LK Cover70_Layout 1 15/07/2013 11:42 Page 1
KNIT FOR YOUR SHAPE HOW TO ADAPT PATTERNS INSIDE!
ISSUE 70 SEP 2013
Easy
SWEATER
m in King Cole Opiu
THE UK’S BESTSELLING KNIT MAG
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Luscious CHOOSE FROM TWO MOTIFS
TRY! THIS
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HAVE A GO AT CLASSIC LACE
SPECIAL VOTE & WIN
KNIT AWARDS 2013
ISSUE 70 SEP 2013 £4.99
AUTUMN YARNS
OUR GUIDE INSIDE
LK Contents_LK Project Template 15/07/2013 12:40 Page 2
Look what’s inyour PATTERNS 9
Danielle Try the basketweave technique with this gorgeous cardigan
12 Felicity Pat Menchini uses King Cole Opium for a stunning lace effect 15 Lotus A beautiful lace shawl inspired by the flower of the same name 20 Gabriel & Tess A matching unisex cowl and bag, perfect for back-to-school 24 Alex & Taylor His and Hers cabled cardigans by Hayfield 28 Benson & Marieta Val Pierce’s adorable ladybird and bumblebee backpacks for kids 35 Suzette Anniken Allis’ fantastic lace border sweater 42 Hayley Keep notes together with a Fair Isle ringbinder 44 Gwen Brighten up your living room with a lacy eyelet cushion 49 Jason Pretty polly! Jason is a simply amazing knitted parrot by Val Pierce Quick Knit
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: • 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 • 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 3 (please mark your envelope ‘Support’) (Please note we cannot offer assistance with patterns not published in Let’s Knit)
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66 54 Alice & Justine Wendy’s adorable baby swing coat and beret 59 Natalie Try colourwork with Zoë Halstead’s babysuit 64 Hayden Never lose a pencil again with this colourful holder 70 Anastasia Tailor a cardigan to fit you with clever shaping techniques 78 Oliver Practice cabling with this stylish men’s hot water bottle cover 83 Jenna An amazing Fair Isle asymmetric cape 86 Leigh This shoulder poncho cleverly combines knitting and crochet
52
SHOPPING 33 Made in Britain Show your patriotic side with lots of goodies made in the UK 52 Child’s Play Soft and machine washable, we look at some of the best childfriendly yarns 69 Knit Picks Our favourite stories and products this September 73 Colour Therapy This month’s trend is natural yarns with a hint of pink 81 What's in Store New knitty products hot off the shelves
FOCUS 34 British Knitting Awards There’s still time to vote for your favourite knitty products and places
28
This month’s fabulous 9 Danielle
12 Felicity
49 Jason
54 Alice
15 Lotus
20 Gabriel
20 Tess
24 Alex
54 Justine
59 Natalie
64 Hayden
24 Taylor
LK Contents_LK Project Template 15/07/2013 12:41 Page 3
September issue! 39 Coming Soon … LK checks out new releases for Autumn/Winter from the UK’s top spinners
PEOPLE
66 Knit For Your Shape Kerry Knight Maher investigates how to adapt patterns so that they fit just right
46 Tea Break Catch up with the LK community
76 Tutorial Adrienne Chandler shows you the best tailoring techniques
81
18 Inspiration Station This month's news from the knitsphere
98 My Stash Secrets Jane Crowfoot lets us snoop in her stash
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! See page 74 for our latest subscription offers
IN EVERY ISSUE... 3 Welcome 7 This Month We Love 63 Bookshelf 74 Subscriptions 85 Giveaways 88 Turn the Tables 89 Essential Information 93 Coming Next Month
12
59
78
Pattern collection! 44 Gwen
33
This month’s free gift: Heritage-style baby bonnet Betty
28 Benson
28 Marieta
35 Suzette
42 Hayley
70 Anastasia
78 Oliver
83 Jenna
86 Leigh www.letsknit.co.uk 05
Natalie_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 15:51 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE BABY PATTERN
Natalie
is an
incredibly sweet babysuit by Zoë Halstead To bear or not to bear? That is the question. Natalie is an adorable babysuit in Rico Baby Cotton Soft DK. Using simple intarsia colourwork, you can choose whether your pattern will include a bunny or bear motif.Available in sizes for babies up to nine months, it will make a fantastic gift for any new or expectant mother. START KNITTING ON P60
E CHOOS FROM TWO ! MOTIFS
www.letsknit.co.uk 59
Danielle_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 15:26 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE GARMENT PATTERN
A LEARN
NEWH C ! STIT TERN PAT
Danielle
