W NE OK! LO
BEGINNERS START HERE! Cute bunny bootees step by step ISSUE 117 Apr 2017
Sizes 8-22
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
Knit our
5 STUNNING GARMENTS
SPRING BRIGHTS Collection
Y COLOURBLOCK SWEATER Y PINEAPPLE BUNTING Y DAFFODIL BROOCH in six sizes
£5.99 | Apr 17 Issue 117
Knitkiennad wee
TWO-NEEDLE SOCKS
QUICK MAKES FOR YOU & YOURS
Knitting dilemmas? Our yarn shop heroes solve them!
DON’T
MISS!
VAL PIERCE EXCLUSIVE
SIMPLE SPARKLY BUTTERFLY PATTERN
LK April17 Cover Issue 117 Final.indd 1
TOP YARN PICKS
PRETTY AND PRACTICAL SUMMER BUYS
CROCHETED EASTER BUNNY TIMELESS TREASURES
HERITAGE BABY KNITS THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE
03/03/2017 17:06
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*
UNICORN YARN KIT 5 COLOURS + EASY PATTERNS! ! Two projects to choose from
– best for gifts!
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/ topaz
Knit Topaz the Unicorn..
*T&C’s: postage charges apply. Limited stock available.
You’ve loved our toy knit kits both old and new LK Reader RUTH ELLENEMERY NICHOLAS
. .or our adorable bootees! LK Reader CATH MELLINGS
LK Reader TERI HAMILTON
Check out all the fantastic yarn bundles available now at The Craft Store
Love unicorns? Use your yarn stash to crochet Meadow the Unicorn! Designed by Janine Holmes for our sister title Let’s Get Crafting, the pattern for this four-legged friend is free to download at www.topcrochetpatterns.com
craftstoreuk. com
LK Reader LYNN DOUGLAS LK Reader EMMA LEA
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SWEET SPRING ACCESSORY
EXCLUSIVE TO
Hedgerow Fizz Charmaine Fletcher’s easy scarf is bedecked with knitted flowers
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T-shirt, £12.95, Gap; Jeans, £29.50, Marks & Spencer
nit and purl stitches are the bread and butter of a knitter’s repertoire but can still look so effective – as shown in this pretty patchwork-style accessory. Slipping the first stitch of every row will give a neat edge to your scarf and the ‘seam’ effect is created by working moss stitch bands. The decorative picot edging is worked by casting on and casting off on the same row, but you could cheat and use a faux picot if you prefer, just read our Knitwise panel (overleaf) to find out how.
meet our DESIGNER “This would look lovely simply draped around the neck, with one end left to hang down the front and the other draped over the opposite shoulder.” CHARMAINE FLETCHER
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Nominate online: www.letsknit.co.uk/awards
WIN! WIN! WIN! Fab yarns and other prizes worth over £300!
There’s a hamper of knitting goodies and £100 of Amazon vouchers up for grabs - just tell us who your favourites are!
NOMINATE AND WIN ALL THIS!
F
rom Mary Berry to Len Goodman to Tom Jones, you can hardly move for judges these days, presenting their expert opinion on everything from baking to singing. Well, now it’s your turn, because The British Knitting & Crochet Awards are open for business, and the only judges that count are you, the crafty public! You’re free to nominate whoever you like, big or small, using the categories on our form, which you’ll find online at www.letsknit.co.uk/awards and you’ll be automatically entered in the draw to win fabulous prizes! The British Knitting & Crochet Awards are run every year by Let’s Knit and Let’s Get Crafting magazines, and are widely recognised as the biggest and most important awards in the industry. Once all the nominations are in, a shortlist of the most popular yarns, stores, designers and accessories will be put together ready for the final voting stage. Nominate now to make sure your favourites won’t be left out! Be sure to go online and complete the form by the closing date of 12th April 2017.
How to Enter
It’s so easy to send us your nominations. Visit www.letsknit.co.uk/awards and follow the simple instructions.
Nominate Now!
