GET STARTED WITH US! 13 TOP BUYS FOR NEW KNITTERS ISSUE 109 Sept 2016
EVERYONE LOVES A CLASSIC BABY KNIT
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
101 ideas
& makes
for all the family!
✦ 5 GREAT GARMENTS ✦ 12 QUICK TOYS ✦ 4 TOPS FOR KIDS & lots more!
Pattern
SIMPLE STYLISH CAPE
in sizes
8-26
FAB BAGS TO KNIT AND CROCHET
NEW SKILLS MADE EASY! l
READ THIS! LK Sept16 Cover Issue 109.indd 1
SIDEWAYS KNITTING l ADDING BEADS l RUSSIAN CAST-OFF l CIRCULARS FOR NEWBIES
LAST CHANCE! VOTE IN THE BRITISH
KNITTING AWARDS
MAKE TODAY BEANIE ISSUE 109 SEPT 2016 £5.99
CHOOSE QUALITYY PRIZE BONANZA! BEST PURE WOOLS BUNDLES OF BOOKS, YARN AND PATTERNS TO WIN FOR UNDER £5 27/07/2016 10:06
59
SEPTEMBER 2016
CONTENTS 77
13
E
C PRO OVER JEC T
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
33
PATTERNS
16
26
13 SIDEWAYS JACKET A beautiful and colourful design from Pat Menchini
46 RAINBOW STRIPES A sweater with a stunning pop of colour for a tiny tot
16 CHUNKY CARDIGAN This comfy cardi will keep you so snug
53 SIDEWAYS JUMPER Knit Jo Allport’s funky sweater
20 CABLE GUY Two gorgeous designs for a little lad
59 SIR CUTHBERT Your very own knight in knitty armour
23 FOREST FLAME A sumptuous cabled wrap from Charmaine Fletcher
72 CAPE TOWN This sweet girl’s cape is perfect for autumn
26 FIZZ THE LLAMA Whip up this Peruvian pal in a weekend
77 FABULOUS FAIR ISLE A gorgeous tote bag with a stunning, colourful design
30 VERY BERRY Jane Burns’ beaded cowl is the perfect way to dress up an outfit 33 MAN OF STEEL A stunning hat and scarf combo for him
72
39
39 AUTUMN HEATHER Fabulous socks for fabulous feet 42 BLUE HORIZON This gorgeous lightweight wrap is an autumn essential
79 COOL KIDS On-trend snoods and accessories that kids will love 82 COMFY BEANIE HAT Adrienne Chandler shows you how to knit in the round 87 BRIGHT SPARK A funky crocheted satchel in neon brights
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46
23
AUTUMN ESSENTIAL
30
82
This month’s
FREE GIFTS!
KNIT ONE OF OUR CUTE WOODLAND GANG WITH YOUR FREE YARN KIT AND PATTERN LEAFLET.
Just for you! GREAT OFFERS:
l FREE BOOK FOR EVERY READER Turn to page 85 for this offer
l FREE GIFT WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE Find out more on page 44
STEP-BY-STEP BEANIE
SHOPPING
29 STYLE SPOTLIGHT The best of this season’s autumnal designs 38 MARVELLOUS MUSTARD Spice up your wardrobe with this on-trend shade 65 WOOL FOR UNDER A FIVER Our pick of pure wool for a bargain price 86 WHAT’S IN STORE Get the hot gossip from our favourite shops around the UK
FOCUS
10 LOOK WHAT’S NEW FOR YOU Catch up with the latest news and gossip from the knitting universe 35 BRITISH KNITTING AWARDS Vote for your knitting faves and you could win an amazing spa break 56 13 TOP BUYS FOR NEW KNITTERS Our best buys for a knitting novice
74 “I’M RARELY SEEN NOT KNITTING OR CROCHETING” We chat to knitting designer Lynne Rowe
PEOPLE
50 STOP AND SHARE Catch up with the LK community 98 LAST WORD Christel Seyfarth chats to us about her life as a knitting designer
IN EVERY ISSUE..
