Innehållsförteckning för 223 från The Knitter

Our New Year collection brings you beautiful projects for winter using elegant stitches and special yarns! Cardigans are the star of the show, and include a lace & bobble design by Sanna Mård Castman, a long colourwork jacket, a modern lace cardigan, and a blue and white Fair Isle design. We have an acorn-patterned waistcoat from Lisa Richardson, while smaller projects include a Fair Isle headband, socks and a hot water bottle cosy. www.gathered.how/theknitter TheKnitterMag TheKnitterMag…

NEW YEAR SHOWS Kick-start a year of knitting adventure with a visit to one of the great yarn festivals taking place in January and February! First up is Waltham Abbey Wool Show on Sunday 18th January. This curated show has a fantastic line-up of indie dyers including Madrigal Yarns, An Caitín Beag, RiverKnits and Kettle Yarn Co. walthamabbeywoolshow.co.uk Unravel is a must-visit festival for knitters in the south of England. Being held in Farnham on 13-15 February, the organisers have put together their biggest workshop programme to date, and you’ll be able to meet an incredible array of artisan yarn brands, hand dyers and designers. bit.ly/unravelfest Head to Blackpool on 14-15 February for the North West Winter Wool Festival, a cosy weekend of woolly fun with more than 50 exhibitors…

WORKSHOPS 12 JANUARY Carlisle Kaffe Fassett Lecture: An Eye for Colour tullie.org.uk/events/kaffe-fassett-an-eye-for-colour/ 12 JANUARY - 9 FEBRUARY London Knitting of the British Isles at the V&A Academy vam.ac.uk 12 JANUARY - 9 MARCH Online Tempting Textures and Reversible Stitch Patterns Knitalong with Emma Vining theloomshed.com 17 JANUARY Loughborough Fair Isle Knitting beingknitterly.co.uk 21 JANUARY Chesterblade, Somerset Colourwork Wristwarmers allabouttheyarn.co.uk 01749 880440 25 JANUARY London Stranded Colourwork Knitting wildandwoollyshop.co.uk 020 8985 5231 1 FEBRUARY London Assigned Pooling wildandwoollyshop.co.uk 020 8985 5231 7 FEBRUARY Loughborough Modular Knitting with Nicki Merrall beingknitterly.co.uk 14 FEBRUARY Warrington Fair Isle and Continental Knitting with Juliet Bernard blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 21 FEBRUARY Warrington Steeking with Debbie Tomkies blacksheepwools.com 22 FEBRUARY Renishaw, Derbyshire Yarn Spa with Jo. Knit. Sew nibblesneedlesandhooks.co.uk 7 MARCH Betchworth, Surrey Learn to Spin gilliangladrag.co.uk…

BEAUTIFULLY SOFT and snuggly, these chunky socks will be a treat for your feet on chilly winter days and nights! They’re knitted in The Fibre Co. Tundra, a blend of baby alpaca, silk and Merino that comes in a range of rich, shimmering colours. Caroline Birkett’s design has a lace and cable panel down the front, a column of garter stitch down the back leg, and a slip stitch heel. CHART PATTERN (written instructions) Rnd 1: P1, K2tbl, yo, SSK, K2tog, yo, K2tbl, P1. Rnd 2: P1, K2tbl, P4, K2tbl, P1. Rnds 3-6: Repeat rounds 1-2. Rnd 7: P1, C4F, C4B, P1. Rnd 8: P1, K8, P1. Rnd 9: P1, C4B, C4F, P1. Rnds 10-12: P1, K8, P1. Rnd 13: Repeat round 7. Rnd 14: P1, K8, P1. Rnd 15:…

