Innehållsförteckning för Issue 101 från The Knitter

NATURAL HUES Jamieson and Smith’s Shetland Heritage yarn has become very popular with knitters creating Fair Isle colourwork and other traditional-style knits, thanks to its soft yet slightly handspun feel and its gorgeous, vintage-inspired colours, developed in association with the Shetland Museum. Now the range has expanded to include six completely undyed shades. Exploiting the colour variation found in the fleeces of Shetland sheep, the 4ply-weight pure wool is now offered in natural white, fawn, a mid-brown, light and dark grey, and a rich ‘Shetland Black’. The colours would look lovely worked together to make traditional hap shawls, or combined with any of the 12 dyed shades for spectacular stranded colourwork. www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk; 01595 693579; £3.20 per 25g/110m bal Coastal style Rowan’s new Magazine 60 is packed with gorgeous colourwork and cabled…

Spectacular shawls I have died and gone to heaven. I knit shawls for my church’s prayer shawl ministry, which means I am always knitting them. The shawl designs in Issue 100 are examples of the primary reason that I subscribe to The Knitter. The two large shawl designs by Anniken Allis, ‘Beausoleil’ and ‘Irma’, are breathtaking, and the ‘Odisha’ stole by Sarah Hatton, while a little less intricate, is very lovely. I cannot thank you enough for such beautiful patterns which will be a joy for me to knit, and hopefully will be a blessing to those to whom they will be given. Vicki, via email Vicki wins a copy of Sock Yarn Shawls II by Jen Lucas (Martingale, £21.99) KIRSTIE SAYS: We’re so glad you like the shawl patterns…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 3 sets 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 100cm, 80cm, and 40cm long (or 1 set 100cm long needles, if working Magic Loop method) Stitch markers Stitch holders or waste yarn Tapestry needle TENSION 20 sts and 29 rows to 10cm in st st, after blocking. 18.5 sts and 25 rows to 10cm in Chart B, after blocking. YARN STOCKISTS Artesano Yarns 0118 950 3350 www.artesanoyarns.co.uk Alternative yarn suggestion King Cole Baby Alpaca DK (DK weight; 100% baby alpaca; 100m/109yds per 50g ball) Top: 5 (6:7:8:8) x 50g balls Poncho: 6 (7:9:10:11) x 50g balls For general abbreviations, see p95 ANNIKEN ALLIS has created this dreamily pretty poncho with matching vest top. The shaped vest features a scoop neckline and a lacy hem. The poncho has a…

Alternative yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4ply (4ply weight; 75% wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere; 170m/186yds per 50g ball) Aran (0871); 5 (5:7:8) x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 2 sets 3.75mm (UK 10-9/US 5) circular needles, 40cm and 80cm long 1 set 3.75mm (UK 10-9/US 5) double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch markers Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders or waste yarn TENSION 23 sts and 32 rnds to 10cm over reverse st st using 3.75mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Stitch Sprouts www.stitchsprouts.com Sublime 01924 369666 www.sublimeyarns.com BEAUTIFUL TWISTED cables around the yoke decorate this short-sleeved raglan jumper by Corrina Ferguson. The garment is worked in the round from the top down. “The cable pattern knits up like a dream in the wool and silk blend sportweight yarn, which is light and…

COLOUR IS in Canadianborn Linda Lencovic’s blood. Her love of art – she moved from Vancouver to London in 2006 to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting – led to a love of knitting and a driving quest to find the elusive pill-free yarn. Like many knitters, Linda learnt to knit as a child, and took up her needles again in adulthood, the craft keeping her company during a period of ill health when she spent long hours in doctors’ surgeries. “The more yarns I used, the more I wanted to find the ‘perfect yarn’ – one that was soft enough to wear against my wimpy skin, but robust enough not to pill horribly on wearing,” she says. “I wanted something that felt good while being knit…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 7 buttons TENSION 29 sts and 25 rows to 10cm over patt on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com WHETHER WORN to the office or while relaxing at home, this men’s waistcoat by Pat Menchini will add a smart, comfortable layer to your outfit. The houndstooth pattern is worked over a simple eight-stitch, eight-row repeat that’s straightforward to follow and memorise. Pat has used a practical wool-acrylic DK-weight yarn from King Cole, called Panache. BACK Using 3.25mm needles and yarn A, cast on 105 (117:129:141:153) sts. Row 1 (RS): K2, (P1, K1) to last st, K1. Row 2: P2, (K1, P1) to last st, P1. These 2 rows…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles 4 locking stitch markers in two different colours TENSION 25 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over lace stitch on 3.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk For general abbreviations, see p95 THIS LOOSE, floaty, oversized shrug makes a perfect cover-up on the beach, or a casual layer for a summer outfit. It’s worked in one piece, using an airy all-over lace stitch; the borders and cuffs are worked in garter stitch. The shrug’s shaping helps it to drape beautifully, as does the yarn choice. Bergère de France’s Paradou is a soft, downy blend of cotton, acrylic, linen and viscose; it comes in ten summery shades, including blue, cream and yellow, each shot through with an iridescent thread…