is a flattering cardi that's great for layering Designed by Siân Brown, this neat little cardigan features an irregular basketweave pattern, which gives a lovely textured finish.The effect is achieved using crossed stitches.These give the appearance of narrow cables but are worked without a cable needle, which makes the project suited to beginners. Instructions are given in our Knitwise panel overleaf. START KNITTING ON P10
“This cardigan is trans-seasonal and will take you from an Indian summer, right through to the chilly days of autumn” LK DEPUTY EDITOR ADRIENNE CHANDLER
www.letsknit.co.uk 9
hayley_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 17:04 Page 1
MEASUREMENTS & SIZES To fit: standard sized A4 ring binder
KNIT KIT Yarn: Stylecraft Life DK, (A) shade 2305 Cream, (B) shade 2340 Colbalt, (C) shade 2308 Cascade, (D) shade 2343 Crocus, one 100g ball of each Needles: 4mm Ring binder: A4 Tapestry needle Hook and loop tape: selfadhesive, hook side only, 2.2m
10cm
stocking stitch 4mm needles
22 sts
Hayley
by Jane Burns is the perfect back-to-school accessory We all remember customising our school folders with stickers or pictures from magazines or anything else we could find.This nifty knit is an ingenious way of personalising your files, and you'll never lose your looseleaf patterns again! A project like this is also a great way of introducing yourself to the Fair Isle technique.
30 rows
10cm TENSION SQUARE
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE HOMEWARES PATTERN
START
ABOUT THE YARN Stylecraft Life DK is a versatile blend of 75% acrylic and 25% wool. The added natural fibre really elevates this affordable yarn. Choose from more than 40 shades. Need an alternative yarn? It's important to have some natural content when working stranded colourwork as the fibres fuse together better. King Cole Merino Blend DK is a pure wool that comes in 48 lovely colourways. FOR ABBREVIATIONS SEE PAGE 88
SHOP Stylecraft Life DK costs £3.19 per 100g (298m) ball from 0800 488 0708, www.deramores.com To get 10% off any order from Deramores, turn to p65 for your exclusive LK voucher code
TRY
STRANDED
COLOURWORK!
King Cole Merino Blend DK costs £3 per 50g (112m) ball from 01749 677548, www.mandywools.co.uk
42 www.letsknit.co.uk
Join the world’s busiest online craft community today! www.busymitts.com
FelicityNEW_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 15:41 Page 2
Using 6mm needles cast on 18 sts very loosely ❑ Work a strip in st st to meas approx 60cm ❑ Cast off very loosely
To make up Join raglan shapings. Join side seams leaving a gap of approx 5cm at waist level on right side seam. Join sleeve seams. Slot tie through gap and tie LK
“Even simple stocking stitch in this stunning yarn creates a beautiful almost lace effect. For an evening look, you could also try using a soft scarf in toning shades to tie the side drape” LK DESIGNER PAT MENCHINI
EASY LACE EFFEC T
Necklace, £15, Marks & Spencer, Top £9.99 TK Maxx
Tie
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lotus_LK Project Template 15/07/2013 12:55 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE ACCESSORY PATTERN
Lotus Henley
by Jan is inspired by an Indian summer
LACEIN WRALPY 4P YARN
Wrap yourself in luxury with this stunning golden shawl.The lace motif resembles a lotus flower and is achieved by combining strategically placed eyelets and shaped decreases.The chart is presented in an unusual format so read the Knitwise before you begin. Also, don't miss the Special abbreviation for 'double joins' as you'll need this for working the border around the central point. START KNITTING ON P16
“This yarn has a luxurious mix of silk and merino for warmth and lightness for the cooler nights after the warm and golden late summer days” LK DESIGNER JAN HENLEY
www.letsknit.co.uk 15
shape_LK Regular Template 15/07/2013 11:08 Page 2
knit
FOR YOUR
a h s pe
F
or many women we're seldom happy with our body shape, but in order to create knits which flatter our shape we need to accept what we have, highlight the features we love and disguise the ones we don't! LK's Kerry Knight Maher has grilled those in the know to help us all achieve knitted garments that not only are we proud to wear but that make us look sensational.
Embrace your body shape First things first, you need to establish your body shape so that you can learn what elements of a garment suit you and what you should steer clear of. Knitwear designers, as well as others, all use different terminology for this; you're all used to hearing different fruits (apple, pear) or even shapes (hourglass, triangle) to describe what shape you are but Amy Herzog, author of Knit to Flatter, keeps it simple by identifying three types of body shapes – Top-heavy, bottom-heavy and proportional.
