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Knitting news from p2tog.com for February 2013 A month that includes love as well as pancakes is a good month in my book. I've worked extra-hard to get this issue out in time for you to try a couple of very simple Valentine's patterns. Alongside those in this month's free patterns you'll find armwarmers as well as a beautiful cardi. There's also some great reading from the web and the blogosphere, plus a mystery Knitted i-cord hearts by Rustic Vintage Country stitch problem that you might be able to help with. So without more ado, read on for this month's selection of knitting news, notions and nonsense.

Contents News and articles from around the web From the Blogosphere Tips and techniques Free patterns - a selection of free knit and crochet patterns that I've bookmarked this month. Problem page - can you help or comment on a problem of the month? Events - some 2013 dates for your diary

News and articles from around the web Shetland Ponies in Fair Isle Jumpers Here's one for the WTF file. I gather that these ponypullies have been made to promote the Year of Natural Scotland. The jumpers were made by Shetland designer Doreen Brown. According to the Daily Mail, "a little longer in length and shorter in the arm than she is used to" Click through for several pictures and a video too. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266196/How-turn-pony-jumper-combine-Shetlands-favourite-exports.html#axzz2JmBiJ0Hw

News

18 Things That Happen When Knitters Get Together We'll be familiar with some of these sights but I'm not sure what the Dark Knight (Dark Knit?) is doing here. Here's an amusing collection of snaps and captions from knitting convention 'Vogue Knitting LIVE!' http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/18-things-that-happen-when-knitters-gettogether

Anatomy of a Yarn Label After hugging the living daylights out of the yarn at her local yarn shop, Glenna takes the time to look at the labels and discuss with us the gems of information contained thereon. There's more on there than you'd think! Worryingly, she mentions in passing the way that most people organise their yarn stash. Really? Knitters organise their stash? http://crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/anatomy-of-a-yarn-label/

From the blogosphere Knit Decor A friend recently posted some pictures of her knitted cushion covers which are lovely and I immediately wanted to make some similar ones. By coincidence, Kathleen at Knitting Daily wrote this post about knitted decor. She says that she's become interested in knitting for her home. She quotes some advice from Ruth Cross about choosing patterns. As well as cushions and bolsters, there are many ideas here including throws, afghans, pouffe, uphostry, even lampshades! http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2013/01/28/knit-decor.aspx? a=ke130128

The drop stitch cowl story I wasn't sure whether to include this in the blog posts or the free patterns. Both for the price of one here. This beautiful Drop Stitch Cowl by Abi Gregorio is available for free - follow the link in the blog post. Mary's came out quite big (there's no gauge with the pattern) but this was what she wanted - the yarn not being the softest she didn't want something close to the skin. The story behind Mary's cowl is a good read, and she gives us a great tip for making sure that the cast-off is nice and loose. http://www.hugsforyourhead.com/2013/01/but-is-it-earth-tones-drop-stitchcowl.html

Tethera Kate Davies' Rams and Yowes blanket is not only beautiful, but interesting because the various coloured sheep represent the many colours of shetland sheep. In another story this month over at Hand Spinning News two friends have each been knitting the Sheep Heid hat from the same designer using handspun yarn in a variety of breeds. I was initially confused about the title of this post, but Blogger Liz explains in an earlier post. 'Yan Tan Tethera' is a traditional sheep-counting system (with many variations, according to everyone's favourite crowd-edited encyclopaedia). Liz has chosen to name her posts about this blanket using the system. It looks as if she's making good progress. She only has one row of ewes to go. So she may not need to count all the way up to Jiggit (twenty) which is lucky because that's where the numbers run out. http://knittingonthegreen.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/tethera.html

First knitted socks Believe it or not, this is Tanya's first hand-knitted sock and it looks great. Spurred on by photos posted online by friends, she bought her circular needle and knitted toe-up two-at-a-time. A lovely set of photographs taking us from Judy's Magic Cast-On through to warm happy feet. http://ayarnlovingmama.com/2012/06/29/my-first-knitted-socks-fo/

Tips and techniques Try a New Skill: five cast-ons to try If you're in the mood for learning something new, how about taking Zontee's suggestion and try five new castons? I'm sure like me you'll know one or two of these already, but why not take a look at the others and maybe try one with your next project. As Zontee says, each cast-on serves a different purpose, and she loves the fact that even after years of knitting there are always new things to try. http://blog.lionbrand.com/2013/01/22/try-a-new-skill-the-wide-world-of-castons/

How to Spit Splice Some tie knots but to some that's blasphemy. Some overlap, some just start a new ball and leave a tail at the seam edge. Here's a method of joining a new ball which can be invisible and doesn't leave ends to weave in. It won't work with artificial fibres, but if you're knitting with yarn from an animal you're good to go! The lovely Stefanie Japel has given us this free Fix-it Friday tutorial. It's probably only fair to warn you that bodily fluids are involved.

http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/02/fix-it-friday-spit-splice/

Getting Started: Intarsia Knitting I'm not a fan of floaters, so when I made Tardis Socks, my first colourwork project, I tried intarsia. Ends are left hanging when you change colour and picked up next row. For such a simple design I was left with a remarkable number of ends to sort out, but once woven in I had none of those loops inside to catch my toes on. In this tutorial, Knitting Daily's Kathleen tells us all we need to know about intarsia.

