ISSUE 136 Oct 2018
149 knitty ideas for you! ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Fair Isle
HOW-TO GUIDE INSIDE! THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
START YOUR FESTIVE KNITS
easy does it
COMFY & CASUAL
11updates!
S A CHRISTM W N
STYLISH
COUNT
QUICK
FESTIVE IDEAS!
COWLS CARDIES & MORE!
GROW YOUR SKILLS E V LO THIS! Colourwork scarf in step-by-step
LK Oct18 Cover 136.indd 1
£5.99 | Oct 18 Issue 136
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MUST HAVE...
NO 1 FOR CHARITY MAKES
DO
+ TOP GIFTS TO MAKE
Animal
MAGIC
Why we love natural fibres YARNS IN FOCUS
Wonderful wool blends & textures
SWEET MINI ANGEL TRIO
CUTE CROCHET Make an easy amigurumi cat
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EDITOR’S Letter
Welcome!
14 35
TOP LEFT: Hallowe’en Wreath, p35 ABOVE RIGHT: The Natural Fibres Collection, p14 LEFT: Here Comes Christmas, p53 BELOW: Look out for this symbol on projects that would make great Christmas gifts!
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With the arrival of autumn our thoughts turn to keeping cosy, and nothing serves that purpose better than wool, alpaca and other animal fibres. Having evolved for millions of years to keep our furry friends warm, these fibres can’t be beaten for sheer snuggliness, and are soft and durable too. Check out our stunning Natural Fibres Collection starting on page 14 with five comfy garments including Siân Brown’s retro-motif sweater (left) – perfect for relaxing in on lazy autumn days. We’ve got makes for two of our favourite occasions in this issue of Let’s Knit – Hallowe’en and Christmas! Turn to page 35 for our amazing spooky wreath by Nicola Valiji (left) complete with spiders, ghosts, bats, eyeballs, a witch and a mummy! Hallowe’en decorations don’t come much more comprehensive than that! You’ll also find Monica the Witch in this section – she’s meant to be scary but we think she’s actually rather cute. On page 53 our festive celebrations begin with Here Comes Christmas (left), a round-up of seasonal products and patterns, followed by Timmy the Christmas Mouse and a host of Little Angels by Sachiyo Ishii. There’s a whole page of Christmas-themed downloads from our website on page 57, plus look out for our special present graphic (left) on projects that would make great gifts. So that’s Christmas sorted then! Happy knitting!
Sarah
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sarah.neal@aceville.co.uk
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All items from patterns published by Let’s Knit are for personal use only and cannot be sold. Multiple copies of any part of this publication may not be made, and no part of this publication whether in its original form or a reproduction thereof may be sold. All patterns featured within Let’s Knit are reproduced in good faith that they do not infringe any copyright. DISCLAIMER: We recommend that readers use the main specified yarn for every project as this will produce the best results. The alternatives given are suggestions only, and as no two yarns
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are exactly the same we advise readers to swatch an alternative yarn carefully before choosing to use it for their project. The publishers are not responsible for any safety issues arising from any items knitted from patterns contained within Let’s Knit magazine. Please note that toys with small parts are not suitable for children under three years of age. If making a toy for a very young child, omit any buttons and embroider the details instead. Babies should be supervised when playing with toys. Prices are all correct at time of print.
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Welcome 136.indd 1
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40 October 2018
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In this issue
Maria the Witch
SHOPPING
8 See It, Want It, Love It
Treats for October
30 Wool Blends Fibres that give us a warm, fuzzy feeling 43 Pumpkin Spice Add a slice of autumn colour to your wardrobe 75 Terrific Textures Strokeable yarns that create a fancy finish 87 Newsflash Knitty happenings you won’t want to miss
63 Cosy Alpaca mittens Your beginners’ pattern
67
FOCUS
45 Hello Winter! Be the first to discover what’s new for AW18 53 Here Come Christmas Get ahead of the game with these festive offerings 60 Back to Nature Discover the magic of animal fibres 65 Fabulous Fair Isle See the basics of this method in step-by-step 83 Q&A Central How to combat pilling and find a knitted emoji!
