Innehållsförteckning för Issue 106 från The Knitter

GO-TO DESIGNS The new book from Quail Studio is filled with classic cardigan projects that look set to become wardrobe essentials. The designs use a range of Rowan yarns from 4ply-weight to chunky, created in an elegant colour palette. Our favourites among the collection include ‘Chloe’, a relaxed jacket worked in double moss stitch with cable details and a ribbed collar. ‘Emma’ is an open-fronted, loose-fitting shape with a chequerboard stitch pattern and wide front bands. For the ultimate in winter warmth, try ‘Kirsty’, a long, enveloping cardigan knitted in snuggly Rowan Brushed Fleece. Or look ahead to spring with the range of lightweight designs such as the neat, elegant ‘Ellie’ or the silky ‘Olivia’ designs. Essential Knits Cardigans is available from Rowan stockists - for details call 01484 950630…

Debbie Bliss is one of our most popular designers, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with her to offer knitters the opportunity to spend an inspirational weekend in her company in beautiful Yorkshire. In association with Arena Travel, ‘A Bliss-ful Knitting Weekend in Yorkshire’ will include workshops with Debbie and her daughter Nell, also a knitwear designer. Guests will enjoy a gala dinner with guest speaker David Watt of Designer Yarns, and a special pop-up shop hosted by Black Sheep Wools. The knitting retreat will be held on 7-10 April, at the Majestic Hotel in the centre of Harrogate. Places are limited, so if you’d like to join us for this fun weekend, book now! For more details, call 01473 660800 or visit www.arenatravel.com Sweet Knits New patterns using…

14 January Cambridge Two at a Time Magic Loop Socks www.sheepshopcambridge.co.uk 01223 311268 15 January Edinburgh Double Knitting – an introduction www.gingertwiststudios.com 07599 479445 15 January Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey Wool Show www.walthamabbeywoolshow.co.uk 16 January Sherborne Dye Your Own Yarn www.theslippedstitch.co.uk 01935 508249 20 January Nottingham Top Down Knitted Raglan www.knitnottingham.co.uk 0115 947 4239 21 January Bridport Continental Style Knitting Techniques www.bridportyarn.co.uk 01308 455669 21 January Warrington Therapeutic Knitting Workshop with Betsan Corkhill www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 21 Jan-2 Feb Mysore, India Knitting Holiday with Sarah Hazell www.knitforpeace.org.uk 020 7794 9835 22 January Cleethorpes Sewing Up Clinic www.agoodyarn.co.uk 01472 508707 22-27 January Stirling Knitting Retreat www.knittingforall.com 25 January London Cables Workshop www.knitwithattitude.com 020 7998 3282 28 January Rochdale Fair Isle and Intarsia www.yarnbarn.co.uk 01706 750824 28 January Warrington Beginners Spinning Workshop…

“THE PATTERN OF RUBY MOTIFS IS LINKED BY CURVING LINES OF EYELETS” “RUBY IS an elegant fitted cardigan with a pattern of flashing gemstones linked by curving lines of eyelets,” says Emma Vining. “The ‘rubies’ are made with extended lines of twisted stitches with a large eyelet centre, with long lines of eyelets separating each set of rubies. The eyelet pattern extends from the cast-on edge to the shoulders and neckline. Each sleeve has a pair of ruby motifs at the cuff, too.” Emma’s cardigan is knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Illustrious DK, a gorgeous blend of Falkland wool and British alpaca that offers both softness and good stitch definition. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Cable…

