CONTENTS
16
IVE LUS EXC TOY
MARCH 2016
53
13
24
58 84
65
R OC VE JECT PRO
Who cares?
...WE DO! At Let’s Knit we understand that nothing is more annoying than errors in knitting patterns. As part of our total commitment to ensuring that your experience of our magazine is as enjoyable as possible, we’re proud to offer
THE LET’S KNIT PATTERN PROMISE:
l Exclusive patterns featured in Let’s Knit have been professionally checked and reproduced with the utmost care. Updates can be found at www.letsknit.co.uk l Should you encounter any problems we are more than happy to provide support and assistance. Contact us and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. By email: support@letsknit.co.uk By telephone: 01206 508622 (office hours only) By post: at the address on page 95(please mark your envelope ‘Support’) (Please note we cannot offer assistance with patterns not published in Let’s Knit)
OUR NG N I JO ITALO KN
44
PATTERNS
13 VINTAGE-STYLE CARDIGAN Knit a wardrobe staple with Pat Menchini’s yoke cardi 16 FRED THE ORANGUTAN Val Pierce’s friendly ape 21 LOVELY LEAVES Have fun with Fair Isle with Kelly Menzies’ cowl
21
24 FLATTERING V-NECK TOP Look great whatever your shape in Penny Hill’s cotton classic 33 CANDY SWIRL Knit Jane Burns’ socks in a gorgeous shade of Cascade 37 STRAWBERRIES & CREAM Work horizontal herringbone stitch in Emma Wright’s ladylike design 41 ESSENTIAL RAGLAN JUMPER Knit part three of our wardrobe essentials series, a timeless sweater 44 LITTLE BIRDS Part 3 of our knitalong blanket 53 GREEN LIVING Knit a cactus and cabled picture
56 BOXED UP Jazz up everyday storage boxes with exciting swirl designs 58 FLOWER PATCH Use an easy mistake-rib pattern in Lynne Rowe’s colourful teacosy 59 BUTTERSCOTCH DREAMS Helen Ardley uses a simple slip stitch pattern to create classic homewares 68 BURROW BUDDIES Jane Burns’ quirky version of traditional Easter makes 68 SIMPLE STRIPES Try a striped jumper or cardigan with Martin Storey’s design 72 VINTAGE-STYLE TEA COSY Learn to knit a cosy kitchen accessory with our step by step tutorial 76 TIME FOR TEA Complete your vintage set with an easy mug cosy and coaster 84 HEAVEN SCENT Bring the scents of spring into your home with knitted wardrobe sachets 90 PICTURE PERFECT Crochet bright frames for your home by Lucinda Ganderton
04 www.letsknit.co.uk
Contents 103.indd 1
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90
41
68
R ATE E SW YS L A NTI O WA E S ES TW
This month’s
72&76
FREE
GIFT! 37
OVER £1000 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN ON P79!
33
FOR S ONE INNER BEG
KNIT 20 TOYS + DECS WITH YOUR FREE YARN KIT AND BONUS PATTERNS!
SHOPPING
36 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL Explore all things spring with our crafty shopping finds 45 COTTON ON Burst into spring with eight of the coolest cotton blend yarns 67 CITRUS CENTRAL Explore zesty citrus shades of yellow and green for spring 81 WHAT’S IN STORE Get the hot gossip from our favourite shops around the UK
FOCUS
10 LOOK WHAT’S NEW FOR YOU Catch up with the latest news and gossip from the knitting universe 29 NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Find out what’s hot on the knitting scene for spring and summer 2016 62 ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL The excitement for YSD 2016 has begun. Find out why we love yarn shops!
59
PEOPLE
50 STOP AND SHARE Catch up with the LK community 98 LAST WORD We chat with Trixie Von Purl, author of Pride & Preju-Knits
JUST FOR YOU! 5 BALLS OF FREE YARN See what you can make on p7 l WIN! Spa day for two, show tickets, jewellery & more on p79 l
FREE GIFT When you subscribe today. Find out more on p82!
l
IN EVERY ISSUE..
