It's all going a bit Stitch & Craft crazy in the office right now. All the craft magazines are involved, so while we're sorting out boxes of knitting gubbins, Cross Stitcher are getting their kit ready to take, and Papercraft Inspirations are up to their eyes in stickers, card and all sorts of 'toppers'.
We've had to organise a bundle of Alan Dart projects to be put on display. Usually we have a cabinet of his creations on the stand, but this year they'll be scattered throughout the hall for you to find. Perhaps your favourite will be at the show. When you see the toys for yourself, you'll be amazed at the neatness of Alan's making up. A little extra time spent on the sewing really pays off, as you'll see, and it's definitely worth putting in extra effort on the faces.
If you are planning to go to Stitch & Craft 2010 but haven't got your tickets yet, advance tickets will only be on sale until Friday at 1pm. Visit the Stitch & