125 KNITTY IDEAS INSIDE! ISSUE 134 Aug 2018
STUNNING FIRST SHAWL It’s EASY with a yarn cake!
CHIC CABLE SWEATER
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
KNIT A TIMELESS CLASSIC Stylish Summer Makes for Home, Nursery, Baby and You
MAKE SURFER DUDE BEN
QUICK & EASY CROCHET
£5.99 | August 18 Issue 134
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DISCOVER HOW YOUR NEEDLES CAN HELP OTHERS
EDITOR’S Letter
Welcome!
14 53
TOP LEFT: Surfer Dude Ben, p53 ABOVE RIGHT: the Riviera Collection, p14 LEFT: how to be a better knitter, p59 BELOW: beginners’ ombre shawl, p63
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Ahoy there knitters, and welcome to Let’s Knit! You might notice a slight leaning towards all things nautical in this issue – just thought I would mention it, in case it wasn’t obvious how much we love this classic summer style! Our homage kicks of with The Riviera Collection, a 13-page fashion special with stunning summer sweaters in crisp Breton stripes, cool cable makes and this year’s must-knit tote. It starts on page 14. For the little ones in your life you’ll ind Nicola Valiji’s nautical baby mobile on page 31, Jane Burns’ anchor sweater for tots on page 36 and a sailor stripe baby onesie from Bergere de France on page 48. And the seaside theme doesn’t stop there! As a budding surfer myself I can’t wait to make Ben the surf dude (p53). I love his funky boardshorts and beach wave hair, but I think he deserves a knitted companion (Sarah the surf chick anyone?) If you’re a newbie knitter keen to improve your skills then you’re certainly in the right place. Start with our feature on how to become a better knitter on page 59, which is full of expert tips. Then why not try our ombre shawl on page 63 – it’s perfect for beginners. Happy knitting!
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Sarah 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 speciied 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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53 August 2018
In this issue 48
16
Surfer Dude Ben
SHOPPING 8
See It, Want It, Love It Our August favourites
35 In the Navy Fall in love with nautical style
39 A Knitter’s Best Friend Gadgets and gizmos to aid your crafting
52 Toy Yarns Our pick of the best toy fibres
68 Sock Yarns Top yarns for your tootsies! Cute Baby Onesie
80
90 Newslash Knitty events and goodies you won’t want to miss
FOCUS 46 Sassy in Stripes Why we love this timeless trend
59 How To Be a Better Knitter We asked the experts for their top tips!
69 The British Knitting & Crochet Awards Have your say and win fab prizes!
Cover Star
87 Q&A Central Your knitty questions answered
PEOPLE 10 Knit It, Write It, Share It! Your fantastic makes and letters
13 Out & About
Simple Stripe Sweater
Where to go and what to do
66 Charity Corner
Let us help you!
Contact us
Wonderful knitters who craft for a cause
98 Last Word Nicki Trench talks knitting, crochet and tango!
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 (oice 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 ofer assistance with patterns not published in Let’s Knit)
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
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IN EVERY ISSUE 3 7 28 43 50 51 58 85 93
Welcome Free For You This Month Subscriptions Read & Relax Teabreak Coming Next Month Reader Ofer Giveaways Knitter’s Know-How
31
WIN! WIN! WIN!
63
OVER £3,100 WORTH OF PRIZES ON PAGES 43, 69 & 85
PATTERNS
Simple Summer Wrap
41 44 56 Beach Hut Cushion
Frillsleeved Sweater
Textured Top
16 18 20 23 24 31 36 41 44 48 53 56 63 67 76 80 82 88 93 95
Mariner Bag
Simple Stripe Sweater Mariner Bag Frill-sleeved Sweater Textured Top Chic Cable Jumper Nautical Nursery Mobile Captain Cute Jumper Life Buoy Mirror Beach Hut Cushion Cute Baby Onesie Surfer Dude Ben Budgie and Canary Beginners’ Shawl Charity Cat Blanket Knit and Crochet Top Summer Wrap Crochet Coasters & Purse Lace Scarf Tutorial Fisherman’s Rib Square Beach Hut Stashbuster Chic Cable Jumper
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THE RIVIERA COLLECTION Starts on page 14 05 letsknit.co.uk
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JUST FOR YOU THIS MONTH!
Knit Chester with your great value yarn pack! This super cute simian is quite possibly one of our favourite patterns of all time! We love everything about him from his adorable smile to his tasselled party hat – and you’ll find all the yarn you need in your fabulous kit. There are four shades of DK yarn, plus a velvet ribbon to finish him off. All you need to add are some bead eyes and safety toy stuffing.
