AMAZING KNITS FOR LESS
TOP MAKES FOR UNDER A FIVER
ISSUE 114 Jan 2017
TWO-WAY OMBRE COWL
199
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
New Year Ideas
ISSUE 114 JAN 2017
for every knitter Y PATTERNS, TIPS & INSPIRATION Y HAT AND SCARF SET Y CUTE DOLL’S OUTFIT BRAND NEW!
KNITALONG BLANKET! JOIN IN THE FUN
12 QUICK STASHBUSTERS
READ THIS!
£5.99
Exclusive Val Pierce Pattern
e p a c y s a E ! g n i p a h s no
CALL THE MIDWIFE
MAKE CRAIG THE PUFFIN KNIT THESE IN FRONT OF THE TELLY
DISCOVER THE KNITTING SECRETS OF THIS TOP SHOW
DISCOVER HYGGE THE RELAXING TREND THAT’S PERFECT FOR KNITTERS
BAG A BARGAIN OUR PICK OF THE BEST YARNS FOR UNDER £3
CUTE CROCHET MAKE A TOADSTOOL BABY HAT AND RATTLE
LOVE YOUR This month's free gifts
KNIT OUR PARTY MICE FREE YARN KIT? TRIO WITH YOUR
Receive Two Kits!
You can order a bumper pack that includes 170g of yarn, for only £7.99*
free yarn kit! Six balls of DK yarn inside!
– best for gifts! Make&Share
Knitted up one of our great free gifts? Show us what you’ve made on Facebook and Twitter, or email adrienne.chandler@aceville.co.uk
TO ORDER, SIMPLY CALL 0800 923 3007 or visit letsknit.co.uk/ partymice
You've been loving our fab toys, including Frosty the Polar Bear & Santa! LK Reader DIANE DEL COCKEL
*T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
Cute and easy toy pattern in your bonus leaflet!
LK Reader JO VINCE
COMING NEXT ISSUE LK Reader GURBACHAN JOHAL
Check out all the fantastic yarn bundles available now at The Craft Store
www.craft storeuk.com
LK Reader NICKY BROOKS
OUR BIGGEST FREE KIT EVER! FOUR BALLS OF GORGEOUS LACE YARN
LK Reader KITTY LEE
07 www.letsknit.co.uk
This Month’s Free Gift 114.indd 1
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FUNCTIONAL FASHION
Be colourful and stylish in our
EXCLUSIVE TO
Ombrè Cowl
H
ere in the UK we’ve come to expect chilly days to continue well into January, so keep your spirits up by fashioning a gorgeous cowl to fight off the cold! This cosy number is simple to make, and features four interesting stitch patterns alongside a beautiful colour effect that’s sure to draw compliments. Pair with a warm coat and dark jeans for a simple, puttogether look.
PERFECT TV KNIT! 13 www.letsknit.co.uk
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EXCLUSIVE TO
MAKE CRAIG FOR UNDER A FIVER!
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EASY FOUR-ROW PATTERN
Bustyour stashwithour ZIGZAG HAT & SCARF
EXCLUSIVE TO
M
ake a statement with Jacinta Bowie’s bold chevron design. It looks really impressive but the stitch pattern is actually pretty simple to work. You pair two yarn forward increases with a double decrease, which means your stitch count stays constant but you get a fabulous pattern. We’ve gone for rich, earthy tones but you could use any colours you like!
COLOURFUL AND COSY!
