Table of contents for 212 in The Knitter

ISSUE 212 Jacinta Bowie Having begun her career working for Hayfield, Jacinta is now a freelance knitwear designer who collaborates with yarn companies and magazines. This month, her fabulous tartan-effect T-shirt design is the star of our special supplement. Jennie Atkinson Jennie has a worldwide fanbase, thanks to her feminine designs which have appeared in Vogue Knitting, The Knitter and Rowan’s pattern magazines. Her latest design for us is a glamorous ribbed coat, knitted in a fluffy alpaca yarn, which is on p42. Marina Skua Marina began designing knitwear in 2016, and has since published more than 50 patterns. She is also a hand-dyer who has her own yarn range. Her new design, ‘Conflux’, is a V-neck jumper with a pattern of travelling rib columns, which is on p60. Outi…

NATURAL WOOLS SHOWCASE This celebration of locally produced wool showcases yarns from small farms in the south-west of England. Designer Marina Skua took inspiration from her visits to the farms to create a capsule collection of five unisex projects, all using undyed fleece shades. The ‘Valley Rooves’ cabled cardigan has a top-down, saddle-shoulder construction; it’s knitted in a Shetland-Romney wool from Gullet Farm in Devon. The ‘Tree Hay’ tank top has a delicate colourwork pattern inspired by the brushwood seen around Gutchpool Farm in Dorset, and uses the farm’s own Dorset Down and Shetland yarns. There are three accessory patterns: ‘Lichen Stone Scarf’, which has has a broken rib pattern and a parallelogram shape; ‘Hedge and Wall Hat’, with a herringbone stitch brim; and the colourwork ‘Flock Flight Mitts’. £18,…

Create comfortable, wear-with-everything knits to complement your existing wardrobe with the new pattern collection from West Yorkshire Spinners. There are four women’s designs, two men’s sweaters and two free downloadable scarf projects, and each project can be knitted in two yarn weights: aran, using Fleece Bluefaced Leicester Aran, and DK, using ColourLab DK. Among the patterns are a tank top, an open cardigan, a garter stitch jumper with set-in sleeves, and a stocking stitch drop-shoulder jumper. For men, there’s a moss stitch raglan sweater, and a classic crewneck sweater, plus there are two unisex scarf designs. www.wyspinners.com Darn good! Weave in yarn ends with ease using Clover’s smooth and strong darning needle sets Sets cost from £5. For stockists, email clover@stockistenquiries.co.uk Wonderwool Wales will have a special knitted installation marking the…

WORKSHOPS 24 FEBRUARY Skipton Professional Finishing Techniques www.purlandjane.co.uk 01756 228247 1 MARCH Online Introduction to Natural Dyeing using Natural Dye Extracts www.theloomshed.com 1 MARCH Chipping Norton Learn to Spin www.thefibreworks.co.uk 01608 645970 7 MARCH Exeter Knit a Shetland Hap Shawl www.woolontheexe.com 01392 669015 8-9 MARCH Sedburgh Nelly Mittens & Socks Weekend Workshop with Marie Wallin www.mariewallin.com 8 MARCH Oxford Professional Finishing Techniques www.oxfordyarn.com 01865 604112 11 MARCH Bovey Tracey Top-Down Fair Isle Sweater with Anniken Allis www.spinayarndevon.co.uk 01626 836203 15 MARCH Exeter Brioche Basics www.woolontheexe.com 01392 669015 16 MARCH Oxford Introduction to Fair Isle Knitting www.oxfordyarn.com 01865 604112 16 MARCH Tideswell Introduction to Yarn Dyeing www.peakdistrictyarns.co.uk 07730 682275 22 MARCH Warrington To Bead or Not to Bead? Knitting workshop with Sarah Daly www.blacksheepwools.com 01925 764231 24 MARCH Skipton Colourwork www.purlandjane.co.uk…

CHART PATTERN (worked over 26 sts) Rnd 1: P1, K1tbl, P1, wrap3, P1, K2tog, K5, yo, K1, yo, K2, SSK, P1, wrap3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 2 and all alt rnds: P1, K1tbl, P1, K3, P1, K12, P1, K3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 3: P1, K1tbl, P1, K3, P1, K2tog, K4, yo, K3, yo, K1, SSK, P1, K3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 5: P1, K1tbl, P1, wrap3, P1, K2tog, K3, yo, K5, yo, SSK, P1, wrap3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 7: P1, K1tbl, P1, K3, P1, K2tog, K2, yo, K1, yo, K5, SSK, P1, K3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 9: P1, K1tbl, P1, wrap3, P1, K2tog, K1, yo, K3, yo, K4, SSK, P1, wrap3, P1, K1tbl, P1. Rnd 11: P1, K1tbl, P1, K3, P1, K2tog, yo, K5, yo, K3, SSK,…

