JANUARY 2016
CONTENTS
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54 57
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26 16
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
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 telephone: 01206 508622 (office hours only) 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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PATTERNS
13 TEAL DREAM Knit a cardigan with lace and cable details by Anniken Allis 16 SLIP STITCH SWEATER Work gorgeous stitch effects with Jo Allport’s cosy jumper 20 RUSTIC CHARM Kelly Menzies’ cosy hat and mitten set is knitted in a value alpaca yarn 24 ROSE GARDEN An easy-to-wear cashmere sweater from Bergere De France 26 WINTER MIST A super simple accessory trio in Sirdar Boufflé 31 LUDO A classic, cuddly, stripy teddy in colourful Sirdar yarn 35 LITTLE BIRDS Part one of our new knitalong, a gorgeous baby blanket 41 WARDROBE ESSENTIALS Knit Penny Hill’s essential raglan cardigan in bright hues!
54 LITTLE BLUE Super cute garter stitch dungarees 57 SWEET LEMONADE A simple, timeless set for baby that you’ll knit again and again 62 SLOUCHY SWEATER Tina Barrett’s oversized jumper is chic and ultimately flattering 65 NEON NIGHTS Knit a scarf and mitt set in a bright yarn with contrasting ribbon detail 69 HOME SWEET HOME A fab Fair Isle teacosy made in British wool 73 KNITTING ESSENTIALS Super soft WIP bags designed by Jane Burns 77 STUDY BUDDIES Practical and fun pencil case and topper patterns by Susie Johns 84 POMPOM SCARF Veronica Shaw’s accessory is perfect for beginners. Learn how to knit it! 89 MIDNIGHT JEWEL Virginia Coppins’ crochet hooded scarf
04 www.letsknit.co.uk
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35
65
FREE
GIFT! 20
89
This month’s
MORE GREAT PATTERNS AT WWW.LETS KNIT.CO.UK
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41
10 cute makes for your free yarn kit in your pattern booklet!
SHOPPING
23 STYLE SPOTLIGHT Shop cosy textures and unique effects with this popular theme 45 ON A BUDGET Discover eight of our favourite yarns that cost under £2 67 BERRY NICE! We explore the stunning berry pink shade in all its glory 91 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 28 THE TOY PARADE Get to know the newest and best toy patterns and kits as well as useful tips
PEOPLE
50 STOP AND SHARE Catch up with the LK community 98 LAST WORD We chat with Claire Gelder, creator of Wool Couture Company
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IN EVERY ISSUE..
3 Welcome 7 This Month’s Free Gift 8 January Is The Month 38 Bookshelf 49 Coming Next Month 52 Tea Break 72 Giveaways 80 Subscriptions 83 Can We Help? 92 Practical Guides 94 Step By Step
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69
60 ALL TOGETHER NOW! Find out why we love knitting groups
05 Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk
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STUNNING CARDIGAN
Teal DREAM
EXCLUSIVE TO
Knit a cardi with classic cable and lace detail by Anniken Allis
W
orked in a beautiful merino yarn with superb stitch definition, this cardigan pattern is a great all rounder. Layer it with a contrasting top underneath for extra warmth or over a tea dress when the weather warms up. The lace and cable detailing on the back adds a pretty touch to a simple design and is easy to work from the charts provided.
Start knitting here...