We asked… What’s the best yarn you’ve knitted or discovered in 2016? “Malabrigo always ranks in the best knitted with. Discovered = Mrs. Crosby.” AmyKlaire @AmyKlaire “Fyberspates Scrumptious bought at Yarndale. Yummy stuff.” Jill Cuthbert Walker @Tigerjill “Kate Davies’ Buachaille” Mitzi Gligorea @GligmomM “Dingo Dyeworks Fair Dinkum -fabulously soft and beautiful to knit” Sue @Yarna_ “Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.” Susan Maltman @SusanMaltman “I am LOVING Caron Cakes wool blend.” Nerdy Yarning @NerdyYarning “I’m biased but Romney Marsh Wools new lambswool DK is gorgeous and so soft!” Romney Marsh Knits @RomneyMarshKnit “Tough one! I’ve loved Manos Silk Blend & Adriafil Genziana.” Tracey Smith @catnapped3 “Mrs Moon Yarn is like knitting with clouds” Continuous Crafter @craftcontinuous “Patricia Roberts cotton no.2” Russell Sansom @bistoboy1 “Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus - so so soft (literally…

WITH ITS gently flared shape and intricately patterned fabric, this winter jumper for women makes a real impact. The design combines braids, and honeycomb and diamond cables with panels of Astrakhan stitch. It’s knitted in Bergère de France’s aran-weight Sibérie wool blend, which is warm, soft and fluffy, and comes in a palette of jewel-bright and muted colours. NEEDLES AND ACCESSORIES 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles Stitch holders Stitch markers Cable needle (cn) TENSION 17 sts and 22 rows to 10cm over rev st st on 5mm needles. 25 sts and 24 rows to 10cm over Astrakhan Stitch on 5mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS C6B: Slip 3 sts onto cn and hold at back of work, K3, K3 from cn. C6F: Slip…

SIZE Each square: 14cm x 15cm (5½in x 6in) Finished throw: 108cm x 120cm (42½in x 47¼in) YARN Rowan Felted Tweed (DK weight; 50% merino, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose; 175m/191yds per 50g ball) 2 x 50g balls of each: A Rage (150) B Gilt (160) C Bilberry (151) D Avocado (161) E Seafarer (170) F Watery (152) G Clay (177) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 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 950630 www.knitrowan.com For general abbreviations, see p95 “COMBINE COLOURS AND PATTERNED SQUARES IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE” PERFECT FOR knitting by the fire - and for snuggling under once it is finished - this patchwork blanket by Helen Ardley combines plain…

“INSPIRATION COMES FROM BRINGING YARN TO PLACES IT WOULDN’T NORMALLY BE FOUND” ONE MORNING, horribly early, I found myself at London’s Broadcasting House to talk on Radio 4 about the exhibition ‘Knit 2 Together’, along with Shane Waltener, one of the exhibitors. Between us, we managed to knit the logo of the Today programme as an intarsia motif. The producer had wanted the sound of us knitting to be heard on the radio, but our bamboo needles were too quiet, so we took turns to knit while the other tapped a needle on the microphone. I found it hard to ‘clack’ and be intelligible, but Shane had no problem being articulate while changing colours and refining our knitted design in the process. Shane wasn’t always so good at multi-tasking, as…

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…

ELIZABETH LOVICK From her home on the Orkney Islands, Elizabeth designs exquisite Fair Isle, cable and Shetland lace patterns. She also loves to explore traditional stitches and techniques from around the world, and her latest design for us is a beautiful lace sampler wrap featuring stitch patterns from Austria. Turn to page 22 to find her design. SARAH HATTON Sarah honed her skills as part of Rowan’s in-house design team, and since becoming an independent designer her work has appeared in top knitting magazines and in her own range of pattern books. For this issue, Sarah has created a relaxed, slouchy rollneck jumper for women in an indulgent yarn. Find her design on page 8. ROSEE WOODLAND Our former deputy editor, Rosee went on to lead the Knit Today magazine…

New from Lotus Yarns is Tibetan Cloud Worsted, which is spun and plied from pure yak fibre raised in the Himalayas. It’s a soft and downy aran-weight that’s available in muted colours inspired by the landscapes of Tibet. To show off its new yarn, Lotus has issued a range of pattern leaflets for relaxed yet indulgent women’s garments. Among these are a softly feminine drop-sleeved jumper with a gorgeous array of cables, braids and textured stitch patterns (ref. LOT044). Delicate cables appear on the yoke of an elegant, round-necked cardigan (ref. LOT043), while the raglan jumper in booklet LOT042 features a more modern-looking cable panel down the front, paired with garter stitch sleeves. It can be knitted with or without a rollneck collar. Also in the collection is a…

