Win!

PRIZES
WORTH
£325!

Issue 44
£5.99

4 INSPIRED
KNITS
Lighter looks for
warm spring days
Sizes
6-24

Masterclass
THREE-NEEDLE CAST-OFF,
MATTRESS STITCH & MORE!

Living the PRINTED IN THE UK

dream
ISSUE 44 £5.99

TURN YOUR YARN IDEAS

INTO A NEW CAREER

PLUS! CABLE CUSHION FITTED JACKET LACE SHRUG SLOUCHY SOCKS BEADED WRAP
WorldMags.net
 WELCOME

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER!
Having a stash of yarns is a wonderful thing, but it can
sometimes be frustrating, too. I have the perfect yarn for
a cardigan: a lovely rich cashmere/wool tweed DK
which is softer than you can imagine. Because
it is such a gorgeous yarn I want - no, I need - to find
the PERFECT CARDIGAN PATTERN for it. Being tall and
having a bit of a bust does limit me (no vertical ribs Juliet is looking for the perfect cardigan
pattern - could this chic design by Kim
please!), so I really need your help: can you recommend a Hargreaves (p41) be the one for you?

cardigan pattern that you have knitted and loved?

The show season has well and truly kicked off, and we’re
gearing up for WOOLFEST in Cockermouth on 22-23 June
and FIBRE-EAST near Bedford on 14-15 July, with some of
the team heading off to WONDERWOOL this month. I’ve had
such a lovely time at Unravel and the Stitch & Craft shows
already this year, so I’m looking forward to being with
knitters again. I love to see what you have on your needles
– you really put me to shame with your creativity!

Talking of events, the UK is firmly centre-stage this

summer, thanks to the London Olympics and our Queen’s We had great fun at the Stitch & Craft
Show, and can’t wait to meet more of you
Diamond Jubilee. We have a round-up of some of ways at Woolfest and Fibre-East this summer

knitters are CELEBRATING in this issue to get you in the

spirit. Wherever you find yourself knitting, enjoy!
STITCH & CRAFT PHOTO BY KYOKO NAKAYOSHI

We have lots of elegant projects for your

Juliet Bernard spring-summer wardrobe, such as this
Editor beaded wrap by Michaela Moores on p75

WorldMags.net
 58
ABOVE Loose, smock-style top uses
a textured, recycled yarn
14 Collectable Patterns
14 Sorrel by Marleen van der Vorst
Elegant lace pattern adorns this
longer-length cardigan
24 Mission Bay by Mel Clark
Casual, lacy shrug makes a
lovely summer cover-up
33 Scribble by Kyoko Nakayoshi
Men’s tank top with its Fair Isle
doodle design is fun yet wearable
41 Agnes by Kim Hargreaves
Chic fitted jacket embroidered with
French knots has a vintage feel
14
48 Raspberry Sundae by Karen Wessel
Comfy socks designed for relaxing
51 Mongolia Shawl by Christel Seyfarth
Try the ‘magic ball’ method to create
this stunning colourwork shawl
58 Leonora by Sarah Hatton
Smock-style top with lace panels
63 Clevedon by Nick Atkinson
Striking cotton top features
macramé-inspired stitch clusters
68 Matilda by Vibe Ulrik Sondergaard
Cable jumper for little girls
The Knitter 04 Issue 44
WorldMags.net
24
ABOVE Openwork panels add interest
to this pretty, silky shrug
75 Igneous by Michaela Moores
Delicate beaded evening wrap
uses two skeins of laceweight yarn
79 Bobbles & Waves by Siân Brown
Blanket and cushion set with classic
cables uses British Sheep Breed wool
83 Crystallography by Jacqui Harding
Adorn a window with this subtle,
pretty crocheted curtain
87 Mia by Marie Wallin
Textured, short-sleeved cotton top
has a contemporary feel
 51

83
63
75
41

48

33
68
79
87

Subscribe & Save! SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET FOUR FREE ISSUES!
PLUS RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PATTERNS IN EVERY ISSUE SEE PAGE 30
9000

The Knitter 05 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
 RIGHT Exploring the
British Library’s
knitting treasures

72 BELOW From sheep to

skein: one woman’s
dream comes true

86 20
55

98

38
Be Inspired Regulars
08 The Knitter Loves…
The latest trends and treats in the
28 28 In the Loop
Take a look at the news, views and
knitting, craft and fashion world project photographs from our readers
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSE WILD. HAIR & MAKE-UP: SARAH BEE.

