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KN24 pp03 Welcome_pp 09/07/2013 15:44 Page 3
Welcome
From the EDITOR
This month we love...
elcome to a very summery issue of Knit Now! As I write this, the sun has finally come out in Manchester and I’ve just had a lovely weekend with friends, nattering, knitting and walking in the park – I can only hope that the weather is still as wonderful by the time you come to read this because this issue is packed to the rafters with light, summery knits. Even better, many of them use less than 100g of yarn, so if you’re looking for something light to pack to take on holiday, you’ll find lots of options. Our collection this issue takes its cue from the catwalk, where florals and lace reigned supreme this season. Our photoshoot took place at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, just outside Chester, in its gorgeous Asian Sensory Garden. I know that a lot of you have been commenting on our styling lately, and I’ve had lots of emails asking, “where did you get that dress?” so I’ll be blogging about that on our website this month – keep an eye out if you fancy a little shopping spree! This issue somehow feels like it’s more jam packed than ever, so I really hope you’ll find something in here that you’ll enjoy. I absolutely adore Megan Grewal’s Solace cardigan (which I want to start knitting now in anticipation of cooler weather in a couple of months’ time). It’s just such a flattering shape and the yarn is deliciously snuggly. I also love Amy Pickard’s Wardown mitts – even as someone who is usually not a fan of knitting intarsia, I think I could manage these, especially in the lovely sticky Shetland yarn.
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Kate Heppell kate.heppell@practicalpublishing.co.uk
Wool of the Campaign for Proud supporters paignforwool.org www.cam
e in this magazine us 100% of projects natural fibres wool or other
We asked our designers...
for their latest yarn discoveries KATHLEEN SPERLING I’ve recently discovered Peppino fingering weight yarn from The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze. Rhichard is local to me here in Ontario and the colours are spectacular. My hands-down favourite is a combination of vibrant blues, turquoises and purples called Near Vanuatu. I’m making into a shawl and can’t wait to wear it!
JANE LITHGOW
MIRANDA JOLLIE
Having just returned from Woolfest, I am more and more impressed by the beautiful yarn from British producers. One that had to come home with me was some naturally dyed silk and linen laceweight from The Mulberry Dyer. The colours just shimmer and the cool feel is perfect for hot weather knitting when wool feels just a little too woolly!
I was thrilled to find out what gorgeous sparkly yarn is out there! Having avoided them for many years, due to experiences with nasty scratchy acrylic ‘fashion’ yarns, I’ve found indie dyers like Sparkleduck doing wonderful things with a magic fibre called Stellina. Her Galaxy, in a greeny blue shade with a hint of silver, is like knitting the sea.
Find us on the web – www.facebook.com/knitnow • twitter – @KnitNowMagazine • Ravelry – Knit-Now www.knitnowmag.co.uk
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KN24 pp04-05 Contents_pp 09/07/2013 16:01 Page 4
Contents Editorial Editor Kate Heppell Technical Editors Joeli Caparco, Chris Evans, Ruth Garcia-Alcantud Art Editor Craig Chubb Sub-Editors Becky Higgins, Lee Jepson, Justine Moran Editorial Assistant Hugh Metcalf Photography Dan Walmsley, Rachel Burgess
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Contributors Cat Ashton, Ella Austin, Loraine Birchall, Amanda Clark, Rachel Coopey, Julie Ferguson, Megan Grewal, Jane Howorth, Miranda Jolie, Jane Lithgow, Liz Lovick, Amy Pickard, Linda Parkhouse, Anna Richardson, Kathleen Sperling, Mindy Wilkes, Woolly Wormhead
Publishing & Advertising Group Sales Manager Kevin Edwards Advertising Sales Executive Ruth Walker Advertising Co-ordinator Rachael Edmunds Marketing Manager Carole Jones Publishing Director Dave Cusick Managing Director Danny Bowler Group Managing Director Robin Wilkinson
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Subscription Enquiries Daniel Tutton Tel: 0844 561 1203
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43 Distribution Newstrade – COMAG Magazine Distribution Craft Store Distribution Executive Jody Byron-Smith jody.byron-smith@practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 826 4291 Magazine Order Amendments jody.byron-smith@practicalpublishing.co.uk
Contact Practical Publishing International Ltd, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG info@practicalpublishing.co.uk www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202 Fax: 0161 474 6961 Knit Now is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd. All material Š Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Knit Now is used under licence from Craft Media Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd. The publisher welcomes contributions from readers. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity. Knit Now (ISSN 2047-4911) Published by Practical Publishing International Ltd
