Table of contents for September 2025 in Prima UK

I’m writing this sitting on a train – clickety clack, clickety clack – although, of course, trains don’t make that noise any more; it’s more a distant whine of electricity. My commute to work is an hour into London, and it’s often the best time of the day to concentrate. I’ve realised that I’ve been commuting for at least 30 years up and down the same track. It seems quite astonishing that so much of my life has been dependent on something that can often be so little depended on! However, the train and I have grown rather fond of each other. I know where to sit, what direction the sun will be coming through the window, the bumps and bends, and over the years I’ve made train friends and…

Twelve months ago, Dianne Buswell was gearing up for another Strictly Come Dancing series. Little did she know it would be one to change her life forever. Her partnership with comedian Chris McCausland had the nation mesmerised by her talents at teaching such a visual art to someone who is registered blind – and they went on to lift the winner’s glitterball. Dianne and Chris’s double act has continued with them launching their podcast, Winning Isn’t Everything – and he’s going to be a hard act to follow. ‘Whoever I get this year, I’ll give it my best shot,’ says 36-year-old Dianne. ‘I don’t need it for myself, but I’d love it for them.’ Of course, it’s not the first time Strictly has had a life-changing impact. A year into…

'Getting out on the river is a real need for me, despite – or maybe because of – ‘Getting having two young children. I’ve always been sporty, but while my fell running days are behind me, I can’t put kayaking on hold until my daughter, Zunairah, six, or son, Zia Musa, three, are older. I need to be on the water now. When I get that feeling, I power along the River Ouse in my kayak. It clears my mind, gives me a workout and leaves me with enough energy to cope with family life when I get home. Women shouldn’t be afraid of putting themselves first when they find something they enjoy. Luckily, I’ve been able to make paddling a part of family life. My husband, Graham, and I…

Jane Austen was born on Saturday 16 December 1775, in the rectory at Steventon, Hampshire, where her father was the vicar of the local church. As the seventh child in the family, it was a busy household. Her father wrote to his sister of Jane’s birth: ‘We have now another girl, a present plaything for her sister Cassy and a future companion.’ He was not wrong, with Jane and her sister Cassandra becoming best friends, before Jane’s early death on 18 July 1817, at the age of just 41. It was Cassandra who later destroyed the many letters sent to her – estimated to be around 3,000 – in what is believed to be an attempt to protect Jane’s privacy. Known for writing six completed novels, Jane Austen is often…

Oh, don’t you just love summer? Long days, trips to the beach, family holidays, picnics, fetes, festivals and… litter! Mountains of the stuff, everywhere. What’s happened to us? Why do we feel we can just toss our rubbish anywhere we like and not seem to care how we’re littering our countryside, towns and waterways? Between us, we drop a staggering 30m tonnes of litter every year, which, in turn, costs nearly £1bn to remove. And where does that money come from? Our taxes – as if we’re all so rich we can afford to throw away our money as well as our rubbish. Whatever happened to our sense of national pride? Why are we literally so rubbish about rubbish? A recent Keep Britain Tidy report showed that just one in…

1 DO SOME DIY I do rush around everywhere at quite a pace and every so often I remember I need to do some painting touch-ups around the house and fix a curtain rail. At the moment, it’s our stairs that need the attention. Firstly, they have become a waiting place for things that need to be taken up – books, letters and even tubes of toothpaste. And then no one does take them up and they sit there for days. Anyone else have that problem? We also need a new carpet runner and for me to then paint the steps either side. So I bought a stair basket, a lovely pale grey rattan one for all the bits and pieces, and popped into our local DIY store and asked…

Dear Prima… ‘I underwent treatment for colon cancer during lockdown, which included having three operations and chemotherapy. I no longer work and am slowly rebuilding my life. I would love to be professionally styled and have a fresh, happy look for this new chapter. I love colour and I’m completely open to trying new silhouettes, prints and brands!’ STEP INTO SENSATIONAL Stuck in the same old white trainers? It might be time to try something a little more dynamic! A fabulous pair of shoes will make every ensemble feel more elevated. Whether it’s a metallic loafer, printed pump or stylish slingback, a smarter style will add polish and pizazz to your outfits. SUPERCHARGE YOUR STYLE If you want a serious style shake-up, consider introducing an all-new hue. Angela admitted that…