55 Living the dream

20 Masterclass Meet three women whose knitting 91 Information page
Step-by-step guide to mattress stitch ideas have led to a new career Stockist details, pattern corrections
COVER MODEL: RACHEL MITCHEM AT GINGERSNAP.

and the three-needle cast-off and essential knitting abbreviations

38 Yarn Choice
Our favourite yarns for your
warm-weather knitwear projects
47 Great books
Fresh ideas for yarn, colour, spinning
and dyeing make our reading list
70 Interview: Vibe Sondergaard
72 Inside the British Library
Take a peek inside the Library’s
amazing knitting archives
86 Quick Guide: Washing
Top tips on caring for handknits
92 The Knitter Boutique
Our favourite yarn stockists
97 Next Month preview
98 Goody bag
Win our prize pile, worth £200!

The Knitter 06 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
 KYOKO NAKAYOSHI
Future Publishing Ltd, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW
Phone 01225 442244 Email TheKnitter@futurenet.com
A former design consultant
Website www.theknitter.co.uk NICK ATKINSON at Liberty of London, Kyoko
UK subscriptions 0844 848 2852; theknitter@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Having worked for many now runs Cotton & Cloud,
years for designers such as a London-based website

editorial Donna Karan and Gucci,

to check
Editor Juliet Bernard
juliet.bernard@futurenet.com
Deputy Editor Rosee Woodland
rosee.woodland@futurenet.com
Nick now enjoys creating
innovative and structural
patterns that challenge
and delight handknitters.
This month, he brings us a
cotton top with an unusual,
macramé-inspired stitch
pattern that certainly
offers the ‘wow’ factor.
Find his design on page 63.
Art Editor Jude Curle
jude.curle@futurenet.com
selling patterns, yarns and
books with a Japanese
flavour. Her charming
patterns have been a big hit
with our readers, and this
month she has designed
a fun yet wearable tank top
for men, with a ‘scribble’
motif, on page 33.

Operations Editor Helen Spedding

helen.spedding@futurenet.com

Technical Assistants Jennifer Storey, Cara Medus

jennifer.storey@futurenet.com cara.medus@futurenet.com

Group Senior Editor Julie Tolley Group Art Editor Matt Hunkin

contributors
Nick Atkinson, Siân Brown, Mel Clark, Jacqui Harding, Sarah Hatton, Michaela Moores, Kyoko Nakayoshi,
‘A Playful Day’, Becky Skuse, Marleen van der Vorst, Heather Welford, Karen Wessel
Thanks to Jen Arnall-Culliford, Rachel Atkinson, Abigail Barker, Sarah Bee, Valerie Bracegirdle,
Debora Bradley, Rhian Drinkwater, Melanie Edgar, Thelma German, Nicky Hale, Kim Hobley,
Frances Jago, Kirstie McLeod, Karen Reed, Kimberley Watson
Photography Jesse Wild, Simon Lees, Neil Godwin Design & Art Direction Sarah Clark
Models Rachel Mitchem at Gingersnap, Marta and Ruth Spivey at NEVS, Rob Eyres, Jennifer Storey
Creative Director Robin Abbott Editorial Director Jim Douglas
CONTRIBUTORS
Advertising
Senior Advertising Manager Amanda Burns
Account Manager Rachael Hawkins Advertising Sales Executive Sarah Cartlidge
rachael.hawkins@futurenet.com sarah.cartlidge@futurenet.com
UK Sales Director Clare Coleman-Straw
Marketing
Marketing Manager - Creative Lyndsey Mayhew
Marketing Executive Samantha Book
Subscriptions Portfolio Manager Elaine Sosna Subscriptions Product Manager Elizabeth Davies
Print & Production
Production Manager Mark Constance
Production Co-ordinator Stephanie Smith Advertising Production Co-ordinators Clare Dodd, Jo Gay
Paper Controller Lorraine Rees PreMedia Manager Brian Hook PreMedia Coordinator Jason Hudson
Image Manipulation Rosalind Anderson, Steven Wood, James Wootton