The winners of the British Knitting & Crochet awards are entirely decided by you, the knitting public. Have your say in who or what should be nominated for an award and you could win a fabulous prize. Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
The Prizes
Just by telling us who your favourites are you could win a fantastic hamper containing over £200 worth of yarn, kits, patterns, needles and a gorgeous knitting bag. There is also a runner-up prize of £100 worth of vouchers for www.amazon.co.uk
Best Overall Yarn Brand You’re a knitter, so that makes you a yarn expert! Which brand of yarn do you turn to the most for quality, value and all-round excellence.
Best Local Independent Yarn Store Bricks-and-mortar yarn shops are the lifeblood of knitting and crochet. If you’ve visited a lovely store and been impressed with the range or the service make sure it gets a mention.
Favourite Knitting/Crochet Book Some gorgeous titles have been published over the last year, and the authors’ hard work deserves to be rewarded. Which ones caught your eye?
Favourite Knitting Designer Whose patterns inspire your needles to get clicking? Give a thank you to the talented people who create your favourite projects.
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SPRING ACCESSORY
Brighten up your outfit with our
sunny shawlette
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ayer up with this variegated Veronica Shaw’s colourful accessory. It’s an eye-catching number that is both simple and quick to knit. With a basic repeating pattern throughout, it’s a fantastic project for beginners looking to expand their wardrobe and the wonderful yarn does all the colourwork for you! Try using stitch markers to help you keep track of your pattern repeats.
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FRUITY DÉCOR
Pineapple Party
EXCLUSIVE TO
Summer’s here early with Lucinda Ganderton’s sweet bunting!
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ith warming weather and family reunions on the horizon, make sure you get into the swing of summer with this adorable knitted decoration. It’s incredibly versatile and can be hung both indoors and out, so why not host a barbecue with a fruit theme? It’s a simple knit that uses basic increases and decreases to achieve its familiar shape, and you can adapt the pattern to make the bunting as long or short as you’d like!
meet our DESIGNER “I have used a textured pattern made up of simple knit and purl stitches which creates a fun pineapple effect.” LUCINDA GANDERTON
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f you love to decorate your house for Christmas, why not do the same at Easter too? These little eggs are quick and easy to knit and can be made using oddments from your stash. You should be able to find similar plastic eggs on eBay or in your local craft or toy shop. Why not play about with colour effects and make stripy eggs or get creative with Swiss darning?
Measurements & sizes
Adorn your home with our
PRETTY EASTER EGGS Nicola Valiji’s decs are simple and speedy to make
7cm tall
Tension square 24 sts x 32 rows 10cm x 10cm Stocking stitch 3mm needles
You will need:
YARN: King Cole Pricewise, shades (A) 15 Baby Lemon, (B) 149 Blush, (C) 19 Baby Sky, (D) 1693 Baby Turquoise, (E) 13 Larkspur, (F) King Cole Big Value DK, shade 128 Fondant, one 100g ball of each NEEDLES: 3mm TAPESTRY NEEDLE PLASTIC EGGS: 6cm tall, 12 RIBBON: assorted SEWING NEEDLE AND THREAD
meet our DESIGNER
EXCLUSIVE TO
“These eggs could be made in any colour to match your décor – they’d make a stunning display for Easter.” NICOLA VALIJI
Start knitting here
(make two each in yarns A, B, C, D and E) Using 3mm needles, cast on five sts Row 1 and all WS rows: p Row 2: kfb in each st. Ten sts Row 4: (k1, kfb) to end. 15 sts Row 6: (k2, kfb) to end. 20 sts Row 8: (k3, kfb) to end. 25 sts Row 10: (k4, kfb) to end. 30 sts Rows 11-15: beg with a p row, work in st st Row 16: (k4, k2tog) to end. 25 sts Row 18: (k3, k2tog) to end. 20 sts Row 20: (k2, k2tog) to end. 15 sts Row 22: (k1, k2tog) to end. Ten sts Row 24: (k2tog) to end. Five sts Cut yarn leaving a tail, thread through rem sts, pull tight and fasten off
For abbreviations see page 92
YARN SHOP
TO MAKE UP Use yarn tail to sew seam until 2cm from cast-on edge. Place knitted piece over plastic egg, then close seam. Sew running stitch around cast-on edge and pull to gather. Weave in ends. Cut ribbon
15cm long, fold in half and sew to top of egg to make hanging loop. Use sequins, ribbon and lace to decorate each egg individually LK
King Cole Pricewise costs £1.79 per 100g (282m) ball. King Cole Big Value DK costs £2.29 per 100g (290m) ball. Both yarns are from 01254 708068, www.minervacrafts.co.uk
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GREAT VALUE SET
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Nursery Rhymes
Dress up little ones in Anni Howard’s adorable knits!