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QUICK-KNIT MITTS
Lend a
Measurements & Sizes Plain mitts: 20cm circumference (excl. thumb gusset) x 27cm long
HAND
Knit Kit Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend 4ply, shades (A) 49 Clerical, 20g, (B) 903 Lavender, (C) 771 Kingfisher, (D) 1534 Violet, one 50g ball of each Needles: 2.5mm, 2.75mm, both double-pointed, sets of four Waste yarn Tapestry needle Stitch markers: two
Tension Square l 30 sts x 40 rows l 10cm x 10cm
l stocking stitch
l 2.75mm needles
Special Abbreviations Sewn cast-off: thread yarn tail through tapestry needle, * insert tapestry needle through first two sts pwise, pull tight, insert tapestry needle into first st kwise, pull tight, drop first st off knitting needle, rep from * until one st remains, fasten off last st
For abbreviations see page 94
Bust your 4ply stash with Jane Burns’ fingerless mittens
I
f you’re anything like us, you’ve got oddments and stray balls of yarn coming out of your ears. Well, this project is just perfect for using up those 4ply leftovers. The colour-block design is simple and stylish, and they’ve got a ribbed cuff around the fingers to make them snug and cosy.
Start knitting here… MITTENS (make two) Using 2.75mm dpns and yarn A, cast on 60 sts, distribute over three needles, join in the rnd taking care not to twist sts, pm for beg of rnd £ Rnd 1: * k2 tbl, p2, rep from * to end
“These mitts have been knitted in the round on double-pointed needles to make them seam-free and super comfy”
meet our DESIGNER “These mittens are great for using up 4ply yarn stash and leftovers. Why not try adding some self-patterning sock yarn?” JANE BURNS
EXCLUSIVE TO
LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
About the Yarn King Cole Merino Blend 4ply is a pure wool yarn that’s machine washable. It knits to a standard tension and is great for socks, shawls and accessories. It costs £3.05 per 50g (180m) ball from 0845 003 0775, www.wool4less.co.uk
Need an Alternative? See what 4ply yarn is in your stash!
knitwise
Coat, £49.99, jumper, £19.99, both H&M
If you’re going to use leftover yarn from your stash, here are the exact quantities you’ll need for each colour: Yarn A: 20g Yarn B: 15g Yarn C: 20g Yarn D: 10g
32 www.letsknit.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE TO
GORGEOUS MULTIWAY KNIT
Stay stylish with Jo Allport’s
TWO-WAY SHRUG
L
ace at the top or lace at the bottom, which way will you wear yours? We love both looks! This shrug is perfect for those of you who have made lace knitting your New Year’s resolution. It’s got all the essential techniques and no shaping to worry about. In fact, the whole garment is just a rectangle with sleeve borders. Now that’s what we call simply stylish!
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COMING UP IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF OUR BIGGEST FREE YARN KIT EVER!
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES WITH OUR BRILLIANT KNITS!
Two bright and beautiful colours inside!
KNIT A SPRING SHAWL AND MORE WITH YOUR FREE LACE YARN KIT! MAKE THIS GORGEOUS SHAWLETTE!
PLUS... Flattering drapey cardi
Simple flowe r wreath
EASY-TO-KNIT ACCESSORIES WITH YOUR FREE GIFT!
Projects subject to change
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
CNM 114.indd 53
l Part two of our Country Cottage knitalong! l Easy doorstop l Topsy-turvy Cinderella doll l Knitted guinea pigs
Knits for kids
asy toys! Fun and e
ON SALE THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY
49 Download hundreds of free knitting and crochet patterns today! www.letsknit.co.uk 09/12/2016 11:53
STYLISH CABLES
EXCLUSIVE TO
Stay on trend in Jacinta Bowie’s
EASY-WEAR CAPE Y
ou won’t have missed the gorgeous grey hues that are all over the high street, but this cape also taps into the trend for easyto-wear fashion. It’s made up of simple knitted rectangles that come together to form a drapey and elegant garment – take a look at the schematic on page 56 to see how it’s all put together. The cable border is a lovely feature and also adds a nice weight to the front edge to help make it flattering and fabulous.
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THREE-PIECE SET EXCLUSIVE TO
Stash ‘n’ Store Organise your living space with Nicola Valiji’s cunningly practical set
Y
ou know what they say about a tidy home equalling a tidy mind, well this trio is just what you need to get you sorted for the new year. There’s a rather nifty sofa tidy that’s perfect for stashing your remote controls, while the door hanger is ideal for keys. Pop yarn from your current WIP in our chunkyknit bowl, or you could use it for fruit if you’ve made one of those healthy-eating new year’s resolutions.
