlandwoolandtextiles.co.uk 21 May Ipswich Slip Stitch Colour Knitting www.jennywrensyarns.co.uk 01473 805208 21-22 May Devon Women With Wool Retreat www.womenwithwool.co.uk 28 May Reading…

We asked… What’s the longest it has taken you to finish a project? ”It took me 2 years 10 months to finish this blanket made from sock yarn.” Tracey Smith@catnapped3 “(looks at WIP basket) over a year and still not done” Annyka @AnnykaV “5 months! Lace weight cardigan on small needles.” Angela Riccardelli @MrsRiccardelli “I still have projects from 4 years ago that aren’t finished.” Amber Weinberg @amberweinberg “Don’t know, I’m still working on it #TheHybernator” Knitting Skydiver @KnittingSkydivr “20 years and still struggling with the pattern” Sally Ann Gray @sallyknit What our favourite knitters have been saying… “Playing with the Pantone app to generate some fair isle colour palettes.” Ann Kingstone @AnnKingstone “Delivery Guy: Big box for you. Me: Yes! Yarn! DG: Yarn? More yarn? Me: Yes! DG: But…

Anniken Allis FUGUE SIZE YARN Schoppel Wolle 6 Karat (Laceweight; 80% extrafine wool, 20% silk; 600m/656yds per 100g skein) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 2 sets 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 40cm and 80cm long 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, 80cm long 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles (optional) 1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs) (optional) TENSION 30 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over st st and Charts A and B on 3.5mm needles KNITTED IN a silky laceweight yarn, this jumper has a touch of lace under the hem and at the neckline. “The garment is ideal for a special occasion or to wear with jeans for an elegant weekend,” says Anniken Allis. “It is worked in one piece with set-in…

SPLENDID APPAREL by Anna Zilboorg (XRX Books, £16.99) Anna Zilboorg shows how the use of embroidery can enhance knitted fabrics, by emphasising patterns and adding colour and detail. She provides clear instructions on a wide range of embroidery stitches, from simple cable chains and stem stitch to more textured stitches such as Palestrina knots and buttonhole circles. The book contains 58 swatches showing the range of possibilities, accompanied by 18 garment patterns. The ‘Lobelia’ cardigan, for example, has tiny embroidered knots to highlight the spaces between its cable crossings, while the cable pattern on the ‘Onions’ cardigan is overstitched to draw attention to its flowing curves. A subtle boost of colour is achieved by working Algerian eyes in the centre of each moss stitch diamond motif on ‘Foxglove’. A bolder…

Sasha Kagan Falconwood SIZE “A FOLKLORIC inspired floral bouquet together with cross stitch patterns from Austria and Romania combine to deliver a relaxed, classic jacket,” says Sasha Kagan. “The solid colour moss stitch sleeves and trims are used to make a frame for the colourwork body. Rowan’s Wool Cotton, Tweed and recycled Revive yarns blend together to make a fabric reminiscent of faded textiles, with a sun-bleached, well loved effect.” BACK Using 3.25mm needles and yarn A, cast on 99 (111:125:137:149:165) sts. Work 12 rows in moss st. Change to 4mm needles. Beg on st 14 (8:1:20:14:6) and ending on st 12 (18:25:6:12:20), follow Chart until work meas 44 (44:44:43:43:42) cm from cast-on edge, ending on a WS row. SHAPE ARMHOLES Cont in patt as set, cast off 5 (6:7:8:9:9)…

JENNIE ATKINSON Jennie has a worldwide fanbase, thanks to her sumptuous, feminine designs, which have appeared in the likes of Vogue Knitting, The Knitter and Rowan’s magazines. For our latest pattern collection, she has created a a delicate lace vest that’s paired with lightweight T-shirt. Find them on page 42. 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, hosts popular lace and beading clubs, and sells yarns through her online shop YarnAddict.co.uk. Her latest design for us is a delicate, silky top with pretty lace details, on page 56. KATYA FRANKEL Katya has been designing for various knitting magazines as well as self-publishing her own patterns and books since 2007. She loves…

The best online knitting videos EDINBURGH MEMORIES Experience the highlights of this year’s Edinburgh Yarn Festival http://bit.ly/edinfest16 INCREDIBLE ILLUSIONS Admire the stunning knitted creations of Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer http://bit.ly/illusionknits MITTENS AND MORE Designer Susan B. Anderson shares stories from her knitting adventures http://bit.ly/sbacast IN LOVE WITH LACE This beautiful film explores the history of Shetland fine lace knitting http://bit.ly/shetfinelace…