PEOPLE Chevron Fair Isle Jumper
Let us help you! WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING IS MORE ANNOYING THAN ERRORS IN KNITTING PATTERNS, SO HERE’S OUR PROMISE TO YOU l Exclusive patterns featured in Let’s Knit have been professionally checked and reproduced with the utmost care. Updates can be found at letsknit.co.uk/pattern-updates 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 PHONE: 01206 508622 (office hours only) BY EMAIL: support@letsknit.co.uk BY POST: at the address on page 94 (please mark your envelope ‘Support’) (Please note we cannot offer assistance with patterns not published in Let’s Knit)
Contact us HAVE ANOTHER QUERY? HERE’S HOW TO GET IN TOUCH l Subscription enquiries/ customer services: 0330 333 0042, crafts@magazinestoyou.com l Advertising enquiries: 01206 505114, samantha.dean@aceville.co.uk l Online registration/website enquiries: webmaster@letsknit.co.uk
10 12 72 98
Knit It, Write It, Share It! Your fantastic makes and letters
Out & About Where to go and what to do
Charity Corner Use your needles to help those in need
Last Word In conversation with Beth Brown-Reinsel
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 Welcome 7 Free For You This Month 28 Subscriptions 50 Teabreak 52 Coming Next Month 71 Read & Relax 81 Giveaways 88 Reader Offer 93 Knitter’s Know-How
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Contents OCT.indd 2
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Start your Christmas knits
WIN! WIN! WIN! NEARLY £2,000 WORTH OF PRIZES ON PAGE 81
PATTERNS Cabled hat and cowl
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Little festive angels
Wrap Yoke Jumper
Happy Hallowe’en wreath
Hot-toBlock Sweater
16 19 22 24 26 31 35 40 48 54 58 63 67 72 76 84 89 93 95
Two-tone Cardi
Diagonal Ladder Sweater Wrap Yoke Jumper Chevron Fair Isle Jumper Hot-to-block Sweater Two-tone Cardi Cabled Hat and Cowl Happy Hallowe’en Wreath Monica the Witch Retro Fingerless Mittens Timmy the Christmas Mouse Little Festive Angels Cosy Alpaca Mittens Beginners’ Pixie Hats Charity Cupcakes Crocheted Kitty Stripy Scarf Fur-edged Gilet Square of the Month Toadstool Stashbuster Diagonal ladder sweater
1 SE4-P CT AG IO E N
THE NATURAL FIBRES COLLECTION
Starts on page 14
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Contents OCT.indd 3
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JUST FOR YOU THIS MONTH!
Knit Louis the bear with your fluffy yarn!
Number for gifts 1
Our cuddly classic bear is soft and squeezable and will be treasured for years to come. Designed exclusively for you by Steffi Hochfellner, he’s made using the eyelash and DK yarn in your covermount kit – we love the fabulous fur effect! Use oddments from your stash to embroider his face and to knit his fun and festive bow. Share your photos using the details on page 10, we can’t wait to see them!
Let’s K nit Find the pattern to make Louis in your BONUS PATTERN leaflet!
LOVE YOUR FREE YARN KIT? Special offer! Order an extra pack that includes 140g of yarn for £7.99*! Simply visit letsknit.co.uk/louis or call 0800 923 3005. *T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
EXCLUSIVE treats you’ll love 3 Timeless teddy pattern 3 Fab fluffy eyelash yarn 3 Yarn kit worth £7.99! 3 Perfect gift for Christmas 3 Love his sparkly bow!
Find more great gift ideas at letsknit.co.uk
Coming next issue!
SIX FREE* YARNS!
SPECIAL FLEECY YARN IN YOUR CHRISTMAS KIT!
Get your knitty mitts on these bright and beautiful shades in your free* yarn pack! You’ll get six balls of soft DK yarn, bamboo needles and a metal crochet hook. Find out how to claim your kit over on page 62.
Use your exclusive yarn pack to make Santa and Mrs Claus! This easy-knit pair would make perfect decorations or speedy stocking fillers.
