Innehållsförteckning för Issue 87 från The Knitter

Exquisite textures, interesting constructions and light, wearable knits are the themes of our summer design collection. EMMA VINING has a real talent for creating intricate stitch patterns, and this month she bring us both the delicate, seamless top on our front cover, and a bright daisy-chain wrap. SARAH HATTON’s fresh, feminine jumper has a lovely horseshoe lace pattern, while the cropped cardigan by JOANNE SCRACE uses an hourglass rib stitch and is knitted from the top down. For a more relaxed feel, take a look at the colourful striped sweater from ELINE OFTEDAL, the loose kimono-inspired cardigan by LISA RICHARDSON, and CLARE DEVINE’s clever sock design which features a neat colour pattern using self-striping yarn. Looking for inspiration for your knitting? Join us as we dive into the tempting world…

ARAMIS by Sarah Hatton Price £6.95 as part of the collection Rowan Simple Shapes Fine Lace and Fine Art www.knitrowan.com 01484 681881 TALIESIN by Lucy Hague Price £3.75 as a digital download, or £17 as part of the book Celtic Cable Shawls www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/taliesin-2 CLADONIA by Kirsten Kapur Price $7.20 as a digital download, or $21.60 as part of the book Kirsten Kapur Shawl Book One www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cladonia…

The Leeds Wool Festival celebrated its second year this June, at Armley Mills Museum, site of what was once the largest mill in the world. Among the historical machinery, the exhibitors tempted knitters with their stands, while the friendly bunch from Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers demonstrated both wheel and drop spinning. The festival’s emphasis was on local small yarn companies and sole traders. There was a workshop for people interested in dyeing their own wool, while Natural Born Dyers showcased their range of yarn ready for dyeing. Sylvan Tiger Yarn and Willo Fibres offered hand-dyed fleece ready to spin, and Yarngarden sold its own range of hand-dyed yarns. Favourite Yorkshire yarn stores Baa Ram Ewe and Baa Baa Brighouse kept customers happy with woolly brands such as…

1 Sylvan Tiger Yarn Here at Sylvan Tiger Yarn I enjoy experimenting with natural dyes to create strong, bright jewellike colours. I use British yarn and have recently been working with designer Gwen Wagner-Adair on yarn for her Summer Flies collection (pictured above). Read about my adventures in dyeing on my website and buy my yarn from my etsy shop or at Yarndale on 26-27 September 2015. www.sylvantiger.co.uk www.etsy.com/shop/sylvantigeryarn 2 Manos del Uruguay Manos del Uruguay is a non-for-profit organisation, which is truly committed to supporting the skilled artisan dyers of Uruguay’s countryside who produce the six ranges of Manos yarn. Each skein is hand dyed up to six times to create unique, beautiful colours and tone variations. Distributed by Rooster Yarns, please visit our website for stockists. www.roosteryarns.com/manos-del-uruguaystockists •…

Inspired by the sea I’ve recently returned to regular knitting after merely producing the odd garment over recent years. Having just finished two cardigans, I was on the lookout for some new patterns when I spotted The Knitter Issue 85 in the shop. I was tempted by the patterns on the cover and decided to buy my first-ever copy of the mag. I’m really enjoying the magazine and especially like ‘The Seaspray Collection’, which I intend to work my way through. The sea theme certainly struck a chord with me, as I recently moved to an old property sitting on the edge of a tidal stretch of river (very sea-like). What with renovating the building, copywriting for my husband’s business and writing my own blog, it’s a wonder that I…

“THE DISTORTED STRIPES ADD INTEREST TO YOUR KNITTING, GREAT COLOUR PATTERNING AND A SLIGHT TEXTURE” Clare Devine Yaw “I LOVE self-striping sock yarns, but sometimes I’m left wanting more from my sock knitting than endless rounds of stocking stitch,” says Clare Devine. “The distorted stripes of ‘Yaw’ add interest to your knitting, great colour patterning and a slight texture to your self-stripe socks.” This flexible pattern works with the colour changes, so is easily adaptable for any self-stripe yarn. The heel is created using a band heel, meaning there is no gusset to affect the gorgeous stripes, and the toe is finished with slightly unusual hat-style decreases for a beautiful shape. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 2.25mm (UK 13/US 1)…

