Innehållsförteckning för 131 från The Knitter

Creative stitches 14 inspiring patterns using lace, cables & colourwork Our talented designers have shown how winter knits can be feminine and flattering as well as cosy! Chic stitch patterns, modern shapes and luxurious yarns combine to offer special, warming sweaters. Looking for last-minute gift ideas to make? We have a cabled scarf and mitts set, a pair of Latvian mittens, a Fair Isle tunic for little girls, and three fabulous sock designs by Rachel Coopey in our supplement. HAPPY KNITTING! from The Knitter team Our featured designers Juliet Bernard The former editor of The Knitter, Juliet now works as a consultant to the yarn industry, and continues to design and teach. She enjoys exploring the possibilities of colourwork, and Juliet’s latest design, a chic blanket, uses a range of…

THE KNITTER’S ANNUAL Louise Walker Inspired by the childhood annuals popular in the 1970s and ’80s, The Knitter’s Annual is lots of fun, with patterns, puzzles, games and stories to enjoy. It has been created by Louise Walker, aka Sincerely Louise, who is known for her wonderful faux taxidermy knits. The book has patterns for a wide range of creatures such as a toucan, lobster and corgi, a platypus scarf, triceratops slippers, a crocodile rug, and ‘trophy heads’ of farm animals and an elephant. £20 from www.sincerelylouise.co.uk GANSEY STYLE ACCESSORIES by Beth Brown-Reinsel An expert on gansey knitting, Beth Brown-Reinsel has used traditional stitch patterns to create six smart accessories in this e-book. Motifs from different UK areas appear on a pair of classic gloves, cosy mittens, and pretty wristwarmers…

18 November Oxford Introduction to Short Row Shaping www.oxfordyarnstore.co.uk 01865 604112 18 November London Brioche Basics www.wildandwoollyshop.co.uk 020 8985 5231 20 Nov Rowlands Castle, Hants Advanced Brioche with Renée Callahan www.handmadestudios.org 21 November Bovey Tracey Fair Isle and Steeking with Anniken Allis www.spinayarndevon.co.uk 01626 836203 21 November Liss, Hants Buttonholes Unravelled www.lisswools.co.uk 01730 893941 23 November Oxford Introduction to Steeking www.oxfordyarnstore.co.uk 01865 604112 23 November Warrington Colourwork Knits with Dee Hardwicke www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 24 November Saffron Walden Shaping Double Knitting with the Sockmatician www.craft-days.co.uk 01799 218 429 24 November Solihull Brioche Knitting www.stitchsolihull.com 0121 314 6888 24 November Edinburgh Two Colour Brioche for Beginners https://beinspiredfibres.wordpress.com 0131 629 2059 28 November Exeter Introduction to Wheel Spinning www.woolontheexe.com 01392 669015 1 Dec/26 Jan Faversham Fair Isle and Steeking (two parts) www.theyarndispensary.co.uk…

A WINTRY scene worked in black and white gives this cushion a cosy yet modern look. Mixing intarsia and Fair Isle, Martin Storey’s design is knitted in Rowan’s Pure Wool Superwash Worsted. This comes in a choice of 23 neutral and bright colours. The back of the cushion is in plain stocking stitch. SIZE To fit a cushion pad approx. 46cm (18in) square YARN Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted (Heavy DK/worsted weight; 100% wool; 200m/218yds per 100g ball) A Black (109); 3 x 100g balls B Soft Cream (102); 1 x 100g ball NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles 1 cushion pad, approx. 46cm (18in) square TENSION 20 sts and 25 rows to 10cm over st st on 4.5mm needles. 21 sts and 25 rows…

THIS LONG, open cardigan designed by Martin Storey has a bold and beautiful pattern in stranded colourwork. The shawl collar, front bands and lower hem are all edged with tassels, which are created using an i-cord cast-off. The garment has a wonderfully cosy feel, thanks to the use of Rowan’s Kid Classic yarn. This perennial favourite, an aran-weight mix of wool and mohair, comes in 13 sophisticated colours. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) needles 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, at least 150cm long 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) double pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch holders Stitch markers TENSION 23 sts and 20 rows to 10cm over patterned st st on 5mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Rowan 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com For…

FOLK-INSPIRED COLOURWORK in red and cream lends a festive feel to this tunic dress for girls aged from six months to two years, and Sandra Nesbitt has suggested two colourways for her design. It features raglan sleeves, a buttoned opening at the back neck, and a slightly flared skirt section in moss stitch. The fine merino and baby alpaca blend from Yarn Stories feels super-soft. SIZE Note: for the red version of the dress, the quantities of red and cream yarn required are reversed. NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 40cm long Stitch markers 3 (4:4:4) x 15mm buttons TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st…