Number for gifts 1
bon b i r t e v vel
LOVE YOUR
Find the FREE YARN KIT? pattern Get more! to make Order an extra pack Chester that includes 150g of in your yarn, for only £8.99*! Simply visit BONUS PATTERN letsknit.co.uk/chester or call 0800 923 3005. leaflet! *T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
6 FREE* BALLS OF YARN Boost your stash with this brilliant yarn kit, including six sensational shades of soft DK yarn, bamboo needles and a metal crochet hook – all this is worth £6.99! Find out more on page 58. *UK customers only, just pay postage
EXCLUSIVE treats you’ll love
3 Easy-to-follow toy pattern 3 Four soft DK yarns + ribbon 3 Yarn kit worth £7.99! 3 Great gift for kids 3 Simple stripes to knit Visit letsknit.co.uk to download our fabulous free toy patterns today!
Coming next issue! CLEO THE CAT PATTERN AND FAB FOUR-BALL YARN KIT! Make our pretty kitty with your four great yarns – including a supersoft fleecy effect. Plus, don’t miss our bonus fluffy dog pattern!
July issue of Let’s Knit on sale Thursday 2nd August 07 letsknit.co.uk
YOUR 13 PAGE FASHION SPECIAL
The RIVIERA
Collection BE BEACH READY WITH THESE SEASIDE-INSPIRED PROJECTS!
PAGE
18
Frillsleeved Sweater
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20
PERFECT FOR THE PROMENADE!
Mariner Bag
WE ADORE THE BOLD STATEMENT SLEEVES IN THIS FASHIONABLE GARMENT
Style
Lve te salr tye butons
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Sailor chic is a classic look and we’re delighted to bring you five beautiful blue and white garments and accessories to knit this summer. Add a twist to timeless stripes with textured stitches or bold statement sleeves, or simply choose a yarn that does the colourwork for you. Pack up your latest project in our tie-strap bag and complete the look with shiny anchor buttons for a true nautical touch!
Let t e yarn do t e wrk!
THE STYLE
Edit PAGE
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Textured Top
Chic Cable Jumper
favourite!
EASY MOCK CABLE EFFECT
Team wt h ths seson’s trendy croped truser s!
PAGE
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timeless
Simple Stripe Sweater ADD A NAUTICAL TWIST TO A CRICKET CLASSIC
COMBINE TEXTURES FOR EFFORTLESS STYLE
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HOME
pattern
Nauticl
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Great group
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We can’t decide what we love most about this project, it could be the crab with his expressive claws or the delightfully detailed lighthouse, or maybe it’s the whole design that just really captures that nautical magic. Each of the elements are relatively straightforward to knit but there are a lot of pieces. Remember, if you’re hanging this above a baby’s crib, make sure it is out of arm’s reach for safety reasons.
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KNIT NICOLA VALIJI’S BEACH-INSPIRED MOBILE, COMPLETE WITH MINI SEA CREATURES!
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NURSERY
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Oh BUOY! JANE BURNS' MARITIME MIRROR IS THE MODERN ACCESSORY YOUR CABIN NEEDS THIS SUMMER
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Make waves with your knitted décor and include this quirky life buoy mirror in a corner of your home. Designed in traditional blue and white, it’s quick to knit up and is ‘shore’ to look clean and contemporary in any living space. We bet your shipmates will absolutely love it! Pick up all your supplies from your nearest port (aka yarn shop).
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Don’t miss our
NEXT ISSUE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF LET’S KNIT ON SALE THURSDAY 2ND AUGUST
KNIT CLEO THE CAT
with your great value yarn kit! 4 COLOURS + EASY PATTERN!
Worth £7.99!
SOFT FLEECY FEEL!
SWEET BABY PINNY
STYLISH HOME KNITS
PRETTY ACCESSORIES
ALSO in this issue...
1 Hedgehog hat and mitts for kids 2 Bo Peep playset 3 Cat hot water bottle cover 4 Cosy blankets to knit and crochet 5 Learn mosaic knitting 6 Chunky cardi for new knitters 51 letsknit.co.uk
Projects subject to change
PREP FOR AUTUMN with fabulous layering garments!
TOY
SURF’S Up
pattern
MEET BEN, FIONA GOBLE’S BRILLIANT SURFER DUDE DOLL! We won’t embarrass ourselves trying to use surfing slang but we’re sure you know someone who is going to love this guy! We think he’s quite possibly the coolest doll we’ve seen and adore the details, from his simple sandals to the top of his tousled head. He’s 28cm tall so isn’t a knit-in-a-night project but he’s deinitely worth the efort. If you’re giving Ben to a small child, omit the jewellery and use foam in the surfboard instead of acetate.