http://nls.interweave.com/track? t=v&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0xJmF1aWQ9Jm1pZD0zNTMxMiZtc2dpZD0zMTcxNCZkaWQ9MTcwMSZlZGl

Patterns A selection of free knit and crochet patterns that I've bookmarked this month

Women's Eloise Eyelet Cardi This eye-catching cardi looks beautiful and it's surprising that it has an 'easy' skill level. It's written for five adult sizes from small to XXL, and it's based on a previously-published child-size pattern (just follow the link in the text) so that you can make a matching mum-and-daughter set. It's written for a specific cotton / acrylic yarn, but I expect a similar yarn in worsted-weight would work as well - just remember to swatch and check your gauge. (Pattern requires a free account at Lion Brand) http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10467.html

Piccole Onde toe-up socks I've now made my favourite sock pattern, Cotton and Cloud's Ginkgo Socks, around five times. I love the way it looks and I love knitting it. But I've been on the lookout for a new toe-up design with a lovely lace pattern and here it is! I came across Kelly Straub's blog post in which she was "absolutely giddy" because Knitty had published the pattern. Referring back to an earlier story about casting on, I'm looking forward to trying the Turkish cast on. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEw12/PATTpiccoleonde.php

Lady Macbeth armwarmers I can't decide whether these armwarmers are dressy or practical. Maybe they have two sides to their personality; ideal for evening wear (or a day in Whitby?) if made in a lacy black mohair, or great for daytime in a thicker more colourful yarn.

The pattern suggests any medium-weight mohair yarn and one weekend of time. The difficulty level is 'strong intermediate' and it's a great introduction to lace work. There's some Shakespeare thrown into the bargain too! http://www.theanticraft.com/archive/beltane10/ladymacbeth.htm

Knit a daffodil Very little function but lots of form. This daffodil looks beautiful and I'll be making one to show off in a bud vase in time for March. There are prizes to be won at the Knitting and Stitch Show, 14 - 17 March, Olympia. Prizes will be awarded for innovation and workmanship. You can send one of these (or any other knitted flower) in advance of the show. Follow the links for details. http://www.allaboutyou.com/prima/free-knitting-pattern-daffodil

Knitted Heart Necklace A simple but effective valentine-themed pattern, this heart-shaped puff will make a cute pendant, or if made a little larger, a catnip toy. I could also see a flatter version attached to the front of a card. Good for using up any pink or red yarn. There's a similar one for crochet here http://knittingisawesome.com/how-to-make-a-knitted-heart-necklace-freepattern-tutorial/

Knitted i-cord Hearts on stems There's no pattern for these, but I don't think there needs to be. If you need help with the i-cord, then see the daffodil pattern above - its stem is made the same way. With thanks to Rustic Vintage Country for the idea and to Knithacker for sharing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/62659355@N04/8382203203/in/set72157632524063495/

Crochet chocs This is by far my favourite Valentine's pattern. I made some of the chocs last year but didn't have time to make the box. I put them into a nice sweetie box :) The link goes to my blog post, there's a link near the top which takes you to the pattern Read more...

Problem page I've had another question about a mystery stitch - question and my answer below. But can you add anything (or maybe have a better answer)? If so I'll

publish an update next month along with another question. Q: Do you know the "Pwfo" stitch? The instructions say: Pwfo = pass the yarn forward over the last 3 sts and drop it from the needle. I'm really having difficulty understanding how to accomplish this stitch. Am I supposed to drop those 3 sts? If I do that, won't my knitting fall apart? A: I don't think you're meant to drop the three stitches. It's not unusual to drop a 'yarn over' or 'yarn forward', but I think that's usually done on the next row. That eventually makes an elongated stitch, looking a bit like a dropped stitch. But I think the answer in this case is more like a 'wrapped' stitch. I'm guessing that the yarn-forward may have been made just before the three stitches mentioned? In which case the instruction means pass that yarn forward over those three stitches, dropping it in the process. This 'wraps' those three stitches and makes a horizontal bar. These can be repeated to make an interesting pattern. I've made a quick swatch to illustrate what I mean. Is this the effect you're aiming for? Email me if you'd like to comment

Events 2013 Wonderwool Wales 27 & 28 April 2013, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells Promoting wool and natural fibre production and its use. Exhibitors and trade stands covering all aspects of felting, knitting, weaving, spinning, crochet and textile art with raw materials, equipment, books and finished products for sale. Competitions and a range of hands-on workshops. A list of accommodation and camping in the surrounding area is available on the Wonderwool website. www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Woolfest Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June, Cockermouth, Cumbria A celebration of the best wool and wool crafts. From fleecy animals and rare breeds, through fleece, tops, craft equipment and materials, to finished clothing, accessories and unique hand-crafted woollen goods. Also workshops and masterclasses. www.woolfest.co.uk

Fibre East [NB - updated date and venue] 27 and 28 July 2013, Redbourne Community College, Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2NU The third Fibre East offering those in the Eastern, Midlands and Southern

Regions an opportunity to join in an event which aims to encourage and promote British wool and natural fibres. http://www.fibre-east.co.uk/

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