Another month, another Karie Westermann project from me, it seems! I do love her classic, unfussy style, and the stories behind her designs. I’m currently working on ‘Scollay’, a round-necked cardigan with bands of lace. It was originally the subject of a popular knit-along on Ravelry.com, and is named after the Louise Scollay, who champions local yarns on her podcast KnitBritish. As much as I wanted to use a British-produced yarn for this, I’m on a yarn diet at the moment and am trying hard to use up everything in my stash. So I’m knitting my cardigan with Rowan’s Fine Tweed, in a lilac shade. I think the heathered fabric looks lovely, and should go well with my everyday ‘uniform’ of blue jeans! www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scollay…

A WRAP worked in a luxurious yarn is such a treat, and makes an elegant addition to any outfit. This design by Elizabeth Lovick uses Eden Cottage Yarns’ Askham 4ply, which blends baby alpaca and silk for a light yet warm fabric with a subtle gleam. “The patterns for this stole have been taken from the three-volumed stitch dictionary of Austrian stitches, Bäuerliches Stricken, by Lisl Fanderl, published by Rosenheimer,” says Elizabeth. SIZE 60cm x 180cm (23½in x 71in), after blocking YARN Eden Cottage Yarns Askham 4ply (4ply weight; 70% baby alpaca, 30% silk; 200m/219yds per 50g ball) Air; 4 x 50g balls YARN STOCKISTS Eden Cottage Yarns www.edencottageyarns.co.uk NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles 2 stitch markers Tapestry needle TENSION 13 sts and 25…

FAIR ISLE is given a modern twist on this men’s cardigan by Martin Storey. Two mismatched colourwork patterns are used on the left and right fronts; the back is worked in the same pattern as the right front. The garment is unified with hems, cuffs and button bands worked in a burnt orange shade. Martin has used Rowan’s Pure Wool Superwash Worsted yarn, which is available in 62 appealing colours. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles 5 x 30mm buttons Stitch holders TENSION 22 sts and 22 rows to 10cm over patt on 4.5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com For general abbreviations, see p95 This design is taken from Rowan’s Knitting & Crochet Magazine 60,…

“TWISTED STITCHES AND DELICATE CABLE MOTIFS ADD GRACE TO YOUR STEP WITH THESE KNEE SOCKS” “TWISTED STITCHES and delicate cable motifs add grace to your step with these knee socks,” says designer Heather Zoppetti. “A carefully sculpted calf gusset adds room for ample calves with a twist. Worked from the top down, these socks start with an intriguing scalloped cuff and feature a traditional heel flap and wedge toe.” Heather has used Swag Sock yarn from North American brand Crabapple Yarns, which includes a touch of cashmere, but any sock yarn would work well here. YARN Crabapple Yarns Swag Sock (4ply weight; 80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 398m/435yds per 100g skein) Gloster; 2 x 100g skeins NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 2.25mm (UK 13/US 1) double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch…

“THIS JUMPER was inspired by the lopapeysa sweater style of Iceland, but it has been knitted in Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran, a much softer yarn that’s easier on the hands than the unspun lopi yarn typically used in Iceland,” says designer Rosee Woodland. The garment is knitted in the round from the bottom up, then the body and sleeves are joined to work the colourwork yoke. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 30cm long (optional) 1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 5mm (UK 6/US 8) DPNs Stitch markers Stitch holders PATTERN NOTES DECREASING When working decreases work as follows: Beg…

