Innehållsförteckning för Issue 81 från The Knitter

At this time of year, we find ourselves looking ahead to spring, but at the same time reaching for our warmest knits. Our designs this month bring a promise of the colour and freshness of spring, yet are sure to keep you warm. EMMA VINING’s cosy sweater cleverly plays with cables and darning techniques to create a leaf-like effect, while AMANDA JONES’s pink jumper has luscious lace. On a grey day, bring colour to your outfit with a richly hued Fair Isle waistcoat by MARY HENDERSON. Mary has also created a leafy shawl for us in Shetland wool. Subtle colour is the theme of PAT MENCHINI’s poloneck sweater; its classic style will appeal to both men and women. Elsewhere, we have stunning textures in the form of a belted cable…

About our expert Designer Emma Vining honed her skills through the City & Guilds Diploma in Hand Knit Textiles. She enjoys using innovative techniques. DARNING HAS traditionally been viewed as an art that should be invisible if done correctly. However, Emma Vining has used the technique on her ‘Gladioli’ jumper on pages 8-12 to create a flowerbud effect. She shares her step-by-step instructions here, which you’ll need to finish your ‘Gladioli’ jumper. However, the same principles can be used for other darning projects, such as repairing sock heels or worn-through elbows on your sweaters. Simply pick up unworn stitches around the area you want to darn, and use the yarn in which your project was originally knitted. WOVEN DARNING METHOD 1 Begin by fastening the end of your contrast yarn…

Q Whenever I forget to work a yarnover, or I’ve dropped stitches worked on a yarnover on the previous row, I find it hard to fix things. Any tips? A Forgetting to work a yarnover is a common mistake. You’ll need to unpick stitch by stitch to the point where the yarnover should be. Then, simply insert your left-hand needle under the yarn lying between the two stitches, and you’ll have created a yarnover. You can carry on working as normal from that point. If a stitch is dropped which was worked on a yarnover on the previous row, you’ll have two loose-looking threads and no stitch! Turn the work so the knit side of the dropped stitch is facing.…

SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles TENSION 16 sts and 23 rows to 10cm over patterned st st using 5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com A CLASSIC tartan pattern in muted colours brings a timeless feel to this women’s sweater by Brandon Mably. The colourwork is worked using the intarsia technique, and has a soft, heathery appearance thanks to the use of Rowan’s Felted Tweed Aran yarn. The design has a rollneck collar for added cosiness, and cuffs worked in a contrasting shade to the rest of the sleeves. BACK Using 4mm needles and yarn A cast on 82 (90:98:106:118) sts. Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2, rep from * to end. Row…

SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles, 80cm long 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 80cm long 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 40cm long Six stitch holders, or waste yarn Two removable stitch markers TENSION 18 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over garter stitch, relaxed, on 5mm needles. 19 sts and 26 rows to 10cm over lace pattern on 4.5mm needles. THIS JUMPER by Amanda Jones is knitted in two pieces, and combines garter stitch with a pretty lacy leaf stitch. It is knitted in a light aran-weight merino yarn from Rico Essentials, making it an ideal jumper for chilly spring days, with long, slouchy sleeves. The jumper is knitted on a long circular needles to accommodate the…

AMERICAN DESIGNER Hannah Fettig is one of Ravelry.com’s stars, and has created iconic patterns such as the ‘Featherweight Cardigan’, which has been knitted by nearly 7000 Ravelry users. She also hosts an informative podcast, called knit.fm, has developed an ingenious knitting app called StashBot and works closely with the yarn brand Quince & Co. to develop beautiful patterns. When did you learn to knit? “Both my mother and my grandmother were crafters, my grandmother was a knitter and a quilter. In my teens she taught me to knit and I dabbled with it. When my husband and I were dating I remember knitting him a sweater from wool I bought at Liberty of London. In my mid-twenties I started working at my local yarn shop, and things escalated from there.”…

A SIMPLE, draping shape paired with sophisticated textured details makes for a winning combination here on Sarah Hatton’s cardigan. Sized for girls aged from six months to five years, the design has textured hems and front borders, and a patterned panel on the middle of the back, which is a modern take on smocked fabrics. It is knitted in Rowan’s ever-popular Pure Wool DK, which provides excellent stitch definition and comes in a wonderful choice of shades. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS Sl1p: Slip 1 purlwise. For general abbreviations, see p95 BACK…