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES It is important to follow the pattern referring to which hand you hold each shade of yarn in (colour dominance), as this greatly affects the pattern outcome and may create a ‘line’ in the fabric if the colours change hands. With Sanquhar glove knitting, the pattern stitch count does not change for different hand sizes, but rather the needle size, and we have suggested different needle sizes to produce a larger or smaller glove. RIGHT GLOVE CUFF Using 2.25mm circular needles and yarn A, and the long-tail method, cast on 78 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist the sts. Rnds 1 and 2: *K1, P1; rep from * to end of rnd. Join yarn B. When working cuff, keep yarn…

STITCH PATTERNS MOSS STITCH - WORKED IN THE ROUND (worked over an even number of sts) Rnd 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Rnd 2: *P1, K1; rep from * to end. MOSS STITCH - WORKED FLAT (worked over an even number of sts) Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Row 2: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. PATTERN NOTE Moss stitch changes alignment at various points in the chart because of the placement of increases. For moss stitch sections, it is crucial to always knit the sts that appear as purls, and purl the sts that appear as knits. BODY HEM Using 3.25mm needles and the knitted cast-on method, cast on 160 (176:192:208: 224:240:256:272:288:304) sts. Pm for beg of rnd (at left side…

“THIS PATTERN makes a nice stashbuster project, as you will need just 50g of red 4ply yarn, and 20g of pink,” explains Caroline Rose. “I used a superwash Merino 4ply, hand-dyed using the methods we teach in the Dyeing Made Easy home dyeing course. Hand-dyed yarn gives you some lovely subtle tones, even within a ‘solid’ colour block.” We have suggested a superwash wool-nylon yarn from Cascade which is smooth, soft and machine-washable. WRISTWARMERS RUFFLES Using 2mm needles, yarn A and a stretchy cast-on method, cast on 176 sts plus 1. Join to work in the round by knitting the first stitch, and passing the previous stitch over, to leave you with 176 sts again. This avoids leaving a gap at the join. Pm for beg of round. Knit 4…

SAVE OVER $10 AN ISSUE! Save 71% on the shop price – just $64.95 for 13 issues* (usually $220.87) Free delivery from the United Kingdom Exclusive pattern booklet in every issue! 13 issues a year – subscribe today and never miss an issue! UK READERS See page 24 Subscribe today Call (toll-free) on 888-941-5623 (quote code ‘TKUSAP25’) Order online at www.ourmediashop.com/TKUSAP25 Lines are open weekdays 9:00am – 5:30pm. These times are US Eastern times as the agents are operating out of Pennsylvania. EUROPE & REST OF WORLD READERS EUROPE €110 for a 1-year subscription (13 issues) by debit/credit card REST OF WORLD $128 for a 1-year subscription (13 issues) by debit/credit card AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND AU$159 for a 1-year subscription (13 issues) by debit/credit card Order online at www.ourmediashop.com/TKPOS25 or call…

SIZING NOTE Note that the ‘To Fit’ sizes on this garment are not standard, due to the restrictions of the pattern repeat. Choose a size based on whether you would prefer a neat fit or a more relaxed fit. PATTERN NOTES CONSTRUCTION The main body begins with a ribbed border worked in rows then joined to be worked in the round, with steek stitches at the centre front worked in a Fair Isle pattern to the armhole. Armhole stitches are placed on stitch holders or waste yarn. The V-neck is shaped with paired decreases and in the top three sizes armhole decreases are also worked. Shoulders are joined with a three-needle cast-off. The neckband is worked in one piece on two circular needles in rows with moss stitch either side…

MODERN GEOMETRIC PATTERNS Georgia Farrell has released the follow-up to her 2022 book, Abstract - and Vol. 2 is an even more spectacular collection of designs with a graphic, contemporary look. Geometric colourwork, tessellating patterns and angular textures are used to produce fascinating fabrics on the eight garments. The ‘Collage’ sweater mixes different-shaped blocks of colour with knit and purl textures for a dramatic effect. ‘Shapes’ is a T-shirt in Rowan Kidsilk Haze with playful blocks of colour worked in Summerlite 4ply; the ‘Voids’ tunic reverses this effect, using the Kidsilk Haze to form large, angular, transparent blocks reminiscent of stained glass windows on the cotton background. Textured designs include a chic jacket with vertical zigzags, a long belted cardigan, a jumper with a dynamic pattern of arrowheads and parallelograms,…