Emma Vining Daisy Chain Wrap “THIS LIGHTWEIGHT wrap is inspired by those long, daisychain necklaces we used to make in the garden on hot summer days,” says Emma Vining. The knitted daisy chains are made using an eyelet and twisted stitch patten. A small bobble marks the centre of the flower. The wavy garter stitch edges are made by increasing and decreasing along the edges of the wrap. The gorgeous summer-blue yarn, called Askham 4ply, is a blend of baby alpaca and silk from Eden Cottage Yarns. SIZE 35cm x 145cm (13_in x 57in) YARN Eden Cottage Yarns Askham 4ply (4ply weight; 70% baby alpaca, 30% mulberry silk; 200m/218yds per 50g ball) Damselfly; 4 x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/ US 2-3) knitting needles 1…

Bergère de France Élodie THIS SOFT and breezy summer top features an attractive stitch pattern that combines leafy eyelet motifs with curving lines of twisted stitches. The pattern calls for Bergère de France’s Coton Fifty yarn, a cotton-acrylic blend that’s cool and machine-washable, and comes in a choice of 20 colours from pastels to more saturated hues such as this nectarine shade. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) knitting needles 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) knitting needles Stitch holder TENSION 31 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over pattern st on 3mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk For general abbreviations, see p95 BLOCKING DIAGRAM CHART KEY BACK Using 2.5mm needles cast on 129 (141:153:169:185) sts. Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1, rep from…

DROPS Design Ethereal Bliss CRISP LINES and geometric patterns give this shawl a modern feel, yet its classic triangular shape means it will complement all kinds of outfits, both formal and informal. It’s knitted in DROPS Baby Alpaca Silk, which is lightweight yet warm, so the finished shawl will be perfect for wearing on cooler summer days and in the autumn and winter, too. The yarn knits up into a fabric with a subtle sheen that feels wonderfully soft next to the skin, and is available in a lovely range of neutrals, pastels and more saturated shades. SIZE 65cm (25_in) wide by 130cm (51in) long YARN DROPS Baby Alpaca Silk (Baby/sport weight; 70% alpaca, 30% silk; 167m/182yds per 50g ball) White (1101); 5 x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1…

JOANNE SCRACE Joanne is a knitting and crochet designer who loves to create stylish, wearable pieces, usually with a seamless construction, which showcase beautiful yarns. Her first pattern for The Knitter is a versatile, cropped cardigan. Worked from the top down, it has intricate textured detailing and uses a gorgeous yarn. Turn to page 44. CLARE DEVINE A technical editor, knitting teacher and designer, Clare has a passion for exploring new techniques and yarns from around the world. This month, she takes a look at the luxury hand-dyed yarn club The Golden Skein, on page 51. She also brings us an exclusive design for a pair of pretty textured socks, which you can find on page 54. EMMA VINING Emma honed her knitwear design skills through the City & Guilds…

ELEGANT AUTUMN KNITS The arrival of Rowan’s autumn-winter design magazine is always a highlight in our calendar, and the latest issue contains much to delight and inspire our knitting. The 40 patterns are divided into three design themes. ‘Tranquil’ uses subtle textures and muted colourwork to create elegant, versatile pieces; highlights include Lisa Richardson’s 1930s-style fitted jacket and tapestry-effect cardigan, and Martin Storey’s handsome cabled sweater for men and intarsia ‘Alderney’ cardigan (main picture). Icy landscapes inspired the patterns in the ‘Frost’ collection. Gemma Atkinson combines intricate cables with the softest fabric for her ‘Blustery’ jumper, while Amy Herzog’s chunky rollneck sweater is knitted in cosy Cocoon. Marie Wallin uses exquisite colourwork for her cropped ‘Frozen’ cardigan, and Vibe Ulrik’s fluffy, lacy cardigan is pure luxury. The magazine also has…