£ Cont in patt as set until Back meas 54 (56, 57.5, 59.5) cm, ending after a WS row
Back
Shape right neck
(For yarn and other materials, see page 14)
Using 4mm straight needles, cast on 95 (107, 119, 129) sts £ Work six rows in garter st £ Row 1: k21 (27, 29, 34), pm, work Row 1 of Chart A (A, B, B) (see p14) pm, k21 (27, 29, 34) £ Row 2 and all WS rows: p21 (27, 29, 34), sm, work Row 2 of Chart A (A, B, B), sm, p21 (27, 29, 34)
Shape waist £ Next row (RS): k to two sts before marker, k2tog, sm, work Chart A (A, B, B), sm, ssk, k to end. 93 (105, 117, 127) sts £ Work seven rows in patt £ Rep last eight rows a further four times. 85 (97, 109, 119) sts £ Work ten rows in patt £ Next row (RS): k to marker, m1, sm, work Chart A (A, B, B), sm, m1, k to end. 87 (99, 111, 121) sts £ Work seven rows in patt £ Rep last eight rows a further four times. 95 (107, 119, 129) sts £ Cont in patt until Back meas 38.5 (39.5, 39.5, 40.5) cm, ending after a WS row
Shape armhole £ Cast off 4 (5, 6, 7) sts at beg of next two rows. 87 (97, 107, 115) sts £ Next row (RS): k2, ssk, patt to last four sts, k2tog, k2. 85 (95, 105, 113) sts £ Next row (WS): p2, p2tog, patt to last four sts, p2tog tbl, p2. 83 (93, 103, 111) sts £ Rep last two rows a further 2 (2, 3, 4) times. 75 (85, 91, 95) sts £ Cont dec on every RS row only a further 0 (1, 1, 1) times. 75 (83, 89, 93) sts
£ Row 1 (RS): patt 21 (25, 27, 29) sts, turn £ Row 2 (WS): p1, p2tog, patt to end. 20 (24, 26, 28) sts £ Row 3: patt to last three sts, k2tog, k1. 19 (23, 25, 27) sts
Shape right shoulder £ Row 1 (WS): p14 (16, 18, 20), w&t £ Row 2 (RS): k to end £ Row 3: p7 (8, 9, 10), w&t £ Row 4: k to end £ Row 5: p to end, working wraps tog with sts Leave all shoulder sts on holder
Shape left neck Leave centre 33 (33, 35, 35) sts for back neck on holder. Place rem sts back on needle. 21 (25, 27, 29) sts £ Row 1 (RS): patt to end £ Row 2 (WS): patt to last three sts, p2tog tbl, p1. 20 (24, 26, 28) sts £ Row 3: k1, ssk, patt to end. 19 (23, 25, 27) sts £ Row 4: patt to end
Shape left shoulder £ Row 1 (RS): k14 (16, 18, 20), w&t £ Row 2 (WS): p to end £ Row 3: k7 (8, 9, 10), w&t £ Row 4: p to end £ Row 5: k to end, working wraps tog with sts Leave all shoulder sts on holder
meet our DESIGNER
This cardigan is perfect as a year round layering piece. Dress it up with a skirt and blouse for work or dress it down with jeans for the weekend.” ANNIKEN ALLIS
13 www.letsknit.co.uk
PARADE THE Meet the most cuddly, friendly and fun new toy patterns and kits on the market W
e’ve been busy making friends with the new kids on the block so we’d like to introduce you to them! Toy knitting is a solid favourite and with a recent burst of new toy patterns and kits from some of our favourite spinners and designers, you’re sure to find something that makes its way onto your wishlist. Plus, find super-helpful designer tips to perfect your next toy!
BUGS LIFE We love these centipedes in all their sparkly glory! Make different lengths and colourways from the pattern or use your creativity to adapt it to something unique! Pattern 9041 from King Cole is knitted using its Tinsel yarn and costs £2.75 from 0845 003 0775, www.wool4less.co.uk
TIPS & TRICKS
“Don’t forget to give your doll rosy cheeks. Gently rub each cheek with a red wax crayon (or pencil crayon) until the colour is strong enough. If you’re afraid you might spoil the doll by making marks on her face then practise making a ‘test cheek’ on the back of her head before adding the hair.”
Wendy Phillips, creator of Dollytime
FIND MORE FAB TOY PATTERNS AT WWW. LOVEKNITTING.COM
“When knitting toys, you often have lots of
very similar pieces. I find it helpful to make up each component as I go along. Partly to check that it works but also so you have less making up to do at the end..” Zoe Halstead, Designer
“Children love bright colours so, when toy making, don’t be tempted to only use the more traditional shades you have in your yarn stash. Invest in a few fun colours like lime green, sugar pink, bright turquoise and yellow which will add vibrancy to any other shades you use. I use Stylecraft Special DK (available from LoveKnitting). There are dozens of wonderful colours to choose from.”
DOWNLOAD FROM WWW.LETS KNIT.CO.UK
Elizabeth Phillips, creator of Toyshelf toys
“It’s important to add just the right amount of stuffing: too little and the finished toy will be floppy and shapeless but too much and it will be misshapen, with lumps and bulges in all the wrong places.”
CHARLIE BEAR You can’t go wrong with knitting a classic bear which is sure to become a family heirloom and can be loved through generations. Knitted in Yeoman Yarns Crilly Baby DK, Charlie was originally featured in our sister magazine Let’s Get Crafting and now you can knit him with our free pattern download at www.letsknit.co.uk
Susie Johns, Designer
28 www.letsknit.co.uk
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EASY KNIT CLASSIC TED EXCLUSIVE TO
Ludo
This little bear from Sirdar is deceptively easy to knit!