OLDER AND WISER  We’re moving on from the notion of anti-ageing, I think. Getting older is, after all, a complete privilege – the fact that you’re here and you’re enjoying life – gaining experiences while being happy and healthy. Wow. That to me is amazing. LIGHT TOUCH I’m a great believer that if you take care of your skin, you don’t then have to put much makeup on it. When I’m not working, I’ll just do a little bit of a brow with Wunderbrow Eyebrow Gel, £20, followed by some L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara, £9.99; I love it. I’ll finish with Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, £31, on my lips, and I’m good to go. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT Growing up, appearance was only really discussed in our house as a…

Tina Smith, from Pembroke, explains how perfecting a centuries-old craft has led to something special How did you discover lampwork glass beading? Lampwork glass beads have been made for well over 2,000 years. I’ve always been fascinated by glass and once I read you could make your own glass beads, I knew I had to try it. In its simplest form, it’s melting glass on a flame. The glass is in thin rods and you rotate them to create the bead. Glass rods come in a single colour – I’ve got a few hundred different colours – but if you put dots of glass next to each other on a bead and heat them, gravity and heat will pull them together to make a flower. The colour combinations are limitless.…

The sun during the summer – and even the autumn – months can be incredibly drying on our skin and lips. So, I like to make sure to take extra care and add some home-made concoctions to my skincare routine throughout the warmer months. This face mist is super hydrating and soothing, while the lip scrub is moisturising and perfect for getting rid of any dry patches. Plus, they smell amazing, so why not give them a try? (Always do a patch test on your skin before using.) LIP SCRUB YOU WILL NEED ● 60g shea butter● Mixing bowl● 60g brown sugar● 60g white sugar● 2tbsp honey● 2tbsp coconut oil● Wooden or plastic spoon or spatula TO CREATE ❶ Melt the shea butter in the microwave (or a pan). ❷…

FABULOUS FREEZER Heading into autumn, I like to use my summer glut of fruit to make crumble mixes. I chop peeled apples and pears, stoned plums or peaches and summer berries and add to freezer-safe bags in 250g (serves 2) and 500g (serves 4) portions with 1tbsp and 2tbsp golden caster sugar, respectively. They can be taken out of the freezer, placed in a dish and topped with crumble, ready to bake. Make the most of ROAST CHICKEN Most cooks know how to make roast chicken meat last a week with bulk-out recipes – but what about the less-meaty leftovers? Chicken fat is often discarded, but keep it in a jar in the fridge and you’ll have a flavoursome fat to fry onions and potatoes in, or mix into salad dressings.…

DELIVERED TO YOU We all love summer feasting, so why not keep the holiday vibes going with a box of thoughtfully sourced tapas classics from Boxtapas!. The brand’s hand-picked boxes make hosting drinks and nibbles a total breeze (I’ll be serving glasses of ice-cold cava). Upon ordering, expect a delightful selection of treats from heritage producers across Spain to turn up at your door, including manzanilla olives and Ibérico pâté with paprika. SNACK ATTACK If, like me, you’re always after healthy snacks that taste like cake, you’ll love these new oat bars from Graze. Inspired by squidgy, gently spiced banana bread, these on-the-go bars are fully non-HFSS (not high in fat, salt or sugar) and contain 50% less sugar than the average snack bar. Plus, they’re made with simple ingredients,…

ART SMART The one question I’m asked most of all is where to find affordable art. My response? Gallery gift shops, local craft fairs and sites including PSTR Studio, Etsy and GoodMood Prints. And if you’ve exhausted those? A suggestion: car boot sales. Yes, really. Some of my favourite pieces have come from my local one. Better still, they’re often already framed, so that’s another job you can tick off your to-do list. £10 & UNDER AFFORDABLE BUYS FOR YOUR HOME 3 of the BEST ALFRESCO CHAIRS Got an interiors question for our expert? Email prima@hearst.co.uk for a chance to get it answered in the mag DO IT TOGETHER! Prima’s homes pages have a new DIY focus, after research by B&Q found that boomer women are less confident DIYers than…

