Innehållsförteckning för Issue 99 från The Knitter

TWEED TREAT New from The Fibre Co. is a wonderful yarn called Arranmore. It’s a traditional woollen spun Donegal tweed, spun in an Irish mill that has been producing Donegal yarns since the start of the 20th century. It’s a luxurious, aran-weight blend of 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere and 10% silk, which is available in 18 stunning shades, ranging from rich reds, gold, blues and greens to sophisticated greys. Each shade is a composite of up to a dozen colours, as each of the fibres are dyed separately, while the nepps are made from up to six shades of wool. This gives the finished fabric a real vibrancy and depth of colour. Arranmore costs £22.50 for a 100g/160m skein. Patterns to accompany the yarn will be launched in August.…

BASED IN Cologne, Germany, Bärbel sells her range of hand-knitted dresses, jumpers and skirts through her website, www.esslingers.eu. She specialises in elegant shapes, luxurious fibres and appealing colours, and we have a pattern for one of her trademark dresses on page 31. When did you learn to knit? “I started to knit when I was about 12 years old. My mother taught me the first steps, and then my grandmother continued to help me. After a while, I tried to design by myself, not only because I didn’t always like the ready-made pullovers I found in the shops, but also because I had my own ideas about colours and quality.” What have been the highlights of working in the knitwear industry? “I started to knit professionally in 2012 - people…

FROM MEDIEVAL times through to the mid-20th century, wool was the backbone of the British economy. As the value of raw fleece and the cloth industry built around it grew, British sheep farmers struggled to keep up with demand and began to import fleece from Empire countries as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. In 1950 the government established the British Wool Marketing Board (henceforth referred to as BWMB or Wool Board), a farmer’s co-operative designed to ‘collect, grade, sell and promote British wool’. A guaranteed price was set for the fleece to encourage farmers into raising sheep for their wool, thus securing a future for this valuable commodity. However, during the next decade, an increase in synthetic fibres led to a downturn in the price of wool and…

We asked… Have you discovered any fantastic yarns recently? “Debonnaire Bliss sock/4ply. 55% superwash BFL, 45% silk. Absolutely beautiful to touch, look at and use.” Tracey Smith @catnapped3 “I LOVE yarn by The Fiber Seed. They have a worsted that, like sock yarn, is 90% merino & 10% nylon… but it’s WORSTED!” Lee Bernstein @Lee_A_Bernstein “yes! I’m about to cast on with Crave Yarn Thoreau - a 50/50 yak/silk blend! So luscious!” Amber Weinberg @amberweinberg “Always wanted to lay my hands on Shetland cobweb, and ran into Watercolours & Lace at Wonderwool Wales. The hunt for the perfect pattern begins!” Machi @OrukaMachi What our favourite knitters have been saying… “Spring cleaning - pleased to say moth-topia has fallen. Bring in the moth-mageddon!” sarah hatton @hattonknits “Fun way to tighten your…

HAVING GROWN up in the 1960s and ’70s, I never thought I’d see certain styles being worn again – high-waisted jeans, oversized sunglasses and shoulder pads, to name a few. And now the graphic patterns and clashing colours of Dame Zandra Rhodes’ iconic designs are back in fashion too. Zandra Rhodes has been a fixture on the fashion calendar for more than 50 years, showing a new range at London Fashion Week in February 2016, and with no signs of slowing down. But then Zandra has always cut her own path, from her pink hair to her wild ethnic prints and her early fabrics, inspired by Pop Art, that bemused the fashion world. “First and foremost, I’m a textile designer who loves pattern, and loves what pattern can do,” she…

I HAVE a confession to make. I’m not a big fan of seaming, although I’m perfectly proficient at it. I prefer to knit designs that minimise the need for sewing, and if you browse my recent projects on Ravelry.com, you’ll see that I gravitate to seamless designs. However, there are many, many designs where seams are an important feature. They add structure to a piece, and can help to give a tailored finish to a garment. With a seamed garment you can tweak your fit if you discover your sweater is a little too generous. In the same situation with a seamless design, you would be faced with reknitting the whole thing. There is a strong case for overcoming my feelings and finding peace with seams! The finishing stages of…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 3mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 60cm long 1 set 3mm (UK 10-9/US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 4 stitch markers 2 stitch holders TENSION 26 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st and pattern on 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Navia c/o The Island Wool Company 0845 200 1162 www.islandwool.co.uk For general abbreviations, see p95 THIS CLASSIC jumper for girls aged seven to 12 years is worked in a beautiful shade of blue, complemented by a pretty stranded colourwork yoke. The body is worked in one piece up to the armholes, then the sleeves are knitted and joined with the body to work the colourwork yoke. The jumper is knitted in Navia’s Uno yarn, which is a lightweight blend of Faroese and Shetland wool…

