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

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

Oh So Sweet Socks

Sweeeeeeeeet feet!  I designed these butterscotch coloured socks using West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply yarn from their Sweet Shop Collection.

The cable and lace design will keep those of you who have a little sock knitting experience entertained, whilst those sock veterans amongst you will whip through this intuitive pattern with great gusto.

The pattern is written in two sizes, with instructions for adjusting the foot length, with out disrupting the elegant patterning on the foot.

You can find the pattern for these pretty socks inside issue 136 of Simply Knitting 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.