As Prima’s fashion editor, I have the pleasure to travel to sunny and stylish destinations to create the pages for our summer issues. After weeks of planning, model casting, location hunting and editing numerous outfits, a team, including myself, a photographer, a hair and makeup artist, models and assistants, is finally ready to leave the UK to create inspirational fashion stories that focus on key trends and buys for the season. So, on a wet and chilly day at the end of April, our crew (plus four tightly packed suitcases and a trolley full of camera equipment) set off from Gatwick Airport to this year’s destination – Mallorca. Home for our four-night stay was Villa Skye, a seven-bedroom property in Puerto Pollensa – booked through the team at Oliver’s Travels.…

Hi Jenny! Nearly 10 years on The Chase! How did it all begin? I was working behind the scenes as a question writer long before I was even considered to be one of the chasers. I love TV and quizzing is my family’s hobby – so combining the two felt like the perfect way to go as a career. One day, The Chase producers asked me to audition, as they wanted to expand their chaser lineup – and the rest is history. When did you realise you were unusually good at quizzing? I’d always thought it was normal to know this many facts. It was only when I went to university and auditioned for University Challenge that I realised, actually, we’re a weird family. My University of Leeds team got…

Having been an avid reader as a child, Richard finds he doesn’t have time to read as often as he’d like any more. ‘I try to take long train journeys with bad wi-fi so I can’t be tempted by my phone. So, I like to read then – and also before bed.’ Inspiration for his latest Canon Clement book, A Death On Location, was born out of necessity: ‘When you set a murder mystery series in a small village, you very soon start to run out of inhabitants because you’ve killed them all. So in this one they’re filming a period drama at the big house, which gives me a fresh cast of characters!’ The book that shaped my childhood… Sherlock Holmes Short Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle This was…

1 The actors, who would go on to play infamous love rivals in Bridget Jones’ Diary, are born – one day apart. Colin Firth (Mark Darcy) was born the day after Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver). 2 Karma Chameleon by Culture Club goes to number one, where it stays for six weeks. 3 Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger plane, made its first transatlantic crossing in three hours and 32 minutes. 4 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was born in St Mary’s Hospital in London. 5 The Great Fire of London starts in a bakery on Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread, burning for nearly five days. 6 The wreck of the Titanic is discovered approximately 350 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. 7 Radio 1 was launched. Tony…

Really exciting news! The makers of Prima have launched a brand new crafting community called Made Club. It’s all about turning everyday items into chic homeware, fashion and gorgeous crafts. With the promise of ‘a beautiful life, simply made’, we’re going to be offering crafting inspiration and fabulous makes (I’ve had a sneak preview and they’re amazing). There will also be events, a weekly newsletter and great crafting offers and gifts. Check out the early bird offer on page 90 and become part of our very special new crafting community.…

Carefree co-ords Get road-trip-ready with a sun-seeking matching set. Not only do co-ords deliver an effortlessly polished look when worn together (making life easy), but they also give your wardrobe two hardworking separates with endless outfit opportunities. Globetrotter style Every summer needs at least one (or two, or three…) funloving dresses that make you feel like a million dollars, and this knockout gingham number from Next is going straight in our suitcase. With a retro riviera vibe, this wearable pull-on-and-go bandeau style will be worn for many summers to come. Picture perfect A broderie blouse is a summer must-have and an instant way to dress up the simplest of shorts and skirts. This intricate sage green design from Wyse is a smart investment that will give you year-round outfit options.…

'One crisp November morning, I was about to start exploring the Thames foreshore, exposed by the low tide, ‘One when I glimpsed something in the mud. As I picked it up, my heart missed a beat. I knew that it was a Roman intaglio, usually set within a ring and used to seal documents with wax. After some detective work, it was confirmed that it dated back 2,000 years, from AD 43 to AD 410. Made from blue glass, with a figure holding a sword, probably the Greek hero Theseus, it’s the piece that means the most to me and I’m thrilled that it is now displayed in Secrets Of The Thames, a mudlarking exhibition at London Museum Docklands. Mudlarking began in the 18th and 19th centuries when poor Londoners…