circulation licensing
Trade Marketing Manager International Licensing Director
Philippa Gordon Tim Hudson MICHAELA MOORES
philippa.gordon@futurenet.com tim.hudson@futurenet.com
International Account Manager Tel: + 44 (0)1225 442244 Michaela loves to play with
Rebecca Hill Fax: + 44 (0)1225 732275
KAREN WESSEL texture and volume in her
rebecca.hill@futurenet.com
Since taking up knitting knitting, and to develop
future Publishing limited while studying for her her own stitch patterns.
Group Publisher Kerry Lawrence
Chief Executive, Future UK Mark Wood university exams, Karen She sells her designs
subscriptions has become addicted to through her website,
Phone our UK hotline on 0844 848 2852 or subscribe online at www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
making socks, and now www.MichaelaKnits.com,
Overseas subscriptions +44 1604 251045
designs her own lovely and her work has also been
Printed in the UK by Midway Colour Print (cover) and William Gibbons (pages). Distributed in the UK by Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT Tel: 020 7429 4000 patterns which appear included in the online
Want to work for Future? Next issue on sale on her own website, magazine Knitty.com.
Visit www.futurenet.com/jobs Wednesday 16 May www.quesselchen.com. Her first pattern for
Her latest pattern for us is The Knitter is a stunning
Future produces carefully targeted magazines, websites and
events for people with a passion. Our portfolio includes more a 1980s-inspired sock beaded wrap, on page 75.
than 180 magazines, websites and events and we export designed with lounging in
or license our publications to 90 countries around the world.
mind! Find it on page 48.
Future plc is a public company Chief Executive Mark Wood
quoted on the London Stock Non-executive Chairman Peter Allen
Exchange (symbol: FUTR). Group Finance Director Graham Harding
Tel +44 (0)20 7042 4000 (London)
www.futureplc.com Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244 (Bath)
© Future Publishing Limited 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. The registered office of Future Publishing Limited is at Beauford Court,
30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All information contained in this magazine is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived
press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with from well managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free
regard to the price of products/services referred to in this magazine. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Future a licence to publish your manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been
submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC
material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for loss or damage. (Forest Stewardship Council).

The Knitter 07 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
 Trends v Accessories v Websites v Events v Embellishments v More…

RED, WHITE &

BLUE FOR YOU
2012 is looking like a great year
to be British, with our Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee in June and of
course the London 2012 Olympic
Games. To celebrate, Blacker
Yarns in Cornwall has expanded
its colour range with a patriotic
red, white and blue selection.
The colours are available in
Blacker’s 5ply Natural Guernsey
yarn, which is a firm favourite
of ours. It’s 100% wool, provides
excellent stitch definition and
is perfect for keeping out the
cold. It costs £7 per 50g ball –
go on, treat yourself this spring Design an accessory inspired by one country
and create a Jubilee project to
be proud of.
www.blackeryarns.co.uk,
01566 777635
Let the Games begin!
To celebrate the forthcoming Olympic Games, Yorkshire yarn company Rowan has
launched an exciting design competition. Entrants will be asked to come up with an
accessory design inspired by one of the nations taking part in the 2012 Games.
The winning entrant, chosen by Rowan’s creative team, will win yarn up to the
value of £150 to knit a garment of choice from the company’s new spring-summer
2012 collections. What’s more, the pattern will also be published as a Rowan design
on KnitRowan.com, while the winner and a friend will receive a subscription to
Rowan’s Knitting & Crochet Magazine. This is a great opportunity for any budding
designer to get published, so get your thinking caps on and get knitting for Gold!
Photographs of your finished entry should be emailed to mail@knitrowan.com
New shades for the 5ply Natural Guernsey by the closing date of May 31, 2012. Call 01484 681881 for more details

Teddy with a heart Knit a London landmark!

Fly the flag for Britain this spring with this Emma King’s new book celebrates
adorable Great British Bear kit. This simple the best of London, from black
yet gorgeous bear is suitable for beginners cabs and Routemaster buses to Big
(so would make a perfect present), and Ben and the London Eye. Our
wears his Union heart and flag with pride. favourite is the iconic telephone
Designed to celebrate the Olympics and box, although for sheer knitting
Jubilee, he’ll be the perfect companion ingenuity, Tower Bridge, with
to watch the Games with! Kits contain its intarsia windows and i-cord
yarn, needles, instructions, stuffing and railings, certainly gets our vote!
a flag, and cost £16 including free UK p&p Knit London costs £7.99 and is
from www.gifthorsekits.co.uk, 01874 665647 published by Collins & Brown

The Knitter 08 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
 The Knitter loves...