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES DOUBLE CROCHET To give firmness to the back neck, a single row of double crochet (UK) is added. For guidance, see this video: https://bit.ly/crochetneckband FISHERMAN’S RIB WORKED FLAT (worked in rows over an even number of sts) Set-up row: Sl 1, P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end of row. Row 1: Sl 1, P1, *K next st into st below, P1; rep from * to end of row. Rep row 1 throughout. FISHERMAN’S RIB WORKED IN THE ROUND (worked in rnds over an even number of sts) Set-up rnd: Sl 1, P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end of rnd. Rnd 1: K1, P1, *K next st into st below, P1; rep from * to end of rnd. Rnd 2: *K1, P next st into…

CHART PATTERNS CHART A Row 1 (RS): K8, P1, K1, *(P1, K5, P1, K1) twice, P1, K5; rep from * once more, P1, K1, P1, K8. Row 2 (WS): P7, (K1, P1, K1, P5) 6 times, K1, P1, K1, P7. Row 3: K6, *(P1, K1, P1, K5) 3 times, P1, K1; rep from * once more, P1, K6. Row 4: (P5, K1, P1, K1) 4 times, P1, (K1, P1, K1, P5) 4 times. Row 5: K4, (P1, K1, P1, K5) 3 times, (P1, K1) 3 times, (P1, K1, P1, K5) 3 times, P1, K1, P1, K4. Row 6: P3, (K1, P1, K1, P5) 3 times, (K1, P1) 4 times, (K1, P1, K1, P5) 3 times, K1, P1, K1, P3. Row 7: K2, (P1, K1, P1, K5) 3 times, (P1, K1)…

NECKBAND Using 2.5mm circular needles, 40cm long and yarn A, cast on 90 (94:100:100:108:114) sts. Pm and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 3 (3:3:31/:31/:31/) cm. Change to 3mm circular needles, 40cm long, changing to 60cm when necessary. Knit 1 rnd. YOKE Knit 1 rnd, increasing 50 (60:54:68:60:68) sts evenly spaced around. 140 (154:154:168:168:182) sts. Now work Chart A once through. 220 (242:242:264:264:286) sts. Knit 0 (0:0:4:4:4) rnds with yarn B. Knit 1 rnd, increasing 0 (0:0:40:56:34) sts evenly spaced around. 220 (242:242:304:320:320) sts. Knit 0 (2:1:3:6:6) rnds with yarn B. Knit 1 rnd, increasing 26 (16:36:0:0:12) sts evenly spaced around. 246 (258:278:304:320:332) sts. Sizes 4yrs and 8yrs only Knit 4 rnds. Size 10yrs only Knit 6 rnds.…

FROM THE archives BACK Using 2.25mm needles, cast on 137 (143:149:159:169:179:189:197) sts. Row 1 (RS): K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end. Row 2 (WS): *P1, K1; rep from * to last st, P1. Rep last 2 rows until work meas 7 (7:7:8:8: 8:9:9) cm, ending with a RS row. Next row (WS): Rib to end and inc 1 st at centre of row. 138 (144:150:160:170:180:190:198) sts. Change to 3.25mm needles and commence patt as folls: Row 1 (RS): K3 (6:4:9:2:7:7:11), (P1, K1, yo, skpo, K1) 0 (0:1:1:0:0:1:1) times, (P1, K11, P1, K1, yo, skpo, K1) 7 (7:8:8:9:9:10:10) times, (P1, K11) 1 (1:0:0:1:1:0:0) times, P1, K3 (6:4:9:2:7:7:11). Row 2 (WS and every foll WS row): P3 (6:4:9:2:7:7:11), K1, (P11, K1) 1 (1:0:0:1: 1:0:0) times, (P4, K1, P11, K1) 7…

Issue 211 Fair Isle top Beatles sweater Raglan jumper Lace hat Cabled headband Slip stitch rollneck Men’s colourwork sweater Shrug Cable, lace & colourwork scarf Blanket & cushion set Colourwork mitts SEE THE PATTERNS IN DETAIL HERE http://bit.ly/RAVTKN Issue 210 Colourwork sweater Fair Isle cardigan Cabled jumper Tartan shawl Socks Beaded lace shawl Men’s sweater Lace jumper Cabled cardigan Intarsia sweater Textured jumper Issue 209 Cabled sweater Plaid jumper Fair Isle mitts Textured cardigan Brioche shawl Lace wrap Cowl Men’s gansey Intarsia jumper Bolster Brioche cardigan Colourwork jumper Issue 208 Cable yoked sweater Fair Isle cardigan Intarsia cardigan Balaclava & mitts Lace & cable jumper Fair Isle hot water bottle cosy Intarsia jumper Bag Sheep toy Nordic yoked sweater TURN FOR MORE BACK ISSUES Digital copies are available from issue…