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PATTERNS 22 Redbud shawl Mindy Wilkes 24 Plumage vest Anna Richardson 26 Wardown mitts Amy Pickard 28 Ferns and Flowers cape Liz Lovick 30 Garden Trellis bag Jane Howorth 32 Turning Leaves headscarf Rachel Atkinson
36 Hyacinth socks Rachel Coopey 43 Glastonbury Tor hat Miranda Jolie 44 Twirl Me Around bag Cat Ashton 46 Rannoch Moor cowl Miranda Jolie
52 Little Fella part 2 Ella Austin 56 Boho beads Julie Ferguson 58 Solace cardigan Megan Grewal 62 Thomas Street eReader cosy Kate Heppell
66 Whipperley blanket Loraine Birchall 69 Compton Bay set Jane Lithgow 72 Garden Party scarf Amanda Clark 76 Wenlock cardigan Linda Parkhouse 83 Pysanka bib Kathleen Sperling 86 Pinstripe beret Woolly Wormhead
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Contents REGULARS 6 The Grapevine: What’s new in knitting 7 The Diary: Essential dates for August 9 The Bookshelf: New knitting reads 10 The Inbox: Over to you 33 The Look: Pick of the bunch 34 The Interview: Rachel Coopey 41 The Challenge: Erika Knight Vintage Wool
48 Your Guide To: Finishing touches
54 The Thread: Finding Inspiration Online 64 The Wishlist: A bug’s life 75 The Hot list: English Country Garden 80 The Review: Yarn in Beeston 91 The Giveaway: Woolyknit 92 Know How: The basics
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ON THE COVER... Alex Outhwaite for PHA wears Mindy Wilkes’s Redbud shawl, featured on page 22 Photography by Dan Walmsley
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KN24 pp06-07 The Grapevine_pp 09/07/2013 10:02 Page 6
The Grapevine The knitting world moves fast, so we’ve been keeping our ears to the ground to make sure you’re kept in the loop. If it’s new in knitting, you’ll find it here
COSY COMPETITION When CityKnits yarn shop in Birmingham held its annual tea cosy competition to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, it once again asked Knit Now’s editor Kate to judge the customers’ entries. There were some fun and inventive creations this year and the event helped to raise over £1,900 for the charity. A big well done to everyone involved – visit its site at www.cityknits.co.uk
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KN24 pp06-07 The Grapevine_pp 09/07/2013 10:02 Page 7
Inspiration
A potted history of the Gansey
THE DIARY What’s on in August 3rd
We can never know enough about knitting, which is why we’ll be heading to ‘Close Knit: The Art of the Gansey’ to learn more about these maritimeinspired jumpers at the Hull Maritime Museum. The heritage of the designs, as well as contemporary interpretations, will be examined by the exhibition, and there’ll be lots of jumpers to look at, including a special one belonging to actor Daniel Day Lewis! The exhibition runs from August 3rd until November 24th 2013. Head to www.hullcc.gov.uk for more information about the museum and the exhibition.
Learn to Knit Socks
An introduction to a highly addictive skill at the Fibreworks Oxford. www.thefibreworksoxford.co.uk
17th
Pattern It! Learn to dye your own selfpatterning yarn at Purl City Yarns in Manchester. www.purlcityyarns.com
LIBBY SUMMERS YARN Knitwear (and sometimes Knit Now) designer Libby Summers is launching a new collection of yarns, inspired by her anthropological studies in Peru. The yarn is produced in the Andes and also helps support the education of the local alpaca shepherd’s children. Does this ethical, beautiful yarn sound like it could be up your street? Then check out Libby’s yarn at www.libbysummers.co.uk
22nd Issue 25 of Knit Now on sale – don’t miss it!
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Glastonbury Wool Festival A woolly version of Glasto! Well, in the same town at least. www.glastonburywool festival.co.uk
Learn to hand-knit: cables and bobbles A masterclass in textured knitting at The Wool Sanctuary, Weston Super Mare www.thewoolsanctuary.com
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Lisbee Stainton Music Knitting Festival Folk songs and knit alongs down at the Toft Alpaca farm! www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk
Help beat a world record! Norma Duncan wants to spread a positive message in her home town of Dundee, so she’s decided to try for the Guinness World Record of most people knitting in one venue. The number to beat, set recently by the WI is 3,083 people, but as Norma’s managed to arrange for the event to take place in the 15,000 capacity Dundee United Football Club, who knows how many people they could end up with! The Big Knit 2013 is being held on Sunday, 8th September 2-4pm, with any money being raised through donations going to Alzheimer’s charities. For more information keep an eye on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebigknit2013
IN BRIEF… Do you always make the best of your yarn leftovers? Get involved in The Toft Alpaca Shop’s stash-busting design competition. Glory and woolly prizes are up for grabs for the winner, so check out the competition details at www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk
www.knitnowmag.co.uk
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KN24 pp09 The Bookshelf_pp 09/07/2013 09:38 Page 9
Inspiration
The Bookshelf We knitters need an endless well of inspiration – so it’s lucky that we have a constant stream of books to enjoy! Here are this month’s best releases KNIT YOUR SOCKS ON STRAIGHT
GREAT FOR...
