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LUCY ATTIC24 l DEBBIE BLISS l ERIKA KNIGHT ISSUE 118 May 2017
Exclusive from Val Pierce
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
You can
KNIT A SHAWL! 2 fab patterns
GREAT VALUE TOY £5.99 | May 17 Issue 118
PLUS how-to guide inside!
Number 1 for novelty makes!
2 STUNNING SUMMER TOPS
DON’T
MISS! LK May17 Cover Issue 118.indd 1
BORN TO KNIT
RACHAEL MATTHEWS’ FAVOURITE THINGS
KNIT YOUR OWN SUNHAT!
SIMPLE STYLISH KNITS l ELEGANT CABLE CARDI l HANGING HEARTS l NO-SHAPING TOP
YARNS YOU'LL LOVE
THE BEST SUMPTUOUS SILK BLENDS
QUICK CHUNKY BAG EASY HOMEWARES
EMBROIDERED LAVENDER SACHETS
31/03/2017 14:46
LETS KNIT MAY 17 ISSUE 118 master_LET'S KNIT 31/03/2017 15:06 Page 6
CALLING ALL YARN LOVERS!
6 T H M AY 2 0 1 7 C E L E B R AT I N G T H E I N D U S T RY ’ S F I N E S T YA R N S H O P S ‘JOIN US ONCE AGAIN FOR FREEBIES, WORKSHOPS, DISCOUNTS, GOODIE BAGS AND PLENTY MORE EXCITEMENT AT YOUR LOCAL PARTICIPATING YARN SHOP. IT’S A DAY THAT SHOULD BE ON EVERY KNITTER’S CALENDAR FOR 2017!’ Sarah Neal, Editor, Let’s Knit
Visit yarn shops across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland for a day of fun with fellow crafters! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXCITING TREATS INCLUDING: Exclusive mascot patterns Special on-the-day discounts Workshops Cake & refreshments
Check our interactive map online at www.letsknit.co.uk to find your nearest participating shop!
...THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!
LOVE YOUR This month's free gifts
FREE YARN KIT?
Get Two Kits!
You can order a bumper pack that includes 150g of yarn, for only £6.99*
EASY TEDDY YARN KIT 4 free yarns + cute patterns!
– best for gifts!
Plus BONUS baby bear pattern! 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 VISIT letsknit.co.uk/ teddybear
You fell in love with our gorgeous unicorn kit! LK Reader SUE PLANT
*T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
LK Reader BEVERLEY WILSON
Check out all the fantastic yarn bundles available now at The Craft Store
Make Mummy and Daddy bear with your free yarn! Garden Buddies
The Woodland Gang
We’ve added some of our favourite kit patterns to our website! Head on over to www.lets knit.co.uk to Zac the Zebra download them for free!
craftstoreuk. com
07 www.letsknit.co.uk
LK Reader JACKIE GLENN LK Reader KIM PENNOCK
LK Reader AGNES MCCLOUNNAN
CASUAL TOP EXCLUSIVE TO
Summer Chic Lynne Rowe’s fun and detailed number is incredibly stylish!
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ith sunny days aplenty, make sure you knit this lightweight wardrobe staple in time for family trips to the beach! This top is simple and fun to knit with subtle detailing that is intricate enough to interest the more experienced knitter, but easy enough for beginners to master. Pair it with your favourite jeans and pumps for a laidback look.
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t i n k N A C u o Y a shawl!
Why these on-trend accessories are much easier than they look
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e love shawls here at LK Towers – in fact, we think they’re so fabulous we are launching our brand new Summer of Shawls series in this very issue. When new knitters think of shawls, they often think of a supersized project with such intricate lace work that it seems impossible. But actually, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are some fabulous designs out there and some of them don’t have a single eyelet! We’re here to show you that, whatever your skill level, you really can knit a beautiful shawl.
WHAT IS A SHAWL?
From Let’s Knit 115 February
The word shawl is sometimes used interchangeably with scarf, stole or wrap, but they tend to be simple rectangles. When we say shawl, we mean shaped accessories that hug your shoulders. They’re usually variations on a triangle, but can also be asymmetrical or a different shape entirely.
Why we love them!
