A while ago The Knitter Magazine 77 arrived on my iPad. This issue comes with 20 patterns. Gorgeous garments and accessories to knit for Christmas.

Rita Hamburgh is reporting about Bristol’s first Wool fair in her article “Go west for wool!!

Meet Amanda Crawford, who is passionate about textures and created a whole lot of designs for “The Knitter”, Rowan, Patons and Vogue Knitting. Amanda is talking about her new projects and her busy career. By the way, in summer she was appointed head designer at Stylecraft.

Clare Devine takes you onto a marvelous journey between science and knitting.

Discover the “Norwegian Purl” stitch used when knitting Continental style with Fay Perriam in The Knitter Masterclass.

And finally read about the changes of choosing a flock of sheep in “Welcome to ewe all” by Susan Crawford.

Lets now have a look at the designs featured in this issue of The Knitter magazine.

 

 

Mary Henderson – Callanish

Isn’t it beautiful? This fair-isle scarf by Mary Henderson is casted on using a provisional cast on and then knitted in the round! At last the ends were crafted together and the wrong side is hidden inside the scarf. Brilliant! Mary Henderson used 5 shades of Alice Starmore Hebridean 2ply (2ply weight, 100% pure new wool) from Virtual Yarn for this design.

Finished size 19 cm (7½in) wide and 137cm (54in) long..

 

Helen Ardley – Charnwood (Hat and Scarf)

Cables and lace are the components of this “quick-to-knit” hat. Helen Ardley used Harrisville Designs’ Highland (Aran weight, 100% wool) yarn for this design. The matching scarf will be published in the next issue of The Knitter Magazine.

Knitable to fit an average adult woman’s head 50 – 56cm circumference.

 

Lisa Richardson – Coppice

This stunning sweater a design of Lisa Richardson is knitted in Rowan’s new yarn Rowan Finest (4ply weight, 20% cashmere, 50% extra fine merino wool, 30% alpaca). This pattern is created by cables, increases and decreases and produces a “leaf-like texture”. The cables are floating from one side to the other surrounding a rib pattern (ktbl, p).

Knitable in 10 sizes to fit bust from 32in (81cm) to 50in (127cm).

 

Martin Storey – Penzance

This pattern is originally shown in the Rowan brochure Denim – The Next Generation. It is featuring Rowan’s ever popular Denim (DK weight, 100% cotton) yarn. Now available as Original Denim. I have already blogged about this brochure and of the shrinkage nature of this yarn. Martin Storey, well known for his cables, shows here a firework of different cables, which getting more prominent, because of the shrinking of the yarn after washing it the first time.

Knitable in 5 sizes to fit bust from 32-34in (81-86cm) to 48-50in (122-127cm).

 

Emma Vining – Kagome

This jacket by Emma Vining is knitted using intarsia technique and is influenced by “Sashiko” – the traditional Japanese quilting style.  The back and fronts are knitted separately, the sleeves are shaped at the same time by simply increasing stitches. Emma used King Cole Riot Chunky (Chunky weight, 70% acrylic, 30% wool), a variegated yarn for her design. It is featuring ¾-length dolman-style sleeves.

Knitable in 4 sizes to fit bust 30-34in (76-86cm) to 48-52in (122-132cm).

 

Amanda Crawford – Braemar Gloves

Amanda Crawford designed these lovely gloves using Stylecraft Alpaca Tweed DK (DK weight, 77% acrylic, 20% alpaca, 3% viscose). They are featuring cables and bobbles on the back of the hand. These gloves are knitted flat and later seamed together. (This is a very unusual technique for me to knit gloves, but…). Shown here in shade Cherry, they will also look great in shade Ocean, Sage or Plum.

Knitable to fit a women’s medium size hand, approx. 7½-8½in (19-21cm) circumference.

 

Debbie Bliss – Circualar Yoke Sweater

The pieces of this sweater are first knitted flat, afterwards the stitches for the yoke with its fair isle motif are picked and knitted in the round. At last the garment is blocked and the raglan, side and sleeves seams are joined. Debbie Bliss used 3 different yarns for this design. The background is knitted using Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal (4ply weight, 95% wool, 5% cashmere) and Debbie Bliss Angel (Laceweight, 76% mohair, 24% silk) held together to produce a fuzzy appearance. 5 shades of Debbie Bliss’ Rialto 4ply (4ply, 100% wool) yarn are used for the fair isle motif.

Knitable in 7 sizes to fit bust from 32in (81cm) to 44in (112cm).

This pattern is originally published in Fine Donegal, a book with 12 patterns featuring Debbie Bliss’s new yarn. For more information go to www.designeryarns.co.uk.

 

 

Jenny Watson – Tiger Baby

Every girl needs a cardigan. This one by Jenny Watson is lovely. It is showcasing nice cables on back and fronts, which are worked in one piece from bottom to top and divided at the armholes. The sleeves are knitted separately and sewn into place before joining the seams. Jenny Watson used West Yorkshire Spinners’ Aire Valley DK (DK weight, 75% wool, 25% nylon) yarn for her design. It is shown here in shade 530 Pennyroyal.

Knitable in 6 sizes to fit chest from 20in (51cm) approx. 3-4 yrs to 30in(76cm) approx. 12yrs.

This pattern is taken from Quintessential DK, a collection of pattern for all the family by Jenny Watson for West Yorkshire Spinners. For more information visit www.wyspinners.com.