Learn how to knit garments that your body loves to wear
The greatest form of flattery The goal here is to create the illusion of a balanced figure, generally topheavy shapes will be looking to distract attention from their shoulders and bust, bottom-heavy will be doing the opposite and proportional will be highlighting their special characteristics. To identify which category we fall into, Amy asks her readers to take two photographs of themselves (suggesting the appropriate kit of a camera, tape measure and glass of wine!), one front-facing and one side profile. Taking the front-facing photo, we need to draw four lines: Line 1 – draw a line from one armpit to the other Line 2 – draw a line across widest point of bust Line 3 – draw a line across narrowest point of waist Line 4 – draw a line across widest point of hip region
LINE 1 LINE 2
LINE 3
LINE 4
Now comes the comparison stage, draw a vertical line from the widest of lines 1 and 2 down the photo past line 4. This line identifies which shape category we are:
Vanessa’s shape is proportional
66 www.letsknit.co.uk
1 2
Proportional – if line 4 is slightly wider than the widest out of lines 1 and 2 Top-heavy – if line widest out of lines 1 and 2 is the same as or slightly larger than line 4 Bottom-heavy – if line 4 is larger than the widest out of lines 1 and 2
3
Using your side profile picture, you can now establish whether you have special characteristics that add to your body shape such as a large bust, some extra cushion around the tummy area or a flat or curvaceous bottom. Fulfilling this first, and very important, process allows you to identify your overall shape
and your curves (or lack of curves) and enables you to address where you need to modify areas of a pattern for the garment to fit your own body perfectly.
The last piece of the puzzle is to note down all the measurements shown in the image, to identify sleeve lengths, bust, waist, hips and so on.
Suzette_LK Project Template 15/07/2013 12:57 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE GARMENT PATTERN
Suzette Anniken Allis
by creates a purple haze of glory to welcome in the autumn months
SIZES2
8-2
With its gorgeous lace detailing and semisolid colour effect, created using the sublime Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply, Suzette is a must for your knitting to-do list.This sweater has simple lace elements, so is the perfect knit for those looking to dip their toes in the lace knitting pool. If you would prefer full written instructions for the charts, email support@letsknit.co.uk START KNITTING ON P36
www.letsknit.co.uk 35
Awards_Project layout One 15/07/2013 10:17 Page 2
VOTE ONLINE @
www.letsknit.co.uk/awards
Get Voting! WIN
A mini-break worth £500
Let us know who your favourites are and you could win a £500 mini-break courtesy of Great Little Breaks! Vote in this year’s British Knitting Awards and you could win a prize worth £500! All you need to do is log on to www.letsknit.co.uk/awards and tick your favourites from the shortlists, including categories for yarns, designers, knitting shops and websites. It’s your chance to reward all those who make your knitting experience special, and your opinion really counts, so don’t delay - get voting!
The Prize Great Little Breaks, which offers short, themed breaks in the UK complete with activities and treats, is supplying £500 worth of vouchers for one lucky reader. Choose from Great Little Gourmet, Family and Pamper, to Great Little Heritage, Explorer and City Breaks (and more) – all available at fantastic value. Hotel accommodation plus added extras, such as tickets to attractions, entry into historical properties, wine on arrival, afternoon tea, walking maps and packed lunches are packaged together to create a Great Little Price Promise short break, staying at one of 600 hundred hotels across the UK. For more information visit www.greatlittlebreaks.com or call 0844 848 8488. 34 www.letsknit.co.uk
What to do Simply visit www.letsknit.co.uk/awards and tick your favourites in the boxes provided, or, if your preferred choice isn’t mentioned, add them in the space marked ‘other’. New for this year is the chance to celebrate your local independent yarn store, as this category has been divided into regions for a bigger choice of nominees. Don’t miss the chance to reward your LYS for all the hard work they do! We’re also pleased to include a brand new book category with lots of exciting titles to pick from. Once all the votes have been counted the results will be announced in the November issue of Let’s Knit, on sale Friday 18th October.
Vote online instantly at www.letsknit.co.uk/awards
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: All entries must be received by Friday 20th September. This competition is open to readers worldwide aged 18 or over, excluding employees or agents of the associated companies and their families. Only one entry per person. The prize consists of a £500 voucher from Great Little Breaks and will be given away to the first entry drawn at random on Monday 23rd September. Entries must be on the forms provided (no purchase necessary) or online at www.letsknit.co.uk/awards. Photocopies are NOT accepted. Illegible entries and those that do not abide by the rules and regulations will be disqualified. No responsibility held for entries lost, delayed or damaged in the post, proof of posting is not proof of delivery. No correspondence will be entered into, only the winner will be notified by post. Winner’s name and county will be available by sending a SAE marked British Knitting Awards to: Marketing Dept, 21-23 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8JY.