About our expert Lou Smith is The Knitter’s production assistant. Discovering new knitting techniques and swatching yarns are two of her favourite things to do. IN ISSUE 129, we explored how Kitchener stitch can be used to graft together sections of 1x1 and 2x2 ribbing. Here, we look at how the technique can also be used on reverse stocking stitch and garter stitch. This method can come in useful when joining the shoulders of a garment, or if you would like to create a seamless finish for an accessory. Simply leave your stitches on the needles and you’re ready to graft! REVERSE STOCKING STITCH 1 When you’re ready to begin grafting, don’t cast off your stitches. Hold the two needles containing the stitches together with wrong sides facing. Your working…

BASED IN Montreal, Canada, Dianna Walla is a knitwear designer, photographer and writer. She regularly contributes designs to Quince & Co., and her work has also appeared in Interweave Knits and Brooklyn Tweed’s Wool People series. Having recently spent two years living in northern Norway, Dianna is hugely inspired by Nordic culture. We spoke with Dianna about her life as a designer. Who inspired you to take up knitting? “My mother first taught me when I was young – I was always encouraged to make things, and I learned to sew at a young age as well. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I got very into knitting, though, and by then the age of the knitting blog was in full swing. I was very inspired by the…

Our photoshoot has been styled with the distinctive, vibrant clothes of Gudrun Sjödén. Explore the collection at www.gudrunsjoden.com “MY SLOT rib cardigan uses one-row buttonholes to create an interesting openwork design,” says Emma Vining. “The slots are worked on the upper part of the fronts and back, and they allow any garment worn underneath to show through. The placement of the slots forms an interlinked series of openings which are joined by the rib pattern. Rib is used for the front bands, with the upper slots forming three buttonholes. The lower part of the fronts and back are worked in a wide rib pattern that runs into the upper slot pattern. The set-in sleeves are also knitted in wide rib.” SIZE YARN BLOCKING DIAGRAM NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm…

CHRISTMAS STARS by Ieva Ozolina Price £15.99 as part of the book Knit Like a Latvian (Interweave Press, contains 50 patterns) www.amazon.co.uk FAIRY LIGHTS by Christine Perry (‘Winwick Mum’) Price Free with a purchase of West Yorkshire Spinners ‘Fairy Lights’ Signature 4ply yarn (£7.20/100g) www.wyspinners.com 01535 664500 DEER LITTLE ONE by Monica Russel Price Available in Issue 179 of Simply Knitting magazine (£6.99, on sale now) www.theyarnloop.com 03330 162151…

SARAH HATTON’S jumper design has a modern look, with its airy mesh lace and large horseshoe cables. The body incorporates the upper arm sections, which have a subtle batwing shape; the sleeves are knitted on to the body, and it’s finished with a wide ribbed neckline. Wild Wool by Erika Knight is a new aran-weight yarn that mixes wool and viscose sourced from nettle fibres. The result is incredibly soft, with a lovely lustre and halo. It comes in a choice of eight nature-inspired shades. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 40cm long 5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular needles, 40cm long Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders Stitch markers TENSION 16…

AMY HERZOG’S ULTIMATE SWEATER BOOK by Amy Herzog (£18.99) CALLING ADVENTUROUS knitters: Amy Herzog wants to show you how you can make your ‘best sweater ever’. Her latest book is aimed at people who have knitted lots of sweaters, but who now want to try adapting patterns or designing from scratch to achieve their ideal fit and style. Before we start getting creative, there’s a short section on the basics we’ll need: taking the relevant body measurements, understanding ease, and so on. Next, Amy explores the construction of the four basic sweater shapes - raglan, drop-shoulder, circular yoke, and set-in sleeve - in both pullover and cardigan formats. Her easy-to-follow guide talks us through drafting our own pattern from scratch. Or, if you prefer, you can use her detailed templates…

IF YOU love a bit of colourwork, there’s lots to enjoy with Juliet Bernard’s blanket! It comprises six different square designs, using Fair Isle, intarsia, slip stitch and moss stitch, and a square where the yarn is stranded at the front. The blanket uses four shades of Willow & Lark’s tweedy Woodland DK yarn. SIZE 110cm x 110cm (43in x 43in) YARN Willow & Lark Woodland (DK weight; 50% merino wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose; 175m/191yds per 50g ball) A Marmalade (410); 4 x 50g balls B Thunder (402); 6 x 50g balls C Plover Grey (400); 7 x 50g balls D Foxglove (424); 4 x 50g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 2 sets of 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 200cm long…