87 Who cares?...WE DO!
At Let’s Knit we understand that nothing is more annoying than errors in knitting patterns. As part of our total commitment to ensuring that your experience of our magazine is as enjoyable as possible, we’re proud to offer
3 Welcome 7 This Month’s Free Gift 8 September is the Month 44 Subscriptions 49 Coming Next Month 52 Tea Break 70 Bumper Giveaways 81 Can We Help? 92 Practical Guides 94 Step By Step
THE LET’S KNIT PATTERN PROMISE: l Exclusive patterns featured in Let’s Knit have been professionally checked and reproduced with the utmost care. Updates can be found at www.letsknit.co.uk 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 email: support@letsknit.co.uk By post: at the address on page 95(please mark your envelope ‘Support’) (Please note we cannot offer assistance with patterns not published in Let’s Knit)
05 Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk
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LOVE YOUR
THIS MONTH'S FREE GIFT
FREE FIVE BALLS YARN KIT?
OF DK YARN
You can order a bumper pack that + BONUS PATTERN BOOKLET includes 150g TEN WOODLAND TOYS TO KNIT! of yarn, for only KNIT ALL FOUR CHARACTERS FROM £6.99* OUR WOODLAND GANG WITH YOUR FREE YARN KIT!
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
Here's what you've made from some of our most recent toy knits!
Includes 2 kits to make more of your favourite woodland toys!
TO ORDER YOURS, SIMPLY CALL 0800 923 3007 or visit www.letsknit. co.uk/the woodlandgang
LK Reader GLENNA WATERHOUSE
LK Reader AMANDA PODMORE
PLUS Quick and easy toys to knit in a night! LK Reader BEVERLEY WILSON
– best for gifts!
*T&C’s: additional £2 delivery charge on all orders. Limited stock available.
LK Reader DIANE COCKEL
7 www.letsknit.co.uk
This Month’s Free Gift 109.indd 1
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SIMPLE LACE PATTERN
Knit from a different perspective with a
EXCLUSIVE TO
SIDEWAYS JACKET T
he effects of self-striping yarn can be seen to full effect in this unusual jacket by Pat Menchini. The body is worked as four sideways panels, and then front and back panels are joined at the upper arm so sleeves can be knitted from the top down. The shell edging is a beautiful detail, and looks great with a dress or jeans.
FLATTERING STYLE FOR SIZES 8-26
meet our DESIGNER “The sideways design of this jacket and the self-striping yarn show off this pretty shell pattern to great effect. There are no buttons needed as the jacket is designed to be left open.” PAT MENCHINI
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E AP SR YO MB AO TB IYO NS WA LE AF ET AE RT U R E
Cable Guy
Measurements & Sizes To fit age (mths): 0-9 (9-18, 18-24, 3-4 yrs, 5-7 yrs) To fit chest (cm): 41-46 (46-51, 51-56, 56-61, 61-66) Actual chest (cm): 52 (57, 62, 67, 72) Length (cm): 28 (32, 38, 42, 48) Length (cm): 16 (19, 23, 28, 32)
Knit Kit Yarn: Deramores Baby DK, Sweater: shade 011 Marmalade, 2 (3, 4, 4, 5) 50g balls, Tank Top: shade 012 Frozen Blue, 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) 50g balls Needles: 3.25mm, 4mm Cable Needle Stitch Holders Buttons: four each
Tension Square l l l l
23 sts x 31 rows 10cm x 10cm over pattern 4mm needles
Special Abbreviations C6B: sl next three sts on to cn, hold at back of work, k3, k3 from cn C6F: sl next three sts on to cn, hold at front of work, k3, k3 from cn
For abbreviations see page 92
This little lad looks super smart in these two cabled tops from Deramores!
