Crafts
The Knitter
159The Knitter caters for skilled knitters with more than 10 challenging patterns in each issue. The Knitter has beautiful, original patterns and inspiration from world-class designers. Our patterns aren’t just fabulous to look at, they’re enjoyable to make, with a few unusual techniques and intriguing ways with yarns for you to try.
in this issue
new year ideas
Keep your needles busy this January with one of our entertaining patterns featuring cables, intarsia and Fair Isle. Our Folklore collection brings a modern twist to traditional folk textiles, and includes colourful designs from Dario Tubiana, Carol Meldrum, Jacinta Bowie and Sarah Hatton. We also explore the ancient art of Viking knitting, and have the ideal pattern to help novice sock knitters create their first pair! HAPPY KNITTING! from The Knitter team…
our featured designers
Penelope Hemingway Historian Penelope delves into parish records, crime reports and asylum archives to uncover stories of knitters from earlier eras. As well as investigating a historic knitted ‘Welsh wig’ on page 30, she brings us a masterclass on nalbinding - ‘Viking knitting’ - on page 75. 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. Her first pattern for The Knitter is a spectacular embroidered jacket, which you can find on page 58. Carol Meldrum Influenced by Scottish themes and textile traditions, Carol is known for her fashionable and playful knitting patterns, and for her range of popular books including Knitlympics and Knitted Icons. Her latest design for us is a shawl decorated with colourwork for…
oksana dymyd buchanan
SIZE YARN Rico Essentials Soft Merino (Aran weight; 100% merino wool; 100m/109yds per 50g ball) NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES 1 pair 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) knitting needles 1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles 1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles 1 pair 6.5mm (UK 3/US 10½) knitting needles Cable needle (cn) Stitch holders Stitch markers TENSION 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm over st st on 5mm needles. 70 sts of Side Cable Section meas approx 29cm across. YARN STOCKISTS Rico www.rico-design.co.uk SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS K1B (Knit 1 below): Sl 1 wyib, knit into row below slipped st and place on right-hand needle. Work both loops together as one stitch on following row. (You may find this easier with a crochet hook.) C2F: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at front, K1; K1 from cn. C2B: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at back, K1; K1 from cn. C4F: Slip…
the knitter loves…
NORDIC COLOUR The pattern book Carousel from Rowan is filled with colourwork accessories inspired by folk textiles and Nordic patterning. The collection has been designed by Martin Storey, and contains nine projects for women. All the accessory projects are seamless, and use Rowan’s luxurious Alpaca Soft yarn. Large floral motifs decorate the ‘Cosmos Cowl’ (pictured below), while more stylised graphic flowers appear on the retro-look ‘Solar Poncho’. The ‘Lattice’ scarf and hat have delicate patterning and two-colour ribs, and the ‘Daystar’ hat and cowl use sun-like motifs reminiscent of traditional Latvian motifs. Our favourite accessory is the ‘Plume’ poncho, with its beautiful pattern of feathers. £12 from www.knitrowan.com - Find a pattern from this collection in our special supplement with this issue! Box of delights Loop is selling 50-colour packs of The Border Mill’s…
new books
MDK FIELD GUIDE NO. 16: PAINTERLY by Kaffe Fassett Mesmerising, geometric intarsia patterns using vibrant colour palettes - that’s what Kaffe Fassett is best known for, and he has created four fabulous new designs for Modern Daily Knitting’s latest Field Guide. Enjoy making a blanket with triangles in 15 different colours, a cityscape-inspired scarf, smart cushions, and a stylish cowl. $9.95 for the e-book version from www.moderndailyknitting.com THE HITCHHIKER COLLECTION by Martina Behm The ‘Hitchhiker’ shawl has become a phenomenally popular pattern since its release 10 years ago. To celebrate, Martina Behm has brought together 17 of her classic shawl designs and three brand-new projects in a beautifully presented book, all featuring clever ways with stitch patterns, shape, colour and texture. It’s a real treat for shawl knitting fans. www.strickmich-shop.de/en/ FAIR ISLE WEEKEND by Mary Jane Mucklestone Inspired by the…
local heroes
Ippikin 59 The High Street, Much Wenlock TF13 6AE As well as being a Rowan flagship store, Ippikin stocks a fantastic range of British brands including Coop Knits, Fyberspates, Erika Knight, Jamieson & Smith, Qing Fibre and West Yorkshire Spinners. There are also treats from further afield to discover in this contemporary store, such as Manos del Uruguay and Hedgehog Fibres. www.ippikinyarns.com 01952 728371 Ewe & Ply 11 English Walls, Oswestry SY11 2PA The inspirational yarn range at Ewe & Ply includes its own Shropshire Ply, spun from local fleece. Customers can find other delights from brands such as RiverKnits, Cambrian Wool, Malabrigo, John Arbon, Fyberspates, Nurturing Fibres, CaMaRose, HeyJay, Onion, Olann, and Frangipani. www.eweandply.co.uk 01691 587467 The Wool Shop 13 Broad Street, Ludlow SY8 1NG This charming little shop in the market town of Ludlow stocks yarn from Sirdar, Adriafil, Rowan…
