DINOSAUR HOODY FOR BEGINNERS!
ALL THE STEPS FROM START TO FINISH ISSUE 115 Feb 2017
KNIT THIS IN A WEEKEND
29 Patterns
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
Quickto-knit
Y SPRING TOP Y LION SLIPPERS Y FAUX-CABLE BAG
EASY STYLE!
Ages 12 mths to 5 years
NO.1 FOR TOYS
READ THIS!
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED THIS, YOU SHOULD!
TOPSY-TURVY CINDERELLA DOLL ISSUE 115 FEB 2017
£5.99
10 ESSENTIAL YARNS FOR 2017
SHAWL THING A ROUND-UP OF THE BEST CURRENT PATTERNS
AMAZING ALPACA DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE FIBRE OF THE GODS
COUNTRY STYLE JOIN OUR BLANKET KNITALONG TODAY!
LOVE YOUR This month's free gifts
FREE YARN KIT? Get Two Kits!
You can order a bumper pack that includes 160g of yarn, for only £12.99*
TO ORDER, SIMPLY CALL 0800 923 3007 or visit letsknit.co.uk/ thelacecollection
KNIT A SHAWL WITH OUR BIGGEST EVER
free yarn kit! 80g of lace yarn inside!
– best for gifts! Make Anniken Allis's pretty lace shawlette with your free yarn!
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
Missed out on some of our fab toy kits?
Download these patterns for FREE at
www.letsknit.co.uk
Snuggle Buddies
*T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
PLUS MORE FREE LACE PATTERNS! Check out all the fantastic yarn bundles available now at The Craft Store
www.craft storeuk.com
Princess & Dragon Woodland Gang
7 extra makes in your bonus pattern booklet!
Farmyard Friends
07 www.letsknit.co.uk
This Month’s Free Gift 115.indd 1
06/01/2017 16:51
EASY-WEAR CAPE
Cosy up with Pat Menchini’s
CABLED CAPE
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tay snug this winter with our ingenious cape with sleeves! It’s a great example of the easy-to-wear cover ups that are really popular at the moment, and the alpaca-blend yarn makes it a super cosy knit. The stitch pattern is made up of traditional cables and twisted stitches, see our Special abbreviations on page 14 for how to do these.
13 www.letsknit.co.uk
SWEET EYELET SCARF EXCLUSIVE TO
Rose Garden
USES JUST TWO BALLS!
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Accessorise with Charmaine Fletcher’s pretty scarf
righten up a grey day with a fabulous splash of pink! We love to jazz up our winter outfits with a bold knit and adore the pretty eyelet pattern in Charmaine’s design. It’s nice to try a different look and this scarf comes with a knitted holder to give it a stylish twist. There’s even a pretty rose embellishment to finish it off. Gorgeous!
19 www.letsknit.co.uk
Rose garden.indd 2
06/01/2017 14:16
#LKCOUNTRYCOTTAGE
Country Cottage Part 2
Knit two more squares for your fab blanket!
EXCLUSIVE TO
Country Cottage Knitalong!
meet our DESIGNER “The Bud Fair Isle square is a delicate colourwork pattern with rows of flower motifs that are worked using the stranded technique. The eyelet flower uses basic lace stitches to make a pretty pattern.” SIÂN BROWN
31 www.letsknit.co.uk
Cottage knitalong part 2.indd 2
06/01/2017 14:11
EASY-KNIT FLOWERS
Spring Fling Knit Lucinda Ganderton’s blooming marvellous springtime dec!
T
his project is full of the joys of the new season and features four pretty blooms, plus leaves! Pay attention to which increase you are using as each design uses a different technique. We’ve used the finished flowers to adorn a wicker wreath, but you could add them to cushions, scarves or bags, or even add a brooch back to make pretty corsages.
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meet our DESIGNER “I used Rowan Handknit Cotton, which comes in fresh spring-like shades, but this would also make a good stashbusting project using any oddments of DK weight yarn.” LUCINDA GANDERTON
39 www.letsknit.co.uk
COSY HOMEWARES
Farmyard Cottage Add country flair to your living room with Siân Brown’s doorstop!