THIS WAISTCOAT design from Lisa Richardson uses a stranded colourwork pattern with acorn-like motifs. A solid green shade of Rowan’s Felted Tweed is used for the background colour, and is paired with the gradient-effect Felted Tweed Colour. The waistcoat has a corrugated rib hem, while the armhole borders and button bands are knitted in garter stitch stripes. The garment is knitted flat in pieces, then seamed. BACK Using 3.25mm needles and yarn A, cast on 114 (126:142:154:166:182:194:206:226) sts. Join in yarn B. Keeping yarn not in use at WS of work, cont as folls: Row 1 (RS): Using yarn A K2, *using yarn B P2, using yarn A K2; rep from * to end. Row 2: Using yarn A P2, *using yarn B K2, using yarn A P2; rep from…

“THIS STRANDED colourwork cardigan was inspired by blue china plates - the classic willow pattern design is a favourite of mine,” says Mary Henderson. The body of her cardigan is knitted flat in rows; the sleeves are worked in the round, then joined to the body to work the yoke, which is knitted flat. The neckband, button bands and cuffs are knitted in moss stitch. PATTERN NOTES The body of the cardigan is knitted in one piece in rows on circular needles, which are used due to the larger number of stitches. Only two colours are used throughout, and rows can be worked from either end - you can work one row in yarn A, and then, without turning the work, work the next row in yarn B. Then the…

THIS DESIGN by Sanna Mård Castman has dropped shoulders, a cropped body and balloon sleeves. A subtle lace pattern is used on the body and sleeves; deep bands of decorative ribbing around the hems and cuffs are separated from the main fabric by lines of bobbles. Sanna’s cardigan is knitted in Marble DK, a delicious blend of Merino wool and tussah silk from World of Wool which comes in a palette of saturated, vintage-inspired colours. CHART PATTERN (written instructions) Row 1: (K3, K2tog, K1, yo, K6) to last 6 sts, K3, K2tog, K1, yo. Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl. Row 3: (K2, K2tog, K1, yo, K7) to last 6 sts, K2, K2tog, K1, yo, K1. Row 5: (K1, K2tog, K1, yo, K8) to last 6 sts, K1, K2tog,…

INSPIRED BY vintage styles, this V-neck cardigan from the Sirdar design team is knitted in stocking stitch up to the bust, then features an interlocking lattice stitch across the top of the bodice and balloon sleeves. It is knitted in Sirdar’s Loveful 100% Recycled Tweed Blend, a soft, DK-weight yarn spun from GRS-certified recycled fibres. BACK Using 3.25mm needles and the thumb method, cast on 113 (125:139:153:165:179:191) sts. Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to last st, K1. Row 2: P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Rows 1 and 2 set 1x1 rib. Work in 1x1 rib for 7 (7:7:7:8:8:8) cm, ending with a RS row. Next row: P7 (7:8:3:9:4:10), P2tog, (P4, P2tog) 16 (18:20:24:24:28:28) times, P8 (8:9:4:10:5:11). 96 (106:118:128:140:150:162) sts. Change to 4mm needles. Row 1:…

Pattern sources The Knitter back issues: www.ourmediashop.com/ knitter-back-issues West Yorkshire Spinners: www.wyspinners.com Scheepjes: www.scheepjes.com Yarnsmiths: www.woolwarehouse.co.uk Simply Knitting magazine: www.ourmediashop.com/ knitting-back-issues Simply Crochet magazine: www.ourmediashop.com/ crochet-back-issues…

Sanna Mård Castman Swedish designer Sanna has been working in knitwear design since leaving school, and she loves to explore cables and lace patterns and to incorporate beautiful details into her knits. Turn to p62 for her elegantly textured cardigan design, ‘Wilma’. Caroline Birkett Caroline has a degree in textile design and a postgraduate diploma in knitwear design. Formerly head of design for a luxury knitwear brand, she now produces handknit patterns. Turn to p29 to find her chunky socks with a lace and cable pattern. Mary Henderson Mary is passionate about traditional Scottish knitting patterns, and is much admired for her intricate Fair Isle designs and delicate lace. This month, she has designed a colourwork cardigan inspired by classic ‘willow pattern’ plates, on p48. Lisa Richardson Yorkshire-based designer Lisa…

