The Knitter

Our designers have been inspired by flowers, foliage and spring sunshine to create knits for your seasonal wardrobe. Kath Andrews’ lace wrap on our front cover is the perfect example of our sophisticated pattern collection, which will be entertaining to knit and a treat to wear! Also in this issue, we meet the team at the yarn store Coorie Creative, discover the story of The Doulton Flock, and show you how to design your own socks with our expert masterclass. HAPPY KNITTING! from Kirstie and The Knitter team…

Chloé Elizabeth Birch Chloé is a freelance knitwear designer living in Cornwall, who loves to design fun yet timeless pieces. Chloe has created a number of patterns for West Yorkshire Spinners, and her latest design for us is a beautiful roll-neck sweater with pleated details, on p39. 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 knitting magazines and yarn brands. We have two designs from Sarah this month: a lacy cardigan for women on p46, and a child’s jumper on p75. Kath Andrews Kath has been publishing her patterns since 2012, online, in the UK and USA, and she honed her handknit design skills through the City & Guilds programme. Kath takes inspiration from her surroundings in North Wales,…

THIS DESIGN by Kath Andrews has an heirloom feel, thanks to its elegant array of lace stitch patterns. Kath’s wrap combines intricate patterns such as bell lace and Pyrenees lace, with side borders worked in garter stitch and diamond lace motifs. The project is knitted in two halves to ensure the main lace pattern is symmetrical; the two pieces are joined using a garter stitch graft. Our sample is knitted in a gorgeous laceweight Shetland wool yarn from Lammermuir Wool. SIZE Length after blocking: 192½cm (75¾in) Width after blocking: 65cm (25½in) Finished stole relaxes to 185cm x 60cm (72¾in x 23¾in) YARN Lammermuir Wool Simply Shetland Single Ply Lace (Laceweight; 100% Shetland wool; 400m/437yds per 50g ball) Natural White; 5 x 50g balls YARN STOCKISTS Lammermuir Wool www.lammermuirwool.scot NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 2 sets of 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 80cm…

MAGIC SOCKS Revolutionise your sock knitting with Safiyyah Talley’s intriguing new book, Knit 2 Socks in 1, which guarantees you’ll never suffer from ‘second sock syndrome’ again! Safiyyah’s innovative approach involves knitting one long tube, starting from a cuff, then adding ‘lifelines’ of waste yarn to allow you to split the tube to add a toe to one piece and a cuff to the other, finishing off with the heels. The book offers brilliantly clear, well explained instructions on the technique, and provides a template for a plain sock in seven sizes in baby to adult extra-large. Information is also given on customising your socks with different cuff and sole option Variations of the basic pattern for knitters to try include booties, bed socks and yoga socks, and everyday designs featuring simple lace…

KNITTED SOCKS FROM FINLAND by Niina Laitinen This colourful book has 20 sock patterns inspired by the Finnish countryside. Niina Laitinen’s designs use vibrant colourwork, delicate lace, and smart textured stitch patterns, in a range of styles including ankle and knee-high socks. The patterns are divided into four seasonal themes, and motifs include leaves and flowers, delicate snowflakes, and twisting pathways of cables. Search Press, £14.99 KNITTED WILD ANIMAL FRIENDS by Louise Crowther This delightful collection of patterns will be a hit with children and adults alike! Louise Crowther has designed 12 characterful toys, including a hippo, a lion, a panda, a giraffe, an elephant, and a koala. To dress up your animal friend, there’s a wide range of knitted clothes and accessories such as shoes and bags. £16.99, David & Charles CONSCIOUS CRAFTS: KNITTING by Vanessa Koranteng and…

Q I know I should knit a tension square before casting on a new project, but I’ve never done one! Any tips on how to go about it? A To make a square to check your tension, use the same yarn and needles as your project, and knit a square at least 15cm by 15cm. Pin it out to a padded surface such as a firm cushion or a foam blocking mat. To work out the stitch tension, use a pin as a marker and insert it vertically between two stitches. Then, using a rigid ruler, horizontally measure 10cm and place another pin in the fabric. Count the number of stitches between the two pins, including partial stitches. f your tension corresponds with that given in the pattern, you can start knitting your…