DEBORAH HELMKE After spending more than 10 years working as a designer in the garment industry in New York City, Deborah now creates handknit patterns for knitting magazines and yarn companies. She specialises in intricate stitch patterns and feminine shapes. Her dramatic textured wrap top can be found on page 58. ELINE OFTEDAL Norwegian designer Eline loves to create Scandinavian-inspired knitwear with a modern flavour. She began selling her patterns on Etsy some years ago, and this led to her being published in Vogue Knitting. Her latest design for us is a pair of pretty bedsocks decorated with a blooming rose pattern. Turn to page 39. ANNIKEN ALLIS Originally from Norway, Anniken has lived in England since 1990. She loves to knit, crochet and spin, and also teaches workshops around…

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 trip 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! FLORENCE Reader holiday INCLUDES ALL THIS... • Travel dates 3rd-7th November • Return flights London Heathrow-Pisa • The company and expertise…

We asked… What would you knit if money were no object? “Enough sock yarn to get every knitter to knit a pack of a scarf, mittens and socks for every refugee” GumBlossomYarns @GumBlossomYarns “More BFL. And local wonders. Bought yarn at my local farmers market this week from 12 miles away” Sunny Psota @Sunnywhoknits “A cashmere blanket. It would weigh about a pound ;)” Quinn Piper @QuinnPiper “Hundreds of tiny knitted hats, cardis and rompers for premature babes to donate to my local NICU.” Angela Turner @designbabyknits “A full length Aran coat for myself” Glynis Martin @glynism “I would use more natural fibres” Deborah Tayler @dtayler “All qiviut all the time.” Kate Walker @katew_uni “If money was no object I’d give up the day job to design and knit whatever…

SIZE Actual sock circumference 25cm (10in). Length is adjustable. YARN Yarn Stories Fine Merino 4ply (4ply weight; 100% merino wool, 178m/195yds per 50g ball) A Duck Egg; 2 x 50g balls B Raspberry; 1 x 50g ball C Spring Green; 1 x 50g ball NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 3mm (UK 11 /US 2-3) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or circular needles, 60cm long, for Magic Loop method Stitch markers TENSION 29 sts and 37 rows to 10cm over st st in the round on 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Yarn Stories 01484 848431 www.yarnstories.com For general abbreviations, see p95 THESE SOFT and pretty bedsocks feature a pattern of roses, inspired by traditional Norwegian decorative arts. Designed by Eline Oftedal, they are knitted in Yarn Stories Fine Merino 4ply using 3mm needles for…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 3-2) knitting needles 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles Length of 2.5cm wide elastic to fit around waist 2 buttons 18cm zip TENSION 22 sts and 43 rows to 10cm over garter st on 3.25mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com KNITTED SKIRTS can sometimes look bulky or unflattering, but we think this chic design by Lisa Richardson is really neat and elegant. Knitted sideways, the stripe pattern incorporates ‘godets’ for a subtle A-line shape. The waistband incorporates elastic for a good fit, while the design also has a hidden zip opening and button fastenings. It’s knitted in Rowan’s classic Cotton Glacé yarn. SKIRT (knitted sideways) Using 3.25mm needles and yarn D, cast on 136 sts. Working in garter…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Tapestry needle Stitch markers 2 removable markers TENSION 21 sts and 28 rows to 10cm in Horizontal Slub Stitch on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS The Fibre Co. 07749 466037 www.thefibreco.com For general abbreviations, see p95 THIS CHIC and unusual top by Deborah Helmke features a dramatic twist at the front, which is created at the sewing-up stage. A horizontal slub stitch produces a textured fabric; the garment is knitted in The Fibre Co. Acadia, a DK yarn that blends merino, alpaca and silk for a soft and lustrous feel. Deborah’s design includes waist shaping, side slits and a back that’s longer than the front, for a distinctly modern shape. PATTERN NOTES This garment is worked in two pieces. Follow…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 60cm long 1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 60cm long 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 4mm (UK 8/US G/6) crochet hook 5 silver buttons Stitch holder TENSION 20 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over Chart and st st on 4mm needles. Tension note: Navia yarn is designed to be knitted with a slightly looser tension than you might expect for a yarn of this weight, to allow for a little fulling to happen in the washing process. WORKED IN an undyed white wool, with a stranded colourwork pattern of grey chevrons and tiny blue crosses, this boy’s jumper has a simple, appealing fabric.…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) knitting needles 1 pair 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Stitch markers TENSION 26½ sts and 32 rows to 10cm over patt using 3.75mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 950630 Linda Whaley www.knitrowan.com COSY AND comfortable, this tunic dress for little girls by Linda Whaley has a sweet design. It’s sized to fit children aged from three to seven years, and is knitted in Rowan’s Wool Cotton DK-weight yarn. The garment features lovely cable patterning, raglan shaping, full-length sleeves and ribbed edgings. BACK Using 3mm needles cast on 109 (113:117:121:125) sts. Row 1 (RS): P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Row 2: K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end. These 2 rows form rib. Work…

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) M1pw make 1 st purlwise: with RH needle lift the strand between next and last st from front to back and purl through the back loop 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…