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his cosy make is ideal for adding a little charm to a room in a subtle, warming manner. It’s certain to put a smile on the face of visitors and it’ll complement your home in all seasons. This knit’s delicate intarsia is great for honing your colourwork techniques as the pattern is quick and simple to follow. It’s worked flat before joining at the end, so make sure to focus on keeping your tension consistent so it’s easier to join together.
43 www.letsknit.co.uk
STYLISH KNITTED TOTE
Sundae Swirls P
We love Helen Ardley’s mock cable bag!
ack up your troubles in your new knit bag with this stylish make from Helen Ardley. The stitch pattern looks like it’s made up of cables but there’s not a cable needle in sight. It’s actually an easy wrap stitch pattern – see our Special abbreviations panel (overleaf) for how to do it. This bag is the perfect size for carrying around your latest WIP and is even big enough for your favourite mag!
EXCLUSIVE TO
meet our DESIGNER “This bag has the look of cables but you are actually wrapping groups of stitches to create the pattern.” HELEN ARDLEY
47 www.letsknit.co.uk
Sundae swirls.indd 2
06/01/2017 14:20
COMING UP IN THE MARCH ISSUE OF FREE PLAYFUL PUPS YARN KIT
SAY HELLO TO SPRING WITH OUR FAB DESIGN COLLECTION!
FIVE COLOURS INSIDE!
KNIT ALL THREE OF OUR SUPER CUTE POOCHES WITH JUST ONE KIT!
Baby makes sp ecial
Make their toys too!
Layering garments
Projects subject to change
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
CNM 115.indd 53
l Part 3 of our Country Cottage knitalong! l Fairy castle cushion l Quick & easy accessories l New season yarns
Great gift ideas
! Knit our sloth
ON SALE THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY
49 Download hundreds of free knitting and crochet patterns today! www.letsknit.co.uk 06/01/2017 14:08
SIZES 12 MTHS TO 5 YEARS!
Cottontail Cute
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Children will be jumping for joy in Jacinta Bowie’s delightful jumper!
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ith chocolate eggs and bouncing rabbits on the horizon, now’s the time to knit this cute Easter-inspired make! Its snuggly hood and floppy ears work to make this knit incredibly charming and adorable. The fluffy yarn gives this beautiful project a super-soft finishing texture which will be loved by little ones. Just be sure to count your stitches carefully.
53 www.letsknit.co.uk
EASY KID MAKES
Animal Magic
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Jane Burns’ lion footwear is best worn with attitude!
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et your child’s imagination run wild with these gorgeous jungle makes! Toddlers will love wearing them around the house as not only are they completely adorable, but they’re also incredibly comfy. They’re easy to make with only a little simple shaping and they have a lot of stretch, so they will fit little ones for a very long time.
57 www.letsknit.co.uk
Rory slippers.indd 2
06/01/2017 14:15
FUN AND QUIRKY PLAYMATE
Donald the
CACTUS
Say hola to Val Pierce’s cool cactus, complete with crocheted sombrero!
meet our DESIGNER “I wanted to give my cuddly cactus a bit of character, so I added a friendly face and a colourful hat.” LK DESIGNER VAL PIERCE
61 www.letsknit.co.uk
Donald the cactus.indd 1
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Amazing Alpaca With winter nearing its end, invest in this fabulously warm but lightweight fibre!
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lpaca blends are a fab choice for sensitive knitters, not only is 100% alpaca completely hypo-allergenic, but it’s also fire resistant – important if you’re clever enough to cook and knit at once!