56
3 Welcome 7 This Month’s Free Gift 8 March Is The Month 49 Coming Next Month 52 Tea Break 79 Giveaways 80 Bookshelf 82 Subscriptions 71 Can We Help? 92 Practical Guides 94 Step By Step
10 05
Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk
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LEARN A NEW STITCH
Knit a pretty
VINTAGE-INSPIRED CARDIGAN EXCLUSIVE TO
W
hen it comes to spring style, you can’t go wrong with loose fit three quarter length sleeves and a waistskimming body shape; you’ll be exuding ladylike elegance in no time! The body and sleeves are worked in an interesting drop-stitch pattern and the cotton yarn used is blended with acrylic for extra softness and figure-friendly drape, making the honeycomb texture even more inviting.
Start knitting here... (For yarn and other materials see page 14)
BACK Using 5mm needles, cast on 77 (85, 93, 101, 109) sts Work border patt as folls: £ Row 1 (RS): p1, (sl1 wyif, p1) to end £ Row 2: p £ Row 3: p2, (sl1 wyif, p1) to last st, p1 £ Row 4: p £ Row 5: as Row 1 £ Row 6: p Change to 4.5mm needles and work in patt as folls: £ Rows 1-4: beg with a k row for RS work four rows in st st £ Row 5: k4, (HY, k3) to last st, k1 £ Rows 6-10: beg with a p row work five rows in st st £ Row 11: k2, (HY, k3) to last three sts, HY, k2 £ Row 12: p These 12 rows form patt ** £ Cont in patt until work meas approx 25cm from beg, meas through centre of work ending after a Row 6 or 12 for first and fifth sizes, Row 2 or 8 for second size and Row 4 or 10 for third and fourth sizes ***
Shape raglan NOTE: when working the shaping, when a HY stitch would occur on edge sts, work it in st st instead £ Rows 1-2: cast off 2 (2, 3, 2, 4) sts, work to end
First and second sizes only £ Row 3: k1, k2tog tbl, work in patt to last three sts, k2tog, k1 £ Row 4: k1, p to last st, k1 £ Row 5: work in patt without shaping £ Row 6: as Row 4
First size only £ Rep rows 3-6 twice more
Fourth and fifth sizes only £ Row 3: k1, k2tog tbl, work in patt to last three sts, k2tog, k1 £ Row 4: k1, p2tog, p to last three sts, p2tog tbl, k1 £ Rep Rows 3-4 twice more
All sizes Work on rem 67 (79, 87, 85, 89) sts as folls: £ Next row: k1, k2tog tbl, work in patt to last three sts, k2tog, k1 £ Next row: k1, p to last st, k1 £ Rep last two rows until 45 (45, 45, 49, 49) sts rem, ending after a HY row £ Cut yarn and slip sts onto holder
SLEEVES Using 5mm needles cast on 61 (65, 69, 77, 81) sts £ Work as for Back to *** but making length approx 28cm
13 www.letsknit.co.uk
Spring blues.indd 2
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TOP TRENDS FOR 2016
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
W
Take a peek at what’s hot for the coming season
e can’t wait for bright spring sunshine and warmer weather! As the days get longer, spinners and designers are one by one releasing their new season collections and it’s almost impossible for us to resist picking up our needles and knitting something brand spanking new. But you don’t have to be sitting in the front row at London Fashion Week to be up-to-date with style trends. Just take a look at our roundup of what the yarn world has to offer this season and what you’ll be knitting in the coming months. Let the WIP list grow!
COOL COTTON
Stylecraft Sundae DK and pattern 9242, www.stylecraft-yarns. co.uk for stockists
This season is all about the cotton blends and we can’t get enough of them. New releases from Sirdar, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, King Cole, Rico and Stylecraft have burst onto the scene with everything from metallic hints to multi-tonal delights and super silky smooth fibres you won’t be able to stop touching. Explore more cotton blend yarns on page 45.