A
ll children love teddies – and quite a lot of grown-ups do too! This one is a classic, but the self-patterning Fair Isle effect of the yarn really makes him stand out. Remember to label all your pieces ready for sewing up and take your time. It’s a toy’s face that gives it a certain character so you want to create the perfect expression.
31 www.letsknit.co.uk
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FOLLOW US USING #LITTLEBIRDS Sponsored by
LittleBirds Join our brand new knitalong by Sarah Hazell!
W
e know how much you all loved our 2015 Secret Garden blanket, so we thought we’d kick start the year with a fabulous new project for you to knit together! It’s designed by Sarah Hazell and features cute bird motifs and nature-inspired stitch effects. Each beautiful square is knitted twice to create a gorgeous 24-square blanket. We’ll be bringing you the patterns for two squares in each of the next five issues and would love to see how you get on. Share your photos of your progress on our Facebook and Twitter pages, you can find us @letsknitmag, or email adrienne.chandler@aceville.co.uk. We can’t wait to hear from you!
PART TWO ON SALE FRIDAY 22ND JANUARY!
35 www.letsknit.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE TO
e ls b o ia r d nt r a W sse
E
NEW SERIES
Part 1:
THE CLASSIC CARDIGAN
Penny Hill’s simple raglan cardi is a must for every knitter
W
elcome to the first in a series of essential patterns you’ll want to knit again and again! Our classic cardigan is worked in a standard 4ply yarn, so you can knit it in anything from a neutral baby merino to a multi-coloured sock yarn. To show the difference a change of yarn can make we’ve done two versions – one in a solid pure wool and one in a colourful silk blend. One easy pattern – endless possibilities!
l Sizes 8 – 28 l Standard tension l Suits all shapes l Cut out and keep!
41 www.letsknit.co.uk
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Treats for under £2! We take a look at fabulous purse friendly fibres
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ennies can be a little tight after the festive season but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be embracing great new knits to celebrate the new year. So we’ve rounded up eight of our favourite yarns that
bright
cost under £2 with all sorts of weights, textures and fibres to get 2016 off to a very knitty start whilst watching your wallet. Just think, you can buy even more yarn with the money you’ll save!
bursts of colour
fibres
100% wool
grea t for
tt croche oo
super s oft
a for b
knits up in no time at all
by 45 www.letsknit.co.uk
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EASY BABY GIFTS
Sweet Lemonade
EXCLUSIVE TO
Lynne Rowe’s hat and bootee set is simple yet timeless
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orked flat in garter stitch, this set is easy to make and gives you a classic set for a precious little one. The cotton yarn is kind to sensitive skin and super smooth giving great stitch definition and comfort for baby. Best of all, you can keep making this set again and again because the design is timeless.
meet our DESIGNER “This set is great for beginners as it uses mainly garter stitch with some simple shaping. I’ve used 100% cotton which is ideal for babies as it’s a natural yarn. For a boy, you could make the set in blue or green and omit the beads.” LYNNE ROWE
57 www.letsknit.co.uk
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! W O N R E H T E G O T ALL Shake off the stereotypes and find out what knitting groups are all about!
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rafting breaks down barriers. Fact. Age, language, occupation, none of it matters. When you sit down with a fellow crafter you can talk for hours! It doesn’t matter if they’ve been knitting for decades and you’ve only just picked up the needles, you automatically have something in common, and that’s a pretty great feeling. Whether you need advice, inspiration, or just to put the world to rights, knitters are the perfect audience. And the best place to find a knitter is at a knitting group. Not one near you? Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to set up your own!
You said. .
“My group is such a friendly bunch, always ready to help when someone is stuck or needs advice. We have a good laugh, put the world to rights.” Kim Williams “I’ve just joined a group run at my local wool shop. I was very nervous. The ladies there are lovely. I felt like I was walking into a friend’s living room. There was a lot of laughter and banter and I really look forward to going now.” Ann Graham
“I get ideas on how to deal with my yarn addiction and get away with it!” Tania Wiltshire Tell us why you love your knitting group on our Facebook and Twitter pages – find us @letsknitmag!
