Simply Knitting April 2022

This month we’re gearing up for Easter and all the lovely knitting time that brings. We hope that our sunny ideas and inspiration deliver the perfect escape. Begin your chill-out with our Easter knits for kids – Angela Turner’s lamb (p83) and chick hat and toy (p59), are so sweet, and our Bergère de France bunny jumper has fun Swiss-darned detail (p43). For cable lovers, plump stitches fill Siân cornflower blue jumper (p14), and Pat Menchini’s luxurious poncho (p39). If colour work is your favourite, we’ve got Fair Isle galore with Monica Russel’s colourful cowl (p21) and Sophie Jordan’s hot water bottle cover (p55). And as one of the only knit mags to feature knits for men, we present a cool casual jumper for him on page 77 too. Like seeing what…

HAVE A BLOOMIN’ LOVELY EASTER! If you’re a beginner knitter, but have your mind set on creating gorgeous toys, this colourful new Rainbow Bunny from Claire Garland of www.frombritainwithlove.com could be the perfect place to start. Written with newbies in mind, Claire’s pattern comes in a simplified form. What’s more you can download and practice this sweet pattern for free! www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginners-rainbow-rabbit What I’m loving… With Easter eggs filling the shelves, editor Kirstie McLeod has a cracking selection of new buys! Duckling Bath Robe Pattern Turn bath times into fun times this Easter with this adorable duckling bath robe pattern. Free pattern, www.gathered.how/duckling-robe BARGAIN BUY! Marriner Yarns Get Cosy Blanket Yarn Create the blanket of your dreams with this super squishy yarn and its super chunky, velvety texture. £1.25 for 100g, www.marrineryarns.com or 02920 837613 for stockists Wool Couture Hot Water Bottle Cover…

Pony Wool Comb Rescue a jumper that’s succumbed to the perils of bobbling with this wonder gadget. Designed to carefully remove any unwanted fluff from the surface of your garments you’ll soon be able to wear treasured jumpers, cardis and more again with pride. £2.29, www.woolwarehouse.co.uk Rico Sock Stop Love knitting socks, but don’t love slippery surfaces? Keep kids and adults alike safe from slip-ups when wearing socks indoors with this bottle of liquid latex. Carefully add a few drops in rows to the bottom of your favourite handknit socks, wait for it to dry and you’re done – no more whoopsies! £3.79, www.lovecrafts.com Clover Yarn Guide Clover has added a new Yarn Guide to their clever knitting gadgets. The Large Yarn Guide helps to keep yarn separated when knitting with two or more strands. Simply fit…

all the BEST CRAFT events! 1-30 June HAND SPINNING WORKSHOPS FOR BEGINNERS The Spinning Barn, 31 Leziate Drove, King’s Lynn PE32 1DB Make your handknits even more unique by learning how to spin your own yarn! This one-day course covers all aspects of this enchanting and addictive skill, and can take place on any date that works for both teacher and student. £80 per person, all materials included. To find out more, visit www.thespinningbarn.co.uk or call 07930605578 to request a booking 4 June – 2 July THE WOOL AND WILLOW FESTIVAL Minerva Arts Centre, 2 High Street, Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6BY Showcasing unique, handmade products by willow and textile artists from across Wales, this is an event that’s sure to fill you with inspiration. As well as over 30 exhibitors, there are also plenty of workshops to keep you…

TAKE ON A CHALLENGE YOU WILL NEED □ Debbie Bliss Merion (chunky, 50% wool, 50% acrylic, 100g/100m) □ A pair of 7mm needles □ A pair of 8mm needles □ Cable needle (cn) □ Stitch holders □ Removable stitch markers TENSION 12 sts and 17 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 8mm needles 13 sts and 17 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over wide rib patt using 8mm needles ABBREVIATIONS MB Make bobble as folls: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) all into next st, turn, P5, turn, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th sts over 1st st, then knit into the back of this st For a full list see page 95 WHERE TO BUY □ LoveCrafts 01409 404010 or www.lovecrafts.com 15% off! LoveCrafts are offering 15% off Debbie Bliss Merion! Quote offer code SK222 when you order. To place your order call 01409…

TAKE ON A CHALLENGE YOU WILL NEED □ Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Shop Nep (100% wool, 50g/166m) 1 ball each of Yarn A Buttertubs Yarn B Semerwater Yarn C Teal Yarn D Thornton Rust Yarn E Malham Yarn F Grassington □ A pair of 4.5mm needles TENSION 22 sts and 27 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using 4.5mm needles MEASUREMENTS Width 26.5cm (10½in) Length 114cm (45in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 WHERE TO BUY □ Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Shop 01969 623558 or www.wensleydalelongwool.co.uk CHART A KEY HOW TO USE OUR CHARTS Start at the bottom corner with Row 1. Read right side rows from right to left and wrong side rows from left to right. A row of squares represents a row of knitting. Please note that Chart C begins with a WS row. CHART B CHART C “You’ll never get bored knitting this wool Fair Isle cowl in its pretty shades. Twist yarn…