James Rebanks is a shepherd whose family has lived and worked in the Lake District for generations, raising sheep on the northern fells. He is also the author of a wonderful new book, The Shepherd’s Life, which paints a picture of his everyday life and the rugged landscape in which he works. Taking us through the shepherd’s year, James offers a unique account of rural life, sharing stories of his childhood, his family and fellow shepherds, and the gruelling work involved in maintaining a traditional way of life in such a challenging environment. From start to finish, the book is a captivating read - we’d highly recommend it. The Shepherd’s Life is published by Penguin, £16.99. James also shares photos and stories on Twitter - find him @herdyshepherd1 Cake time The…

25-26 July Ampthill, Beds Fibre-East www.fibre-east.co.uk 2 August Edinburgh Cast-Ons and Cast-Offs www.gingertwiststudios.com 07599 479445 7-8 August Murton, York British Wool Show www.britishwool.net 07790 391142 8 August Cambridge Increases and Decreases with Woolly Wormhead www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 9 August Rugby An Introduction to Owning Alpacas www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk 01788 810626 15 August Stirling Fair Isle Knitting with Carol Meldrum www.mcadirect.com 0131 558 1747 16 August Edinburgh Knitting for a Perfect Fit www.gingertwiststudios.com 07599 479445 16-23 August Warwick Debbie Tomkies – A Dyer’s Recipe Book http://bit.ly/dtrecipe 23 August Nottingham Learn to Knit Socks www.knitnottingham.co.uk 0115 947 4239 27 August Bridport Professional Finishing www.bridportyarn.co.uk 01308 455669 27 August Bridport Professional Finishing www.bridportyarn.co.uk 01308 455669 28-30 August N. Yorkshire Woolcraft Weekend http://bit.ly/woolcraftwend 5 September London Great London Yarn Crawl + Pop-Up Marketplace www.yarninthecity.com/glyc-2015/ Tell us…

Fairmont Fibers Wharton THIS CARDIGAN hangs beautifully, its shaped fronts draping and curling to produce an intriguing effect. A bold pleat on the centre back, beneath the pretty lace yoke, adds to the appeal of this design. It’s knitted in Manos del Uruguay Serena, a lovely, lightweight mix of Pima cotton and baby alpaca that’s just perfect for summer garments. The kettle-dyed shades knit up into a fabric with a subtle heathered look. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles Stitch markers 2 cable needles (cn) Tapestry needle TENSION 24 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over st st on 3.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Manos del Uruguay For details of UK stockists visit the Rooster Yarns website www.roosteryarns.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS SSSK: Slip 3 sts…

Joanne Scrace Yen WORKED FROM the top down, this cropped cardigan by Joanne Scrace is totally seamless. “I designed this to be a classic wardrobe staple, which would look equally good worn with a skirt to the office, or layered over Liberty Print pyjama trousers,” says Joanne. “Elegant and wearable, the pretty lace pattern detailing at the shoulder is echoed in the long, hourglass rib hem and cuffs.” The pattern uses Fyberspates Vivacious DK, which is a superwash merino yarn dyed in luscious colourways. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) double-pointed needles 5 x 2cm buttons…

KNITWEAR DESIGNER Emma Vining has created a host of stunning patterns for The Knitter, many of which have starred on our front covers, such as the ‘Time For Tea’ top on page 8 of this issue. She also contributes designs for our sister magazines Simply Knitting and Knit Today. We chatted to Emma about her approach to design, where she finds her inspiration, and the advice she would give to other knitters. Who taught you to knit? “I was first taught to knit by my Mum, who patiently helped me pick up dropped stitches and sort out tangled yarn. My first project was a simple garter stitch teddy bear that my primary teacher used to get the whole class knitting. After that, my friends and I moved on to knit…

THERE ARE two good reasons to add pockets to a garment: practicality and aesthetics. You might find the perfect sweater pattern, but feel it’s just missing that little place to hide some coins, or it needs a bit of extra detail. Here we look at three different ways of adding pockets to your work - two of which can be added to a garment you’ve already finished! THE AFTERTHOUGHT POCKET This is a great way to add a pocket to a piece of knitwear at a later date, and the result will be neat and quite hidden. 1 Locate the spot where you’d like the top of the pocket to be, and count how many stitches wide you want it to be. Cut the yarn in the middle of this…