Summerlite 4ply, www.knitrowan.com for stockists Sirdar Amalfi DK, www.sirdar.co.uk for stockists
Cotton Denim DK, www.designeryarns. uk.com for stockists
King Cole Vogue, www.kingcole.com for stockists Rico Fashion Flow, www.ricodesign.de for stockists
29 www.letsknit.co.uk
New kids on the block (f).indd 3
05/02/2016 16:41
COLOURFUL TEXTURED SOCKS
Candy Swirl
EXCLUSIVE TO
Jane Burns’ socks are a bright and cheerful start to spring
H
andknitted socks are fun to knit, comfy to wear and mean you can bring a splash of colour to any outfit. This vibrant pair features an entwined pattern of twisted stitches that runs down the front and back of the leg. There is a chart to show you how to do it. As these socks are knitted in the round, remember to read all chart rows from right to left.
meet our DESIGNER
Use just one skein!
“These socks are fantastic for using up those highly variegated sock yarns, the ones you just can’t resist, but when you get them home you are never quite sure what to do with them.” JANE BURNS
33 www.letsknit.co.uk
TEXTURED JUMPER
T
ry your hand at a beautifully textured stitch and create a classic garment that will look stylish and fresh season after season. The baby alpaca blend yarn used gives great stitch definition, making it perfect for the pattern. The ribbed sleeves are flattering and pair with subtle body shaping to enhance the female figure and complement your shape.
Strawberries & Cream Emma Wright’s design is fashionable and fun
Start knitting here...
For yarn and other materials see p38
EXCLUSIVE TO
BACK Using 4.5mm needles, cast on 94 (98, 102, 110, 114) sts £ Row 1 (RS): * k2, p2, rep from * to last two sts, k2 £ Row 2: * p2, k2, rep from * to last two sts, p2 Rows 1-2 set rib Cont in rib until work meas 4cm from cast-on edge £ Next row (RS, inc): k2 (7, 5, 0, 9), [k3 (2, 2, 3, 2), m1, k2, m1] 18 (21, 23, 22, 24) times, k2 (7, 5, 0, 9). 130 (140, 148, 154, 162) sts £ Next row: * p2tog, then p first st again slipping both sts off needle tog, rep from * to end Cont in horizontal herringbone stitch as folls: £ Row 1 (RS): k1, * sl 1, k1, psso but instead of dropping slipped st from LH needle k into back of it, rep from * to last st, k1 £ Row 2: * p2tog, then p first st again slipping both sts off needle tog, rep from * to end Rows 1-2 set patt £ Cont in patt until work meas 35.5 (36, 37, 37.5, 38) cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row
Shape armhole
Necklace from a selection at H&M, jeans £19.99 TK Maxx
Keeping horizontal herringbone patt correct dec for armhole as folls: NOTE: see Knitwise (overleaf) for cast-off method
meet our DESIGNER “Horizontal Herringbone is one of my favourite stitch patterns, I love the idea that something so traditional can also be so modern.” EMMA WRIGHT
37 www.letsknit.co.uk
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e ls b o ia r d nt r a W sse
E
COLLECT THE SERIES
Part 3:
THE RAGLAN JUMPER
You’ll love Penny Hill’s timeless neat-fitting sweater
L
ook in your wardrobe and we bet you’ve got at least one jumper with raglan sleeves. Sloping decreases from armhole to neck produce a flattering effect on the shoulders and ensure a good fit. Our examples have been knitted in a smooth bamboo mix and a mohair and silk blend, but this design will look great in any 4ply yarn. The smooth version of the pattern has optional cable detailing for added interest.
EXCLUSIVE TO
l Sizes 8 – 28 l Standard tension l Suits all shapes l Cut out and keep!