Standing in a muddy field, staring at the map in my hands, I realised I was completely lost. Surrounded by cows, their brown eyes fixed on me, I started to feel panicky. I slowly walked through the groups of cattle, careful not to get too close, but even once I was over the stile, I still had no idea where I was. I’d set out alone that morning from the hostel I was staying at in the Lake District, with a plan to hike along a trail to Windermere, but the lake was nowhere in sight. It was only a few miles later, when I bumped into other walkers, that I found the right path again. Walking has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember.…

Whether it’s a trip to the seaside as a kid, or an early-morning commute, we all have memories – good and bad – of rail travel. It’s impossible to imagine a world without trains. The first form of train travel dates back to the 1700s, when horse-drawn coal wagons were run on tracks, but the birth of the modern railway as we know it was 200 years ago. On 27 September 1825, 600 passengers were taken on a 26-mile trip from Shildon to Stockton on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. This heralded a new era of travel. The heyday of the British railway was in Victorian times when the network grew rapidly. In 1870, 423 million passengers were travelling on 16,000 miles of track; 30 years later, that number had…

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTICS IN COSMETICS? Our bathroom shelves are filled with plastic packaging that most of us never think twice about. ‘Each year, the cosmetics industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging, yet less than 10% of it is recycled,’ says Dr Ashlee Jahnke, head of research and development at Teysha Technologies. ‘The vast majority ends up in landfill, incinerated or scattered throughout the environment, releasing toxic chemicals in the process.’ But the problem doesn’t end with packaging. Plastics are also hiding in the products themselves. ‘Look out for microplastics – often listed as polyethylene, acrylates copolymer or nylon-12 – which are added to enhance texture or performance,’ explains Dr Jahnke. ‘These tiny particles can carry toxic chemicals that wash down our drains, contaminate waterways and accumulate…

Everyone feels itchy sometimes. But as a GP, I have seen people who feel itchy all the time. It can be frustratingly hard to treat and, of course, even more frustrating for the person having to live with it. What doctors call acute itch – for example from an insect bite, a skin rash or thrush – can last from a few seconds to six weeks. When itching carries on for longer, it’s called chronic itch, and this can affect quality of life, from interfering with sleep to avoiding physical contact. It can lead to poor self-esteem, anxiety and depression, so it’s important to see your doctor if you experience it. Lots of the advice here comes from two dermatologists, Dr Gil Yosipovitch and Dr Zoe Lipman. Their book Living…

1 Glow up Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Roll-On, £26 each Body oils don’t come much better than this French pharmacy favourite, now in a new roll-on bottle that’s perfect for shins and collarbones, with a non-sticky texture that makes light work of nourishing dry skin. 2 Zest for life Bronnley Lemon 5% Niacinamide Body Serum, £25 New from a heritage brand we know for its iconic lemon-shaped soaps, this body serum contains a solid amount of the skin-perfecting ingredient niacinamide, to help even out patchy skin and reduce bumpy texture. 3 All is calm Garnier Ambre Solaire Soothing After Sun Lotion, £15 Bringing sweet relief to sunburned skin, this lotion contains aloe vera to soothe and cool, as well as glycerin and shea butter to repair a fragile skin barrier. Keep…

THIS MONTH… We’ve got so many projects for you to try! Stitch a sweet home decoration, learn to make a lip scrub and sew a pretty scrunchie. Plus, don’t miss our stylish knitting and crochet patterns – an easy-to-wear Breton striped top and an on-trend knitted vest. If that’s not enough, we’ve also got a great sewing pattern for a stylish grandad-collar shirt. See over the page for our fab 11-PAGE MAKES SECTION…

MEASUREMENTS To fit chest: 81-86(91-97:102-107: 112-117:122-127)cm. Actual chest: 101(111:121:131:141)cm. Full length (approximately): 54(56:58:60:62)cm. MATERIALS ● Yarnsmiths Pebble Merino DK in shades:A – Teal (3230) 3(3:4:4:4) x 50g balls.B – Celery (3186) 2(2:3:3:3) x 50g balls.C – Tropical Teal (3229) 2(2:3:3:3) x 50g balls.D – Mojito Green (3183) 2(2:3:3:3) x 50g balls.● 3.25mm needles.● 3.5mm needles.● 2 x stitch holders. TENSION 24 sts and 32 rows to 10cm square over colourwork using 3.5mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS  cm centimetre; cont continue; g gram; k knit; mm millimetre; p purl; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; st(s) stitch(es); tog together; WS wrong side; []repeat instructions within brackets. BACK Using 3.25mm needles and A, cast on 121(133:145:157:169) sts. Rib row 1 (RS): K1, [p1, k1] to end.  Rib row 2 (WS): P1, [k1, p1] to…

