Twisted Love Sock Knitting Pattern FREE for a limited period

I mentioned a while back that I have been busy working on a mini collection of sock patterns, well it is nearly here.  You may have seen some of pictures of yarn and beads on my social media pages and the fun I have been having choosing which beads, for which yarn…..

 

In readiness for it’s release I have designed a FREE sock pattern to entice you try beading with a crochet hook for yourselves.  These beautiful cable and bead socks are simple to knit yet stunning to look at! New to beading with a cable needle? Fear not there are tutorials included in the pattern. (Be warned though, once you start you will be adding beads to all your projects!)

Not a fan of beads? Simply omit the beads and you will still have yourself a pair of very pretty socks.

 

For a limited period only you can download this pattern for FREE if you sign up to my newsletter here

To knit these socks, you will need to be familiar with top down socks construction with a heel flap.
Be able to;
sl 1 – slip next stitch purlwise
ktbl -knit next st through back loop, twisting stitch
ssk – slip 1, slip 1, knit these 2 slipped sts together
k2tog – knit next two stitches together to decrease one stitch
yo – yarn over
CDD – slip next two stitches together as if to knit, knit next stitch, pass slipped sts over
Bead (see ‘Knitting with beads’ instructions included in pattern)

Yarn:
Cascade Heritage Solids, shade 5649, Iris, (one 100g skein). 75% merino, 25% nylon. 100g/400m/436yds
Needles:
Double pointed 2.5mm (US 1.5) US or circular needles for working in the round
Crochet hook:
0.75mm (USA 13) for beading only
Also needed:
Size 6 seed beads, Debbie Abrahams, Colour 337 (approx. 72 beads)
Stitch markers
Cable needle
Tension:
32 sts x 46 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4 in x 4 in) using 2.5mm needles and stocking stitch (blocked)
To save time, take time to check gauge.
Pattern Notes:
The pattern uses the crochet hook method of apply beads. (Beads can easily be omitted from this design).
Sizing Notes:
The large cables make the sock a snug fit, if you are between sizes in the chart below, I suggest you opt for the larger size.
To choose the best fit, measure the foot around the widest point of the foot and knit the size closest to the ‘to fit foot circumference’ size.

Finished foot circumference: 18.5 cm / 7.25 in (20 cm / 8 in, 21.5 cm / 8.5 in, 23 cm / 9 in)
To fit foot circumference: 20 cm / 8 in (21.5 cm / 8.5 in, 23 cm / 9 in, 24.5 cm / 9.5 in)

Just in case you missed it, the link for the newsletter sign up is  here

I would love to see your finished projects on my Ravelry page…

 

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,

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,

Does Miffy Wear Pants?

I may have mentioned once or twice that I love my job.  I love the random nature of the projects I am asked to design.  Recently I was asked by
the lovely editor of Let’s Knit Magazine if I would like to design a licensed Miffy soft toy.  Well that was a silly question, the answer was always going to be yes!  I adore Miffy, my children were force-fed a diet of Miffy stories, but yet when it came down to getting every detail correct, there was one question I did not know the answer to…… Does Miffy wear pants?  As you can imagine this resulted in a few humorous emails between me and my editor, the answer was this….

You can find my Miffy pattern inside issue 99 of Let’s Knit magazine.

I would love to see your finished projects on my Facebook page.

Happy Knitting,  Jane x

 

 

 

 

 

A new adventure begins with the launch of Lacy Leftovers Socks

Today marks the beginning of a new adventure in my designing career.  I have been designing for over seven years now and have been very fortunate to have over 250 designs published in the UK knitting magazines.  But today I am taking my first steps in the big wide world of self publishing. I have republished a number of patterns where the rights have reverted to me.  But starting from scratch with a self published design, getting it ‘out there’ as they say is very much new to me.

I like to learn new skills and push myself, self publishing is proving to be a great driving force to learn new things, and learn new things at speed!  Pattern layout, page design, photography, copy writing, test knitting, tech editing, promotion and mailing lists, yes they keep you busy.  I have found that other designers are wonderful generous human beings who are happy to help and share their knowledge and I don’t think I could have got this far with out their help.

My first self published pattern is….. Lacy Leftovers.

You can BUY the pattern here

These easy going cuff down socks are just perfect for using up those tiny balls of left over sock yarn, even those highly variegated ones, the ones that you are never quite sure what to do with! The simple two row repeating lace pattern, is both written and charted and the ‘ribbed’ nature of the fabric makes getting a good fit effortless.

The pattern is written in five sizes, to cater from older children to the man in your life. Dare I say these socks would make fantastic thrifty knitted gifts.

The pattern has been tech edited and test knit, please check out the other projects to see just how differently other people have used their leftovers.  Some have used only one skein of variegated or striped yarn. Whilst others have combined a solid colour with variegated for stunning results.

Now you can truly indulge your sock knitting passion, using every last scrap of yarn (and not a sock yarn blanket in sight).

If you would like to sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a 50% off discount code which you can use against the purchase of any of my designs, including Lacy Leftovers!

I would love to see your finished sock over in my Ravelry Group

 

 

Piggy Hat, yes really it is a Piggy Hat

Say hello to my little friend, the Piglet Hat…

With the weather getting colder, our attention turns to cute accessories we can make for our loved ones.  Dare I say it, gift knitting (you know you should have started it by now, if you want to avoid a repeat of the Christmas gone, when you swore you would never knit another *insert expletive* gift again.

This cute piggy hat is sure to delight the wearer almost as must as the wearer’s audience, with its big friendly eyes and its comedic snout.