SPEEDY KNITS FOR HOME!
meet our DESIGNER “These home organisers can be knitted in different colourways to match your home décor. Use the yarn held double for the basket to make it more sturdy.” NICOLA VALIJI
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REAL-LIFE STORIES
Hot for
Hygge
Adrienne Chandler explores the Danish trend that everyone’s talking about!
W
hen you last headed to the newsstand to pick up your favourite knitting mag, you might have spotted the word ‘hygge’ printed in bold letters across a range of home and lifestyle titles. No, it’s not a typo, it’s actually a traditional Danish way of living that has become a hugely popular trend here in the UK – and it’s absolutely perfect for knitters! Read on to find out why.
Language school
Hygge is pronounced hoo-ga and is used as a noun. You can also describe something as hyggelig, pronounced hoo-ge-ly.
Knitting Without Needles by Anne Weil, published by Potter Craft (£14.99, available from www.thegmcgroup.com)
Why we love it?
What is hygge?
As knitters, cosiness and comfort are our thing. It’s what we do best. We can make blankets, cushions, jumpers, socks, shawls, slippers, hottie covers, teacosies and more, all of which are just the thing for creating a hyggelig living space. That’s why winter is quite possibly our favourite season – it gives us a chance to use our chunkiest needles and warmest yarn to make hibernation-friendly projects to wear and for the home. But as we’ve said above, hygge isn’t just about objects. In its simplest form, knitting is the skill of using sticks to turn string into something beautiful, practical or both, and that is a joy in itself. That is why, when we’re stressed or feeling low, we reach for our craft bag. We love the process as much as the end product. Knitting soothes our mind and soul and is the perfect hobby for hygge.
If you were to make a literal translation of hygge, the closest you would get is probably ‘cosiness’, but that doesn’t quite capture the wider lifestyle choices that are associated with the word. Imagine the dark days and long nights of winter in Denmark. It’s a time for retreating indoors with a big blanket, glowing candles and an open fire. For keeping your friends and family close and finding comfort in the people and things you love. For cooking warming meals for everyone to enjoy and getting as much satisfaction from the preparation and process as you do in the eating. It’s about taking a step back and celebrating life’s simple pleasures. That’s hygge.
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QUICK & EASY MAKES
Snug Winter T Warmers Cosy up with Siân Brown’s colourful hot water bottle covers!
his homely duo are the perfect addition to an evening spent with a cup of tea, working on your latest WIP! Available in two attractive designs, these moss stitched and striped projects are certain to add interest to your home décor, simply add a chunky blanket or throw to beat winter chills entirely. The stitch patterns for both are simple to master, and they feature an easy drawstring fastening.
EXCLUSIVE TO
KNIT THEM IN A WEEKEND!
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Cosy yarns for under ÂŁ3 Get ready for the new year with these fabulously huggable and affordable yarns!
T
here are so many snug yarns on the market at the moment, ranging from bouncy acrylics to sophisticated mohair blends! And the best part? There are plenty within your budget, as all the lovely yarns on these pages can be bought for under ÂŁ3 a ball! Which will you pick for your new year knit?
Easy to knit Soft blends
Incredibly versatile
Great for toys
Big and beautiful 71 www.letsknit.co.uk
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EASY CROCHET BABY DESIGN
Into the Woods
EXCLUSIVE TO
Your little pixie will love Liz Ward’s crochet hat and rattle set
D
oesn’t baby Jack look adorable? This toadstool rattle and beanie are both easy to make, as they use a half treble stitch pattern and simple shaping. Make sure your rattle insert is well padded so it’s still soft to play with. We’d love to see photos of your little ones wearing this cute hat. You can find our contact details on page 51.
meet our DESIGNER
“To make the rattle, I used the plastic case from inside a chocolate egg, such as a Kinder egg, and filled it with small buttons. I then glued it securely closed.” LIZ WARD
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