Simply Knitting Christmas 2021

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been planning this Christmas issue since January – mourning the lost Christmas of 2020 no doubt – and I’m 100% keen to make it megamerry! After all, I’m hopeful that this season we’ll be able to spend some quality time together, gift giving, snowball sipping and Quality Street chomping… are you with me? To kick off the knitting festivities we’ve got a sophisticated Christmas jumper from Jo Allport. Designed in Scheepjes Stonewashed yarn, it’s the perfect modern make for those who want to wear their holiday knits beyond the big day. Festive nesters will love our Swedish tomte tree skirt and merry musician decorations, each project bringing a sense of the unique to your homes. And if you’re an avid knitter for children, we’ve…

Shopping ♥ Events ♥ Inspiration ♥ People ♥ Views FESTIVE FRIENDS Share your Christmas moments with this gang of joyful chaps! You’ll find eight patterns in total (including a fairy, elf, soldier and the stocking too) in the King Cole ‘Christmas Knits Book 8’ by Zoe Halstead for just £4.99! Zoe’s book is available at www.woolwarehouse.co.uk or by calling 0800 505 3300 BUY-ME-NOW BOOKS NORDIC KNITTING FOR CHILDREN by Monica Russel (£12.99, Search Press) Monica Russel combines traditional Norwegian knitting techniques with modern practicality in this pattern book! Kicking off with a crash course in techniques, you’ll also enjoy patterns for hats, mittens, sweaters, dresses and even a bear! Quality photos, clear instructions and colourwork charts (along with written instructions) help you to make the most of your knitting moments. MAJA’S SWEDISH SOCKS by MAJA KARLSSON (£18.95, Quiller Publishing) You can never have…

Enchanted Forest Cushion Pattern Sophisticated festive style comes in the form of a pristine white silhouette on a navy background. Sharpen your intarsia skills with this great cushion knit. Pattern download £4, from www.knitrowan.com Loopy Santa Hat Pattern Knit this fun kid’s Santa hat, designed by Kirstie McLeod, for all your dearest family. We love the loop-stitch brim and sparkly yarn! Free pattern at www.gathered.how/santa-hat Fair Isle Christmas Stocking Pattern/Kit Wow Santa with a fireplace stocking to be proud of! This knit comes as either a pattern or kit and is worked in Deramores Studio Aran. Pattern £1, kit £7.99. Order from www.deramores.com or call 0845 519 4573 Reindeer and Robin Baubles Knitting Kit Whip out a speedy Christmas knit in no time with this kit to make six sweet baubles to spruce up your tree. Kit £24.99, from www.woolcouturecompany.com Scheepjes…

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS YOU WILL NEED □ Scheepjes Stone Washed (DK, 78% cotton, 22% acrylic, 50g/130m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table □ A pair of 3.25mm needles □ A pair of 3.5mm needles □ 2 stitch holders □ 6 split ring stitch markers TENSION 24 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3.5mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 WHERE TO BUY □ For yarn stockists visit Scheepjes at www.scheepjes.com/en/ OR YOU COULD TRY... □ Wool Warehouse 0800 505 3300 or www.woolwarehouse.co.uk □ Sister Stitchers www.sisterstitchersuk.co.uk TOP TIP Test out a few ways to weave in your intarisa ends on a swatch before you begin. Working diagonally is often the neatest way and prevents puckering or altering the fabric’s drape. FIND YOUR SIZE SIZING COLOUR KEY So you can re-use this pattern, we’ve colour-coded the sizing instructions. Simply follow our colour-coded…

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS YOU WILL NEED □ Deramores Studio DK (100% acrylic, 100g/250m), 1 ball of each Yarn A Gingerbread (70022) Yarn B Powder (70019) Yarn C Raspberry (70005) □ A pair of 3.5mm needles □ Toy filling, 150g □ A stitch holder □ Toy safety eyes, 2x15mm diameter □ Black acrylic DK yarn to embroider features, 40cm TENSION 24 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3.5mm needles MEASUREMENTS Approximately 22cm wide x 26cm tall (not including antlers & ears) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 WHERE TO BUY □ Deramores 0845 519 4573 or www.deramores.com SHOP SMART SHOP LOCAL! Turn to page 87 DID YOU KNOW... ...intarsia knitting is named after a noun that refers to the technique of decorating a surface with inlaid patterns? When used in knitting it describes the skill used to create patterns with multiple colours with only a single thickness…

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS YOU WILL NEED □ DROPS Air (aran, 65% alpaca 28% polyamide, 7% wool, 50g/150m) For yarn quantities and measurements see size table □ Small amount of Black (06) yarn for the eyes □ A 4.5mm circular needles, 40cm long □ A 4.5mm circular needles, 40cm long □ A set of 4.5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) □ A 5.5mm circular needles, 40cm long □ A 5.5mm circular needles, 60cm or 80cm long □ A set of 5.5mm DPNs TENSION 16 sts and 20 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 5.5mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 WHERE TO BUY ❑ For yarn stockists visit Garn Studio at www.garnstudio.com OR YOU COULD TRY… ❑ Wool Warehouse 0800 505 3300 or www.woolwarehouse.co.uk ❑ Purple Sheep Yarns 01695 570199 or www.purplesheepyarns.co.uk 10% off! Wool Warehouse are offering 10% off DROPS Air! Quote offer code SK217 when you order on 0800 505 3300 or…