Katya Frankel Pont Neuf KATYA FRANKEL’S modern shawl is a delight to wear, with its long, draping shape that wraps cosily around your neck. It combines squishy garter stitch with an attractive textured panel. It is knitted in the bouncy Illustrious yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners, which blends Falklands wool with British alpaca to creates a gorgeous fabric, and comes in 13 solid and variegated shades. “The knitting begins with a lace and cable motif at the lower point,” explains Katya. “The stitches are then increased in number while the shawl is shaped to arch the stitch pattern.” SIZE Approx. 80cm (31_in) along cast-off edge and 104cm (41in) tall along cable edge YARN West Yorkshire Spinners Illustrious DK (DK weight; 70% Falkland wool, 30% British alpaca; 225m/245yds per 100g ball)…

THE OTHER day, I was in my local post office when I spotted a ball of yarn selling for 99p. I say yarn, but this ball had been nowhere near a sheep, goat, or even a cotton field. It had made its way to England from China and was completely man-made. It felt cheap and itchy: I wouldn’t want to wear it against my skin, never mind use it to knit a garment for a baby. Being a supporter of the environment I prefer my yarn to be British, locally produced and spun, and with as few road miles used from the production cycle to the yarn shop as possible. Such yarns are great quality and I can knit to my heart’s content knowing that my purchase has supported a…

Jennie Atkinson CHACONNE T-SHIRT SIZE YARN Rooster Delightful Lace (Lace weight; 80% baby alpaca, 20% silk; 800m/875yds per 100g skein) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2) knitting needles 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles, plus a third needle for casting off Stitch holders TENSION 29. sts and 42 rows to 10cm over st st on 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS For stockist details contact Rooster Yarns 01829 740903 www.roosteryarns.com For general abbreviations, see p95 NEAT AND elegant, this T-shirt is knitted in Rooster’s Delightful Lace yarn. It’s a soft, shimmering blend of baby alpaca and silk that makes this top feel special, despite its simple shape. The tiny sleeves are worked as part of the front and back,…

Siân Brown MADRIGAL CARDIGAN SIZE YARN Debbie Bliss Eco Baby (Baby/sport weight; 100% cotton; 125m/137yds per 50g ball) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2) knitting needles 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, 80cm long TENSION 25 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over patt on 3.25mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Debbie Bliss c/o Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com For general abbreviations, see p95 THIS SHORT-SLEEVED, open cardigan features a horseshoe lace stitch, based on the traditional Shetland pattern. The sleeves are shaped as part of the fronts and back sections; hems and bands are worked in simple garter stitch. The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss’s Eco Baby yarn, which is a soft organic cotton with a silky sheen.…

Lotus Yarns Adriatic SIZE YARN Lotus Yarns Sunset (DK weight; 70% merino wool, 30% soybean fibre; 120m/131yds per 50g ball) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles Stitch holders TENSION 21 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over patt on 4mm needles. 22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over lace patt on 4mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Lotus c/o Intercontinental Yarns 01535 664222 www.intercontinentalyarns.co.uk RIPPLING TEXTURES and shades of blue create a fabric packed with interest on this summery short-sleeved top. Contrasting lace stitch patterns below and above the bustline help to complement a feminine figure; subtle shaping is also achieved by reducing needle size around the waist section. The design is knitted in a variegated yarn from…

Jane Burns Nocturne SIZE YARN Manos del Uruguay Alegria (4ply weight; 75% wool, 25% polyamide; 425m/445yds per 100g skein) Macachines (A9453); 1 x 100g skein NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles (DPNs), (or circular needles, 80cm long, if using Magic Loop method) 0.75mm (US 13) crochet hook, for beading 100-160 x size 6 seed beads (sample uses Matsuno silver-lined topaz beads) Stitch markers TENSION 32 sts and 46 rows to 10cm over st st on 2.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Manos del Uruguay For stockist details contact Rooster Yarns 01829 740903 www.roosteryarns.com BEADING This pattern uses the crochet hook method of applying beads. For details, see our Masterclass in Issue 57 or online at http://bit.ly/TKknitbeads For general abbreviations, see p95 BEADING IS used to great effect…

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…

TWELVE MONTHS ago, we experienced a gentle introduction to the lambing season, visiting our friends who were already lambing, and helping them out. We supplemented that information this year with a training course at our local vets, and prepared our lambing shed for its temporary residents. We then waited with some trepidation for the imminent arrival of our first lambs. The first sheep to lamb were our Zwartbles, all first-time mums. These leggy Dutch sheep are known to be good mothers, but not the easiest lambers due to the long, long legs of the lambs. The ewes themselves are gentle creatures, but very big and not easy to move around. We watched late into the night as the first ewe began to pace around the shed, pawing the ground, turning…