À LA MODE Mode at Rowan specialises in capsule pieces you’ll want to wear for years to come, and its new pattern collection combines understated elegance with everyday luxury. The collection has 21 light layering pieces for spring-summer, and each pattern is available to buy individually. Projects include lightweight tops with delicate stitch patterns and lace trims, airy mesh tanks, a nautical cable sweater and slouchy cotton cardigan, and neat blouses and tops. Many of the patterns use the brand-new yarn from Mode at Rowan, called Cotton DK. This soft yarn with a matt finish comes in 50g/106m balls, in 10 ice cream shades. To order the yarn and pattern booklets, visit www.knitrowan.com/mode-at-rowan Waste not… Wool Revival DK is a new blend of recycled British wool spun from mill waste by West…

Knitted socks are a great canvas for playful colourwork, and Charlotte Stone has packed her latest design collection with fabulously bright and cheerful projects! Her new book, Joyful Colorwork Socks, has 25 designs that are sure to put a smile on your face. The patterns are grouped into themes, starting with a celebration of our pets, which includes designs featuring cute cats, dogs, goldfish and parrots. Then we head into the garden with nature-themed socks, decorated with apple trees, flowers and ladybirds. Whimsical designs marking holidays and celebrations include cupcakes, cocktail glasses, shamrocks, gnomes, pizzas, and little teapots and cups. Hobbies are represented too, with motifs such as campervans, retro video game characters and tarot cards. Each sock pattern is written for three sizes, to fit foot circumferences of 19-26cm…

Q Holes seem to appear so quickly in the heels of my hand-knit socks - is there a way to avoid this? A Try using a slipped stitch pattern for your heel flap. Slipping stitches with the yarn in back provides an extra layer of yarn, protecting your stitches, and also works to a tighter tension, creating a nice, snug heel that won’t move around as much on your foot. Here are our two favourite patterns to try for any sock with a heel-flap and gusset construction. They are both worked over an even number of stitches, and all stitches are slipped purlwise wyib unless otherwise stated. 1 Corn-cob pattern Row 1 (RS): *Sl 1 pwise wyif, K1; rep from * to end. Row 2: Sl 1, P to end.…

THIS TAM design from Outi Kater has been knitted using Jamieson & Smith’s newest yarn range, 5ply Shetland, which is a worsted-spun, plied sportweight. This yarn is available in 20 classic shades, and is perfect for knitting not only fishermen’s gansey sweaters, but also Fair Isle garments and accessories. The tam is generously sized to fit head circumferences of 56cm to 60cm. HAT Using 3.25mm DPNs and yarn A, cast on 128 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. CORRUGATED RIBBING Work rounds 1-12 of Chart A, working the 4-st chart repeat 32 times across each round. Change to 3.25mm circular needles. Next round (inc): Using yarn A, K1, (M1, K3) 12 times, (M1, K2) 27 times, (M1, K3) 12 times, M1,…

KNITWEAR FROM FINLAND by Niina Laitinen and Minna Metsänen NIINA LAITINEN is popular across Finland and beyond for her beautiful Nordic sock designs using lace and colourwork. For this new book, designer Minna Metsänen has taken Niina’s most popular sock patterns and reinterpreted them as garments, shawls and accessories. Niina’s nature-inspired colourwork motifs appear on a range of garments - and by using a much larger canvas than a sock, her artistic vision is even more impactful. The ‘Pride and Prejudice’ turtleneck sweater, for example, has a bold, all-over pattern of large peacocks, leaves and hearts. Pretty butterflies worked in a gradient yarn decorate the ‘Dear Sister’ belted coatigan, and floral motifs bring beauty to a cardigan, a short-sleeved jumper and a stunning dress. ‘Yours I Remain’, a cosy sweater…