©Cassandra Barom
“It just feels so homely to be sitting with other knitters all knitting away, with a glass of wine or a cup of tea.” Ruth Scott
At Brodick Castle, Arran
©Jennie Dennett
“One of the best things must be the friendships made between people with a shared interest.” @togfriends
©Jennie Denn ett
The 2015 display in Talkin Tarn, Cumbria
NEW GROUP PROJECT IDEA! Fancy trying something different this year? Sign up for the Woollen Woods project for Voluntary Arts Week. It’s a great opportunity to transform a green space near you into a woolly wonderland – don’t forget to ask permission first! Last year over 6,000 items were donated to seven displays. Voluntary Arts Week 2016 takes place from the 6th-15th May, so there’s plenty of time to get planning. Find out more at www.voluntaryartsweek.org
60 www.letsknit.co.uk
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SIMPLE, STYLISH SET
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andmade accessories can definitely make you stand out from the crowd and this set is a real headturner! It’s knitted in a great value yarn and the scarf is so simple, even beginners could do it! The mittens are worked on double-pointed needles, using the afterthought thumb method which avoids the need for lots of shaping. As always, we’re here to help, so read our Knitwise panel for how to complete your thumb.
Neon nights
Bold, bright and fabulous, we love Charmaine Fletcher’s scarf and mitts! EXCLUSIVE TO
Start knitting here... (For yarn and other materials, see page 66)
SCARF
Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 35 sts using cable cast on method Change to 3.75mm needles
Top Border £ Row 1 (WS): (k1, p1) to last st, k1 This row sets moss st £ Row 2: as Row 1 £ Row 3 (ridge row): k1, p1, k to last two sts, p1, k1 £ Row 4: k1, p1, k to last two sts, p1, k1 £ Row 5: k1, p1, k1, p to last three sts, k1, p1, k1 £ Row 6 (eyelet row): k1, p1, k2, (k2tog, ywfd, k2) to last three sts, k1, p1, k1 £ Row 7: as Row 5 £ Row 8: as Row 4 £ Row 9 (ridge row): as Row 3
Main section
BRIGHTEN UP GREY DAYS!
Jacket, £65, Oasis, Jeans, £24.99, T.K.Maxx
£ Row 10 (RS): k1, p1, k to last two sts, p1, k1 £ Row 11: k1, p1, k1, p to last three sts, k1, p1, k1 Last two rows set st st with moss st edges
meet our DESIGNER “If you’re worried about the ribbon ends fraying, you can coat them in clear nail polish!” CHARMAINE FLETCHER
65 www.letsknit.co.uk
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BEAUTIFUL HOMEWARE
Home Sweet Home
EXCLUSIVE TO
Say goodbye to cold tea with Lucinda Ganderton’s pretty cosy
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dd a touch of the Shetland Isles to your home by knitting up this beautiful tea cosy by Lucinda Ganderton. The use of Jamieson’s Shetland wool gives an authentic feel to the traditional colourwork, but Lucinda’s choice of hues means it will be perfectly at home in any modern kitchen.
TRADITIONAL WITH A TWIST
69 www.letsknit.co.uk
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WORK IN PROGRESS BAGS
Knitting
EXCLUSIVE TO
Essentials
These intricate bags by Jane Burns make for ideal project pouches
L
ike most avid knitters, you probably have far too many projects on the go at once. Knit up a few of these practical and stylish bags to hold your work and no longer will you lose track of your progress. These carriers are bound to become your stash saviour, and with a colourwork and cable pattern to choose from, they are a great project themselves to embark upon.
73 www.letsknit.co.uk
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QUICK TO KNIT!
Study Buddies
EXCLUSIVE TO
Be a class apart with Susie Johns’ fun and fab stationery!
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e don’t know about you, but we feel that the new year is the perfect time to get organised, and pretty stationery really helps us get in the right frame of mind. This set is great for kids and those of you who are young enough at heart to still smile at a googly eyed frog on the top of a pen. The pencil case could also be used for stashing your double-pointed needles, crochet hooks or knitty notions.
QUIRKY FOUR-PIECE SET! meet our DESIGNER “This little trio of pen or pencil toppers would make a lovely gift. Although working on a small scale with double-pointed needles is a bit fiddly, they are so small that they take very little time to make.” SUSIE JOHNS
77 www.letsknit.co.uk
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SIMPLE CROCHET SCARF EXCLUSIVE TO
Midnight Jewel Beginners will love Virginia Coppins’ hooded scarf
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eaturing an easy treble stitch pattern and basic shaping, this scarf is a statement accessory for winter. It’s worked in two parts which makes it much easier to manage. Designer Virginia has opted to add sparkly tassels to the ends of her scarf, but you could make pompoms or just leave it plain, go on, get creative!
EASY TREBLE STITCH!
meet our DESIGNER “A good one for beginners; the fun part of this make is in the tassels! There’s also a glint of gold for added winter sparkle.” VIRGINIA COPPINS
89 www.letsknit.co.uk
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