W
e knitters are always thrilled when we can turn our needles to wonderfully textured knits and the cables on these little baby tops definitely tick the box! Cabling is a classic technique that involves deliberately displacing groups of stitches to create twists in your work. It’s much easier than it looks and by the time you’ve finished this little sweater or tank top, you’re sure to be a pro!
Start knitting here... SWEATER BACK
Using 3.25mm needles and thumb method, cast on 66 (74, 82, 86, 94) sts £ Row 1 (RS): * k2, p2, rep from * to last two sts, k2 £ Row 2: p2, * k2, p2, rep from * to end These two rows set 2x2 rib
£ Work 5 (5, 7, 7, 7) rows more in 2x2 rib £ Next row: p5 (4, 5, 7, 7), m1, [p7 (11, 18, 12, 20), m1] 8 (6, 4, 6, 4) times, p5 (4, 5, 7, 7). 75 (81, 87, 93, 99) sts Change to 4mm needles £ Row 1: k0 (1, 0, 1, 0), p1, [k1 tbl, p1] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, k4, p2, k1, p2, k12, p2, [k4, p1] four times, p1, k12, p2, k1, p2, k4, [p1, k1 tbl] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, p1, k0 (1, 0, 1, 0) £ Row 2 and every WS row: k5 (8, 11, 14, 17), p4, k2, p1, k2, p12, k1, [k1, p4] four times, k2, p12, k2, p1, k2, p4, k5 (8, 11, 14, 17) £ Row 3: k0 (1, 0, 1, 0), p1, [k1 tbl, p1] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, C4F, p2, k1, p2, C6B, C6F, p2, C4B, p1, C4F, p1, C4B, p1, C4F, p2, C6B, C6F, p2, k1, p2, C4B, [p1, k1tbl] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, p1, k0 (1, 0, 1, 0) £ Row 5: as Row 1 £ Row 7: k0 (1, 0, 1, 0), p1, [k1 tbl, p1] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, C4F, p2, k1, p2, k12, p2, [C4F, p1, C4B, p1] twice, p1, k12, p2, k1, p2, C4B, [p1, k1 tbl] 2 (3, 5, 6, 8) times, p1, k0 (1, 0, 1, 0) £ Row 8: k5 (8, 11, 14, 17), p4, k2, p1, k2, p12, k1, [k1, p4] four times,
k2, p12, k2, p1, k2, p4, k5 (8, 11, 14, 17) Rows 1-8 form Rice st and Cable panel £ Cont in patt until Back meas 16 (19, 24, 27, 32) cm, ending after a WS row
Shape armholes £ Work 4 (4, 5, 5, 5) rows dec one st at each end of every row. 67 (73, 77, 83, 89) sts £ Cont in patt without shaping until armholes meas 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) cm, ending after a WS row
Shape Shoulders £ Cast off 17 (18, 20, 21, 24) sts in patt at beg of next two rows. 33 (37, 37, 41, 41) sts Leave rem 33 (37, 37, 41, 41) sts on a holder
FRONT £ Work as for Back until Front has 18(18, 20, 20, 20) rows fewer than Back to shoulder shaping, ending after a WS row
Shape left neck and shoulder £ Next row: patt 25 (26, 28, 29, 32), turn Leave rem 42 (47, 49, 54, 57) sts on a holder £ Next row: patt to end £ Work four rows in patt dec one st at neck edge on every row. 21 (22, 24, 25, 28) sts £ Work seven rows in patt dec one st at neck edge on next and every foll alt row. 17 (18, 20, 21, 24) sts
Deramores Baby DK is a super-soft yarn that’s perfect for all sorts of children’s projects. It blends 55% nylon and 45% acrylic, and can be machine washed and tumble dried. It costs £2.99 per 50g (170m) ball. As well as fantastic own-brand yarns, Deramores stocks a wide range of products for knitters, from yarn to kits and everything else in between. You can get 15% off all orders by using the code 5561. Call 0845 519 4573 or visit www.deramores.com
knitwise
This pattern is made up of cables set against a background of Rice stitch, which gives a lovely textured effect. It alternates regular purl stitches with knit stitches that are worked through the back loop. Knitting through the back loop creates a deliberate twist in your stitch and adds a subtle texture to your fabric.
