150 Thrifty Knits

Summer’s on its way, which not only means you’ll be able to take your knitting outdoors, but also that you might have just had a spring clean of your stash. Any annual clear-out usually reveals a vast collection of odds and ends: leftover yarn from long-finished projects; skeins you loved in the shop but don’t know what to do with; and yarn you don’t remember buying but can’t bear to waste! Whatever stray yarn you’ve uncovered, 150 Thrifty Knits will help you turn it into something beautiful. Compiled from Simply Knitting magazine, nearly all of the stash-busting projects here use just 100g of yarn (many use less!). From summery shawls and accessories to wedding themes, homewares, gifts and fun knits for kids, there really is something for everyone. So grab your…

Every knitter is guilty of hoarding yarn, however disciplined they might think they are. Whether it’s kept in immaculately organised order or simply stacked on the nearest available surface, there’s usually more than can be knitted in several lifetimes. Plus, the pile keeps getting added to as more and more wonderful specimens are spotted. The trouble is that after a while it’s easy to forget just what’s in that hoard, never mind making head or tail of it. So, however you choose to store your stash, it’s well worth looking through it now and then. Have a good old rummage, think about which yarns you really like and clear out any you don’t want to use. Life’s too short to knit all the yarn in the world, so it’s definitely too…

YOU WILL NEED Stylecraft, Senses (80% acrylic, 20% mohair, 50g/250m), 2 balls Lavender (2472) A pair of 4mm needles A 4½mm needle for casting off (optional) For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as lace to this tension: 18 sts and 22 rows to meas 10x10cm (4x4in) over lace st using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 130. Light and airy, this delicate shawl from Mary Henderson will be a really pretty accessory to wear this summer. It will go with everything, and it’s small enough to be worn as a neckerchief too. It looks intricate to knit but the lace repeat, which is over six rows, is simple enough that you’ll soon find yourself whizzing through it! SHAWL TOP EDGE Cast on 5 sts using 4mm needles. Knit 2 rows. Row 3 K1,…

YOU WILL NEED Noro, Taiyo Sock (50% cotton, 17% wool, 17% polyamide, 16% silk, 100g/420m), 1 ball Shade 58 A 2½mm circular needle, 80cm long, or set of 2½mm DPNs Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com TENSION Yarn used knits as 4ply to this tension: 35 sts and 52 rows to meas 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 2½mm needles MEASUREMENTS To fit 20 (21: 22)cm foot circumference Length is fully adjustable ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 130. These cute ankle socks will look wonderful with pumps or plimsolls. Team them with shorts or a skirt to show them off to their full colourful glory. The cotton/silk blend in the yarn, plus the ankle length, makes them ideal for staying cool in summer. Watching the colours emerge in Noro’s Taiyo Sock is just part…

YOU WILL NEED Pink collar King Cole, Bamboo Cotton DK (50% bamboo viscose, 50% cotton, 100g/230m), 1 ball Fuchsia (536) A pair of 4mm needles A button A hook and eye For yarn stockists contact King Cole, 01535 650230 www.kingcole.co.uk White collar Patons, 100% Cotton DK (100% cotton, 100g/210m), 1 ball White (691) A pair of 4mm needles 50cm fine black ribbon 50cm fine white ribbon For yarn stockists contact Coats, 01484 681881 www.makeitcoats.com Black collar Wendy, Supreme Luxury Cotton DK (100% cotton, 100g/201m), 1 ball Black (1833) A pair of 4mm needles A button 100cm fine black ribbon For yarn stockists contact TB Ramsden, 01943 872264 www.tbramsden.co.uk TENSION Yarns used knit as DK to this tension: 24 sts and 32 rows to meas 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles ABBREVIATIONS sppo Slip 1 st, purl 1 st, pass slipped st…

YOU WILL NEED DMC, Woolly (100% Merino wool, 50g/125m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Dark Green (082) Yarn B Orange (10) Yarn C Yellow (093) Yarn D Cream (03) Yarn E Bright Green (081) A pair of 5mm needles A pair of 6mm needles Kilt pin (for coin purse) For yarn stockists contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmccreative.co.uk MEASURMENTS Each square meas 17x17cm (7x7in) ABBREVIATIONS yo2 wrap yarn around needle twice For a full list see page 130. Big and bold, this is the perfect accessory for a day at the beach. Each colourful square is knitted individually and they’re sewn together at the end. Don’t forget to make an extra one for the coin purse – you need somewhere to put that ice cream money! BAG SQUARE (MAKE 13 IN TOTAL) NOTE Use yarn doubled throughout. Cast on 59 sts using 6mm needles and Yarn…