GwenNEW_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 17:00 Page 1
MEASUREMENTS & SIZES Gwen: In the round: 120cm (circumference) x 40cm (height) Flat: 60cm (length) x 40cm (width)
KNIT KIT Yarn: Bessie May Smile, shade 3030 Sky, six 50g balls Needles: 4mm (100cm) circular Crochet hook: 4mm or larger Lining fabric: 124cm x 42cm Scrap yarn Zip: 40cm
10cm
over patt 4mm needles
21 sts
32 rows
10cm TENSION SQUARE
START
ABOUT THE YARN Bessie May Smile is a soft DK yarn that creates light knits. This 100% extra fine merino wool is available in 12 colours, ranging from muted to bright, allowing a range of combinations to be realised. Need an alternative yarn? With 25 shades to choose from, Wendy Merino DK makes a good alternative choice. A 100% soft Australian pure merino yarn, it has a clear stitch definition that would accentuate Gwen's stitch pattern. FOR ABBREVIATIONS SEE PAGE 88
SHOP Bessie May Smile costs £4.88 per 50g (120m) ball from 01903 816708, www.bessiemay.com
Wendy Merino DK costs £3.42 per 50g (116m) ball from 0845 5760 007, www.loveknitting.com
44 www.letsknit.co.uk
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE HOMEWARES PATTERN
Gwen
by Georganne Cauchi will put a huge smile on your face Made using Bessie May's Smile yarn, Gwen is wonderfully soft and exquisite.The chevron stitch creates an interesting pattern which can be highlighted by using a complementary colour for the cushion lining which shows through the eyelets.
tailor made.2_LK Regular Template 15/07/2013 14:45 Page 1
LET’S KNIT TUTORIAL SERIES
Tailor
MADE
Adrienne Chandler shows you how to use increases and decreases to create the perfect fit
F
ollowing on from Kerry Knight Maher's fascinating feature about knitting for your body shape, we guide you through the maths and calculations to create a truly custom fit. Two main areas that often need attention are the waist and the bust. We show you how to shape the waist and add darts to the bust to make sure your garment looks the best it can be. Tape measures at the ready! curves. We have added 2cm for ease on to each circumference
WAIST SHAPING In order to create a more fitted garment, use your own body measurements to work out how many stitches to decrease. THE CALCULATIONS Take your hip, waist and chest measurements, and also the length between each. For example: Hip circumference: 108cm Waist circumference: 89cm Chest circumference (across widest point of bust): 101cm Hip to waist: 13cm Waist to chest: 17cm NOTE: when measuring body length, measure straight down and not around the 76 www.letsknit.co.uk
WHAT THIS MEANS For this body shape you will be decreasing from hip to waist, then increasing back up to the chest measurement. To translate this into knitting terms, look at your tension square. In this case, 22 sts x 30 rows over 10cm square. That works out as 2.2 sts x 3 rows per cm. Multiply the difference between hip and waist circumference by your stitches per cm (2.2) and round to the nearest stitch. For example: 19 x 2.2 = 42 You need to decrease by a total of 42 stitches. That's 21 stitches on both the front and back. Multiply your length from hip to waist by your rows per cm and round to the nearest stitch. For example: 13 x 3 = 39 That's 39 rows over which to work your decreases. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE Waist shaping is usually worked at the beginning and end of each row. If you have an odd number, as in this case (21), decrease
one stitch on the last row before starting the rest of your shaping. That leaves 20 stitches to be decreased, meaning ten at each end. You want a gradual and even slope, so on squared paper draw a rectangle that's ten squares x 39 squares. Draw another line diagonally from corner to corner. This represents your edge shaping. The point where the corner of a square meets the diagonal line indicates a decrease row. For a neat decrease, work k2tog on the left-hand edge and ssk on the right-hand edge, and
Subs_LK Regular Template 15/07/2013 12:39 Page 2
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Subs_LK Regular Template 15/07/2013 12:39 Page 3
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Jason_LK Project Template 12/07/2013 15:44 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE TOY PATTERN
Jason
is a kooky and colourful parrot with a great personality! Designed by our very own Val Pierce, especially for Cygnet Yarns, this feathered friend has been causing a stir in the LK office. As with all of Val’s toy designs, Jason features lots of charming details, from his layered wings to fanned tail. He's knitted in a brand new Cygnet yarn, see About the Yarn (overleaf) for more information. START KNITTING ON P50