Lisa Richardson Blue Lotus STYLISED LOTUS blossoms bring a fresh feel to this comfortable jumper by Lisa Richardson. The all-over pattern, worked in stranded colourwork, is complemented by tiny stripes of pink running through the ribbed hems and cuffs. The sweater has a round neckline and a slightly fitted waist. Lisa has used Rowan’s Wool Cotton 4ply in a palette of chalky blue and cream; the yarn is available in a choice of neutrals, muted greens and purples, as well as brighter lilac, pink and aqua shades. BACK Using 2.75mm needles and yarn A cast on 128 (134:140:152:158:170:176:188:194:200) sts. Row 1 (RS): P2, *K1, P2, rep from * to end. Row 2: K2, *P1, K2, rep from * to end. These 2 rows form rib. Keeping rib correct, cont as…

Louise Smith, editorial assistant A few birthdays ago, my parents bought me Alice Starmore’s Aran Knitting book and said they’d treat me to the yarn to knit one of the projects. Have you seen Aran Knitting? I had no idea how I was going to pick just one project! I didn’t have the confidence to attempt one of the many gorgeous garments, so I opted for the stunning ‘Maidenhair Wrap’. The design consists of panels of textured stitches and cables; it seemed like a great way to practice my chart reading. I started the wrap three years ago, but here it is still sat on my needles, having been shamefully abandoned… Around 400 rows in, I realised that in my beginner’s ignorance I had muddled up front and back loops.…

Bohus beauty I found the article on Bohus knitting in your last issue particularly inspiring (Issue 96). I was familiar with this style of yoked sweater but knew nothing about the style’s history. Your photographs in particular whetted my appetite; after reading your article, I have been browsing the Bohus knitting kits available on the Angora Garnet website and putting together a wishlist to give to my husband in advance of my 60th birthday! Top of the list are the ‘Wild Apple’ and ‘Rain Clouds’ designs by Kerstin Olsson - many of these 1950s colourwork patterns remind me of watercolour paintings. And knitting with angora yarn will remind me of the sweaters my mother used to wear when I was a child. Janet Anderson West Midlands Janet wins a copy…

Linda Whaley Billy SIZE YARN Rowan Super Fine Merino 4ply (4ply weight; 100% wool; 165m/181yds per 50g ball) Small amount of same yarn in contrast colour for optional flower (photographed with flower in Blush 266) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) knitting needles 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders 5 (5:6:6:6:7) x 13mm buttons TENSION 34 sts and 45 rows to 10cm over patt using 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com THIS RAGLAN cardigan for babies has the feel of an heirloom piece, with its smart, all-over cables. It’s sized to fit little ones aged from birth to two years, and instructions are provided for boy and girl versions. It’s knitted in Rowan’s luxurious Super Fine Merino 4ply…

CANTATA Mary Henderson SIZE YARN Shibui Silk Cloud (Laceweight; 60% mohair, 40% silk, 300m/330yds per 25g skein) Shibui Cima (Laceweight; 70% superbaby alpaca, 30% merino wool; 300m/328yds per 50g skein) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles 1 set 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 5mm (UK 6/US 8) double-pointed needles Stitch markers Stitch holders 4mm (UK 8/US G/6) crochet hook Waste yarn KNITTED FROM the top down, this feminine T-shirt has a lace collar, cap sleeves, and a pretty border. The garment’s flared shaping is achieved by working Japanese short rows. Shibui Knits’ mohair-blend Silk Cloud is used for the yoke, paired with the alpacamerino Cima for the main body. “The tension is very…

WHENEVER I start a new hat design, I invariably start with the crown. Even if I know exactly which style I’m aiming for, or which stitch pattern I’m going to use, and whether it be a top-down, bottom-up or even a sideways design, the crown is the first thing I consider. The maths of the crown determines not only the type of crown finish (beanie, beret, pixie, gathered or anything in between), but also the mathematical structure that runs all the way through a hat. THE ‘DECREASE 8 STS EVERY OTHER ROUND’ FORMULA This is a common formula for a hat, and results in a beanie style (half-dome, watch-cap) hat. However, it’s not applicable to every situation. Let’s look at some numbers. When we create a beanie, what we are…

To fit bust sizes 32-50 inches Heacham by Cirilia Rose Ciri a Rose Heacham SIZE YARN Rowan Pure Linen (Aran weight; 100% linen; 130m/142yds per 50g ball) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles Stitch holders Stitch markers TENSION 17 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over st st, 16 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over lace patt, both using 4.5mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com For general abbreviations, see p95 of the main magazine LIGHT AND airy, this linen summer top by Cirilia Rose has an unusual construction. Centre panels are worked for the front and back, and feature a stylish lace pattern. Stitches are then picked up along the vertical edges, and side…