By Alice Curtis Straight knitters Socks knitted flat? Well, it’s a contentious issue! To many dedicated sock knitters, the very idea is anathema but there are just as many knitters who prefer to knit flat but would love some really beautiful socks – which is where this book comes in. The designer has made a feature of the seams instead of trying to hide them, and they really do look gorgeous. On the other hand, if you’re a die-hard DPN devotee, you could probably convert the patterns to be knitted in the round! £11.99 from www.amazon.co.uk
GREAT FOR... Intriguing ideas
THE BACKYARD SHEEP
KNITTING PATTERN ESSENTIALS By Sally Melville Many of us are looking for more and more control over our knitting, particularly for garments, whether that’s the ability to adapt an existing pattern to better fit us or to write a whole new pattern from scratch. It would take a lot to knock Shirley Paden’s seminal design book Knitwear in Plain English off our top spot for recommendations, but this book provides some intriguing new theories for those interested in garment construction and helpful worksheets to guide you in your calculations. There are even some scrummy-looking patterns included. £16.99 from www.thegmcgroup.com
GREAT FOR...
Aspiring By Sue Weaver shepherdesses If, like us, you dream of one day owning your own sheep and knitting with their fleece, this book could be a great place to start! Covering everything from choosing the perfect breed to caring for your sheep and getting the best fleece (and milk) from your little flock, this book will give you a real picture of life with sheep. It’s worth noting that this book is written from an American perspective, so we’d recommend checking out the local legalities of keeping livestock where you live before you buy! £12.99 from www.waterstones.com www.knitnowmag.co.uk
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KN24 pp10-11 The Inbox_pp 09/07/2013 15:30 Page 10
The Inbox
Over to you… Knitting is nothing without sharing your passion, so it’s over to you. If you’d like to be featured on these pages next issue, we’d love to hear from you! Contact
knitnow
@KnitNowMagazine
Knit-Now
HOLA! I JUST thought I would share with you my very first crochet project taken from your supplement with issue 22. I used your tutorials in the back along with the pattern to make this baby blanket from my wool scraps. I’ve had a lot of lovely comments about it and we love the pattern and colours, so thank you! This one is for our imminent arrival, but my three-year-old wants one too now. After much deliberation – between the Aran shrug, lace waterfall and lace bustier top – my next project is the shrug. Finally, a make for me! Emma Thanks so much for sharing this photo with us Emma. Your blanket looks really cosy. Kate
kate.heppell@practicalpublishing.co.uk
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Receives £25 worth of fab knitting goodies
SATUrdAy 8TH JUne was International yarn Bombing day and there have been some lovely things around about yarn bombing lately. These knitted handrail bombs in Saltburn are particularly lovely as they are themed to go with their location. It doesn’t seem to happen like that very often. The whole yarn bombing thing is a brilliant idea that makes nearly everyone smile and I have never seen any vandalised. I do not know when it started or whether there was a serious reason behind it, but it is brilliant when you are walking along or on the bus and you suddenly see some. Street art at its best! Heather, by email
JUST A QUICK email to say I really enjoyed issue 22 of Knit Now and fully approve of the crochet content! I have been knitting for years, but have recently discovered the joys of crochet. It is fun learning a new skill – still using lovely yarn of course. Also, I have subscribed in the past to other knitting magazines, but yours is my favourite. I love the fact that lots of the patterns are small items using lovely yarn – I can afford small amounts of designer yarn and it is lovely to work with and, of course, you can finish a project in no time! I love the little dolly from issue 22 and will definitely be making her in the not too distant future! Happy knitting (and crocheting!). Pamela, Peterborough Wow, these are fab! I’m sure they’ve brightened many people’s days. If you’re interested in some of the motives behind yarnstorming (aka yarn bombing or knitted graffiti), take a look at www.knitthecity.com for a great manifesto! Kate
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Thanks so much for getting in touch, Pamela. I really hope you continue to enjoy your subscription – we’ve got lots of gorgeous things planned over the next few months. Kate