Teasel, possibly my favourite sock design to date

The sculptural stitch pattern combined with the hand-painted yarn, creates these stunning socks. Curving lines of twisted stitches form the stylised flower heads on these pretty socks.  The stitch pattern flows neatly down from the twisted rib cuff, and continues along the front of the foot.

The yarn from Old Maiden Aunt is a blend of superwash merino, cashmere and nylon and is dreamily soft.

The pattern is written for two sizes to fit foot circumference 22 (25) cm.

You can find Teasel inside issue 90 of The Knitter magazine. I would love to see pictures of your finished projects.

Happy Knitting,

 

Little Donkey Hooded Sweater

Silly Season was the perfect excuse to have some fun with this Donkey sweater.  A stocking stitch body and moss stitch cuffs and collar means this cutie won’t take long to knit.  The real magic is in the long flowing mane, created using tassels, and there’s a handy pouch pocket in the front for storing carrots.  But my favourite element to this design, the ears, adorable!

This would make a great nativity costume for a little one, or just an extra funky Christmas sweater.

The pattern is written to fit chest sizes 53 – 73.5cm which is approx. 1-11 years old.

To knit this you will need:

• Stylecraft, Life DK (75% acrylic, 25% wool, 100g/298 m) in Grey, Silver Grey and Charcoal
• 3.25mm needles
• 4mm needles
• 4mm crochet hook (for mane)
• Locking stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

I look forward to seeing your finished projects.

Happy Knitting,

Piggy Nose Surprise, Last minute gift knitting

Take a break from time-consuming, intricate gift knitting to make a speedy stocking filler that’s guaranteed to put smiles on your friends’ faces.

This might look like a simple stocking stitch mug hug, but it has a special secret on the bottom is a pink snout, so that as you drink, you’re transformed into a perfect piggy :)

You will get quite a few mug hugs out of one 100g ball (or you could stash bust).

To make this you will need:

• Stylecraft Life DK (75% acrylic, 25% wool) Rose
• 3.25mm DPN’s
• Mug (circumference approx. 27cm)
• Pink Felt
• Pink sewing thread and needle

I would love to see your finished projects,

Happy Knitting,

Sparkle Christmas Tree Socks

Fancy some festive socks?  You have found some.  My passion for beading continues with these fabulous beaded socks with a lace Christmas Tree motif.  The Beads delicately highlight the pretty tree pattern that’s knitted into the fabric, and their metallic shade beautifully complements the rich red yarn with the golden sparkles in it.

The beads are applied with my favourite bead knitting method using a crochet hook, instructions are included with the pattern.

The pattern is written in four sizes to fit foot circumference 21 (23, 25.5, 27.5) cm.

To knit these socks you will need:

• Old Maiden Aunt, 4ply sock yarn (75% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon, 5% stalling, 100g/366m) One skein in Lip Gloss.
• 2.5mm DPN’s or needles to work in the round
• 0.75mm crochet hook (for beading)
• 96 Debbie Abrahams Size 6, seed beading colour 601
• Stitch markers
• Darning needle

I look forward to seeing your finished projects.

Happy Knitting,

Cute Knit for a Deer One

Who can resist a little person in a cute knit? Not me!  I am a tiny bit addicted to reindeers this year, you may have seen one or two pop up in some of my designs.  I was looking for a way to add a touch of festive to a simple sweater and it hit me….. REINDEER.

This cute sweater is a classic drop shoulder construction, worked from the bottom up.  The pockets are worked separately, you can either work them using the intarsia method. Or if you fancy giving swiss darning (or duplicate stitch as it sometimes known) a try, then this is the perfect project for you.

The pattern is written to fit chest sizes 53 – 73.5cm, which is approx. 12 months to 11 years.

To knit this you will need:

• King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool, 50g/112m) in Copper
• 3.25mm needles
• 4mm needles
• Darning needle
• Locking stitch markers

You can find the pattern inside issue 141 of Simply Knitting magazine.

As always I would love to see your finished projects.

Happy Knitting,

Issue 100 of Let’s Knit Magazine, where does the time go?

The answer, deadlines!  I find it hard to believe that issue 100 of Let’s Knit magazine has been released already.  I have been designing for the magazine since issue 3 and that seems like only yesterday. I was thrilled when Sarah Neal, LK Editor asked me if I would like to design a mascot for the celebration 100th issue.  Meet Cecily, you can collect your copy of the pattern for FREE from any of the participating yarn shops. You can find a list here on the LK website. Hurry though the pattern is only available until 9th January.

My first design for LK were socks, his and hers cable socks called Twist.  Little did I know then that socks would become my addiction!

 

Issue 100 features two designs from me, a Christmas bauble inspired hat and a mega mega chunky scarf that Lenny Kravitz would be proud of.

Santa’s Little Helper is a beanie style hat with a silver topper.  The pattern is written to fit head circumference 40.5 (45.5, 50.5, 56) cm, that is approx. 6 months to 12 years old.

This hat is sure to bring a smile to those around :)

To knit this hat you will need:

• James C Brett Twinkle DK, one 100g ball in Red
• Anchor Metallic, 25g ball in Silver
• 2.5mm & 5mm DPN’s or your preferred needles for working in the round
• Toy stuffing
• Tapestry needle

Think Big is a supervised chunky scarf worked in Stylecraft Swift Knit on size 10mm needles, this scarf knits up quick and keeps your lap really cosy as you work on it! It is an impressive 3m long, without the fringe and will put the wow into wow factor.  The pockets are worked separately an sewn on afterwards, making this a very simple knit.

To knit this scarf you will need:

• Stylecraft Swift Knit in shades Viola and Teal
• 10mm needles
• 8mm crochet hook (for fringe only
• Tapestry needle.

I hope you have enjoyed these project and the little stroll down memory lane.  I look forward to the next 100 issues of Let’s Knit Magazine and would like to say thank you to Sarah Neal and the team for all the support they have shown me over the years.

 

Festive Flower Pots

I am always looking for new things and new ways to yarn bomb the everyday objects around the house.  The silly season is the perfect opportunity to take things to a new level of daft, all in the name of Christmas!

Dressed up in their festive finery they’ll look just fabulous on a windowsill or table, planted with a small conifer or poinsettia (what a great gift!)

I designed these festively themed flower pot covers for Simply Knitting magazine and you can find the pattern inside issue 139.

For the Santa pot you will need:

• James C Brett, Twinkle DK (97% acrylic, 3% polyester, 100g/300m) Red
• Stylecraft , Special DK (100% acrylic, 100g/295m) Black
• Oddment of Gold DK

For the Snowman pot you will need:

• Patons, Merino extrafine DK (100% wool, 50g/120m) White and Black
• Oddment of orange DK
• Stuffing
• Buttons

For both:

• 3.25mm DPN’s
• Black 13cm  flowerpots

As always I would love to see your finished projects,

Happy Knitting,

Snuggly Eskimo Buddy, super quick knit!

This cute little chap is knitted in a variety of textures and will make the perfect snuggle buddy for some little (or not so little person).

Joe is worked in King Cole Cuddles Chunky, King Cole Merino Blend DK and James C Brett Faux Fur.  Knitted in the round, there is very little sewing up to do, perfect!

You can find Joe inside issue 99 of Let’s Knit Magazine.  As always I would love to see your finished makes on my Facebook page.

Happy Knitting,  Jane x