CONTENTS 60
20 70
36 66
R OC VE JECT PRO
PATTERNS
Who cares?
13 CHIC SUMMER SHRUG Knit a perfect holiday cardi with a pretty lace edging
...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
17 BEACH DAYS Give your home a touch of kitsch with Nicola Valiji’s doorstop 20 PLAYFUL SUMMER T-SHIRT Pat Menchini’s cable and bobble design is a celebration of texture 25 FANCY FOOTWEAR Two beautiful sock designs for you to choose from
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)
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IVE LUS EXC TOY
MAY 2016
41 53 TIGER LILY Part 1 of our delightful dress-up doll, designed by Val Pierce 55 LITTLE TREASURE Knit a pretty dress for a little girl up to two years old 60 CROCHET MANDALA Try out the new craze with our easy-to-follow pattern 63 FASHION FORWARD KNIT Treat yourself to Zandra Rhodes’ drapey Japanese-style cardigan
33 THE ESSENTIAL SUMMER TOP A classic sleeveless top that can be made in any standard DK yarn
66 KNIT A BRIGHT BIRD-PRINT CUSHION Learn how to do intarsia with our step-by-step guide
36 ELEGANT LACY VEST Kelly Menzies’ fitted design has a beautiful stitch pattern
70 CUP OF JOY Keep your coffee warm with our simple cafetiere cosy
41 BRIGHT AS A BUTTON Helen Ardley offers four great ideas for using up your button stash
76 COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW Create a striking set for a baby in a riot of shades
48 LITTLE BIRDS The fifth and penultimate part of our KAL blanket
90 GROUND FORCE Crochet a simple and colourful gardening apron
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33
55
13
This month’s
FREE
GIFTS! 25
76
OVER £3,350 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN ON P46!
48
summer of
SOCKS
FARMYARD FRIENDS YARN KIT AND PATTERNS
SHOPPING
PEOPLE
29 ROCKING SOCKS You’ll love these delicious sock yarns as much as we do
98 LAST WORD We chat to contemporary knitwear designer Linda Whaley
10 LOOK WHAT’S NEW FOR YOU Catch up with the latest news and gossip from the knitting universe
40 MINTY GREEN Check out our favourite wares in this on-trend colour 45 STYLE SPOTLIGHT Stock up on gorgeous textured goodies 69 WHAT’S IN STORE Find out what’s new in your local yarn shop
FOCUS
58 MAGICAL MANDALAS We lift the lid on a colourful new crochet craze 73 DAY TRIPPER It’s Yarn Shop Day on 30th April and here’s your guide to some of the best events
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50 STOP AND SHARE See what everyone’s been making
JUST FOR YOU! l
GET 15% OFF HOOOKED YARN see page 72
FREE GIFT When you subscribe today. Find out more on page 88!
l
IN EVERY ISSUE..
90
3 Welcome 7 This Month’s Free Gift 8 May Is The Month... 32 Bookshelf 46 Bumper Giveaways 49 Coming Next Month 52 Tea Break 65 Can We Help? 88 Subscriptions 92 Practical Guides 94 Step By Step
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Y EAS CHET CRO 05
Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk
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FLATTERING AND STYLISH TOP
Get Riviera Style with our
EXCLUSIVE TO
CHIC SUMMER SHRUG P
retty lace panels make Anniken Allis’s cover-up a must-knit make for the warm weather. It brings to mind magical holidays and sparkling seas, and the loose fit means it drapes beautifully. Start now in time for your summer break, then pair it with a floaty dress or cool and casual vest.
meet our DESIGNER “This cardigan has curved hems on the front and back and a simple lace pattern along the front opening.” ANNIKEN ALLIS
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PERFECT FIRST PROJECT
EXCLUSIVE TO
Beach Days Re-live childhood holidays at the seaside with Nicola Valiji’s easy-knit doorstop
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here’s something wonderfully cheerful and nostalgic about beach huts painted in pretty pastel shades. And they bring back such vivid memories – you can almost taste the sand in your picnic! This knitted replica can be a cushion or a doorstop and is a fun addition to any home. It’s great for beginners as it uses simple stitches, with a little bit of shaping and some easy stripes to help you develop your skills.
EASY KNITTED HOME STYLE
meet our DESIGNER “Pin all the pieces into place before sewing them on to get them level and make sure you’re happy with the finished look.” NICOLA VALIJI
17 www.letsknit.co.uk
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TWO FAB SOCK PATTERNS
summer of
SOCKS
FANCY FOOTWEAR
EXCLUSIVE TO
Socks make great year-round projects and we’ve got two patterns to get you started in our fabulous series
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e’re back with our brilliant Summer of Socks collection. Running over the next few issues, we’ll be bringing you new sock patterns to try! This issue we have two different constructions and stitch effects for you to have a go at. Anniken Allis has designed eyelet-patterned socks (below left) that are worked from the toe to the cuff with an afterthought heel – see our Knitwise panel on page 27 for how to do pick up stitches for this. Jan Henley works her socks (below right) from the top down and combines crosses and cables to great effect. Which ones will you make first?