The pattern is written for three sizes to fit head circumference 40 (45, 50) cm.

Skills:

• knitting in the round
• decreasing

Kit needed:

• Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (it is a posh piggy hat)
• 3.25mm double pointed needles
• 4mm double pointed needles
• two leather shanked buttons 2.5mm diameter
• toy stuffing
• stitch markers

 

You can find the pattern inside issue 98 of Let’s Knit magazine.

Happy Knitting, Jane x

It’s Alive! Frankenstein Sweater for your little monster

It is that time of year again folks, where I dust off my spooky imagination and get to have some really silly fun in the name of being ‘seasonal’.

Over the years I have designed a number of Halloween collections for Simply Knitting magazine, but this year it is just one project….

Frankenstein Sweater (isn’t this young man just the coolest model ever?)

This super cute drop shoulder sweater is not only for Halloween, I am sure your little monster will want to wear this sweater well beyond the scary season.

Those of you who are not new to my work, will know that I like my designs to be playful, yet simple to achieve. There are charts for the hair and eyes, which are worked using the intarsia method.  But fear not, you could easily work these using duplicate stitch (or swiss darning), which would produce a great 3D effect for the features. The mouth and tongue are worked separately and sewn on the front at the end.

The pattern is written for chest sizes 53 – 76 cm (that is approx. 12 months to 11 years).

Skills needed:

• k2tog
• ssk
• ribbing
• picking up stitches
• mattress stitch
• swiss darning or intarsia
• crochet chain or I-cord

Kit needed:

• Stylecraft Special DK yarn in (black, bright green and violet)
• Oddment of red 4ply yarn
• 4mm crochet hook
• darning needle
• 2.5mm needles
• 3.25mm needles
• 4mm needles

You can find the pattern for this sweater inside issue 138 of Simply Knitting Magazine.

 

Still looking for more spooky inspiration, take a look at my Ravelry store,  if you are quick I am running a special offer.  Use the code ‘Socktober’ at the checkout and you will receive a 30% discount on all my patterns!  Happy Knitting, Jane x

Ghost Toy

Knitted eye balls

Black Cat Ear Hair Clips

Crochet Bunting

Black Cup Cosey

 

 

 

 

Sweet Chestnut Socks – Enabling Alert

Autumn has well and truly arrived in my corner of the UK.  I love the autumn, the colours, the smell, the lack of sun cream and need for knitwear…….

If you are taking part in Socktober and looking for a little bit of a sock challenge can I tempt you with my latest pattern in The Knitter Magazine (issue 89)?  These pretties are worked from the cuff down with some cable detail and a little beading.  The heel is an afterthought heel, which works beautifully, not interrupting the flow of the Zauberball yarn and it’s gently transitioning colours.

 

The pattern is written for two sizes, to fit foot circumference 23.5 (25) cm.

Skills:

• Beading with a crochet hook
• Cabling
• Twisted ribbing
• k2tog
• ssk
• yo
• s2kpo

Shopping list:

• Zauberball 4ply sock yarn
• 2.75mm needles (or size to obtain gauge)
• 0.6mm crochet hook
• size 6/0 seed beads
• cable needle
• stitch markers

New KnitPro Zing Needles Review

Zing Fixed Circular Needle Review.

Disclaimer: Whilst I was provided with this product free of charge to review, these are my open and honest opinions. I receive no commission from the links below.

Knitting needles are a thing of personal preference, some of us like the super slickness of stainless steel with its go faster stripes and others long for the grip of bamboo and it’s training wheel security.

Personally I am a stainless steel devotee, in my early knitting days I spent many happy hours knitting away with my bamboo needles until a k5tog manoeuvre snapped the tip of my favourite pair!

I have tried many needles over the years and I have to say I am a Hiya Hiya stainless steel devotee (naturally Addi Turbos, being a great second choice). So when I was asked if I would like to review the new Zing fixed circular needles from KnitPro, curiosity got the better of me.

Hiya Hiya – Zing – Addi

The Tips

Zings have a shorter taper from shaft to the point than Hiya Hiya and Addi needles, but the sharpness is comparable. I do not like the sharp (or lace) versions of the other brands. The tips of the Zings are sharp enough to work that bamboo snapping k5tog, but not so sharp as to poke holes in your index finger, if like me you tend to push down on your tips as you knit.

My initial concern with the Zings was about the join where the tip meets the shaft. I have previously tried the Karbonz, and I did find my yarn snagged at that point. The Zings however, allow the yarn to glide over effortlessly.

The Shaft

The coating on the shaft has a slightly satin finish to it, reminiscent of the Chiagoo needles. I found this slowed me down just enough to enjoy the Zen like rhythm of knitting, and it produced a beautiful even fabric. I have a tendency to loosen my tension as I work to the end of a knit row, nothing blocking doesn’t cure, but I did find knitting with the Zings almost eliminated this.

What about the cord join? How did I know you were going to ask me that?

Well, it’s Addi Turbo quality, although not quite Hiya Hiya excellence. I love the cord! It is a fixed cord, without a swivel join. It did not fight with me as I worked back and forth on a flat fabric. No kinking or twisting, and I felt it supported the weight of the fabric nicely.

I highly recommend giving Zing fixed circulars a try, they are light weight, warm to the touch and come in a great range of sizes (with each size across the range having its own pretty colour) so I am sure many of you will be drawn to the ‘pretties’. Zings would make a great transition from bamboo needles. I am looking forward to trying the Zing DPNs, if any of you have tried them, what did you think?

Zing – Addi – Hiya Hiya

If you would like to know about the sizes available, this link will provide all that information.

You can find your nearest stockist here.