BACK Using 3.5mm needles cast on 106 (114:122:130:142) sts. Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2. Row 2: *P2, K2; rep from *to* ending with P2. These 2 rows form 2x2 rib. Cont in rib as set until work meas 8cm.** Change to 4mm needles. Starting with a knit row, cont in st st, dec 10 (9:9:9:10) sts evenly across first row. 96 (105:113:121:132) sts. SHAPE ARMHOLES Cont in st st until work meas 46 (47:48:48:49) cm. Slip a locking stitch marker into the first and last st of last row to mark armhole placement. Cont in st st until work meas 64 (66:68:70:72) cm, ending with a WS row. SHOULDERS AND NECK Cast off 7 (7:8:9:10) sts, work until there are 26 (29:31:33:37)…

SANDRA NESBITT Yorkshire-based handknit designer Sandra specialises in creating beautiful lace shawls, cabled accessories and colourwork cushions. She designs for magazines including Simply Knitting, and also sells her own patterns and knitting kits. Her first design for The Knitter is a vintage-inspired crossover top. Turn to page 48 for the pattern. ANNIKEN ALLIS Originally from Norway, Anniken has lived in England since 1990. She teaches workshops around the UK, hosts popular lace and beading clubs, and sells yarns through her online shop YarnAddict.co.uk. She has created a lovely lace-panelled top in a cashmere-silk blend, which is on page 22, plus a pretty cropped lace top on page 80. SARAH HATTON Sarah honed her skills as part of Rowan’s in-house design team, and since becoming an independent designer her work has…

FANCY THE idea of getting some serious knitting time in? We know we do! What could be better than sharing a holiday with like-minded souls, taking time to knit, seeing some gorgeous sights, and perhaps learning some new skills along the way? This year, we are very excited to be working with Arena Travel on several holidays – see below for details. The trips to Yarndale and to Florence will have both knitting and crochet tutors (I’m so looking forward to being the knitting tutor!), so why not bring a friend? (It’ll be fun for you both and save on single supplements too!) Come and join us – book your place today! LAST OF THE SUMMER YARN 5HDGHU KROLGD\ INCLUDES ALL THIS... • Travel dates 23rd-26th September • Relaxed ‘Sit…

THIS GLAMOROUS yet incredibly comfortable dress with a round neck and short sleeves was designed by Bärbel Eßlinger, who specialises in beautiful ready-to-wear knitted fashions in her native Germany. The dress’s simple shape helps to draw attention to the beautiful fabric, created in a mohair-silk yarn. The finished garment is then embroidered with polka dots in a contrasting shade. BODY Using 4mm circular needles and yarn A, cast on 190 (208:226:244:260:278) sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Round 1: Knit, placing a marker after st 95 (104:113:122:130:139). Cont in stocking st in the round until piece meas 7 (8:9:10:11:12) cm. DECREASE FOR WAIST Dec round: *K2, K2tog, K to 2 sts before mrk, SSK, K2; rep from * once more. 4…

TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm long 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 8 x small buttons Stitch holders 2m fine satin ribbon YARN STOCKISTS Louisa Harding c/o Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com For general abbreviations, see p95 LOUISA HARDING’S cardigan design has an ultra-feminine shape, created by the deep lower panel of chevron lace threaded with satin ribbon. The cardigan is worked in one piece to the armholes, and features a round neckline edged with lace. The colourful fabric is knitted using Louisa’s Noema DK-weight yarn. This is a summery blend full of tweedy slub and shimmer, thanks to a sparkling thread twirled round a variegated single-ply.…