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e ls b o ia r d nt r a W sse
COLLECT THE SERIES
Part 5:
THE ESSENTIAL SUMMER TOP
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Knit Penny Hill’s classic vest top ready for the sunshine
E
mbrace the warmer seasons with a pure cotton sleeveless top and add a stylish piece of knitwear to your wardrobe at the same time. The shape of this top is superbly flattering and effortlessly fashionable. You can knit this in any standard DK yarn; we’ve chosen to show it in two gorgeous printed cottons but see our panel overleaf for further suggestions.
Necklace from a selection at Marks & Spencer, shorts £18 Next
EXCLUSIVE TO
l Sizes 8 – 22 l Standard tension l Suits all shapes l Cut out and keep!
33 www.letsknit.co.uk
FOUR FUN MAKES
EXCLUSIVE TO
Bright as I a Button Helen Ardley raids her button tin for this colourful collection
f you’re anything like us, you have a weakness for trimmings – whether that’s ribbons, fasteners or ohso-beautiful buttons. You’ll have great fun rummaging through your button stash to decorate these fun makes. There are a few interesting techniques to try too, including intarsia colourwork, cables and a decorative picot cast off.
GREAT GIFT IDEAS!
meet our DESIGNER “Everybody has a stash of buttons. I have jars and tins full of them and collect them from everywhere I go. These projects are quick and simple to make, and are a way of making something look very decorative without a lot of expense.” HELEN ARDLEY
41 www.letsknit.co.uk
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PART ONE: FUN DOLL
Tiger Lily Create a fun play set with Val Pierce’s dress-up doll
EXCLUSIVE TO
M
eet Tiger Lily, a friendly little lady with a big roar. She is knitted in a great value James C. Brett yarn which is easy care and great for toys. You’ll practise simple stitches and shaping along with colour changes and embellishments so it’s great for beginner and intermediate toy knitters. Find her tiger suit in the next issue of Let’s Knit, on sale 13th May 2016!
EASY TOY FOR NEW KNITTERS
meet our DESIGNER “To make the hair, wind brown yarn around a book or a similar-sized object. It’s much easier than cutting individual lengths. Then cut through wraps to make long strands” VAL PIERCE
53 www.letsknit.co.uk
LUXURIOUS DRESS
LittleTreasure Linda Whaley’s pretty knit is perfect for a mini princess
EXCLUSIVE TO
T
his pattern uses a lovely new summer-ready yarn in a 4ply weight to create something special yet practical for a fun little lady. The superior quality of the Rowan yarn makes for great stitch definition in the lacy pattern and is breathable for warm-weather activities. The simple shape is timeless and will be worn time and time again. If you’re new to garment knitting, this pattern is a great opportunity to learn more skills.
55 www.letsknit.co.uk
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Sponsored by
MAGICAL MANDALAS Adrienne Chandler finds out what this colourful crochet trend is all about
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s much as knitting is our favourite hobby here at LK Towers, we’re also big fans of crochet. It’s all about using the best skill for the job and when we’re faced with a project that is more suited to crochet, we are keen to pick up our hooks and give it a go. After all, crochet hooks aren’t just for picking up dropped stitches! One of the latest decorative trends in the world of crochet is for mandalas. We take a look at what they are, why they are so popular and have even got a pattern for you to try (p60). Hooks at the ready, knitters!
WHAT IS A MANDALA?
The literal translation of the Sanskrit word ‘mandala’ is circle, but it’s the spiritual connotations that make them truly special. The repeated patterns are often used to symbolise unity and togetherness, as the structures grow outwards from a central point. This can be taken further to represent the cosmic balance of the universe.
WHY CROCHET?
WHERE TO START?
These gorgeous designs and the ones featured above are from Haafner Linssen’s new book Mandalas To Crochet (£10.99, Search Press). There are 30 projects to choose from ranging from simple yet modern colour block patterns to more intricate lacy, openwork styles. The book takes you through all the basic stitches and includes written and charted instructions. There are also some brilliant ideas of how to use your mandalas, like this beautiful bedspread or summery shoulder bag. To get your copy, call 01892 510 850 or go online at www.searchpress.com
Flat circular motifs are much easier to work in crochet than knitting. Clusters of stitches can make different shapes within the mandala and you can build openwork structures with connecting chains and make decorative edgings. They can be as simple or as advanced as you like, from basic crochet circles to textured and kaleidoscopic designs. They’re also quick to make and can be crocheted in an evening.