STRIPE PATTERN Row 1: Using yarn B, Sl 1 kwise, KFB, knit to end. 1 st inc’d. Row 2: Sl 1 kwise, purl to end. Row 3: Using yarn A, repeat Row 1. Row 4: Sl 1 kwise, knit to end. SHAWL Using 3.5mm needles and yarn A, cast on 3 sts. Set-up row 1: Sl 1 kwise, KFB, K1. 4 sts. Set-up row 2: Sl 1 kwise, knit to end. Following the Stripe Pattern, repeat rows 1–4 a total of 112 times. 228 sts. Repeat rows 1-3 of Stripe Pattern once more. 230 sts. Cast off kwise using yarn A. FINISHING Weave in ends and block gently to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. EMMA SADLER Loch Aline THIS SHAWL by Emma Sadler has a…

SCARF Using 3.25mm circular needles or DPNs and yarn A, cast on 128 sts. (Note: If using DPNs, distribute sts evenly over 3 of the 4 needles and use the 4th needle as the working needle.) Join in yarn B and, carrying yarn not in use loosely across the back (WS) of the work, work in the rnd as folls: Rnd 1 (RS): *Using yarn B K1, using yarn A P1, rep from * to end. This round forms 2-colour rib. Cont in 2-colour rib until work meas 3cm. Change to 4mm circular needles or DPNs. Beg and ending rounds as indicated, using the Fair Isle technique (stranding colour not in use loosely across the back of the work) and repeating the 16-st patt repeat 8 times around each rnd,…

THE YARN shop Great British Yarns has been a go-to destination for special yarns for more than 15 years. Having taken over the business in 2023, Tina Evans is committed to offering exciting yarn ranges from across Britain and beyond, and working to build a friendly community for her customers. We chatted with Tina about her yarn shop adventures. Tell us the story behind Great British Yarns. “Great British Yarns was founded in 2007 by Sharon and Ian Spencer. Initially based in Bath, the business moved to Perthshire when the couple relocated. We have always wanted to run our own business, so when I saw that Great British Yarns was set to close, everything fell into place. We saw the massive potential in saving this established and successful business from…

The Knitter MASTERCLASS About our expert Maureen Bell is a keen knitter who lives on Shetland. She contributed a design to the book Fair Isle Designs from Shetland Knitters vol. 2, published by the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers & Dyers WHEN A much-loved cable cardigan developed holes in both elbows, I wanted to give it a new lease of life. This was the nudge I needed to start my first visible mending project. Instead of making a repair which tries to mimic the original, visible mending is a creative choice to make a serviceable repair which is intended to be seen and to enhance the appearance of a garment. I decided to use knitted Fair Isle patches which would be sympathetic to the knitted cardigan, but would provide…

Abbreviations alt alternate approx approximately beg beginning ch chain cn cable needle cont continue dc double crochet (US single crochet) dec decrease (work two stitches together) DK double knitting DPN double-pointed needle dtr double treble (US treble crochet) est established foll following inc increase K knit KFB knit into front and back of stitch K2tog knit the next two stitches together kwise knitwise meas measures M1 make one (see M1L) M1pw make 1 st purlwise: with LH needle lift the strand between next and last st from front to back and purl through the back loop M1L left leaning increase: with left needle tip, lift strand between needles from front to back. Knit lifted loop through back of loop M1R right leaning increase: with left needle tip, lift strand between…

STITCH PATTERNS SLIP STITCH PATTERN (multiple of 24 sts plus 15) Rows I and 2: Using yarn C, knit. Rows 3 and 4: Using yarn A, knit. Row 5: Using yarn A, K2, (Sl l, Kl) 5 times, Sil, * Ks, Sl l, Kl, Sl l, KS, (SI 1, Kl) 5 tim es, Sl l; rep from * to last 2 st s, K2. Row 6: Using yarn A, P2, ' (Sl 1 pwise wyif, Pl) 5 times, SI 1, PS, Sl 1 pwise wyif, Pl, Sl 1 pwise wyif, PS; rep from * to last 13 sts, (SI 1 pwise wyif, Pl) 5 times, Sl 1 pwise wyif, P2. Rows 7-10: Rep rows 3-6 once more. Rows 11 and 12: Using yarn A, knit.  Row 13: Using yarn B, knit.  Row…

"I GET UP early - one of the joys of living with a doctor! - and start the day with a cup of coffee. Then I head straight to my computer to see what orders have come in from outside the UK, so I can plan my day and put together dye sheets for everything need to produce today, as I dye everything to order. I've got customers all around the world at the minute: Korea, Chile, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Switzerland, it’s fantastic. "I set up my saucepan in the kitchen, weigh up my dyes, and put my wool in the sink to soak. By 8am I have a washing line full of dyed wool, drying out in the tiny courtyard outside my small flat in Peckham in south-east…