Let's Knit Christmas Special on sale Thursday 27th September
*UK customers only, just pay postage
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YOUR FREE GIFT Oct.indd 1
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YOUR 14 PAGE FASHION SPECIAL
The NATURAL FIBRES
Collection STAY SNUG AND STYLISH IN OUR TOP FIVE AUTUMN KNITS!
PAGE
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THIS CLASSIC RAGLAN IS A GREAT WARDROBE STAPLE
PAGE
16 Diagonal Ladder Sweater
Hot to Block Sweater
Your neitwe favour ! jumper
October is the month of Wool Week, an annual celebration of one of our favourite fibres. That's why we've chosen pure wool yarns for four of our gorgeous garments, including our statement Fair Isle sweater and geometric yoke top. Our final project mixes wool with sumptuously soft alpaca, bringing warmth and texture to your autumn wardrobe. The shades of the season are a wonder of the natural world and our collection has also been inspired by golden yellows, warm ochres and marvellous mossy greens.
rk! o w r u colo 14
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THE STYLE
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Try a new st itch
Wrap Yoke Jumper
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Chevron Fair Isle
DISCOVER SMOCKING WITH OUR COMFY SWEATER SHOW OFF YOUR STRANDING SKILLS IN THIS COSY JUMPER Two Tone Cardi
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size 30! ROCK THE RIBBED LOOK IN THIS CHUNKY QUICK KNIT
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ACCESSORY
Autumn
pattern
SUNSET
We love a matching set at LK and the rich burnt orange tones in this pair remind us of falling leaves and warm firesides. The intricate vine stitch pattern throughout gives this hat and cowl a beautiful texture that looks fantastic with neutral jackets or tops. This pattern is one for the more experienced knitter so if you’re looking for a challenge, look no further. These makes are knitted from pure wool, so this autumnal duo will keep you exceptionally toasty.
GET READY FOR THE CHANGE IN SEASONS WITH KELLY MENZIES’ HAT AND COWL S I V E TO
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great ADVICE “Your circular needle should always be smaller than the circumference of your work, although not too small or your stitches might fall off the end!”
LK DESIGNER, Kelly
Menzies
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NICOLA VALIJI’S SPOOKY DECORATION IS BURSTING WITH FUN MINI-MAKES!
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We’re big supporters of the ‘wreath for all seasons’ movement and how’s this for a Hallowe’en showstopper? From the sweet little witch in the centre – complete with a pumpkin and her customary black cat – to the bandaged mummy and spooky spiders, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the run up to the 31st. We know a few little ones who’ll love the ghoulish skulls and bloodshot eyeballs! Don’t forget to share your photos using the details on page 10.
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COLOUR CHANGES
Quick &
When working in two-row stripes, carry your yarn up the side of the work to reduce the number of ends you need to sew in. For tips on joining in a new yarn see our tutorial on page 84.
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Don’t miss our
NEXT ISSUE LET’S KNIT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON SALE THURSDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
KNIT SANTA AND MRS CLAUS WITH YOUR FESTIVE YARN KIT! LIMITED EDITION FLEECY YARN INSIDE!
BABY ELF SET
ALSO in this issue...
Gifts worth £7.99! SCANDI-CHIC SWEATER
QUICK-KNIT DECORATIONS
Projects subject to change
Celebrate Christmas with our BIGGEST ISSUE EVER!
1 Easy festive homewares 2 Crochet Christmas hippos 3 Cosy accessories 4 Your guide to sparkly yarns 5 Gift ideas for knitters 6 Bumper prize special 52
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Timmy’s long nose and whiskers are perfect for seeking out yummy Christmas treats!
favour ite!
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10 Free FESTIVE DOWNLOADS!
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Get knitting for Christmas with our brilliant pattern collection! These super seasonal makes are just a couple of clicks away and whether you’re looking for gifts or decorations, we’ve got you covered. Download these and many more top Christmas projects for free at letsknit.co.uk
1 Scandi Cushion 2 Quick Knit Santa Hat 3 Cotswold Cottage Teacosy 4 Christmas Cardigan 5 Festive Table Set 6 Mini Owl Wreath 7 Fae the Angel 8 Cute Cutlery Holders 9 Child's Christmas Jumper 10 Bernard the Elf
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Christmas cables
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Easy embroidery
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ACCESSORY
pattern
Keeping COSY
STAY WARM IN HELEN ARDLEY’S SNUG FINGERLESS MITTENS Choose natural with these wonderfully soft and snuggly mitts! Knitted on two needles in British alpaca yarn, they feature an eye-catching geometric pattern that’s worked using the Fair Isle technique – see our how-to guide on page 65. The fingerless design makes them super practical for your busy lifestyle and they’re ideal gifts for a friend who feels the cold.