Laura Strutt is the author of a new book, Simple Embroidery, which has 35 projects for embellishing clothes, making accessories and creating wall art, all with modern handsewn designs. ‘Making the projects for my book was a real joy,’ says Laura. ‘The process of working solely with my hands to create designs, pictures and motifs with just a needle and thread was incredibly satisfying for the soul. Embroidery itself is a traditional craft, but modern makers are championing it to create highly personalised artworks. I’ve also embraced using modern colour combinations on projects that are not only fun to stitch but will inspire you to create your own unique designs.’ Here, Laura shares one of the projects from her book for you to try… TIP High-tack glue is incredibly sticky.…

TREND WATCH HANDMADE SCRUNCHIES Making these is a great way to use up fabric scraps – or old pillowcases, duvets and clothes. Fold fabric around a normal elasticated bobble, allowing it to gather to create a scrunchie effect. Stitch it together on a sewing machine or by hand and it’s ready to wear. See our tutorial at prima.co.uk/scrunchie. £10 & UNDER NATURE-INSPIRED CRAFTING ASK IMOGEN! Stuck on a craft project? Need some advice? Email imogen.cooper@hearst.co.uk What I’m making this month I love Liberty fabrics and use them for my projects whenever I can. I turned some purple and green fat quarters into a patchwork cushion on my sewing machine. I’m so pleased with the results! 3of the BEST Beading kits HANDMADE WARDROBE COOL CROCHET VEST I’ve written before on this…

Soy-glazed chicken skewers When my eldest was three, I took him on his first trip to Korea. The one memory that really stuck in his head was eating chicken skewers in Busan, an area I love for street food. He would always speak about these chicken skewers with huge enthusiasm, so I had to make them for him. MAKES 5-6 SKEWERS • 6 spring onions• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs• ¼tsp salt• ¼tsp ground white pepper• 1tbsp vegetable oil• Red chilli, sliced, to garnish (optional) FOR THE SAUCE • 1tbsp oyster sauce• 2tsp crushed garlic• 2tbsp honey• ¼tsp ground white pepper• 5-6 skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them for 30min in warm water first)  1 Put a pan over medium-high heat. Add all the sauce ingredients with 3tbsp water.…

Fed up with odd jobs around the house never getting done? You’re not alone – research* shows that women are often far less confident at trying DIY than men, with those of us ‘boomers’ born between 1946 and 1964 being significantly less keen to try than women in more recent generations. The good news is we’re here to help with the launch of Prima’s brand-new DIY School. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing tips and tricks to help women grow their DIY know-how in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a cuppa (and a toolkit); class commences! For even more DIY advice and ‘how to’ content, visit prima.co.uk…

The House Beautiful Collection at DFS is an exclusive range of contemporary sofas, chairs and accessories, created to bring a touch of style and glamour to any home. Today’s sofas have to work hard – as well as being somewhere to sit, they often double as a place to work, dine, entertain and more. Say hello to Layla. Upholstered in durable fabric with foam-filled, no-plump back and seat cushions, Layla Plain comes in six colours (above), with Layla Casual available in six further shades. Modular in design, Layla is available as a leftor right-hand-facing chaise-end three-seater sofa (with the option of storage just in the chaise or, if you need more stashing space, full storage where the entire sofa seat lifts) that can be combined with a corner unit and…

Souvenirs from past times bring back happy memories for Jenny and Tess ‘How many tea towels does one woman need?’ Jenny stared into the cardboard box, aghast. ‘Not quite that many?’ Tess ventured, peering over her shoulder. Tess had just moved from her city flat to a small cottage in the countryside to be nearer to her elderly parents. Her best friend, Jenny, was helping her to unpack. ‘You must have 30 or 40 there.’ Jenny dumped the pile of pristine cotton and Irish linen on to a corner of the dining table. ‘Not that many, surely!’ Tess protested. ‘Do you ever use any of them? You know, to dry things?’ Jenny sounded exasperated. ‘No, of course not. I have plain ones for that,’ she mumbled. ‘These are all souvenirs.…