A VINTAGE-INSPIRED shape and a classic British wool are used in this attractive crossover top by Sandra Nesbitt. The criss-cross design consists of cable squares chequered with a simple open lace pattern. “The whole garment is made from two long rectangles of knitting, allowing you to concentrate on the interesting pattern,” says Sandra. “The garment itself is produced in the final sewing-up stage, where the two rectangles of knitting are cleverly sewn together to bring you this figure-hugging crossover top.” STITCH PATTERN CHEQUERED CABLE AND LACE PATTERN (written instructions Row 1: K8, (SSK, yo) 4 times. Row 2: Purl. Row 3: K8, (yo, K2tog) 4 times. Row 4: Purl. Row 5: K8, (SSK, yo) 4 times. Row 6: Purl. Row 7: C8F, (yo, K2tog) 4 times. Row 8: Purl. Row…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, 30cm long Stitch holder 2 buttons TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 3.75mm needles. 23½ sts and 30 rows over patt on 4mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com THIS COMFORTABLE sweater for little boys is worked in Rowan’s new Summerlite DK, which is a soft cotton yarn with a matt finish. The garment is sized to fit children aged six months to five years. Smart design touches include a buttoned neck opening and small ribbed collar. The attractive fabric on the body features tiny triangles, worked in a knit-and-purl stitch pattern; the sleeves are left…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular needles, 40cm long 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles (optional -circular needles can be used) Stitch holders 2 stitch markers TENSION 19 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over Chart B patt on 3.75mm needles. Note: When measuring the body, stretch the fabric and pin to simulate blocking. This will give more accurate measurements. SUMMERY AND sweet, this lacy vest by Anniken Allis is designed to be layered over a dress or blouse. It is worked in the round to the underarms; the front and back are then worked separately to the shoulders, which are joined by working a three-needle cast-off. Garter stitch edgings are knitted on around…

To advertise in The Knitter Boutique please contact Isabel Higuero on 0117 300 8539, or Jordana Widt on 0117 3008538 SOUTH WALES Ammonite Yarns www.ammoniteyarns.co.uk Would you like to improve your skills or learn some new ones? Book one of our workshops or courses online or in store and receive 5% off if you quote this code 15July5. Discount code also valid on our wide range of yarns. Find us on Facebook at Ammonite Yarns or phone 01443 520200 SOUTH WEST The Wool Merchant www.thewoolmerchant.co.uk 01884 243569 Specialising in high quality, natural fibre knitting & crochet Yarns. Stockists of Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding, Noro, Jamiesons, Lang, Blacker, Kilcarra/Donegal, Brittany, Knit Pro and many others. Open Tues-Fri 10am-4.00pm and Sat 10am-3pm. MIDLANDS Knit One www.knitone.uk.com Award winning shop. Yarns from Sirdar,…

STITCH PATTERNS STRIPE PATTERNS Stripes A: Work 2 rows with A, 2 rows with B. Repeat those 4 rows. Stripes B: Work 6 rows with B, 6 rows with A. Repeat those 12 rows. BACK Using 2.5mm needles and yarn A, cast on 98 (106:114:122) sts. Work in 2x2 rib for 4cm. Change to 3mm needles and work in st st until piece meas 25 (29:32:35) cm, inc 1 st on first row. 99 (107:115:123 sts). ARMHOLES Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, 2 sts at beg of foll 2 (4:6:6) rows, then 1 st at beg of foll 8 (8:6:6) rows. 81 (85:91:99) sts. Cont without shaping until piece meas 40 (45:49:53) cm. SHOULDERS AND NECK Cast off 5 (6:6:7) sts at the beg of…