Knitter’s
Deputy editor Rosee
Woodland has been
indulging her love of colour:
1 “I love winter knitting,
sitting with a cosy pile of
wool on my lap, and as a
result I have a lot of thick
jumpers! So I tried to be
sensible with my latest,
lighter, project - Ysolda
Teague’s ‘Chickadee’ from
Little Red in the City. I’m
knitting it in Sublime Pure
Merino DK, my last yarn
1 memories of knitters worldwide.
3 belinda.co.uk/interactive/
notebook
purchase of 2011 before
embarking on my year-
long ban. Since this picture
was taken I’ve been racing
along, and now just have
the edging on one sleeve
and the buttons to go!”
www.ysolda.com
2 “Ysolda’s new Saturday
Treat book also caught my
eye, and I knitted up the
‘Almond Comfit’ hat in
the shade pictured in
her version. It ended up
2 Knitting’, it’s hoped the project
ON OUR
NEEDLES
slightly too small for me
(sadly I have a large head!)
so I’m gifting it to a friend.”
www.ysolda.com
3 “My next project is the
very summery ‘Framboise’
by Sarah Hatton from Issue
35, which I’ll make in some
bamboo sock yarn that I
have hand-dyed a lovely
burnt-orange colour.”
The individual pattern is
now available to buy at
www.themakingspot.com
Share your thoughts with other knitters
Knitting &
sharing
Design duo Ruth Morris and
Belinda Harris-Reid are
currently working to create a
stunning knitted exhibition,
celebrating the lives, skills and
Knitters are asked to knit a small
bias square in cream yarn, then
send it in with a tag explaining
what they were thinking of as
they knit.
Squares and tags will be
combined together to create
a wall of knitting and knitters’
thoughts, and will eventually
become a touring art piece.
Launched in March, this project
is run in collaboration with the
UK Hand Knitting Association
and will last a year. Called ‘For
the Record; Conversations over
will allow knitters to find their
voice and share the thoughts
behind their knitting.
For details, visit www.ruthand
fortherecord.html

Coronation chic Feeling sheepish?

Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in retro style with the Herdy is known for its bright range of sheep-themed
new collection from Susan Crawford. Coronation Knits has products, sold to support the conservation of Herdwick
12 patterns based on fashions worn at the sheep in the Lake District. This new
time of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in range of Herdy stitch markers is
1953, including both brand-new designs ideal for keeping track of your
and updated period material. There are knitting. The markers fit
projects for all the family and the home, needles up to 7mm in size,
using lace, cable and Fair Isle. Coronation and would make a great
Knits goes on sale in May, priced £12.99. For gift for a fellow knitter.
details, visit www.susancrawfordvintage. £7.50 for pack of six; www.
com or call 0845 458 9911 for stockists herdy.co.uk, 01539 739202

The Knitter 09 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
The Knitter loves...

LOOK HOT
EAST FOR TICKET
FINE FIBRE
Fibre-East in 2011 was
a huge success, and this
year’s event in July looks like it’s
going to be even better. To be
held near Bedford, this show will
Club members
be packed with a huge range of
yarns and fibre for sale.
It’s not just about shopping
will receive six
lovely designs WIN!
though – workshops will cover
everything from spinning to
felting to weaving, if you fancy
brushing up on your skills.
Because the event is held on a
working farm, there’s the chance
to ‘Meet the Breeds’ and learn
which types of wool are best for
what knitted project, as well as
watch a selection of shearing
demonstrations.
We’re also looking forward to
the ‘fleece to jumper’ project,
which will see wool sheared,
spun and knitted up into a
child’s jumper in an afternoon!
The show is on 14-15 July. To
book tickets or workshop places,
visit www.fibre-east.co.uk or
call 07751 813681

Go yarn shopping at Fibre-East in July
Beautiful beading
Do you love embellishing your knitting with delicate beadwork? Or would you like
to try, but you’re not sure where to begin? Whatever your experience, you’re sure to
enjoy Debbie Abrahams’ exclusive bead club, which offers a combination of quality
beads with beautiful beaded patterns from top Rowan designers.
Every two months for the rest of 2012, members receive an exclusive design, plus
several full packets of beads to help you complete it (yarn not supplied). Designers
include Jane Crowfoot, Carol Meldrum and Debbie Abrahams, and there are six
designs in total. The club has already started, but it’s not too late to join up.
We’re delighted to be able to offer one reader the chance to win a free membership
to the club. For a chance to win, simply send a text to 87474 with the code TKNbead
along with your name and address. You can also enter online at www.futurecomps.
co.uk/TKNbead. Closing date is midnight on 15 May 2012.
Club membership costs £75. Visit www.debbieabrahamsbeads.co.uk for details

Time to go shopping! Say farewell to pilling

It’s always great to find a new supplier of our favourite yarns.
Online shop The Village Haberdashery is packed with crafty
goodness, with yarns from
the likes of Malabrigo,
Artesano and Knit Collage.
There’s also a big range of
needles and accessories, so
you can get everything you
need for your next project.
www.thevillagehaberdashery.
co.uk
Isn’t it upsetting when a favourite knit
starts to pill and bobble? Help is at
hand from ‘The Gleener’. The gadget
has three interchangeable heads, so
you can start with the big pills and work
down to the finer ones. At the other end is a
clothes brush to remove all the loose fibres.
At the moment you can only order it from
Canada for $19.99 plus shipping, but
there are plans to sell it in the UK.
www.gleener.com

The Knitter 10 Issue 44

WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net