41 www.letsknit.co.uk
Raglan jumper.indd 2
05/02/2016 16:29
Cotton On Welcome spring with fresh cotton blend yarns
W
hen it comes to spring and summer knits, cotton yarns are a go-to choice, but with fantastic blend yarns on the market, why not choose something a little different for your next project? Cotton is a long-standing favourite for
superb stitch definition and crochet-friendly workability, and when paired with complementary fibres it gets even better. We’ve selected eight of our favourite cotton blends to bring you the best that this fibre has to offer.
wool blend quality
light and s oft
superb
warm yet crisp
baby
nittin
k
g favourite
al -n a
nt fibres a l p l tura
45 www.letsknit.co.uk
Yarn Shopping.indd 2
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HOMEKNITS SPECIAL
Green Living
Add a knitty touch to your home with Lucinda Ganderton’s crafty twosome
I
f you’re anything like us, you love filling your abode with woolly goodness and here are two easy ways to do just that. This fun and frivolous cactus is super simple to knit and you don’t have to worry about soil spillages or watering. The picture is knitted in gorgeous British wool and the motif is inspired by traditional Celtic cables which can be found on many classic jumper patterns.
Knit the set for under £10
meet our DESIGNER “You can adapt the panel to fit other frames by reducing number of repeats or changing the amount of moss stitches at each side.” LUCINDA GANDERTON
53 www.letsknit.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE TO
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL!
Y
Come together to help us support and celebrate your local stores
arn Shop Day is the biggest event on the LK calendar and with the 30th April just a few week’s away, we’re here to remind you what a special resource bricks and mortar stores are. It’s no secret that the British high street is struggling, so we need your help to make sure our yarn shops don’t get forgotten. They have so much to offer knitters, whether you’ve been at it for years or are picking up the needles for the first time. We shed the light on some common myths and show you why we’re so passionate about our Love Your Yarn Shop campaign.
Meet & Make
Yarn shops not only give you the chance to replenish your stash, but many also run knitting groups and classes. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get together with like-minded crafters and pick up a few tricks of the trade while you’re at it. Some shops even welcome top name designers so you can learn from the best in the biz. Droitwich-based store Emms & Sew Much More runs workshops for knitting and stitching. “Our workshops have been so popular and we have all sorts of different ages and abilities,” says owner Sam. “It’s great for people to come along, learn something new and just have a laugh with other crafters.” Call 01905 778381 or visit www.iloveemms.co.uk
Nothing beats squishing a plump ball of yarn and how else can you tell what it’ll be like to wear? You’re much more likely to try a new variety if you can feel it. You never know, your new favourite yarn might be sitting on those shelves waiting for you to come and give it a stroke.
FACT
Rowan designer Jem Weston at Emm’s & Sew Much More
MYTH
FACT
Only touch can tell
The staff know their stuff
People who work in yarn shops do more than operate the till. They not only know their products inside out, but will know what yarns are best for what you need. Ask them for advice, pick their brains, that’s what they’re there for!
There’s more choice online
Maybe. But remember, every yarn in a bricks and mortar store has been specifically chosen for you by experienced knitters. They’re not just offering a catalogue, they are using their knowledge of brands and fibres to provide you with a quality yarn that’s perfectly suited to your project.
62 www.letsknit.co.uk
FUN EASTER MAKES
Burrow Buddies Jane Burns’ unique design will be an Easter favourite
E
veryone needs an Easter bunny egg family in their home! Combine the traditional themes with a fun take on the Easter bunny. They are knitted in a merino yarn so they’re a treat to make and the pattern is suitable for beginners. You could even use these little characters for your annual egg hunt. They’re sugar-free and easy to find!
EXCLUSIVE TO
meet our DESIGNER “Each bunny is knitted in random stripe patterns. This is a great way to use up your stash. Simply work stripes of each colour for the ears and body for a truly unique family.” JANE BURNS
65 www.letsknit.co.uk