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3mm (UK 11/US 2-3) knitting needles 1 pair 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) knitting needles Stitch holder 7 x 10mm clear press fasteners 6 x 13mm buttons TENSION 24 sts and 31 rows to 10cm over st st on 3.5mm needles. 24 sts and 48 rows to 10cm over garter st on 3mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk For general abbreviations, see p95 THESE QUICK-KNIT dungarees for babies feature a garter stitch bib and stocking stitch legs, with buttoned shoulders and press fasteners on the inside legs for easy dressing. They’ll make a cosy, practical garment for little ones sized from birth to six months. The project calls for Bergère de France’s Ideal wool-blend yarn, which can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. BACK LEFT LEG…

HELEN SPEDDING’s job as operations editor involves writing, proofreading, commissioning articles from freelance writers, and making sure everyone hits their deadlines. Whenever she gets a spare minute, she loves to knit, and to read knitting books and blogs. When did you learn to knit? “I was taught the basics by my mum, when I was about six years old. I found knitting really difficult, though, and never managed to make anything other than blanket squares. My interest in crafts was rekindled when I had my first child, and I wanted to make little things for her. I started out sewing toys, then tried to knit a teddy bear. It was a pretty poor effort, but I enjoyed the process.” How did you come to work on The Knitter? “I have…

SOFT, FLUFFY, warm and stylish, this jumper is top of our knitting wishlist this winter! Sarah Hatton’s design features smart cables combined with broken ribbing to create a pattern that really stands out. She has added a split collar for a modern touch, and has knitted her jumper using Rowan’s chunky Cocoon yarn, which comes in 24 sophisticated colours. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 6mm (UK 4/US 10) knitting needles 1 pair 7mm (UK 2/US 10½ -11) knitting needles 1 set 6mm (UK 4/US 10) circular needles, 40cm long Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders Stitch markers TENSION 14 sts and 16 rows to 10cm over st st on 7mm needles. 17 sts and 16 rows measured over cable pattern on 7mm needles. YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS…

As its title suggests, this new pattern book from Jen Geigley offers casual, comfortable layering pieces that you’ll want to wear again and again! Her collection of 11 designs focuses on chunky yarns and minimalist shapes. Simple garment projects include the boxy, seamless ‘Jessa’ top, which comes in cropped and longer-length variations, and the strappy ‘Zero’ vest that’s worked in a super-chunky yarn. For a softer look, there is ‘Ceres’, a draping, racer-back tank top that looks amazing knitted in a silk yarn. Jen loves to work simple textured stitch patterns in bulky wool, as demonstrated by the huge, warm ‘Leo’ scarf, and the ‘Laney’ cowl which uses a Vikkel or Estonian braid as a central design element. The dramatic ‘Gwen’ combines a long scarf with a cowl; other cosy…

We’re looking forward to one of the highlights of the knitting calendar, the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. The 2017 event is being held on 10-11 March at the Corn Exchange, and will host a dazzling array of yarn producers, dyers, and design stars from the knitting world. The aim of the show organisers was to run “Every knitter’s dream department store for the weekend”, and they’ve certainly hit their target! The marketplace will be jam-packed with wonderful sellers from Scotland and beyond, including the likes of yarn brands Daughter of a Shepherd, Jamieson’s of Shetland, Coopknits, The Fibre Co., Shilasdair and Ysolda Teague. Brooklyn Tweed will be making a special trip from the US to exhibit at the show, too. Although many of the workshops are fully booked already, there are…

ENTREPRENEUR and designer Christel Seyfarth spends hundreds of hours creating exquisite shawls and colourwork projects, selling them as knitting kits. She also organises yarn festivals on her home island of Fanø in Denmark, as well as in Iceland and Norway, and helped to set up the new Loch Ness Knitting Festival. When did you learn to knit? “I started knitting when I was five years old – my grandmother taught me, and I’ve been knitting ever since! I specialise in colourwork. Large projects such as shawls, big jackets and coats – that’s what I do. “I started designing when I was about 12 years old. I started knitting great big coats, and people approached me and said ‘can you make one like that for me?’ so I started making coats…

