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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Boho Chic with this Dusk Duo

Looking for a great way to take that summer outfit from day to dusk with a touch of Boho styling?  I have a couple of quick knit accessories that will help you do just that.

The multi-way scarf, belt, headband will give you a number of quick ways to adapt your look.

The corset style belt with its lace up fastening will give you some killer curves if worn at the waist, or wear around the hips for a more relaxed fit. The corset is written in a large range of sizes from UK size 6 to 24.

Both pieces are knit using Sirdar Soukie, this is a DK weight yarn. It is a blend of polyester, acrylic and cotton with sequins scattered throughout.

You can find the pattern for these pieces inside issue 94 of Let’s Knit Magazine,

How will you wear yours?

Do a runner this Christmas

We’re closer still to Christmas, so once you’re done creating your Halloween decorations you still have plenty of time to get hooking on this festive crochet table runner featured in issue 86 of Let’s Knit magazine.

“Christmas Feast” uses a cotton-blend yarn that has been plied with a thread of metallic silver, giving it a lovely holiday feel. Consisting of individual squares, it is a great pattern to suit any size (and shape) of table.

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

You can download Issue 86 of Let’s Knit Magazine here.

Pringle Tube to Knitted Desk Tidy, why not?

I am always looking for new ways to yarn bomb my work space.  I had seen lots of faux knitted home wares in the shops but nothing was quite right.  So I made my own, with the help of some empty Pringle tins!  What makes these extremely practical is that you can pop the covers off and wash them.  (Let’s just say I am a little accident prone, enough said)

These cute storage tins are a great way to practice your skills and maybe try a new one!  The checked jar is created by slipping stitches, this means you are only ever working with one colour per row, awesome!

 

 

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

You can download Issue 83 of Let’s Knit Magazine here.

Plain kitchen clock to knitted rustic wall art – Easy!

This post comes with a warning, once you have knitted completed this project nothing in your home will be safe!  Knitting i-cord is simple and before you know it you will be yarn bombing mirrors, frames and more.

This plain kitchen clock is given a make-over using household string and a glue gun.

I would love to see what else you yarn bomb with this technique over on my Facebook page.

You can download your copy of Issue 83 of Let’s Knit Magazine here.

 

Flanders Fields, Get Knitting and support The Royal British Legion

In this months issue, Let’s Knit magazine is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of World War I by supporting The Royal British Legion. The cover mounted kit comes with two exclusive patterns created by Jane.

‘Flanders Fields’ is a vintage style tea cosy with a poppy motif. The pattern includes instructions for both intarsia or swiss-darning the motif.

Flanders Fields and Poppy Brooches

The second pattern uses the remaining yarn to create two poppies with which to make commemorative brooches.

With the hot weather it seems like November is far away, but it’s not too early to get prepared. Please do knit the patterns and perhaps sell them in support of The Royal British Legion.

Seaside Special

Since the sun has decided to make a decent show of it this year, what better to protect a little-ones head than a cute nautical-style hat? It certainly wasn’t such appropriate weather when this knit was in the making.

Seaside Special

“Seaside Special” was photographed at the same shoot as Katie’s debut, and also features in issue 81 of Let’s Knit Magazine [iTunes download]. Unfortunately we arrived too late to enjoy the company of this wonderful young lady. Of course, leave out the bow for those of a more masculine disposition ;)

Knitted in Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK, the natural fibres feel lovely, and being machine washable its practical too, with a beautiful range of shades to suit your child’s wardrobe.

Jane has also been enjoying mixing her needle crafts (I hear those gasps at the back!) and this hat starts with a… crochet chain! Honestly, I’m not even sure what I’m saying, I just have a vague understanding that crochet and knitting is like… erm… gamers and sunshine; you don’t often find them together, and lovers of one are not usually lovers of the other.

And on that note, back to my cave I go. I’ve saved up from my birthday and Father’s Day so I can be ready for what we call ‘the Steam Summer Sale’, which is a bit like a Craftsy sale but less frequent.

And please – do post images of your knits to Jane’s Facebook page, or share links in the comments or on Twitter!

My Wedding Mice knitting pattern freebie!

Looking for an unusual wedding gift?  Let’s Knit Magazine have posted my Wedding Mice knitting pattern for free on their website.  Why not personalise your wedding mice?  I would just love to see your finished mice on my Facebook page.

Just click the here and sign up to the Let’s Knit website and you will be able to download your copy of the pattern for free.