STAR OF THE MONTH VIRGO 24 August to 23  September Expect a big month as Saturn moves back into your Love Zone and the eclipse activates the same part of your horoscope. Yes, love will likely be on your mind – good love can get better, and toxic relationships can bite the dust. Think about who you want to take into your future. The best will come, so expect that! LIBRA 24 September to 23 October You currently have a choice… either you can slide into confusion or you discipline yourself to have a structured approach to life. Right now, it’s that discipline and routine that are the perfect recipe for you. And if it includes daily meditation or mindfulness, so much the better. Forget about the past, your life…

It’s hard to think of a moisturiser that dry skin will love more than Weleda’s Skin Food. Now nearing its 100th birthday, the celebrated original cream is packed full of gentle plant extracts that soothe, nourish and hydrate in a deliciously rich texture that’s instantly comforting. And you can load up on the hydrating goodness from top to toe now, too. When lips are cracked, the Lip Balm delivers moisture and locks it in, while the Body Butter plumps up dry, crepey skin fast. Beauty ranges come and go, but Skin Food’s long history is testament to its brilliance. Try it! HOW TO CLAIM  visit hollandandbarrett.com between 20 July and 27 August 2025 and use code PRIMAWELEDA20 on all Weleda products at the checkout. TERMS AND CONDITIONS This offer can…

‘In memory of Alison, I want to help others’ 'Every call to Samaritans is different, but as a listening volunteer, one thing’s certain: ‘Every day or night, the phone never stops ringing. There’s not even a second’s gap between calls. And yet however busy the shifts are, I value every moment as a chance to help others. I trained to become a listening volunteer in 2019 and it’s now a big part of my life. I do four-hour shifts weekly in the Norwich branch. The charity always needs more volunteers, people who are passionate about supporting those who are struggling. For me, that message has all the more poignancy because I lost my sister Alison in 2016. The conclusion wasn’t officially suicide, although she’d made a number of attempts on…

PERIOD POWER Between the ages of 12 and 52, the average woman spends around £5,000 on period products, and then there’s the ruined clothes, painkillers and even chocolate! For a real eye-opener, take a look at sanitarysaver.co.uk, which shows where to buy the cheapest tampons and towels, and how own-brand can be half the price. Game-changing reusable period products such as period pants and menstrual cups will also save you money over the longer term, as well as being sustainable. PERFECT PAST TIMES In September, thousands of historical and cultural sites open for free. Backed by the National Trust, Heritage Open Days in England celebrate special locations, from dreamy castles to vintage buses. Look out for Open Doors events in Wales, European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland and Doors…

Life isn’t always easy. As well as our own personal challenges, it can feel as if the world is made up of one terrible headline after the next. But there are things you can do to nudge yourself towards a more resilient and hopeful mindset. And while this may not change the situation itself, it can help you cope. We asked mental health and emotional wellbeing experts to share their most helpful self-care strategies. 1 RESET YOUR STRESS RESPONSE  Your coping style will affect how quickly you’ll conquer hurdles. Use this guide to work out yours – and how you can tweak it Are you… the problem solver? In an emotional emergency, you like to take action and avoid dwelling on your feelings. ‘You’ll need to address them at some…

These shirts are going to become a staple in your autumn wardrobe. Choose from military-esque pocket details and epaulettes or a fabulous removable neck pussy bow/tie. Add a touch of glam to finish with some gorgeous statement buttons. NEED TO KNOW SIZES 6-24 Choose from a military option with patch pockets and epaulettes, a satin-friendly option with removable tie or a happy medium with patch pockets and removable tie. FABRICS We used a checked viscose and a cousette viscose crepe, both from Lamazi Fabric, and a wine satin from Minerva. All buttons are from Minerva. OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER You can order your exclusive Prima pattern at the special reduced price of £5.99 (worth £8.99) using the QR code below. The reduced price covers packaging…