20 www.letsknit.co.uk
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PERFECT FOR THE NEW SEASON
Forest Flame A cosy cabled wrap from Charmaine Fletcher
B
Dress, £19.99, Mango; Bracelet, £5.99, T.K. Maxx
old tassels and a twisting cable make this an eyecatching accessory for autumn. It’s actually really easy to knit, as the yarn does the colourwork for you – just make sure you match the stripe sequence to get a seamless join. Designer Charmaine has worked elongated stitches at the end of the sloped rows to keep the sides from puckering. These are easy to work, just wrap the yarn twice around the needle when you’re knitting the stitch.
LET THE YARN DO THE WORK! 23 www.letsknit.co.uk
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Very Berry
Measurements & Sizes Circumference: 80cm Depth: 25cm
Knit Kit Yarn: Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply, shade 800 Spiced Plum, one 100g skein Needles: 3.25mm circular Crochet hook: 0.75mm Matsuno seed beads: Size 6 silver lined purple AB, approx. 200 beads Tapestry needle Stitch markers
Tension Square l 26 sts x 38 rows l 10cm x 10cm
l stocking stitch l 4mm needles
Special abbreviations Placing beads: using a 0.75mm crochet hook, slide bead on to hook, then insert hook pwise into loop of stitch. Slip this stitch off needle and use hook to pull yarn through bead creating a small loop. Place this loop back on LH needle.
About the Yarn Fyberspates Vivacious 4 Ply is a great choice for lighter-weight projects, has good stitch definition and is soft against the skin. It is available in a range of colourful shades. It is machine washable and spun with a high twist, making it hard wearing. It costs £13.50 per 100g (365m) skein from 01829 740903, www.laughinghens.com
Need an Alternative? Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply is a merino wool that feels wonderfully soft against skin so is perfect for this cowl. It comes in a gorgeous range of bright colours and is machine washable. It costs £4.95 per 50g (180m) ball from 01925 764231, www.blacksheepwools.com To get 10% off all orders at Black Sheep Wools use the code LK109
Add some sparkle to a plain sweater with Jane Burns’ stunning beaded cowl
W
e love a knit with a bit of added detail and beads are the perfect way to do it! This stunning design will add an extra layer of cosiness to your outfit during
Start knitting here...
NOTE: To ensure you use all of your yarn follow this formula: Before casting on, weigh your yarn = X grams Work bottom cuff, weigh your yarn again = Y grams Subtract Y from X, add one to this figure = Z grams This is the amount of yarn you will need to work the top cuff and the cast off
BEADED COWL Using 3.25mm needles and long tail cast on method, cast on 212 sts
Bottom cuff £ Rows 1-10: * k1 tbl, p1, rep from * to end
Body Commence working from Chart £ Row 1: k84, pm, k1 tbl, p1, work Row 1 from Chart five times in total, pm, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, k to end £ Row 2: k to marker, sm, k1 tbl, p1, work Row 2 from Chart to marker, sm, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, k to end £ Row 3: k to marker, sm, k1 tbl, p1, work Row 3 from Chart to marker, sm, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, k to end £ Cont working from Chart as set until piece meas 22cm from cast-on OR if you are using all the yarn, remember to stop working when you have Z grams of yarn left
Top cuff £ Rows 1-12: * k1 tbl, p1, rep from * to end £ Cast off using stretchy cast off (see Knitwise)
knitwise
KEY knit
Let’s Shop Matsuno seed beads: Silver Lined Purple AB, one 9g pack costs £1.30 from 01736 751070, www.gjbeads.co.uk
cooler weather. Made using merino wool, this straightforward pattern is a great way to use up a whole skein of yarn and create a soft cowl that drapes beautifully.
ssk yo knit and bead
This cowl will benefit from a nice stretchy cast off, like the Russian Cast Off. Here’s how you do it: Step 1: knit the first two stitches together through the back loops. Step 2: slip the loop on your RH needle back to the LH needle. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until all your stitches have been cast off.