Knit this simple yet stunning shawl on page 28
Find the pattern for our colourful shawl on page 26
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Shawls are the perfect accessory for the unpredictable British weather, and they’re just so marvellously versatile. A sweet little shawlette can be worn like a scarf or neatly draped across your shoulders, while a stunning lacework shawl looks fabulous paired with your favourite frock for a special occasion. Shawls are great for layering when the chills set in and as they’re often worked in a fine yarn like a laceweight or 4ply, they don’t have the bulk of a chunky scarf. There are so many design possibilities with shawls, too, and not just in terms of basic shape. You can use an all-over lace pattern to make a bold statement or go for the less is more approach, like LK designer Graeme Knowles-Miller has in his beautiful shawl on page 28. It’s mostly worked in stocking stitch but has a pretty lace edging. You can also play around with colour and experiment with the effects of self-patterning yarn. That’s what Julie Ferguson has done on her Head Over Heels shawl. You can find the pattern over on page 26.
Turn the page
www.letsknit.co.uk
You can knit a shawl (f).indd 1
03/04/2017 13:40
SIMPLE SUNNY STYLE EXCLUSIVE TO
Complete your outfit with Pat Menchini’s
TIENECK JACKET
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mbrace the summer season with this versatile knit. It’s the perfect completion of any outfit whether layered with a blouse in cooler weather or used to give a lift to a casual day dress on a summer’s evening. Made in crisp cotton aran, it knits up quickly and is a great make for practising working with cables.
knitwise
The body is worked in a simple all-over double moss stitch pattern. The yoke is worked sideways with short-rows to create the shape. The tie can be pulled tightly if you’d prefer a close fit on the neck.
45 www.letsknit.co.uk
Pat's yellow top.indd 2
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COMING UP IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF KNIT LOLA THE HIPPO WITH YOUR FREE YARN INCLUDES: 75G OF DK YARN + EASY PATTERN
START YOUR SUMMER KNITS!
FAB AND FUN DESIGN FROM JANE BURNS
KNIT OUR BUDDING BALLERINA! ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Step-by-step shawl
Projects subject to change
Fluffy ducklings
l Country Cottage
knitalong: the finale! l Our Summer of Shawls continues l Easy flower collection l Cute aardvark toy
ON SALE THURSDAY 11TH MAY Speedy homewares
Easy socks!
49 Download hundreds of free knitting and crochet patterns today! www.letsknit.co.uk CNM 118.indd 49
31/03/2017 09:51
SWEET AND SIMPLE KNIT
Albie the Blue Tit
EXCLUSIVE TO
Nicky Fijalkowska’s adorable feathered friend!
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lue tits are common garden visitors to feeders and bird tables, but Albie prefers staying in and watching you knit! He’s uses six shades of DK yarn, but as he requires no more than 5g of each colour, he’s the perfect stash buster. We’ve used a selfpatterning yarn to add interest to the wings, but see what’s in your stash!
“This would be a great gift for a bird lover, or why not make several Albies to turn into a baby mobile?” LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
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Blue tit.indd 2
31/03/2017 09:46
Sumptuous Silk Invest in this luxurious and practical choice!
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ilk will keep you cool in summertime heat and warm on cooler evenings. This fabulous fibre promises elegance, softness and a beautiful drape, so it’s the perfect choice for investment pieces. Read on to discover the best sophisticated blends on the market.
Brand new!
Great value
Perfect for baby knits!
Eco friendly 63 www.letsknit.co.uk
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his colourful number is perfect for an easy room refresh to celebrate the change of seaons. It consists of a simple reversible panel to attach to an existing plain cushion, so is an ideal first project for beginners. As the yarn is a cotton and acrylic blend that knits to a chunky tension, you’ll be able to finish your project in just a few evenings!