DONNA DRUCHUNAS Donna is an author, designer and teacher with a boundless enthusiasm for knitting and fibre. She has written an entertaining essay for us on how knitters connect with the past, and also brings us a pattern for a Swedish wrap shawl. Find it all in our free supplement, which is the first instalment of our new series on global knitting traditions. PAT MENCHINI Pat is a prolific designer whose work regularly appears in many of the UK’s top knitting magazines, including our sister title Simply Knitting. She has also created a range of designs for yarn company Artesano. Her latest pattern for The Knitter is a handsome poloneck sweater for men with a vintage-inspired Fair Isle pattern, on page 60. EMMA VINING Emma honed her knitwear design skills…

KNIT A PIECE OF HISTORY Be inspired to make and wear original First World War knits with the wonderful new book edited by Liz Lovick. Centenary Stitches contains 70 patterns first designed a century ago, and now brought up to date in today’s yarns and sizes. A team of designers and historians (pictured below centre) collaborated on the project, and the results are fascinating. There are jumpers, jackets and cardigans for men, women and children (none of which would look out of place in a modern wardrobe), hats and shawls, and ganseys and gloves that would have been worn by soldiers in the trenches. The knits were originally created for the commemorative film Tell Them Of Us, which is a portrait of a Lincolnshire family during the First World War…

12 Feb Puriton, Somerset Short Row Shaping www.alisoncrowthersmith.com 14 Feb Cambridge Beading Your Knits www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 14 Feb Warrington Short-row Shaping Lace Cowl Workshop with Carol Meldrum www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 20-22 Feb Farnham, Surrey Unravel bit.ly/unraveltickets 21 Feb Stirling Fair Isle Knitting with Carol Meldrum www.mcadirect.com 0131 558 1747 21 Feb Harrogate Finishing Techniques www.baaramewe.co.uk 0113 278 1788 21 Feb Cambridge Stranded Knitting/Fair Isle with Ann Kingstone www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 21 Feb Milton Keynes Professional Finishing Techniques www.johnlewis.com/miltonkeynes 01908 679171 22 Feb + 8 March Skipton Sock Workshop www.purlandjane.co.uk 01756 228247 28 Feb Warrington Pattern writing with Sarah Hatton www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 28 Feb Warwickshire Learn to Knit Brioche www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk 01788 810626 28 Feb Castle Donington Modular Knitting www.threadsoflife.co.uk 01332 811597 5-8 March London The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring 020 7688 6830 Tell us about your event! theknitter@immediate.co.uk…

More than Rowan I have just received my Issue 80, and enjoyed reading through it, as usual. However, I have one observation to make. Of the 12 patterns featured, six use Rowan yarns. I acknowledge that Rowan makes wonderful yarns, in lovely colours, but it is not the only company to do so. I feel that other yarn types could be featured more. I can’t be the only person who starts to itch at the mere mention of Felted Tweed or Kidsilk Haze! And, am I also the only person who has no interest in knitting socks? Do they have to appear in every issue? On a more positive note, I am presently knitting my fourth version of ‘Torsione’, the children’s hat by Woolly Wormhead from Issue 77. It has…

SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 6.5mm (UK 3/US 10½) knitting needles 1 pair 5.5mm (UK 5/US 9) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) TENSION 14 sts and 19 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch, and 19 sts and 19 rows to 10cm over brick pattern, on 6.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Sirdar 01924 371501 www.sirdar.co.uk THIS SNUGGLY, belted cardigan is ideal for winter layering, with its soft and cosy fabric. The striking cable pattern creates a brick-like effect, shown off beautifully by the Sirdar Faroe Chunky yarn. This blend of cotton and acrylic comes in a range of subtly variegated shades inspired by the landscapes of the Faroe Islands, and is machine-washable. Instructions are given for both a standard-length version, which sits on the hips, and a longer-length version. BACK…

SIZE YARN Bergère de France Baltic (Aran weight; 60% polyamide, 60% acrylic; 80m/87½yds per 50g ball NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) 5 press studs 4 toggle/loop fasteners (sample uses brown velvet fasteners from Bergère, ref. 137.401) TENSION 15 sts and 22 rows to 10cm over st st on 5mm needles. 23 sts of Cable patt measures 11½cm. YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk LONG, COSY and stylish, this girl’s coat is sure to get lots of wear! We like the cable patterning, which gives the coat a modern feel, along with the roll collar and toggle fastenings. It’s knitted in Bergère de France’s aran-weight Baltic yarn, which gives excellent stitch definition, is easy…