Window on the past What a blast from the past! Seeing your article on Victorian knitting manuals (Issue 105) reminded me of my grandmother’s house, with her shelf filled with old knitting books just like these ones - I seem to remember she had some books by Mrs Mee and Miss Gaugain. I suspect they’d belonged to her mother, and had been handed down. I certainly remember looking through them as a child on wet Saturday afternoons and wondering why anyone would want to wear such frilly things! I wish I knew what had happened to those old books - they were probably just thrown away in the 1960s when my grandmother died. How I wish I could have a look through them again today. I think I would appreciate…

WASH AND block your knitting. This instruction is often given at the end of a pattern, but what does it mean, and why should you bother? At its simplest level, blocking your knitting means to wash and dry flat. Blocking can be absolutely transformative - smoothing out imperfections in your fabric and allowing you to shape your garment as desired. What’s the difference between a slouchy beanie and a beret? Blocking. How do you make it easier to sew seams neatly? Block the pieces. Colourwork looking a bit lumpy? Block it. Knitted a lace shawl and it looks like a hair net? Blocking will turn this caterpillar into a butterfly - so much so, that we will look at blocking lace in a separate article. Blocking is a bit like…

INSPIRED BY fishermen’s sweaters, this jumper by Isabell Kraemer has a modern, relaxed look. It uses an attractive array of stitch patterns on the front, worked in a lovely yarn from Baa Ram Ewe. Dovestone DK blends wool from Bluefaced Leicester, Wensleydale and Masham sheep; it feels soft and bouncy, and comes in a range of gorgeous colours inspired by Yorkshire. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) circular needles, 60cm long 1 set 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) DPNs 4mm (UK 8/US G/6) crochet hook Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders Stitch markers, including removable markers TENSION 21 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles.…

WITH ITS thick cabled fabric, this long coat is guaranteed to keep you warm on the coldest of days. It has been designed by Rico using its Essentials Alpaca Blend Chunky yarn, which contains wool, alpaca and acrylic and comes in a range of neutral shades and muted colours. There’s a lot of knitting involved in making this coat, with its intricate combination of cable patterns, but it is sure to be a garment you’ll wear for years to come. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 6mm (UK 4/US 10) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) TENSION 22 sts and 22 rows to 10cm over Cable Pattern 1 on 6mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rico Design www.rico-design.co.uk SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS C6B: Slip next 3 sts onto cn and hold at back, K3, K3 from…

THIS SWEET and pretty capelet showcases Debbie Bliss’s Lhasa yarn, part of her new Pure Bliss range. It’s an aran-weight blend of cashmere and yak that feels incredibly soft and luxurious. The colour palette includes a range of neutral shades and berry colours. The capelet features a lovely pattern of cables; it’s worked flat from the bottom up, then seamed along the side. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles 1 set 5.5mm (UK 5/US 9) circular needles 1 set 6mm (UK 4/US 10) circular needles Cable needle (cn) TENSION 16 sts and 24 rows to 10cm over st st on 6mm needles SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS C4B: Slip next 2 sts onto cn and hold at back, K2, then K2 from cn. T3B: Slip next st onto…

FREE PATTERN Try steeking with this seamless colourwork cardigan “I LOVE a heavy cardigan with ample ease for layering, and this particular piece is inspired by the heavy wool yoke cardigan my mother handed down to me to warm my bones in the Pacific Northwest,” says Courtney Spainhower. “The yarn I’ve selected works up quickly and will keep you insulated even in wet climates. This cardigan is worked in the round from the bottom up with steeks; the sleeves are knit separately and joined to the body to complete the yoke.” Alternative yarn: DROPS Alaska (Aran weight; 100% wool; 70m/76½yds per 50g ball) A Brown (23); 15 (18:20:20) x50g balls B Off White (02); 3 (3:3:3) x50g balls C Mustard (58); 3 (3:3:3) x50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 set…