The Knitter 164

Our designers have used vibrant hues and elegant details to fill our pages with beautiful colour this month. Our cover project by Nicola Diggins combines stripes and slip stitches for a subtle, sophisticated look, while stunning colourwork makes an impact on cardigans from Mary Henderson and Arne & Carlos. We have beautiful lace for you, too, along with a classic houndstooth jacket from Debbie Bliss, and smart cable knits for men and children. HAPPY KNITTING! from Kirstie and The Knitter team…

Mary Henderson Mary is passionate about traditional Scottish knitting patterns, and she has won a firm following thanks to her intricate Fair Isle designs and delicate lace. This month, we have two patterns from Mary: a colourwork cardigan on page 24, and a smart Fair Isle cushion on page 58. Francesca Hughes Francesca is a knitwear designer whose work has appeared in The Knitter, Pom Pom Quarterly, and various collections for The Fibre Co. She also works at John Arbon’s spinning mill in Devon. Her latest design for us is a modern lace cardigan, which appears on p50. Sarah Hatton Sarah honed her skills as part of Rowan’s in-house design team, and she is now an independent designer who creates patterns for top knitting magazines and yarn companies. She has a flair for children’s knits,…

NICOLADIGGINS Shipping Forecast THE HORIZONTAL stripes on this T-shirt take a 90-degree turn on the centre front, by working a slip stitch pattern. The garment, designed by Nicola Diggins, is knitted flat from the bottom up. The shoulders are sloped with German short rows and joined using the three-needle cast-off. Nicola has knitted her top in Ainsworth & Prin’s Merino and Silk Single, a 4ply hand-dyed yarn from her own range. SIZE YARN BLOCKING DIAGRAM NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) knitting needles 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles Set of 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) circular needles, 40cm long 2 stitch markers 4 stitch holders TENSION 29 sts and 40 rows to 10cm over st st using 3.25mm needles YARN STOCKISTS Ainsworth & Prin c/o The Knitting Shed 01903 683683 www.theknittingshed.com SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS DS: double stitch. See German short row instructions in Pattern Notes. For general…

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Sue Blacker, the former owner of The Natural Fibre Company and Blacker Yarns. Sue was a champion of British wool and sheep breeds, and her mill in Launceston, Cornwall was responsible for spinning fleece from so many of Britain’s small sheep farms, particularly those raising rare-breed sheep. Sue made a huge contribution to the British knitting industry, and it’s thanks to her efforts that many of us have been able to discover and enjoy beautifully spun breed yarns. She was always happy to share her knowledge with us at The Knitter, as well as with visitors to the mill and everyone she met at yarn shows. Sue will be sadly missed by all who knew her. www.blackeryarns.co.uk Amazing Amble Eleven gorgeous…

Explore the possibilities of Iceland’s Léttlopi wool with the latest Field Guide book from the team at Modern Daily Knitting. Léttlopi is the worsted-weight yarn spun by Istex from Icelandic wool, and is used to create the lopapeysur yoked sweaters for which Iceland is famous. Designer Mary Jane Mucklestone has created five patterns using Léttlopi, and they offer a lovely introduction to this yarn if you haven’t tried it before. Among her designs is the ‘Daytripper Cardigan’, a steeked project with a colourwork yoke. ‘Destination Pullover’ is a relaxed sweater combing blocks of colour with simple stranded colourwork; it has two pockets which contain a secret motif. Quick-knit accessories include a striped hat, which will be a great way to develop your own colour combinations; mittens with colourwork cuffs; and a gradient…

EMBODY by Jacqueline Cieslak Create a made-to-measure capsule wardrobe with this ingenious book by Jacqueline Cieslak. It contains two knitting patterns that can be customised for your perfect fit and shape - ‘Deren’, for example, can be knitted as a cardigan, tee, pullover or button-up vest, in sizes 32in-67_in. The ‘Elsom’ trapezoid shawl can be knitted in any yarn at any gauge. There is also one adaptable sewing pattern, which can be worked as a top, a tunic, or a dress. £19.50, Pom Pom Press TWISTS & TWINES by Adrienne Larsen This lovely e-book offers 16 elegant projects for women. Cables are used to decorate collars, waists and sleeves, or to provide intricate, all-over texture on a range of gorgeous tops, cardigans, sweaters and hats. We love the ‘Maeve’ dress with its pleated skirt and…