THE PROLIFIC CRAFTER The Prolific Crafter sits at the heart of the Shropshire Hills in Church Stretton. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is brought indoors. Stocking many outstanding luxury yarns, such as Fyberspates, Schoppel, UK Alpaca and more. Create beautiful crafted gifts, and find gifts for crafters. 9 High Street, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BU. theprolificcrafter.co.uk info@theprolificcrafter.co.uk PERRAN YARNS Delight your favourite knitter with this Flower Crescent Shawlette knit kit, including luxurious silk/seacell hand-dyed Perran Yarn plus written/charted pattern, giftboxed ready to wrap. Various colourways available. Perran Yarns are luxury yarns hand-dyed in beautiful colourways near the Cornish coast. Purchase online and use code ‘SHIPFORFREE’ for free UK shipping. perranyarns.co.uk instagram.com/perranyarns EBSWORTH POTS Professionally hand thrown pottery made in Wales UK. Yarn bowls are the perfect gift for any…

HOW DOES a long, lazy weekend of knitting, good company and delicious food sound? That’s what is on offer at The Knitting Hotel, the wonderful destination on the Devon coast. It’s the brainchild of Belinda Harris-Reid - knitting designer, yarn producer, and all-round woolly entrepreneur - who has been teaching workshops and organising knitting events for many years. Belinda decided to set up the hotel to offer retreats where knitters could relax and enjoy their knitting in the company of like-minded people, as well as learn and share skills. Since spring 2018, she has been welcoming guests to Iona House, a villa next to the sea with views across Lyme Bay. “We have six knitting-themed bedrooms with spaces for up to eight guests,” says Belinda. “All our bedrooms are named…

KNITTED MITTENS hold an important place in Latvian culture and history, and Ieva Ozolina loves to use traditional techniques and symbols to create bright, modern designs. These colourful mittens feature the sun motif, which is the most commonly used in Latvian mittens, and represents the goddess of fertility. Ieva recommends using a 4ply pure wool, and we have suggested two yarns that would suit this project. SIZE Palm circumference: 20cm (8in) Length: 24cm (9¼in) YARN Ieva Ozolina recommends a natural two-ply 100% wool, and is also the yarn that has been traditionally used for Latvian mittens. Suggested yarns to use: Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift (4ply weight; 100% Shetland wool; 105m/115yds per 25g ball) A Cobalt (684); 1 x 25g ball B Pumpkin (470); 2 x 25g balls C White (304);…

THE BRIGHT stripes on these socks incorporate a rib-like textured pattern, offset on each stripe, which uses lace stitches to give a slight curve to the blocks of knit stitches. The result is an unusual fabric with a dynamic feel. Like the other socks in this supplement, Helmi is knitted in Rachel’s own yarn, Socks Yeah! This design uses her DK-weight, which comes in 16 vibrant colours. YARN CoopKnits Socks Yeah! DK (DK weight; 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon; 112m/122yds per 50g skein) A Aeacus (210); 2 x 50g skeins B Tyburn (211); 1 x 50g skein NEEDLES 3mm (UK 11/ US 2½) circular needles, 60-80cm long for Magic Loop method, or a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch markers Tapestry needle TENSION 28 sts and 40 rows to…

THESE SOCKS are worked in the 4ply version of CoopKnit’s Socks Yeah! yarn, which comes in a gorgeous palette of 22 colours and can be machine-washed at 30°C. The legs are decorated with a simple Fair Isle pattern of crosses, while the feet are knitted in stripes, and a vivid contrast colour is used for the cuffs and toes. YARN CoopKnits Socks Yeah! (4ply weight; 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon; 212m/231yds per 50g skein) A Topaz (113); 1 x 50g skein B Jadeite (115); 1 x 50g skein C Ammolite (102); 1 x 50g skein NEEDLES 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) circular needles, 60-80cm long for Magic Loop method, or a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch markers Tapestry needle TENSION 36 sts and 50 rows to 10cm over st st…

ART & KNITTING Feast your eyes on spectacular examples of knitted art with Charlotte Vannier’s inspiring new book. Unravelled: Contemporary Knit Art showcases 40 international artists who use knitting and crochet in their work. Sumptuously photographed, the book illustrates the huge variety of ways the knitted stitch has been used as a form of expression. These include the sculptural creations of artists such as Kate Jenkins and Camille Dupuis, and the painterly works of Kate Just, who produces handknitted recreations of self-portraits by feminist artists, such as Frida Kahlo (pictured below). Marvel at the large-scale installations taking residence in art galleries and public spaces, such as Agata Olek ‘Crocheted Homeless Shelter’ in Delhi (below). Published by Thames & Hudson, £29.95 Cosy knits Create warming sweaters & hats with the aran-weight…