 

 

Sasha Kagan – Winter Flowers

How about a cushion. This one by Sasha Kagan is especially beautiful. Some flowers on the front of this cushion are knitted into the front section using intarsia technique. 16 crocheted flowers are sewn on later to the front section. Two back sections are knitted in moss stitch and joined to the front section with crochet stitches and a shell edging. Sasha Kagan used 5 shades of Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (DK weight, 66% wool, 34% silk), 1 shade of Rowan Wool Cotton DK for the background  (DK weight, 50% wool, 50% cotton) and 3 shades of Rowan Tweed (DK weight, 100% wool).

Size 19½in x 19½in (50cm x 50cm) .

 

 

Woolly Wormhead – Torsione

“Hat Architect” Woolly Wormhead (The Knitter Magazine) has created this interesting hat for children. Special techniques are used to make this hat in Fyperspates Vivacious DK (DK weight, 100% merino wool). Woolly Wormhead is providing tutorials for these techniques for download on her website. (www.woollywormhead.com). The body of this hat is knitted in the round and the crown is cast off in five steps.

Knitable in 5 sizes to fit head circumference from 14in (35.5cm) to 22in (56cm).

 

 

Jane Burns – Festive Sparkle

Jane Burns is preparing for Christmas Season with this lovely knitted baubles. Beads are adding sparkle! Shown here in Sirdar Country Style DK (DK weight, 40% nylon, 30% wool, 30% acrylic)

Finished size 9in (23cm) circumference.

 

 

Debbie Bliss – Fair Isle Furbaby

You may stone me to death, but I definitely would find another use for Debbie Bliss’ Baby Cashmerino (Baby/sport weight, 55% wool, 33% microfibre, 12% cashmere). Actually I think this adjoins animal abuse!

Knitable in 2 sizes.

If you like to join other animal tormentors you may like Wooly Woofers, the new book from Debbie Bliss with more than 20 knitwear designs for dogs. For more information you may look on www.quadrille.co.uk.

 

 

Arne & Carlos – Christmas Card Sweater

Arne & Carlos the Scandinavian design duo are responsible for this sweater. Tis is named Christmas Card Sweater, because it is “inspired by old Christmas cards found in the attic of Arne’s grandmother in Setesdal, Norway” (The Knitter Magazine). Both, the body and the sleeves are knitted in the round from bottom to top. The armhole and neck openings are secured by machine-stitches and cut open. A challenge to knit therefore. Shown here in 5 shades of  Rauma Varnsegarn (Aran weight; 100% wool). Alternative yarn suggestion Drops Alaska (Aran weight, 100% wool).

Knitable in 4 sizes to fit chest from 38in (97cm) to 44in (112cm).

 

 

Jane Burns – Bellona

These beaded wrist warmers by Jane Burns are knitted in the round, using hand-dyed sock yarn Spirit (4ply weight, 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon) from Sparkleduck. Size 8 seed beads from Debbie Abraham Beads.

 

 

Louisa Harding – Constantine

This design by Lousia Harding is offered in two different versions. Both are knitted using Louisa Harding’s Akiko (Aran weight, 70% merino, 30% alpaca) for the main body  and Luzia (Super-chuny weight, 80% viscose, 30% nylon)  a faux-fur yarn for the collar and cuffs. Back and fronts are knitted in one piece to the armholes. The set-in sleeves are knitted flat and eased into armholes.

Both versions knitable in 10 sizes to fit bust from 30in (76cm) to 48in (122cm).

 

 

Marina Orry – Speedwell

This nice cowl is showcasing elongated stitches and twists in two colors of Drops Baby merino (Baby/sport weight, 100% wool).

“Marina Orry has taken a template for a stocking stitch cowl and given it a radical makeover. Her use of elongated stitches and twisted sections of stockings stitch in a contrasting colour give the cowl an overlay of unusual textures, which has an almost sculptural effect.” (The Knitter Magazine)

 

 

Kirstie McLeod – Lenten Rose

This hot water bottle cosy is lovely. Kirstie McLeod used Debbie Bliss’ Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran (Aran weight; 90% wool, 10% angora) for her design. It is featuring a lovely all-over fair isle pattern.

 

 

Rachel Coopey – Rejer

Rachel Coopey’s socks are featuring texturing stripes. Shown here in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply (4ply weight, 75% wool, 25% nylon).

 

 

Barb Brown – Bowfell

These socks by Barb Brown are for men only! “Their comfortable style makes them perfect for wearing with walking boots or wellies.” (The Knitter Magazine) Shown here in Red Heart Sport Socks (3ply weight, 75% superwash wool, 25% polyamide).

 

 

Anja Belle – Hot to Trot

Heel and toes are also included into the pattern of Annja Belle’s top down socks with a short row heel. Double knitting techniques are used for this reversible colourful socks to produce a warm and cosy pair of socks. Shown here in a solid and a variegated sock yarn of Schachenmayr Regia Cracy Colour 4 Ply (4ply weight, 75% wool, 25% nylon) and Schachenmayr Regia Solid 4 Ply (4ply weight, 75% wool, 25% nylon).

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The next issue of The Knitter will be on sale November 11. It will feature exclusive designs from Anniken Allis, Maria Magnusson, Lisa Richardson, Marie Wallin, Marina Orry  … and more. And you will get ideas for your Christmas gifts and will have a look at Japanese yarns.

All pictures shown above are screenshots from my digital magazine.