SIÂN BROWN is a superbusy designer, creating handknit patterns for a wide range of knitting magazines and yarn companies, as well as selling her own patterns. After creating the lovely top on the front cover of this issue, we caught up with her for a chat about her knitting life. What was the first original piece of knitwear you ever created? “My first job after finishing my fashion and textiles degree was as an assistant designer at a menswear company in London. They supplied high street retailers with factory machine knits - I would often see people wearing things I’d designed. My first published pattern was for Woman’s Weekly in the early 1990s, commissioned by a kind editor willing to try out a new designer.” Why did you move into…

INCLUDES Exclusive pattern INSIDE SIZE Approx. 48cm (19in) wide x 180cm (71in) long, after blocking YARN Jamieson & Smith 2ply Laceweight (Laceweight; 100% wool; 169m/185yds per 25g ball) Pale Pink (L101); 8 x 25g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10/US 4) knitting needles Stitch markers TENSION 22 sts and 39 rows to 10cm over garter st on 3.5mm needles, after blocking YARN STOCKISTS Jamieson & Smith 01595 693579 www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS 3 into 3: Insert the right needle into the back of the next 3 sts together through the back, then without dropping the 3 sts from the needles, K1, yo, K1 into all 3 sts. When you have 3 new sts on the right needle, drop the 3 original sts from the left needle. Nupp: Work…

COOL AND comfortable, this tunic top by Siân Brown has a stripe pattern in summery colours. It’s complemented by two-colour diamond motifs around the deep lower hem, which are worked using the intarsia technique. The round neckline is decorated with small wooden beads. The top was knitted in Rowan’s Panama linen-cotton blend, but this yarn has since been discontinued; although many shops will still have stocks of Panama, we have suggested an alternative from Patons. PATTERN NOTES When working from Chart, RS rows are knit rows and read from right to left. WS rows are purl rows and read from left to right. Use small amounts of yarn for each area of colour and twist yarns on wrong side to prevent a hole. PLACING BEADS (PB) Bring bead up on…

PLAY WITH textures on this feminine, silky top by Sandra Nesbitt. “Shaping at the waist is achieved by incorporating cabling into the already established Wave pattern,” says Sandra. “Above the bustline, the Flower Buds pattern allows a little stretch to the fabric.” The garment is worked using a 4ply silk-merino yarn, and beads are added using the crochet hook method. CHART NOTES All WS rows are purled apart from where the moss stitch selvedge has been added for the armholes. STITCH PATTERNS MOSS STITCH WORKED FLAT OVER AN ODD NUMBER OF STS Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to last st, K1. Rep this row. MOSS STITCH WORKED FLAT OVER AN EVEN NUMBER OF STS Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Row 2: *P1, K1; rep…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 6 buttons (7 buttons for longer version) Stitch holder TENSION 22 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over moss stitch using 3.25mm needles, after blocking. 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over Lace Stripe pattern using 4mm needles, after blocking. THIS OPENWORK cardigan by Sue Blacker is worked flat in five pieces, and two length options are given - either finishing just on the hips, or longer if you prefer. “This cardigan is designed to have a wide neck to accommodate shirt collars,” says Sue. “The buttons may be omitted, in which case the button holes can also be omitted from the buttonhole band. The sleeves may be extended to…

About our expert Jen Arnall-Culliford is a technical knitting editor and knitwear designer with an encyclopaedic knowledge of knitting techniques AS WITH any hobby, it’s all too easy to get stuck in a knitting rut. It’s much easier to continue doing things the way that we always have done, rather than to try out something new. This is particularly true when the new thing we try may take some practice to master; the benefits, however, can be great. In this Masterclass article I shall take you through some options for leaning and centred decreases - each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of ease of working and the finished look of the stitch. Pick up your knitting and try them out - you never know, you might find a new…

ON A VISIT back to my hometown in 2002, I stumbled upon an exhibition called Cosy in the local art gallery, The Minories, Colchester. Cosy it wasn’t – jumpers with four arms or total head coverings were suspended from the ceiling; names like ‘Noway’, ‘Fourway’, ‘Armed’ and ‘Headlong’ suggested strangeshaped bodies. In the corner a knitted figure was impaled painfully with knitting needles, across the chest, the slogan ‘Craft Kills’: a martyr to knitting. It was revolutionary: it made me think, it was in an art gallery, and it was knitting. The name of the artist was Freddie Robins, and I was determined to find out more about this woman who could express complex emotions and concepts just by looping wool together. From a collection inspired by female killers, ‘Knitted…

LACE KNITTING is my obsession. It all began when I read an article about the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Cooperative in Alaska, owned and operated by over 200 Native Alaskan women who knit lace with musk ox wool. As soon as I read about these amazing knitters, I knew I had to learn more. And after I started gathering my research, I knew I had to write a book to tell their story. I’d never knitted lace, so I worked hard to become proficient enough to design my own lace stitches and the projects for my book, Arctic Lace (Nomad Press, 2006). After I finished the book, I continued to explore lace knitting, and discovered that it is much more varied than I had imagined. Around the world and over…