My Christmas present last year was a knitting kit from Baa Ram Ewe, with enough Dovestone Natural Aran wool to knit the ‘Skógafjall’ sweater by Dianna Walla. The bundle included two natural fleece shades, and a hank of green that was hand-dyed especially for the kit by the Knitting Goddess. I couldn’t wait to cast on the project, and it was thoroughly enjoyable to knit - I especially loved working with the Dovestone yarn, because it is so soft and smooth, and has a wonderfully ‘sheepy’ smell. The tree-like stranded colourwork pattern around the yoke was simple yet satisfying to knit, and I’m delighted with the final result. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skogafjall…

WITH ITS feminine, vintage look, this yoked cardigan by Jennie Atkinson will be a classic piece for your working wardrobe. The design features a textured yoke, which is worked after joining the body and sleeves; short-row shaping at the bust ensures a flattering fit. Jennie’s designed is worked in Willow & Lark’s Nest yarn, a wool that’s blended with a touch of cashmere and Tencel for softness and durability. SIZE NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) circular needles, 100cm long 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm long 1 set 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) double-pointed needles (DPNs) 1 set 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles Removable stitch markers Stitch holders 8 x 13mm buttons TENSION 22 sts and 30 rows/rnds to…

As she delves into myriad cultures and continents, Swedish textile designer Gudrun Sjödén finds the same themes cropping up time and time again. Like in her beloved folk art, where she says flowers, birds, zig-zags, dots and stripes can be found no matter how far you roam. For her Christmas collection, Gudrun has truly embraced the world, using all the vibrant patterns, colours and fabrics she’s discovered on her travels. The result is a marvellous melting pot of rich, glorious designs – with a very unique story behind each and every one. Take the enchanting handmade Christmas baubles made by Ali and his son Imran in the vibrant Indian city of Kashmir. Gudrun says: “When I met them I was inspired by this wise and philosophic entrepreneur who has overcome…

BRONAGH MISKELLY has worked smart cables on a background of moss stitch to create a pleasingly textured, rustic fabric for her scarf and mittens set. Soft and cosy, the accessories are knitted in Carol Feller’s Stolen Stitches Nua yarn, a blend of merino, yak and linen that comes in 14 warm colours. It offers well defined stitches, along with a gorgeous silkiness and glow. SIZE Scarf: 20cm (8in) wide x 136cm (53½in) long, after blocking Mittens: YARN Stolen Stitches Nua (Sport/baby weight; 60% merino wool, 20% yak, 20% linen; 140m/153yds per 50g skein) Hatter’s Teal Party (9803); 4 x 50g skeins NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles Set of 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or circular needles for Magic Loop method Set of…

LACE STITCH patterns can look amazing when worked in a chunky yarn, as Sandra Nesbitt’s cosy wrap demonstrates. The pinwheel lace pattern gives an attractive fabric, and is paired with simple moss stitch edges. Sandra has selected a new yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners for her wrap. Called Re:treat, it’s a chunky-weight British wool using fleece from Bluefaced Kerry Hill. The yarn is soft yet durable, with a roving texture, and comes in 11 sophisticated solid shades plus two marled colourways. SIZE 74cm (29in) wide x 172cm (67¾in) long YARN West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat (Chunky weight; 100% Bluefaced Kerry Hill wool; 140m/153yds per 100g ball) Escape (562); 6 x 100g balls NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 6.5mm (UK 3/US 10½) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) 2 stitch markers TENSION 14…

Abbreviations alt alternate approx approximately beg beginning ch chain 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 (see M1L) M1pw make 1 st purlwise: with LH 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…

RACHEL COOPEY loves to play with cabled patterns on her sock designs, and this pair features undulating columns of twisted stitches, with moss stitch in between. A pretty braided cable runs down the side of the leg to the start of the heel flap. The patterning appears on the outer half of each sock; the inner half is worked in stocking stitch. YARN CoopKnits Socks Yeah! DK (DK weight; 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon; 112m/122yds per 50g skein) A Morpheus (206); 1 x 50g skein B Moselle (213); 2 x 50g skeins NEEDLES 3mm (UK 13-12 /US 2-3) circular needles, 60-80cm long for Magic Loop method, or set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) Stitch markers Cable needle (cn) Tapestry needle SIZES Leg length to top of heel flap: 13cm (5in).…