To advertise in The Knitter Boutique please contact Emma Hunter on 0117 314 7398 MIDLANDS The Knitting Corner theknittingcorner@virginmedia.com 01543 415837 Stockists of Rowan, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Sirdar Sublime and Knit pro. Join our facebook page - The Knitting Corner - and visit the shop for classes, workshops and our knitting club. Mail order available. Unit 3, The Mill, Curborough, Hall Farm, Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 8ES WEST MIDLANDS Remember When www.rememberwhenshop.co.uk info@rememberwhenshop.co.uk 01675 466418 We stock an extensive range of knitting yarns including Bergere de France, Colinette, Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Sublime, Noro, Adriafil, Wendy and Stylecraft. 80 High Street Coleshill, Birmingham B46 3AH. Postal service available. 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,…

Emma Vining Time For Tea “THIS EYELET and twisted stitch pattern was inspired by beautiful Derby Porcelain patterns on teacups and saucers,” says designer Emma Vining. The garment is a seamless pattern that begins with straight rows. The back is slightly longer than the front, and these sections are left open at the sides. The front and back are then joined and knitted in the round to the armholes. The ribbed sides are decreased then increased again to create a flattering fitted waist. The work is then divided once more and the back and front knitted separately in straight rows. The cap sleeves are made by increasing as the front and back are knitted and the shoulder seams are joined using a crochet cast-off. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1…

Packed with essential children’s knits for autumn-winter, the new pattern book from yarn company Fyberspates is a real winner! Called Vivacious Kids, the book has unisex patterns for children aged two to 10 years, which have been designed by Ella Austin and Rachel Coopey using Fyberspates’ soft and durable Vivacious yarns. Each pattern is playful, practical and stylish, in hand-dyed colours guaranteed to make children smile. ‘Swashbuckle’ is a button-fronted sweater by Ella Austin that’s knitted from the top down. The wonderfully named ‘Snip-snapsnorum’ sweater has a simple central cable panel, while the sweet ‘Ring-a-ring’ striped dress can be worn by older girls as a tunic. Quick-knit children’s accessories by Rachel Coopey include a cabled hat, striped beanie, a pair of textured mittens and the ‘Margery Daw’ cosy cabled socks.…

Q I’ve come across a few patterns on Ravelry that use the tubular cast-on. Can you explain how it is worked? A The tubular cast-on provides a very stretchy edge, and is particularly suited to K1, P1 ribbing (1). You’ll need to start off using a crochet provisional cast-on (for a refresher, take a look at http://bit.ly/ysoldacpco). Use waste yarn and the crochet provisional method to cast on half your desired number of stitches. 2 Change to your main yarn and work 3 rows in stocking stitch, starting with a WS row. Remove waste yarn cast-on edge, and carefully pick up the resulting live stitches on a spare needle. You will have one less stitch than the number you cast on (3). Fold the cast-on edge sts behind the working…

Sarah Hatton Roehampton SARAH HATTON has used a pretty lace pattern on her summer sweater. It’s knitted in Rowan’s Softknit Cotton, which provides good stitch definition. This chainette yarn knits up into a soft and surprisingly bouncy fabric that is machine-washable; it comes in 18 shades that are mostly pastels and neutrals, with a few brighter options. The round-necked sweater has cropped sleeves and a feminine look, yet is also relaxed and comfortable. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Stitch holders TENSION 21 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over Lace Pattern on 4mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com For general abbreviations, see p95 BLOCKING DIAGRAM CHART KEY PATTERN NOTES When working in…

Eline Oftedal Seaside Jumper “I LOVE the colours at the beach, where the blue ocean and sky meet the sand and shore,” says Eline Oftedal. “As the waves break, they form ridges of white foam that last for just a short while. I have tried to capture some of those colours and seafoam ridges in this easy-to-wear sweater.” The jumper is knitted bottom-up in the round, with a round yoke for a seamless finish, and is slightly shaped at the waist. Eline has used Noro’s Tokonatsu yarn, a soft blend of cotton, silk and viscose. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 2 sets 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 40cm and 80cm long 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch holders TENSION 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm…