20-22 Feb Farnham, Surrey Unravel bit.ly/unraveltickets 5-8 March London The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring 0844 848 0155 25-26 April Builth Wells, Powys Wonderwool www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk 01938 820 495 26-27 June Cockermouth, Cumbria Woolfest www.woolfest.co.uk 016974 78707 25-26 July Bedford Fibre-East www.fibre-east.co.uk 26-27 Sept Skipton Yarndale www.yarndale.co.uk 26 Sept - 4 Oct Shetland Shetland Wool Week www.shetlandwoolweek.com 01595 98 98 98 7-11 Oct London The Knitting & Stitching Show www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/ london/ 0844 848 0155 26-29 Nov Harrogate The Knitting & Stitching Show www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/ harrogate/ 0844 848 0155…

SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Cable needle TENSION 18 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over moss st on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk THIS CHIC fitted jacket with cape-style sleeves has an interesting construction. The wedge-shaped back and fronts are knitted in moss stitch, while the wide sleeves created as large triangular pieces. The sleeves feature a variety of cable patterns, and the garment is double-breasted with a fold-over collar. BACK Using 3.5mm needles cast on 91 (105) sts. Work in 1x1 rib for 15cm. Change to 4mm needles. Row 1 (RS): P2, (K1, P1) to last 3 sts, K1, P2. Row 2: K2, (K1, P1) to last 3 sts,…

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 MS main shade P purl patt pattern(s) PB place bead PFB purl…

SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) 2 stitch markers Stitch holders or waste yarn Tapestry needle TENSION 20 sts and 24 rows to 10cm in K2, P2 rib, slightly stretched, using 5mm needles. 22 sts and 32 rows in Chart B pattern measures 12cm wide by 13cm high, using 5mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Rennie Handknits 01771 622422 www.knitrennie.com “THIS SWEATER was inspired by the beautiful gladioli that I watched slowly emerge from tiny buds to gorgeous flowers,” says designer Emma Vining. “The sweater has a centre panel of three gladioli ‘stalks’ with different coloured buds. The buds are made using cables, and the colour is added after knitting and blocking using a…

The Manu cardigan by Kate Davies had been on my to-do list for a number of years, and it was even more fun to knit than I had expected - and has brought me so many compliments! It’s knitted in one piece to the armholes with the sleeves worked separately, then the pieces are joined to knit the yoke. Kate’s design has pockets, but I left these off as I wasn’t convinced I wanted any extra bulk on my hips… The pattern gave me the chance to try some new techniques, including Sunday short rows, knitted pleats around the neckline, and i-cord edgings. I knitted my Manu using DROPS Alpaca, which has a lovely softness and fluffiness, and is so cosy to wear. I think I’ll be making another of…

SIZE Before blocking: 150cm (60in) along straight edge, 60cm (23½in) depth along centre spine. After blocking: 180cm (71cm) along curved top edge, 75cm (29½in) depth along centre spine. YARN Jamieson & Smith Shetland Heritage (4ply weight; 100% wool; 110m/120yds per 25g ball) Indigo; 6 x 25g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 100cm long, to accommodate growing number of stitches TENSION 22 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over leaf pattern on 4mm needles before blocking YARN STOCKISTS Jamieson & Smith 01595 693579 www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS  s2kpo: Slip 2 sts together knitwise, K1, pass slipped sts over knitted st. For general abbreviations, see p95 THIS SHAWL by Mary Henderson features an all-over pattern of large, triangular leaves spreading out from a central ‘spine’. The…

We asked… What are your knitting plans for 2015? Mine is to create my own Fair Isle inspired by the amazing @knitsonik book “That’s right up my street. Tweeted about a similar idea earlier.” Graceless Hippo @Jo_Forty “I’ve joined the Ravelry WIP challenge. Someone challenged me to do so” Nathalie De Buysere @Loenieke “Design a knitting pattern from all the inspiration I’ve been collecting for about five years!” Tania AJ @TJFrogMakes What our favourite knitters have been saying…  “Played ‘five-second answer’ during our New Year’s Eve family games night. Youngest son was asked ‘Name 3 things found in a handbag’. He said ‘knitting needles, knitting, phone’!” Ann Kingstone @AnnKingstone “Highest gust so far today has been 50mph, but it has been a day of snow flurries, icy cold winds, and…

