The Knitter 167

From creative colourwork and textures to elegant cables and lace, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in our latest issue. Our projects include lightweight lacy jumpers, colourwork sweaters and socks, and a beautifully textured shell top and shawl designed by Nicola Diggins. Plus, in our features section, we meet the RiverKnits team, chat with Misa Hay of Shetland Wool Adventures, and explore the Magic Loop technique in our Masterclass. HAPPY KNITTING!…

Anniken Allis Norwegian designer and knitting teacher Anniken has lived in England since 1990, and hosts popular online lace and beading clubs. Anniken’s skills with lace stitches are legendary, and this month she has created a pretty shawl combining stripes, lace, and garter stitch. Turn to page 27. Nicola Diggins Nicola is part of the team at yarn store The Knitting Shed, and she designs patterns and kits using its Ainsworth & Prin yarn range. Her latest design for us is an modern twinset comprising an elegant shell top and a stunning shawl. Nicola’s patterns are showcased in our special supplement. Jacinta Bowie Having begun her career working for Hayfield, Jacinta is now a freelance knitwear designer who collaborates with yarn companies and magazines, and also teaches workshops. This month, she has been playing with…

“MY GARDEN was the inspiration for this Fair Isle jumper, which is knitted top down with the yoke in bands of gingham squares and flowers,” says Mary Henderson. “The front and back have a large floral motif, then a band of flowers and a double moss stitch border are worked. Croft DK is a soft-spun Shetland fibre which has a lovely drape, so it can be layered with just a vest or a long-sleeve blouse.” SIZE YARN West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK (DK weight; 100% Shetland wool; 225m/246yds per 100g skein) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 40cm long 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular needles, 80cm long A 3.5mm (UK 9-10/US 4) needle, for sleeve cast-off Stitch markers, 4 removable Waste yarn or stitch holders Tapestry needle TENSION 22 sts and 26 rnds to 10cm over Fair Isle…

PUSS IN BOOTS Marna Gilligan of An Caitín Beag is well known for her feline creations, and has designed many cat-themed knitting patterns, stitch markers, project bags and badges. Her newest project, Choose Your Own Catsock Adventure, is a collection of eight cat-scattered socks. The e-book is designed to help knitters create perfectly fitting socks, by offering mix-and-match options for heels and toes - short-row, flap and gusset and afterthought heels, and wedge, round and colourwork toes. Each sock project comes in four sizes. Tiny cat faces are sprinkled across the ‘Polkacat’ socks, and bloom from leaves and stems on the ‘Cat Garden’ socks. More graphic designs feature zigzags, stripes and hexagon-shaped colourwork, while the ‘Starlight Catties’ socks are decorated with a lice stitch-style pattern. £15; www.caitinbeag.com - Readers can try a free pattern from…

THE CABLE KNITTER’S GUIDE by Denise Samson Take your cable knitting skills to the next level with this useful guide! It offers a stitch dictionary with 50 different cable patterns, along with QR codes linking to video tutorials. The book also contains 25 complete projects to enable you to practise your skills - these include garments for men, women and children, homewares, and beautifully cabled accessories. £18.95, Trafalgar Square Books NORDIC KNITS by Birger Berge Designer Birger Berge celebrates the culture of Norway with this colourful collection of knitting patterns. Timeless motifs are given a contemporary look through the use of vivid and exciting colour combinations, while shapes are relaxed and wearable. The 28 projects include colourwork sweaters for men and women, along with mittens, hats, socks and scarves using Nordic-style stranded colourwork and cables. £18.95, Trafalgar…

Loop 15 Camden Passage, London N1 8EA This store has a dizzying choice of artisan yarns, such as CaMaRose, Habu, Isager, Biches & Buches, Koigu, Shibui, Life in the Long Grass, Orkney Angora, Spincycle, and many more. Loop is the UK stockist of Brooklyn Tweed yarns, and also has a wide choice of books, patterns and tools. www.loopknittingshop.com 020 7288 1160 The Village Haberdashery Hardy Building, West Hampstead Square, 6 Heritage Lane, London NW6 2BR Discover delicious yarns from brands such as RiverKnits, The Fibre Co., Knit the Bed, Mrs Moon, Qing Fibre, and The Wool Barn in this colourful shop. It’s a stockist of Addi, Clover and KnitPro needles, and also offers a range of knitting books and kits. www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk 020 7624 5494 Slipstitch 108 Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2AE This north London store has yarns from DROPS,…