“We are knitters and we love to create things, but we are also collectors. Collecting beautiful yarns, we like to seek them out, find new ones, curate our stash, like someone who works in a museum would.” AS YOUR needles click together creating each beautiful stitch of the knitted fabric, so the yarn travels nimbly through your hands. The connection between a knitter and their chosen yarn forms an incredibly strong bond. As each stitch builds upon the one before, the yarn forms the foundation on which the building starts. With yarn playing such a pivotal role in our knitting journey, it is not surprising many of us have sizeable yarn collections; some may be small but perfectly formed, while others are sprawling and somewhat unruly. All too often we…

LACE YARN STUDIO by Carol J. Sulcoski (Lark, £14.99) This new book from Carol J. Sulcoski brings us a range of fresh, feminine ideas for using laceweight yarns. The focus is on exploring the potential of lace yarns and using them in unexpected ways, rather than through traditional lace shawls. There are 26 patterns in total, divided into one-, two- and three-skein projects. The designs include modern scarves, cowls and accessories, homewares, and a range of lightweight women’s garments. We love Franklin Habit’s vintage-style beaded evening bag, the fluffy gauntlets with a travelling stitch pattern by Andi Smith, and the bright shawl by Erika Flory with its asymmetric eyelet patterning. Véronik Avery’s delicate mesh-and-lace vest is another winning design, and uses just two skeins of yarn. Carol Sulcoski’s draping cardigan,…

Lisa Richardson Ceylon RELAXED YET feminine, this long, loose, open-fronted shrug by Lisa Richardson would be ideal as a summer cover-up. It is knitted in Rowan’s brand-new Tetra Cotton, which is a chainette yarn that has gently crisp, lightweight feel and comes in delicate, variegated pastel colourways. The garment is knitted in one piece with an all-over zigzag lace pattern that looks particularly striking on the back. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, at least 120cm long (Note: As the number of sts increases on the back, you may prefer to use 4mm circular needles instead of straight needles) TENSION 24 sts and 33 rows to 10cm…

Amanda Jones Currach Cushion IF YOU love to knit cables, then this cushion cover by Amanda Jones will be a treat to make. Decorated with a pattern of knots, twists and double moss stitch, the fabric is highly textured. The cover is knitted in one piece, and includes a deep section of ribbing on the back, on which the buttonholes are worked. The cushion feels soft and squishy, thanks to the use of Stylecraft’s Alpaca DK yarn. This is hardwearing enough for home furnishings yet has a luxurious feel; it comes in 14 sophisticated shades. SIZE 42cm x 42cm (16_in x 16_in) YARN Stylecraft Alpaca DK (DK weight; 80% acrylic, 20% alpaca; 240m/262yds per 100g ball) Cream (6010); 3 x 100g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US…

BY THE time you read this column, the first of many new arrivals to the farm will have joined us at Monkley Ghyll. We made a conscious decision when we first moved to the farm not to use chemicals on the land, and in particular not to use weedkillers on the thistles, nettles and docks. And naturally, the three things we grow particularly well here are thistles, nettles and docks. Thistles are truly beautiful, sculptural plants that feed our bees, but the balance can be tipped too far in their favour and, ultimately, the grazing land for our sheep would become unusable. Sheep trying to eat pasture overrun with thistles can get nasty ulcerous sores as a result. One way of dealing with the problem is by altering the pH…

Amanda Crawford Jadis THIS ELEGANT, short-sleeved jumper by Amanda Crawford has a beautiful textured fabric created using a knot stitch pattern. Elbow-length set-in sleeves, a high round neck and twisted, rolled edge complete Amanda’s design. The jumper is knitted in Yarn Stories Fine Merino 4ply, a luxuriously soft yarn that’s spun in Yorkshire. It has a lovely handle, provides excellent stitch definition and is machinewashable, too. The yarn is available in 14 heritage shades, including a stunning bottle green, cobalt blue and dove grey. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles Stitch holders TENSION 28 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over patt on 3.25mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Yarn Stories 01484 848431 www.yarnstories.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS Knot…