The Knitter 175

From fabulous cables and elegant lace to fresh colourwork, we have spectacular stitch patterns for you to enjoy in this issue! Our garment and accessory projects are light yet warm - perfect for our changeable spring weather. Also in this issue, we learn about the rare-breed Norfolk Horn sheep with Fibreworkshop’s Jenn Monahan, explore the best yarns for your seasonal knitting, and take a look at five stretchy cast-off methods in our expert masterclass. HAPPY KNITTING! from Kirstie and The Knitter team…

Pat Menchini Pat is a prolific designer whose work regularly appears in the UK’s top knitting magazines. Her designs often feature decorative stitch patterns and neat shaping. This month, Pat brings us two stunning cabled sweaters: one for women on p22, and a shawl-collar pattern for men on p69x. 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. Mary’s latest pattern for us is a neat raglan cardigan with a delicate pattern of spots and colourful corrugated ribbing, on p38. Sanna Mård Castman Swedish designer Sanna has been working in knitwear design since leaving school, and she loves to explore cables and lace patterns and to incorporate beautiful details into her knits. Find her elegant, funnel-neck sweater…

THE DELICATE cable pattern on Emma Vining’s cardigan features leaf motifs which gradually enlarge in size from the lower edge to the upper body. The pattern panel is worked on a reverse stocking stitch background on either side of the front band. Leaf pattern panels are also worked in the centre of the garment back, and up the sleeves. Emma’s design is worked in a beautifully soft and lustrous British wool from Blacker Yarns. SIZE YARN NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders Stitch markers 4 buttons TENSION 27 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over Leaf Cable Pattern using 4mm needles. 19 sts and 28 rows to 10cm in st st using 4mm needles. SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS C2F: Sl 1 to cn and hold at front, K1;…

DUETS IN YARN Combining two contrasting yarns in one project can produce delightfully interesting and unique fabrics, and the team at The Fibre Co. have been exploring yarn combinations with their ‘Better Together’ project. The Fibre Co. has worked with three designers to produce garment patterns with matching accessories, which will be a great way to use up leftover yarns from the main project. Sylvia Watts-Cherry has designed a gender-neutral raglan cardigan with a stripe and slip stitch pattern, plus a matching hat, called ‘Kehinde’. This combines the brushed suri alpaca-blend Cirro yarn with Luma, a mix of cotton, linen, wool and silk. ‘Balnaan’ by Emily K. Williams is a boxy pullover with a ribbed yoke, and a matching hat, which combine Cirro and Luma in a modern marled stripe pattern. ‘Chanson’ by…

Mulberry Soft DK is an indulgent, sumptuous addition to the KC Collection, the luxury yarn range from King Cole. Blending mulberry silk with Peruvian superfine baby alpaca, it has an incredible softness, lustre and drape, and comes in a choice of opulent colours, including paprika, copper, olive and spruce. Accompanying the yarn launch is a new pattern book which showcases the yarn’s beauty, with six classic styles for women. There’s a chic funnel-neck jumper which can be knitted with short or long sleeves, and a neat raglan pullover with balloon sleeves for a modern touch. A simple button-up vest and cardigan look stunning in the jewel-like shades of Mulberry Soft, while a striped, collared cardigan and a striped rib scarf show off the palette to perfection. The DK-weight yarn comes in 50g/100m…

THE BLANKET BOOK by Elizabeth Caush Elizabeth Caush has been researching the therapeutic benefits of knitting, and for this book she has put together a range of simple blanket square patterns which will offer a mindful knitting experience for beginners and confident knitters alike. She also suggests ideas for setting up a knitting group and making charity blanket projects, as a way to build community links and aid wellbeing. £15.99, www.theblanketbook.co.uk ADVENTURE CABLES by Meghan Jones For passionate cable knitters looking to explore the full potential of crossed stitches, this book is a treat! Meghan Jones combines cables with lace, textures, and mosaic and stranded colourwork, to produce 19 stunning patterns for women’s sweaters, socks, shawls, cowls and mittens. Detailed tutorials throughout will give you the skills and confidence you need to knit Meghan’s fascinating…