30 www.letsknit.co.uk
1
2
Man of Steel
QUICK AND CHUNKY SET
Keep him cosy this autumn in a matching cap and scarf set from Bergere de France
U
nlike most of the population, we knitters can’t wait for the colder weather to arrive and this cap and scarf combo is perfect for when it does. It is easy to knit and soft and cosy to wear, and your man will be eager to don this duo when the temperatures start to drop. The scarf can easily be shortened or even turned into a cowl!
GREAT GIFT IDEA!
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VOTE ONLINE @ www.letsknit.co.uk/britishknittingawards WORTH
£550!
WIN fabulous prizes worth £660!
Vote in the British Knitting Awards and you could win a spa break or yarn bundle! WORTH
£100!
I
t’s time to have your say! Now in its ninth year, our annual poll of knitting’s great and good is entirely voted for by you, and the shortlist for 2016 begins below. It’s your chance to give your favourite brands, yarns, shops and designers the recognition they deserve. Don’t forget, if your favourite isn’t there simply add them in the ‘other’ category. You can vote online at www.letsknit. co.uk/britishknittingawards or on the form printed here, and you’ll be automatically entered into our prize draw for a chance to win a £550 spa break or a fantastic yarn bundle worth £100 – you can find the details overleaf!
WHAT TO DO
Simply tick off your favourites in the boxes provided, or, if your preferred choice isn’t mentioned, add them in the space marked ‘other’. You can do this on the form provided here or online at www.letsknit.co.uk/ britishknittingawards. If using the printed form, post it to us in an envelope marked British Knitting Awards to Marketing Dept., 21-23 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JY. Once all the votes have been counted the results will be announced in the Christmas Special issue of Let’s Knit, on sale Friday 30th September 2016.
VOTE HERE OR GO ONLINE TO WWW.LETSKNIT.CO.UK/BRITISHKNITTINGAWARDS
!
YARNS AND BRANDS Best baby yarn brand
q King Cole q Debbie Bliss q Stylecraft q Rico q Sirdar q Other.......................................
Best independent yarn brand
q Truly Hooked q Toft Alpaca q Rosie’s Moments q West Yorkshire Spinners q Deramores q Other.......................................
Best value yarn brand
q Stylecraft q Drops q James C. Brett q King Cole q Sirdar q Other.......................................
Best luxury yarn brand
q Noro q Sirdar q Rowan q Debbie Bliss q Sublime q Other.......................................
Awards Nominations.indd 2
Best sock yarn brand
q Drops q Sirdar q Regia q Opal q West Yorkshire Spinners q Other.......................................
Best overall yarn brand q Sirdar q King Cole q Debbie Bliss q Stylecraft q Rowan q Other.......................................
Best brand for British yarn
Favourite knitting designer
q Debbie Bliss q Kaffe Fassett q Louisa Harding q Kate Davies q Martin Storey q Other.......................................
SHOPS AND SHOPPING Best chain store/multiple q John Lewis q Hobbycraft q Abakhan q House of Fraser q Boyes q Other.......................................
q Jamieson & Smith q King Cole q West Yorkshire Spinners q Blacker Yarns q Rowan q Other.......................................
Best online shop
Favourite pattern house
Best local independent yarn store
q Debbie Bliss q Stylecraft q Sirdar q Rowan q King Cole q Other.......................................
q Wool Warehouse q Black Sheep Wools q Knit Nottingham q Deramores q LoveKnitting q Other.......................................
SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND q Jenny Wren’s Yarns, Ipswich q The Sheep Shop, Cambridge q Sconch, Braintree q The Yarn Dispensary, Faversham
q Loop, Islington q Other ................................................... ................................................................... SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND q Spin A Yarn, Bovey Tracey, Devon q Bluestocking Wool Shop, Stroud q Pins & Needles, Devizes q Get Knitted, Bristol q The Slipped Stitch, Sherborne q Other ................................................... ................................................................... NORTH OF ENGLAND q Black Sheep Wools, Warrington q A Good Yarn, Cleethorpes q Baa Ram Ewe, Leeds q Ripping Yarns, Saltburn q Purl & Jane, Skipton q Other ................................................... ................................................................... WALES q White Gecko Craft Louge, Dinas Powys q Calons Yarn, Cardiff q Hanks, Menai Bridge q Yarn ‘n Yarns, Penarth q Caroline’s Wool Shop, Newtown q Other ................................................... ................................................................... PTO FOR MORE CATEGORIES
22/07/2016 12:49
TREATS FOR YOUR FEET
EXCLUSIVE TO
Autumn Heather Katya Frankel’s socks are great for lace beginners!
S
ocks are the perfect project for trying out new stitch patterns and techniques. They’re relatively quick and you don’t have to worry about shaping during the main pattern. Lace is made up of yarn forward increases and angled decreases – you can see the effect of the decreases in the curves of the motif. We’ve got both charted and written instructions, so see which you prefer.
EASY LACE PATTERN
meet our DESIGNER “This sock is knitted from the top down in the round with a lace leg and top foot. The sock features a heel flap and a pointed wedge toe.” KATYA FRANKEL
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Autumn heather.indd 2
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TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Stay cosy and casual in our
EXCLUSIVE TO
COMFY SWEATER N
othing beats snuggling up in a relaxed fit jumper when the autumn chills come to town. This one has an unusual construction as the body is worked from side to side; we explain this in more detail in our Knitwise panel. It’s knitted in a sportweight yarn so is lighter than a sweater knitted in DK – the yarn also contains 12% cashmere so it’s luxurious too!
EASY TO KNIT AND WEAR!
Trousers £29.50 Per Una at Marks & Spencer
meet our DESIGNER “I like knitting something different, and knitting sideways fits the bill perfectly! This jumper is a great shape, with little details that add interest whilst you’re knitting. And it’s such a lovely yarn to knit with!” JO ALLPORT
53 www.letsknit.co.uk
GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS
Sir Cuthbert Cilla Webb’s handsome knight is a fun weekend knit
T
his charming fellow is the perfect playmate for story time. He’s from Cilla Webb’s book, Knitted Fairy Tales and is suitable for confident beginners who are looking to expand their skill set. There’s a bit of shaping involved, short i-cords and the tabard features some simple colourwork. Remember to sew all the parts on very securely, so Sir Cuthbert doesn’t get injured during playtime.
MAKE IN A WEEKEND
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PERFECT FOR NEW KNITTERS!
Cool Kids Juniors will love these bright and bold accessories from Bergere de France
S
uper colourful and really easy to knit, these fab, chunky accessories are just the thing for keeping your youngster snug and stylish this autumn. You only need to know how to cast on, knit and cast off – it really is as simple as that. Use vibrant, contrasting colourways like we’ve shown here, or get truly creative with stripes or monochrome effects.
“To make this in an adult size, just cast on more stitches and work more rows – simple!” LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
79 www.letsknit.co.uk
I MRPEL E| LYAAC RE NP ASTHT EOR PN D A Y F E A TS U TM
TM
TM
EXCLUSIVE TO
Bright Spark
Lucinda Ganderton’s simple satchel is perfect for the new term
V
ibrant and funky satchel bags are practical yet stylish accessories and this one is really easy to crochet. It is worked in double crochet which is one of the easiest stitches to learn. There’s a little bit of shaping around the bottom edge of the bag, but it is still a good project for beginners. Add a bold, patterned lining and leather buckles for a truly professional finish. You can get the yarn, hook and fabric for this project from your local yarn shop!
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