Spruce up your sofa with our
PASTEL CUSHION
EXCLUSIVE TO
Jane Burns’ super-easy cushion panel is bang on trend
Measurements & sizes 43cm x 43cm
Tension square 17 sts x 34 rows 10cm x 10cm garter stitch 4mm needles
You will need:
YARN: Scheepjes Stone Washed XL, shades (A) 858 Lilac Quartz, (B) 853 Amazonite, (C) 841 Moon Stone, one 50g ball of each NEEDLES: 4mm SEWING NEEDLE BUTTON: Heart, one CUSHION: 43cm square
Start knitting here PANEL
Using 4mm needles and yarn A, cast on 72 sts Rows 1-4: k Change to yarn C Rows 5-10: k Change to yarn B Rows 11-16: k Change to yarn C Rows 17-24: k Change to yarn A Rows 25-34: k Change to yarn B Rows 35-42: k These 42 rows set patt Cont in patt until piece meas 43cm from cast-on edge Cast off
For abbreviations see page 92
YARN SHOP
TO MAKE UP Weave in ends and block to 43cm x 43cm. Pin knitted panel to front of cushion, sew in place using sewing thread to match cushion fabric. Fold top right corner back using image as a guide. Sew on button LK
10% OFF
AT WOOL WAREHOUSE USE CODE LK118
Scheepjes Stone Washed XL costs £2.99 per 50g (75m) ball from 0800 505 3300, www.woolwarehouse.co.uk. Cushion pad costs £4 from 0800 032 9329, www.wilko.com
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KING COLE GLITZ, shade 565 Silver. £3.19 per 100g (290m) ball from 01924 764231, www.blacksheepwools.co.uk
PETER PAN MOONDUST DK, shade 3006 Daisy. £2.99 per 50g (170m) ball from www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk BERGERE DE FRANCE SOIE, shade 294331 Dragee. £14.50 per 50g (165m) ball from www.bergeredefrance.co.uk
SIRDAR TOP. PATTERN 7929 costs £3.25 from 01273 456570, www.englishyarns.co.uk
TOP, £69, 0207 471 4422, www.phase-eight.com
Springtime SHEEN LET YOUR WARDROBE GLEAM WITH THESE SHIMMERY SHADES!
BAG, £65, 0333 240 7306, www.dunelondon.com
RING, £12, 0203 372 3053, www.accessorize.com
JAMES C. BRETT GLISTEN DK, shade GS7. RRP £3.99 per 100g (210m) ball. For stockists, visit www.jamescbrett.co.uk
CASCADE YARNS® SUNSEEKER, shade 39 Blue Bell. £2.69 per 100g (217m) ball from 0845 544 2196, www.loveknitting.com
SIRDAR SNUGGLY BABY PEARLS, shade 431 Pearly Mint. £3.10 from 0131 558 1747, www.mcadirect.co.uk
NAIL VARNISH, £3.99, 0344 736 9000, www.hm.co.uk
CARON SIMPLY SOFT PARTY, shade 0017 Chocolate Sparkle. £4.75 per 85g (150m) ball from 01376 743123, www.sconch.com
TWILLEYS OF STAMFORD GOLDFINGERING, shade 10 White. £3.50 per 25g (100m) ball from 01729 822946, www.cottontailcrafts.co.uk
75 www.letsknit.co.uk
SHOES, £49.50, 0333 014 8000, www.marksandspencer.com
Fantastic offers you won’t want to miss!
n-
INTRODUCTING PRIMAVERA OUR STUNNING KNITALONG BLANKET BY DEBBIE BLISS! l Exclusive for Yarn
Shop Day
l Starting from 15th
April, instalments will be released weekly. Pick them up at your local participating yarn shop! l Patterns for all eight gorgeous squares will be available in stores on Yarn Shop Day. Visit www. letsknit.co.uk/ map to find one local to you l Share your progress on social media using #primavera
WWW.LETSKNIT.CO.UK /YARNSHOPDAY
Limited edition yarn!
West Yorkshire Spinners has dyed a special Yarn Shop Day colourway in its award-winning Signature 4ply yarn! It’s a blend of British wool and nylon and uses the fabulous shades in the Yarn Shop Day logo. This limited edition yarn will be available from selected participating stores on Yarn Shop Day, so keep your eyes peeled! 80 www.letsknit.co.uk
DebbieBlissPage.indd 82
03/04/2017 16:17
EXCLUSIVE TO
Floral Frenzy
We adore Julie Ferguson’s lovely lavender bags!
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Blouse, £39, Monsoon; Jeans, £24.99, T.K. Maxx
f you love keeping your home smelling sweet and comforting then make sure to knit these adorable wardrobe sachets. This charming trio is easy to craft and is a great base for practising simple colourwork. There’s only a little sewing up at the end, and you can accessorise them with buttons for a special finish.
81 www.letsknit.co.uk