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this set of sts for section below left armhole £ Keeping Chart correct, dec one st at armhole edge of next 12 rows, then on foll alt row three times. 37 sts £ Work two rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 169 Place red marker at armhole edge of last row to mark base of armhole and top of left side ‘seam’ £ Work three rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 172 £ Inc one st at armhole edge of next row then every foll alt row four times, then on foll ten rows, ending after Chart Row 191. 52 sts Cut yarn and leave sts on another holder for Left side ‘seam’
Shape left shoulder £ Rejoin yarn to sts left on first holder, cast off 20 sts, patt to end. 50 sts £ Keeping Chart correct, dec one st at armhole edge of next 12 rows, then on foll alt row three times AT THE SAME TIME dec one st at longer shaped row-end edge of second row, then every foll eighth row twice. 32 sts £ Work two rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 169 Place blue marker at armhole edge of last row to mark armhole edge of left shoulder ‘seam’ £ Work three rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 172 £ Inc one st at armhole edge of next row then every foll alt row four times, then on foll two rows AT THE SAME TIME inc one st at longer shaped row-end edge of third row, then two foll alt rows, then on next four rows, ending after Chart Row 183. 46 sts Cut yarn and leave sts on another holder for Left shoulder
UPPER BODY SECOND SECTION £ Work as for Upper body First section to armhole
Shape right shoulder
HANDMADE DESIGNER STYLE
£ Next row (RS): patt 50, turn Leave rem sts on a holder and cont on this set of sts only for right front shoulder section £ Keeping Chart correct, dec one st at armhole edge of next 12 rows, then on every foll alt row three times AT THE SAME TIME dec one st at longer shaped row-end edge of second and every foll eighth row twice. 32 sts £ Work two rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 169 Place blue marker at armhole edge of last row to mark armhole edge of right shoulder ‘seam’ £ Work three rows in st st, ending after Chart Row 172
63 www.letsknit.co.uk
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SEE OUR ABBREVIATIONS ON PAGE 92
Stocking stitch
This pattern is worked entirely from the chart (overleaf), which is actually a much easier way of expressing these sorts of patterns. Before you begin, there are some important things you need to know about colourwork charts in knitting. l One box equals one knitted stitch l You start at the bottom and work up to the top. This reflects your knitting as your cushion will grow upwards from your cast-on row.
l Right side rows are read from right to left – that’s because when you are knitting the stitches from your left needle, you are working in that direction. l Wrong side rows are read from left to right, because you are working back in the other direction on purl rows l The chart is worked entirely in stocking stitch – see the panel on the right for an explanation of what this is.
that This creates a lovely, smooth fabric It is . ectly perf re pictu your off will show . It rows purl made up of alternate knit and use beca h whic is row h is easy to tell whic n knit stitches look like ‘v’ shapes whe look they are facing you and purl stitches like little bumps. Row 1: knit to end Row 2: purl to end The knit rows form the right side of your work.
Rows 1-14 are worked in stocking stitch (see above) using yarn A (grey) only. On Row 15, knit the first 83 stitches in yarn A, then use yarn D (green) for the next stitch.
67 www.letsknit.co.uk
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DAY TRIPPER
Find out what exciting events are taking place at your local shop on Yarn Shop Day 2016
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his year’s Yarn Shop Day celebrations are taking place on 30th April which is just around the corner. We’ve picked some of this year’s participating stores to find out what they are doing on the day so you won’t miss a thing. If you can’t find your local bricks and mortar store below, hop online to www.letsknit.co.uk to find our interactive map so you can track yours down and see what they’re up to. Happy Yarn Shop Day knitters!
ENJOY DISCOUNTS & CAKE
WOOL, Bath, Somerset
CHRISTINE’S WOOL SHOP, Bournville, Birmingham
This beautiful and chic yarn shop will be offering 15% off to anyone who takes along an issue of Let’s Knit so make sure you remember yours! There will also be a raffle to win a knitting bag, some bamboo needles and ten balls of lovely yarn, plus handmade mini cupcakes for essential sustenance whilst shopping. 01225 469144, www.woolbath.co.uk
Pop down to this great shop to meet knitting royalty, Debbie and Nell Bliss, who will be hosting book signings and ‘an audience with Debbie’. They’ve also got fantastic discounts and goodie bags just like last year. If you fancy learning a new skill, Kate Hulme will be holding crochet workshops throughout the day. How exciting! 0121 628 3977, www.cityknits.co.uk
MEET DEBBIE
KILL S A N R A LE
THE GOOD WOOL SHOP, Formby, Liverpool If you’re in the Liverpool area, make a point of visiting this lovely shop to hear a special talk by guest speaker Lynne Hawksworth, the wonderful woman behind Knitted Knockers, a charity that knits and crochets prostheses for women who have had a mastectomy. Plus you’ll still be able to enjoy all of the usual Yarn Shop Day patterns and goodies. 01704 830465, www.thegoodwoolshop.co.uk
JENNY WREN’S YARNS, Ipswich, Suffolk
SEE A GUEST SPEAKER 73 www.letsknit.co.uk
This Ipswich yarn wonderland has a whole load of great events happening on the day. There’s a knit and natter session from 10am-12pm, and classes for crochet hearts bunting at 1pm, pompom animals at 2pm, simple crochet flowers at 3pm and an introduction to cable knitting at 4pm. You can also snap up 10% off full priced stock, enter a raffle, get goodie bags, join yarn and book swaps and try extreme knitting with giant needles. Best of all, all money raised goes to Autism Suffolk so you’ll be crafting for a good cause. Also, join the team for an after hours birthday party with food and games, booking is essential. You’re spoilt for choice! 01473 805208, www.jennywrensyarns.co.uk
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FEATURE | YARN SHOP DAY
EXCLUSIVE TO
knitwise
Using lots of colours generates lots of loose ends, which will need to be woven in at the making-up stage, so allow a little extra time for this.
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