SIZE YARN Ginger’s Hand Dyed Sheepish Sock (4ply weight; 80% Bluefaced Leicester wool, 20% nylon; 365m/399yds per 100g skein) Lallybroch; 1 x 100g skein NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.5mm (UK 12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or circular needles if using the Magic Loop method Cable needle (cn) 4 stitch markers TENSION 32 sts and 44 rows to 10cm over st st on 2.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Ginger Twist Studio 07599 479445 www.gingertwiststudios.com “THE VERB ‘thraw’ means to twist or turn, and the pattern on these socks was inspired by neo-Gothic windows, with a lace and cable panel that twists and turns along the leg, flowing beautifully onto the foot,” says sock designer Clare Devine. “A twist on the standard heel flap sees the gusset decreases placed under the foot.…

SIZE YARN THIS COSY sweater by Pat Menchini is sized to fit chests from 32in to 54in, and features a simple 16-row Fair Isle pattern. She has used Stylecraft’s Alpaca DK yarn, which is robust and warm yet surprisingly soft thanks to its alpaca content. The design includes a polo neck to keep the chills at bay. “If you prefer a crew neck, simply reduce the length for the polo neck and work 12 rows only in rib, then fold the neckband in half to the wrong side and hem in place,” advises Pat. PATTERN NOTES Carry colour not in use loosely across WS over not more than 3 sts at a time. To avoid many ends, when not in use B can be carried up side of work, but…

SIZE SHOWCASING THE glorious colours of Hebridean 2ply, from Alice Starmore’s Virtual Yarns brand, this classic Fair Isle waistcoat will be a delight to knit. Designed by Mary Henderson, it is worked in the round with a steek which is then cut open. Corrrugated ribbing is used for the edgings, while the pockets are fully lined - Mary suggests that the linings can be used as a tension swatch. For more guidance on steeking, read our Masterclass at http://bit.ly/steekclass. PATTERN NOTES Charts are worked in stocking stitch unless otherwise noted. Both pockets are worked at the same time and separated by steeks. Cast on for steek sts using backwards-loop cast-on. POCKET LININGS Using 3.25mm DPNS and yarn A, cast on 64 (68:68:68:76:80:80:84:84:88) sts. Join to work in the rnd, being…

A COSY pair of handknit mittens is just the thing on cold days, and we love the contrast between rich red and snow white on these traditional mittens from Faroese yarn company Navia. Simple Fair Isle patterns on the backs of the hand and the palms are paired with ribbed cuffs and plain thumbs. The mittens are knitted in the round using Navia Trio, a DK-weight blend of Faroese wool, Shetland wool and Australian lambswool. PATTERN NOTE When increasing for the thumb gusset, work all new stitches in yarn A. LEFT MITTEN Using 3.5mm DPNs and yarn A, cast on 44 sts. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Pm to mark end of round. Round 1: (K1, P1) to end of round. Round 1…

To advertise in The Knitter Boutique please contact Robyn Mcbryde on 0117 300 8204 SCOTLAND Wool for Ewe www.woolforewe.com info@woolforewe.com 01224 643 738 Looking to start a new hobby? Visit us online to see our 2015 class schedule. There’s yarns for every budget and patterns for every style. Feel inspired at Scotland’s Best Independent Yarn Store. 83-85 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, AB25 2YE SOUTH CENTRAL Oxford Yarn Store www.oxfordyarnstore.co.uk info@oxfordyarnstore.co.uk 01865 604112 Exquisite yarns and notions for all tastes. Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Cascade, Manos, Artesano, Colinette, Louisa Harding, Jamieson, Araucania, Jarol, Lanas Stop, Isager, Mirasol, John Arbon. 3 North Parade Ave, Oxford OX2 6LX ISLE OF WIGHT Taj Crafts www.tajcrafts.co.uk tajcrafts@outlook.com 01983 868123 Be inspired, visit us to view our range of yarns to suit all pockets including Drops, Noro,…

New Series PART 1 Time travelling knitters Knitwear provides a direct and emotional link to our ancestors, as Donna Druchunas discovers during a visit to a Swedish open-air museum MARCEL PROUST travelled through time when he bit into a petite madeleine cake dipped in tea and found himself reliving childhood afternoons with a longgone aunt. Knitting stitches and patterns from a different country and a different century is how I travel through time. The clothing and textiles in so many hope chests and museum collections, as well as the techniques used to make these things by hand, are conduits to the past. I can put myself in the place of a woman who was born a century or more before I was, and instantly feel a connection as if we…