MEASUREMENTS To fit chest: 81-86(92-97: 102-107:112-117:122-127)cm.  Actual chest: 110(120:130:140:150)cm. Length: 57(58:62:63:67)cm. Sleeve length: 47cm. MATERIALS ● Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK in shades:A – Pink Smithsonite (2C198) 3(3:3:4:4) x 50g balls.B – Coral (2C210) 4(4:5:5:6) x 50g balls.C – Petalite (2C200) 3(4:4:5:5) x 50g balls.● 3.5mm and 4mm crochet hook.● 2 x stitch markers. TENSION 16 sts and 12 rows to 10cm square over stripe pattern using a 4mm hook. ABBREVIATIONS ch chain; dec decrease; dc double crochet; htr half treble crochet; patt pattern; rep repeat; rem remaining; sl st slip stitch; st(s) stitch(es); tog together. BACK Using 4mm hook and A, ch89(97:105:113:121) sts, turn. Foundation row 1 (RS): Working into 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. 88(96:104:112:120) sts. Foundation row 2: Ch1, dc in each…

Swirl it… EVERYTHING BAGEL, CREAM CHEESE & DILL SWIRLS  Inspired by a sensational south London bakery called Toad, these swirls are full of flavour from the everything bagel seasoning. MAKES 8 • 160g cream cheese• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced• 2tbsp everything bagel seasoning, plus 2tsp extra to sprinkle• 15g fresh dill, fronds picked• 1 x 320g sheet puff pastry• 1 egg, beaten  1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6 and line a tray with baking parchment. 2 Mix the cream cheese, spring onions, 2tbsp everything bagel seasoning and most of the dill together in a bowl. Unroll the puff pastry vertically in front of you and spread the cream cheese mixture all over. Roll up as tightly as you can into a log. Cut into 8 swirls,…

£25.47 £1 FOR 3 MONTHS YOUR COUNTRY LIVING MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES • Try 3 months for just £25.47 £1 • Access to the Country Living app where you can read the latest articles covering homes, gardens, food, travel and outdoors • Choose from complimentary access on your mobile or tablet to the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday or i Paper, worth over £12.99/month • Free six-month House Beautiful digital magazine membership when you join for a year • Country Living newsletter for the best home and garden ideas, advice on going greener and the latest on our Country Living Holidays EASY WAYS TO JOIN Visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/cl-mag Call 01858 438423 and quote 1CL12770 Scan the QR code on the right Terms & conditions: Offer valid for new subscriptions only, to UK delivery…

Step inside You might not have a concierge in your hallway, but you can certainly let your furniture do the heavy lifting. A coat stand (versus wall hooks) will invite you to sling off your coat and umbrella, while a style storage trunk will double up as a spot to sit and somewhere to stow away shoes. Amp up the five-star feeling with an electric diffuser nearby, to be greeted by fresh scent as you enter. Style vignettes Think about walking around a hotel and how often your eye is drawn to pockets of interest: console tables topped with flowers, or a cosy armchair nestled in one end of a hallway. Use templates like these to create stylish nooks back at home. The goal here is to make areas feel…

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Set in the 1930s, the final instalment of Downton Abbey sees the Crawley family facing a rapidly changing world. As Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) steps into a leadership role, familiar faces, including Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton) return for a farewell that brings the beloved saga to a heartfelt close. Coming to cinemas 12 September I Fought The Law Sheridan Smith leads this four-part drama as Ann Ming, the woman who took on the legal system – and won. When Ann’s daughter, Julie Hogg, was murdered in 1989, her killer walked free under the 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law. Refusing to give up, she launched a 15-year campaign that changed British legal history. Coming to ITV this August House Of Guinness…

My book of the month I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale (Century, £20) This was utterly joyous! Margot is in self-destruct mode after a long-term relationship ends and has decided to have one date a week while keeping a tally chart of how awful her dates are. Then she has a vision of herself with a man she doesn’t know, which she ignores until she meets Henry, the man she saw in her vision. A story about getting over heartbreak, finding yourself and allowing yourself to take chances. I loved it! 14 August Follow Nina on X @matineegirl for news and giveaways Forget Me Not  by Stacy Willingham  (Hemlock Press, £18.99) I’m a big fan of Stacy’s books so I was delighted to receive this smart new thriller.…