ith so many spring babies on the way, there’s no better time to treat your little loved ones to special handmade knits. These supersoft makes are incredibly light to wear and easy to move in, so they’ll be adored by adventurous toddlers! Both classic and exciting stitches and techniques work together to create the unique look of this dress. Get confident in the combination by practising a few of the stitches beforehand.
43 www.letsknit.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE TO
COMING UP IN THE MAY ISSUE OF FREE EASY TEDDY TRIO FOUR COLOURS + SIMPLE PATTERNS
KNIT OUR CUTE BEAR COUPLE WITH YOUR FREE YARN
DADDY BEAR
EASY TO KNIT, EASY TO WEAR
fashion collection!
PLUS...
MUMMY BEAR
BONUS BABY BEAR PATTERN INSIDE! ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Step-by-step hearts
BABY BEAR
Projects subject to change
Stylish textured top
Super speedy cushion
e tit Adorable blu
Heirloom toys to knit & treasure
l Part 5 of
our Country Cottage knitalong! l Simple and stylish home knits l Toy car and caravan playset l Stunning shawlette
ON SALE THURSDAY 13TH APRIL
49 Download hundreds of free knitting and crochet patterns today! www.letsknit.co.uk CNM 117.indd 49
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EASY EVERYDAY KNIT
Jeans, £24.99, T.K. Maxx; Bangle, model’s own
EXCLUSIVE TO
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Knit Jo Allport’s COMFY CASUAL SWEATER
erfect for everyday wear, this colourful number is a cheery addition to your wardrobe. We love the combination of the two contrasting yarns, especially with the semi-solid colour effect. There’s no waist shaping so you don’t need to worry about decreasing until you reach the raglans. Carry the yarn up the side of the work when working the stripes to reduce the amount of sewing up at the end.
53 www.letsknit.co.uk
YOUR FIRST SOCKS!
“Try to keep the toe seam as small and discreet as possible to keep your socks nice and comfy to wear.” LK Deputy Editor Adrienne Chandler
Super Simple Socks
Helen Ardley’s colourful socks are knitted on two needles!
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e know some of you find double-pointed needles tricky to use, but we don’t want you to miss out on the joys of knitted socks. With that in mind, we’re delighted to bring you this fab pair, knitted flat on two straight needles. There’s a classic ribbed cuff and some lovely Fair Isle patterning on the leg, before working a two-needle take on the traditional heel flap method. As they’re made in a DK yarn, they’re snug and cosy – perfect for keeping your toes warm on a chilly evening.
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EASY-WEAR CARDIGAN
Layer up for spring with our
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CABLE YOKE CARDI
Blouse, £39, Monsoon; Jeans, £24.99, T.K. Maxx
f you’re not a fan of sewing up then try this cardigan, it’s made all in one piece. The cable and eyelet pattern runs around the yoke section while the rest is simple garter stitch. The short-row technique adds shaping to the body too. Read our Knitwise panel (overleaf) to find out how to add length to this design.
meet our DESIGNER “Try to cast off evenly so that the tension of the cast-off matches the cast-on row, as this will help make sure the fronts are the same length.” JACINTA BOWIE
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CUTE CROCHET TOY
EXCLUSIVE TO
Rupert Bunny Diana Bensted’s crocheted playmate is all ready for Easter!
U
se classic amigurumi techniques to create our gorgeous Easter bunny! Not only is this fine fellow exceedingly cute, he’s actually quite simple to make. He uses double crochet stitches throughout with a clever invisible decrease, although you could use a standard dc2tog if you prefer. The limbs are attached while you work, which means there’s very little sewing up to do at the end. See our Crochet Clever panel (overleaf) to learn how.
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