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.

 

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

 

Boucle Babe Boho Gilet

Knitted in a mix of smooth wool and soft alpaca boucle yarn, this gilet will not only keep your body warm over the winter, but the cosy texture mixed with the basic shape makes it the perfect garment for layering.  The asymmetrical stripes reflect this season’s bohemian runway trends that you can knit yourself and coordinating colours will add a touch of chic to any plain outfit.

 

There is very little shaping involved so this pattern is great for beginner garment knitters.

The pattern is written in five UK dress sizes, 8-10, 12-14, 16-18, 20, 22.  The yarn used is Drops Alpaca Boucle and Drops Alaska.

You can find this pattern inside issue 99 of Let’s Knit Magazine. As always I would love to see your finished projects on my Facebook Page.

Happy Knitting, Jane x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

Some English Country Styling with my Stag Cushion

If you are looking for some thing traditional, fabulous and cosy, you might just have found your next project.

I designed this Stag cushion for Let’s Knit magazine for their British Wool feature.  The cushion is worked using Jamesion’s of Shetland Double Knitting, if you have ever had the pleasure of working with this yarn, particularly for colour work projects you will know it is a sheer delight.  The ‘sticky’ pure wool makes so much easier to manage, particularly intarsia (especially if like me you are prone to little holes around your motif).

The Knitty Gritty, the cushion is worked in two pieces which are sewn together and a zip inserted.  An I-cord is worked then sewn around the edge for that ‘designer store’ look.

Skills:

• intarsia
• I-cord
• sewing in a zip
• mattress stitch

Kit needed:

• Jamieson’s of Shetland DK
• 3.25mm straight needles
• 3.25mm double pointed needles
• 41cm zip
• stitch holder
• sewing needle and thread

You can find the pattern inside issue 97 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

 

Sparkling Seas Socks

Colourful socks are a great way to liven up any outfit.  These are knitted in wave pattern which is achieved by dropping yarn forwards, it is a an easy yet effective technique.  The Lang Mille Colori yarn (Socks & Lace Luxe) has a metallic thread which runs throughout, adding a touch of sparkle, reminiscent of the seas.

The pattern is written in three sizes to fit leg circumference 18 (21, 24) cm.

You can find the pattern inside issue 96 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Electric Ivy Fingerless Cable Mittens

These mittens were inspired by my Sugar Candy socks in the January issue of Let’s Knit magazine.  My daughter looked at the socks and promptly requested a matching pair of mittens in a bubblegum blue colour!

These mittens are knit using West Yorkshire Spinners, Signature 4ply in their Sweet Shop range, so if Bubblegum is not your thing, why not try Butterscotch, Blackcurrant Bomb, Blueberry Bonbon or Sour Apple.

You can find the pattern for these mittens inside issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Cute Critters, hanging baskets to keep the kids tidy

I know how difficult it is to contain your child’s favourite possessions and encourage them to put them away.  I designed these character to baskets to make tidy-up time fun!

The baskets are worked flat using a simple mesh stitch, I used Wendy Supreme Cotton Chunky which is incredibly strong and comes in a range of fun colours.

You can find the pattern for these baskets inside issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Harriet the Hedgehog, knitted pin cushion

This cute but prickly character will take very good care of your pins for you.

Harriet is knitted flat with a bobble stitch body, she is a quick and fun knit which will make a great gift for the ‘crafty’ person in your life.

You can find the pattern for Harriet (and indeed Harriet herself on the cover) of issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Glamping, under the stars

Turn camping into glamping with my colourful and practical chair.

Jazz up an everyday fishing stool with some straightforward mosaic knitting.  The cover is knitted using Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK, which is incredibly strong and durable.

For those of you who have not tried mosaic knitting before, this is a great starting project.  The beauty of mosaic knitting is that you are only every working with one colour in each row!  Slipped stitches are used to manipulate the fabric and produce the pattern, magic!

You can find the pattern for this project inside issue 92 of Let’s Knit Magazine.