This lovely collection of patterns introduces Felted Tweed Soft, Rowan’s newest yarn. It has the same fibre mix as Felted Tweed, but is airblown to give an incredibly lofty feel. The pattern book has 12 designs by Martin Storey, Lisa Richardson, Georgia Farrell and Chloe Thurlow. Gorgeous winter colourwork knits include a playful yoked sweater and bobble hat, a cardigan inspired by traditional Welsh blankets, a striped raglan sweater and a short-sleeved colourblocked cardigan. There’s a long scarf with a twill-like pattern worked in four colours, and the ‘Corduroy’ scarf knitted in moss stitch stripes. Wear-with-everything pieces include a classic stocking stitch jumper which can be knitted with a round or V neck, a plain yoked sweater, a cabled tank top and coordinating V-neck cardigan, and a gilet that has…

GARTHENOR ORGANIC Fallow Shade pictured Interval Skein weight/length 50g/170m Needle size 3-3.5mm (UK 11-10/US 3-4) Tension 20-24 sts to 10cm Fibre content 100% organic reclaimed wool Care Hand wash RRP £14 Contact www.garthenor.com This limited-edition yarn is spun at Garthenor’s west Wales mill from reclaimed organic wool fibres saved during the spinning process. There are three undyed options, including this elegant marl, and the breed blend varies by batch. Fallow is impressively soft with a wonderful handle, and will bring a rustic, appealing look to lightweight jumpers and shawls. COPENHAGEN FIBERS Natural Wool Shade pictured Saunagus (05) Ball weight/length 50g/91m Needle size 3.5-4mm (UK 9-8/US 4-6) Tension 22 sts and 29 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% wool Care Hand wash RRP £3.95 Contact www.hobbii.co.uk/pages/copenhagen-fibers This is a classic, versatile…

“THIS LITTLE neckwarmer is both theatrical and practical,” says designer Outi Kater. “It is knitted in the round from the top down using Shiladair’s plant-dyed Coara yarn from the Isle of Skye. The mock honeycomb stitch pattern in the main part of the cowl is followed by eight pointed ‘feathers’ knitted with stocking stitch and decreased using K2tog and SSK decreases. Chouette, which means ‘owl’ in French, also means ‘cool’, or ‘dandy’ in French slang.” COWL Using 3.5mm circular needles, cast on 136 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Rnds 1-3: P1, *K2, P2; rep from * to 3 sts before mrk, K2, P1. Rnd 4: P1, *insert RH needle from front between 6th and 7th sts on LH needle and…

“ALTHOUGH SHETLAND measures a mere 50 miles long and 20 miles wide, it has a vast coastline of nearly 1,700 miles due to the vast number of voes (bays), geos (gullies), inlets and headlands,” explains Alison Rendall. “The word hevda features in a few place names in Shetland, stemming from the Norse word for a high and steep promontory of land, as seen throughout Shetland’s landscape.” Alison’s design uses Shetland jumperweight wool, and she has provided colourways using the two most popular ranges from Jamieson & Smith and Jamieson’s of Shetland. HEADBAND Using 3mm DPNs and yarn A, cast on 152 sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. CORRUGATED RIBBING Rnd 1: *K2A, K2B; repeat from * to end of rnd. Rnds…

WHEN FRIENDS Helen James and Beth McCorrie were offered a bundle of rare-breed fleeces that was destined for landfill, they knew they couldn’t pass up the opportunity – and this decision was to become the starting point for a brand-new business. Both passionate crafters, Helen and Beth began to produce handknitting yarns from the fleeces they obtained – spun by Helen, and botanically dyed by Beth – for their new endeavour, Wild Woolers. Today, Wild Woolers has become a regular exhibitor at festivals. Much of Helen’s and Beth’s yarn is sourced from the Wildlife Trusts in Lancashire and Lincolnshire, and a portion of each sale supports the important conservation work carried out by the Trusts. Their handspun offerings include a beautiful blend of rare-breed Hebridean wool and alpaca, and single-breed…