“Read more about the benefits of alpaca fibres on page 60!” LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
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“If you haven’t used a picot cast-on before, practise the technique using a smooth yarn before starting your mittens”
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LK DESIGNER, Helen
Ardley
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Easy Baby Pixie Hat
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MASTER RIB IN SUSIE JOHNS’ SWEET DESIGN!
Little Rosie is all set for the cold weather with her remarkably cute hat! It’s a fabulous pattern that’s really simple to make, using just knit and purl stitches. It is actually worked as a rectangle without any increasing or decreasing at all. Rib is a very stretchy stitch that pulls in your work, while stocking stitch is more relaxed. That means rows with a bigger stocking stitch section will look wider than rows with more rib and that’s what creates the shape of the hat. Ingenious!
DISCOVER HOW TO: 4 SLIP STITCHES 4 WORK IN RIB 4 MAKE A BUTTONHOLE 4 DO REVERSE STOCKING STITCH
PLUS 4 SIZES IN DIFFERENT COLOURS TO HELP YOU 4 ALL THE GUIDANCE YOU NEED IN OUR TIP! PANELS over the page
Xmas Gifts! 67 letsknit.co.uk
Beginners Pattern OCT.indd 1
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LEARN WITH US
Cosy up in our
STRIPY SCARF!
JO ALLPORT SHOWS YOU HOW TO GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR
MEASUREMENTS & SIZES
FOR ABBREVIATIONS SEE PAGE 97
E T O IV
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n 14 sts x 20 rows n 10cm x 10cm n Stocking stitch n 6mm needles
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Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky, shades (A) 2306 Cardinal, (B) 2416 Teal, (C) 2420 Grey, one 100g ball of each Needles: 6mm Tapestry needle
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24cm wide x 160cm long
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Cheerful accessories are a great way to brighten up grey autumn days and there are plenty of techniques that allow you to incorporate different shades into your knits. This scarf uses a combination of classic stripes and colour blocks. That means you’ll be changing yarns midway through your row. Don’t worry though, top designer Jo Allport is here to show you how it’s done. Look to the right for her step-by-step guide!
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ABOUT THE YARN
Stylecraft Life Chunky is a mix of 75% acrylic and 25% wool. It comes in 14 shades and can be machine washed. It knits to a standard tension and costs £3.29 per 100g (148m) ball from 0845 519 4573, deramores.com
JUST FOR LK READERS!
Get a special pack containing all the yarn you need to make this project at deramores.com/collections/ lets-knit 97
15% OFF AT DERAMORES WHEN YOU SPEND OVER £15. USE CODE AURORA
“Experiment with different colour combinations to see what effects you can create!” LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
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ADD A TOUCH OF FURRY GLAM TO YOUR GARMENTS WITH PAT MENCHINI'S STYLISH DESIGN
Say hello to your new wardrobe staple for this coming season. Knitted in a cosy new aran yarn from King Cole, the variegated effect creates a contemporary stripe design in silvery, grey tones that you can easily mix and match with different outfits and colours. This gilet is perfect for layering with long or short sleeved tops and the furry trim gives this garment a touch of winter charm that we adore. You can pick up the yarns, along with all the needles and notions you need, from your local bricks-andmortar King Cole stockist. See our directory on page 91 or visit letsknit. co.uk/map to find a yarn shop near you.
Suits
WHICH SIDE IS WHICH? It’s important with this pattern to take careful note of which front panel you’re working as you need to interpret the instructions accordingly. ‘Right front’ refers to the right side as if you were wearing it, not looking at it, so decreasing at the side edge of the right front means a decrease at the end of the row.
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