Great stash
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PLUS
4 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS 4 ALL THE GUIDANCE YOU NEED IN OUR TIP PANELS over the page 63 letsknit.co.uk
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4 CREATE LARGE EYELETS 4 THREAD BEADS ONTO YARN 4 PLACE A BEAD 4 PICK UP STITCHES
SIVE TO • E
DISCOVER HOW TO:
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We love a one-ball make and this ombre wrap is the perfect project if you’ve not embraced the yarn cake trend yet. The wavy edging on this colourful design is complemented by bead details throughout, which add a touch of sparkle to this already dazzling accessory! If you’re planning a summer trip, this wrap is ideal for essential evening layering.
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VERONICA SHAW’S ELEGANT WRAP IS PERFECT FOR NEW KNITTERS
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Garer Stth Shawl
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Vote online at letsknit.co.uk/awards
WIN PRIZES WORTH £700! Vote in the British Knitting & Crochet Awards and you could win one of two amazing bundles of gorgeous yarns, patterns and more!
T
hank you to everyone who nominated their favourites in the opening stage of the 2018 British Knitting & Crochet Awards. Now it’s time make your choices from the inal shortlist by voting online at letsknit.co.uk/awards. Every voter will be automatically entered into the draw to win a bundle of amazing goodies featuring many of last year’s award winning brands. Here’s what you could win:
1st PRIZE
FIRST PRIZE - WORTH £400! 12 balls of Stylecraft Batik Elements + garment pattern * 3 skeins of West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite Lace * 5 skeins of West Yorkshire Spinners Wensleydale Gems * 10 balls of Rowan Softyak DK * Rowan Knitting Magazine 63 * 10 balls of Sirdar No 1 + patterns * Pony luxury maple straight needle set * Edward’s Crochet Imaginarium by Kerry Lord * The Sock Drawer by Verity Castledine * assorted KnitPro accessories (not shown)
2nd PRIZE
SECOND PRIZE – WORTH £300!
WHAT TO DO
27 balls of Stylecraft Special DK + crochet pattern * 4 balls of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply * 1 skein of West Yorkshire Spinners Illustrious Naturals * 10 balls of Rowan Summerlite DK + pattern book * Rowan Journeyman pattern book * assorted Clover accessories * 2 balls of Baa Ram Ewe Dovestone Natural Chunky * Learn to Knit At Home by Alison Moreton * TOFT bunny kit * Granny Squares and Shapes by Sue Pinner * Sophie’s Universe by Dedri Uys (not shown)
Head online to letsknit.co.uk/ awards and choose your favourites from the list provided. Fill in your details at the end to be entered into our prize draw (terms and conditions apply). Voting closes on 30th August 2018. Results will be announced in the Christmas Special issue of Let’s Knit, on sale Thursday 27th September 2018.
VOTE ONLINE AT LETSKNIT.CO.UK/AWARDS
Our categories include: yarns and brands, designers, retailers, products, books, shows and crochet.
ACCESSORY
pattern
“Lace knits always look neater after blocking so don’t forget this essential step! Turn to page 96 for our how-to guide” LK Editorial Assistant Heidi Wilkins
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LEARN WITH US
Knt a triking
SPONSORED BY
LACE SCARF! LEARN THE PROVISIONAL CAST-ON WITH JO ALLPORT’S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE C L U S I V E TO
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This is a handy method which enables you to keep the stitches on your cast-on edge open so you can work them in the opposite direction later on, leaving a seamless inish. In a project like this, it means you can make sure both ends of your work are symmetrical. There are a few different ways of working a provisional cast-on. Here, top designer Jo Allport talks you through her preferred method and has put together a brilliant photo tutorial to show you how to do it! MEASUREMENTS & SIZES 20cm wide x 135cm long
KNIT KIT Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK, shade 231 Steppe, three 50g balls Needles: 4mm, 4.5mm Tapestry needle
TENSION SQUARE n 22 sts x 28 rows n 10cm x 10cm n Lace patt n 4mm needles
FOR ABBREVIATIONS SEE PAGE 97
ABOUT THE YARN Rowan Softyak DK blends 76% cotton, 15% yak and 9% nylon for a truly trans-seasonal yarn. It knits to a DK tension and can be machine washed. It costs £7.29 per 50g (135m) ball from 0800 622 6225, smdknitting.com
20% OFF AT SMD KNITTING! USE THE CODE SMDLK134
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