THIS DESIGN comprises a yoked sweater for men, and a matching sweater and cardigan for children, all using the same Nordic-inspired stranded colourwork patterning. The projects are knitted in DROPS Merino Extra Fine, a superwash DK wool which comes in a wide choice of classic colours. PATTERN NOTES MEN’S & CHILD’S SWEATER The neck and yoke are worked in the round with circular needles, from mid back and top down. The yoke is divided for body and sleeves and the body is continued in the round. The sleeves are worked top-down in the round with DPNs. EVENLY SPACED INCREASES/DECREASES To work out how to increase/decrease evenly, count the total number of stitches on the needle (e.g. 120 stitches), and divide by the number of increases/decreases to be made (e.g. 20)…

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…

THIS PRETTY cardigan has a deep textured panel around the lower body, with patterned bands around the cuffs and along the raglans. The sleeves are knitted first, followed by the body, then the pieces are joined to work the upper body. The garment is knitted in Morris DK, a beautiful blend of British wools from West Yorkshire Spinners. It comes in 20 shades inspired by the work of Arts & Crafts pioneer William Morris. SLEEVES (both alike) Using 3.25mm DPNs and the long-tail method, cast on 51 (51:53:53:55:55) sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Rnd 1: Knit. Rnd 2: Purl. Rnds 3 and 4: As rnds 1 and 2. Change to 4mm needles. Rnd 5: K1 (1:2:2:3:3), *K4, (K1, yo, K1)…

THIS COLOURFUL hot water bottle cover, designed by Mary Henderson, is knitted in a soft, practical superwash wool from Yarnsmiths, which comes in an amazing choice of 120 shades. “The inspiration for this design came from my garden, looking at the flowers and translating these into traditional small Fair Isle motifs,” explains Mary. “The colour play alternates the background and motif colours, giving the four colours a vibrancy. Yarnsmiths Merino DK is a lovely soft yarn, so this hot water bottle can be snuggled in bed or on the sofa watching a really scary film…” This cosy is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a garter stitch eyelet button flap and button band worked separately in rows, then joined to work in the round. HOT WATER BOTTLE COSY BUTTON…

THIS PONCHO is guaranteed to bring both warmth and glamour to your outfit! Lisa Richardson’s design has long ribbed cuffs for extra practicality and cosiness. The garment is knitted top down in the round, and the colourwork is created using a slip stitch pattern in two shades of grey. It uses Rowan’s new yarn, Alpaca Sparkle, which is spun with a metallic thread and tiny sequins that catch the light. PATTERN NOTE All slipped stitches should be worked with the yarn held at the back (WS) of the work. PONCHO (worked from neckband downwards) Using 6mm circular needles, 40cm long (or DPNs if preferred), and yarn A, cast on 64 (68:72:76:80) sts. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Rnd 1 (RS): *K1, P1; rep…

A SHETLANDER born and bred, Alison Rendall has been knitting since she was very young, and she has shared a lifetime of knitting experience in her new book, Fair Isle Knitting Tradition (Landauer Publishing), which is a fascinating guide to the knitting heritage of the Shetland Isles. Alongside a beautiful collection of stranded colourwork designs, Alison’s book explores the history of Fair Isle knitting and its traditional motifs, and offers expert advice and technique walkthroughs. The book is delightfully sprinkled with Shetland dialect words, giving it a real sense of place - as do the stunning images of Shetland landscapes and photos from Alison’s family album. The 14 knitting patterns in the book include accessories that will be perfect for Fair Isle novices, such a phone case, a pair of…

TUPPING HAS begun here, and the Ballachly white sheeps are busy making our next season’s lambs. It’s hot and heavy in that field! Think nightclub, 3am, “Hello my darling!”, a quick knee trembler round the corner, and then it’s over. There’s nothing romantic about it. Boy sheep chases girl sheep cos she smells nice, he maybe gives her a wee nibble or a jostle, and if she is fertile, bish bang bosh. And that’s it. Tupping is frankly hilarious. Back to my Castlemilk Moorits, which I began talking to you about last month. They are being excused the indignity of breeding this year. Three reasons: first, I think the mature ewes need a break. They have bred three years on the trot, and some are looking tired. I think many…