SIZE Depth: 40cm (15¾in) Length: 250cm (98½in) around longest edge YARN Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply (4ply weight; 100% superwash merino; 365m/399yds per 100g skein) Mixed Magenta (611); 2 x 100g skeins NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 6mm (UK 4/US 10) circular needles, at least 60cm long 1 set 5.5mm (UK 5/US 9) circular needles, at least 60cm long 2 stitch markers Tapestry needle TENSION 17 sts and 26 rows to 10cm over st st on 5.5mm needles, after light blocking. Each pattern repeat measures 18 sts - 11cm wide at the bottom; 14 sts - 8cm wide at the top; 40 rows tall - 16cm measured along the centre of the leaf. Worked on 5.5mm needles, after light blocking. YARN STOCKISTS Fyberspates 01244 346653 www.fyberspates.co.uk For general abbreviations, see p95 KATYA…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Tapestry needle TENSION 26 sts and 42.5 rows to 10cm over garter st on 3.75mm needles, after blocking. 26 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over lace pattern on 3.75mm needles, after blocking. YARN STOCKISTS Sublime 01924 369666 www.sublimeyarns.com THIS SUMMER top by Anniken Allis has a luxurious feel, thanks to the use of Sublime’s lovely Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4ply yarn. To create the garment, a lace panel is worked first for the centre front and back. Stitches are picked up along the sides of the lace panel, then the sides of the garment and the dolman sleeves are worked in garter stitch stripes. The result looks…

YARN West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply (4ply weight; 75% wool, 25% nylon; 400m/437yds per 100g ball) Poppy Seed (600); 1 x 100g ball NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles (DPNs) Cable needle (cn) 3 stitch markers TENSION 34 sts and 46 rows to 10cm over st st on 2.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS T2Fb: Knit through the back loop of the second stitch on left needle without dropping it from the needle. Bring right needle to the front and knit the first stitch on left needle as normal. Drop both the first and second stitches off the left needle. Tw2Fb: Slip next st onto cn and hold at front of work, P1 from the left-hand needle, then knit…

Buying British The article ‘Is yarn snobbery justifiable?’ by Penny Batchelor in Issue 97 was interesting. I suppose it can be justifiable if you have enough money. Me and my mother have knitted with a wide variety of yarns over the years, but rarely with pure British wool as this has been way above our price range. Now we are older and have some ‘disposable’ income, we thought that we would like to support our wool industry. We thought that the best place to see British wool at its best would be to travel to Edinburgh for the yarn festival. It was amazing. The colours, textures, the varieties of sheep’s wool were brilliant, but… they were still beyond our price range. We could afford one skein of such yarns, but…

LIGHT AS a feather, this cardigan by Sarah Hatton blends lace and stripes to create a beautiful fabric. It’s knitted in Rowan’s classic Kidsilk Haze yarn, the mohair-silk blend that’s incredibly soft and luxurious. The striped lace pattern appears on the body; the cropped sleeves are left plain, and the hems and buttonbands are worked in a contrast colour. The waist section is worked on smaller needles for a more fitted look. PATTERN NOTES When working body pattern, take care to ensure each decrease of patt is matched by an increase. If there are insufficient sts to work both, work end sts of rows in st st. STRIPE SEQUENCE Rows 1 to 4: Using yarn B. Rows 5 and 6: Using yarn C. Rows 7 and 8: Using yarn D.…

SIZE Inner crescent: 112cm (44in) Outer crescent: 185cm (73in) Depth: 34cm (13¼in) YARN Artesano Definition Sock Yarn (4ply weight; 75% merino wool, 25% polyamide; 400m/437yds per 100g skein) Denim (4967); 1 x 100g skein For general abbreviations, see p95 NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm or 100cm long TENSION 17 sts and 38 rows to 10cm over garter st on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Artesano Yarns 0118 950 3350 www.artesanoyarns.co.uk THIS PRETTY little shawl calls for just 100g of sock yarn, so is ideal for using up a special skein of yarn. Here, it is knitted in Artesano’s lovely Definition Sock, which provides excellent stitch definition and a smooth fabric. The yarn is available in intense, saturated shades as well as softer neutrals. 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…

CHART NOTES When following the chart, don’t work the orange stitches: work to first st before orange st, take yarn to opposite side of work between the needles, slip next st purlwise from the LH needle to the RH needle, return yarn to original side of work (wrapping the st), return slipped st to LH needle without twisting. Turn work and start next row, leaving any remaining sts unworked. When you come to work back across the wrapped stitches, work the wrap and the stitch together. STITCH PATTERNS 1x1 RIB Worked over an odd number of sts: Row 1 (RS): (K1, P1) to last st, K1. Row 2 (WS): P1, (K1, P1) to last st. Worked over an even number of sts: Row 1 (RS): (K1, P1) to end. Row…