Great bargain
So luxurious
Incredibly soft
Great for toys
Fab chunky knits
65 www.letsknit.co.uk
Yarn Shopping115.indd 2
06/01/2017 15:46
SUIT YOUR SHAPE
KNIT TO FIT
Say goodbye to too-tight cardis and saggy sweaters with our handy guide
Peridot from Rowan Truesilk Collection
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e all want to look and feel good in our clothes, especially if we’ve spent hours making them. One of the great things about being a knitter is that we’re not restricted by high street size brackets and predetermined guides to body shapes. Knitting patterns are easily adaptable and can be tweaked and adjusted to accentuate our assets. We show you a few tips and tricks to create flattering projects that fit and look fabulous!
Love your body shape
The wrong kind of fruit?
Women have long been compared to apples and pears, and while it’s good that different shapes are being considered in the fashion industry, let’s face it, how many of us actually neatly fit into those categories? Here at LK, we prefer to think of women as more like smoothies – a delicious blend of different fruits – and that’s how we like it!
A quick glance in the mirror will show whether you’re small waisted, broad shouldered, full busted, narrow hipped or a gorgeous mixture of them all. Now, look in the mirror again and start to pick out a few of your assets and use these to help direct your style choices. Necklines are an easy place to start – larger busted ladies look fabulous in ‘v’ neck designs and they’ll elongate your body. More petite figures might prefer a higher neckline, like a round or boatneck. Curvy figures often suit shorter length cardigans and jumpers; you could even go for a cropped length if you’re feeling adventurous. Shape is important, but confidence is too, and we want you to be happy and comfortable in your handmade knits. So if you’d prefer a design that skims over your mid-section, then go for it. Our knitting hobby puts us at a distinct advantage over high street shoppers. We can make our own clothes and make them fit exactly how and where we want them to. When it comes to getting the perfect fit, your best friend is your tape measure (we mean the soft fabric kind, not the one from the tool box). Turn over to read more on how to take your measurements.
71 www.letsknit.co.uk
Knit to fit (F).indd 1
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CROCHET HOME STYLE
Square Deal G
EXCLUSIVE TO
Crochet Helen Ardley’s colourful cushion
ranny squares are a cultural icon and you really can’t get the same effect with knitting. They use just a few simple stitches to create fabulously colourful motifs. This cushion shows two different designs to try, one using smaller squares in a block colour pattern and the other with one larger panel and a stripe pattern. Why not make a pair of cushions with different effects?
meet our DESIGNER “The small squares are joined with a row of dc to create a decorative ridge” HELEN ARDLEY
85 www.letsknit.co.uk
Square deal.indd 2
06/01/2017 14:19
TRY A TEXTURED STITCH
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e knitters are a resourceful bunch and never throw out oddments of yarn, just in case. Here at LK, we like to reward such diligence with a fabulous pattern to use up all those part balls of 4ply you’ve squirrelled away! These textured mittens feature a lovely slip stitch pattern and are worked on double-pointed needles to keep them seam-free and cosy.
MAGIC MITTS Bust your 4ply stash with Jane Burns’ pretty mittens Jumper, £19.99, H&M; Scarf, £9.99, TK Maxx
Measurements & sizes
Knit our colourful
EXCLUSIVE TO
18cm circumference (excl. thumb gusset) x 27cm long
Tension square 34 sts x 44 rows 10cm x 10cm stocking stitch 2.5mm needles
You will need:
YARN: Drops Alpaca Silk, shades (A) 7820 Green, (B) 8465 Medium Grey, (C) 100 Off White, (D) 3250 Light Old Pink, (E) 8108 Light Grey, (F) 4088 Heather, one 50g ball of each NEEDLES: 2.5mm, 2.75mm, both double-pointed, sets of four WASTE YARN TAPESTRY NEEDLE STITCH MARKERS: two
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
Need an Alternative? See what 4ply yarn is in your stash!
YARN SHOP
10% OFF
AT WOOL WAREHOUSE! USE CODE LK115
Drops Baby Alpaca Silk is a luxurious mix of 30% silk and 70% baby alpaca fibres. It is easy to knit with and has a subtle furry halo. It costs £3.75 per 50g (167m) ball from 0800 3300, www.woolwarehouse.co.uk
For abbreviations see page 94 92 www.letsknit.co.uk