SIVE EXCLUE RCE I P L A V N PATTER
www.letsknit.co.uk 49
LK What's in Store _LK Regular Template 15/07/2013 11:16 Page 3
5 Store?
Shopping
WHAT’S IN
Mins with... Camilla Ette Gotfredsen, DesignEtte
“Ette” is my mother’s first name and my middle name, so “DesignEtte” has a special meaning for us, especially as knitting is a skill often passed from one generation to another; my mother taught me to knit when I was ten years old. While DesignEtte started out with machine knitted garments, we now do handknitting kits. You can create textures that aren’t possible in machine knitting, and you have the pleasure of working with your hands and feeling the touch of the yarn. I have always been fascinated by yarn and what you can create from it. I am inspired by my travels to Paris, New York, India and Florence. I am also often influenced by nature such as water, trees and stones. That’s one of the reasons why I mostly work in natural fibres. English knitwear is very classic. The British are known for good manners and fine traditions; handknitting is one of them. We believe that our stylish designs and high quality yarn will be interesting for customers in the UK.
We keep you up-to-date with your favourite knitting shops and brands
A drop in price! The Dropped Stitch in East Sussex now has a permanent offer on Robin 100% acrylic DK, at £1.39 per 100g ball (RRP £1.79). It is a family-run store in Portslade, and has been dealing in wool for over 25 years. For more information on this and other yarns in stock, contact 01273 424529, or drop into 113/115 Victoria Road, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 1XD. www.thedroppedstitch.co.uk
Spin me a yarn
West Yorkshire Spinners has released new DK and Aran prints in its Bluefaced Leicester Country Birds collection. The variegated yarns are inspired by local species of bird life and are all spun and dyed in Keighley, using 100% British wool. Each 100g ball can be purchased for £9.70 from their website, where you can also find a list of stockists. www.wyspinners.com
100 Britis% Wool h !
Get ready for Autumn with these fantastic Tutu scarf yarns from Katia. They look great and are incredibly easy to knit – just cast on a few stitches and work in garter stitch to create a vibrant and interesting scarf that will jazz up plain outfits. One 50g ball costs £9.80 To find your nearest stockists, go to www.katia.com
We are currently working on jackets using Tunisian crochet in furry yarn and different knitted textures. For an evening look we have a garment made in black silk with different textures inspired by the early 19th century. I knit all the first samples, finding the right pattern, gauge, colour and shape. Once in a while I do have time to knit a full creation myself, which I enjoy a lot.
To explore the range of kits, yarns and ready-made garments go to www.designette.co.uk
Tutu to you
Camping in style
Inspired by Cath Kidston, the Cathy Camper blanket pattern by Sue Morgan is a fantastic addition to your late summer picnic plans. The blanket is available as a kit for £16.63 and includes nine 100g balls of Stylecraft Special DK in blue or red colourways. The pattern can also be purchased separately for £2.05. www.getknitted.com
www.letsknit.co.uk 81
jenna_LK Project Template 15/07/2013 12:49 Page 2
LET’S KNIT EXCLUSIVE ACCESSORY PATTERN
Jenna Sarah Hazell
by will keep you snuggly and warm this autumn Add a new dimension to your wardrobe with Jenna, an asymmetric poncho with a colourful Fair Isle detail running down one length.We're loving the contrast of bright hues against the brown background, and it provides a great excuse to wear a vibrant outfit underneath - just the thing to cheer up chilly days!
“I'm a huge fan of ponchos, once autumn and winter set in you can't get me out of them. Jenna will definitely be added to my to-do list. ” LK EDITORIAL ASSISTANT KERRY KNIGHT MAHER
Top, £7.99, H&M, Trousers, £14.90, Scarf, £9.90, both Uniqlo
START KNITTING ON P84
www.letsknit.co.uk 83
cnm_LK Regular Template 12/07/2013 15:06 Page 1
Coming
Next month in Let’s Knit
NEXT MONTH FREE COSY WRIST WARMER YARN KIT
+ bonus pattern book!
BRITISH WOOL SPECIAL!
CUTE BABY KNITS
STYLISH AUTUMN WEAR
PLUS!
Fair Isle hottie cover Val Pierce's wizard ● Get ready for Xmas ● Top down sweaters ●
●
October issue of Let’s Knit on sale Friday 23rd August 2013 www.letsknit.co.uk 93
Patterns subject to change
PATTERNS, INFO AND BUYERS GUIDE CELEBRATING ALL THAT’S GREAT ABOUT OUR NATIONAL FIBRE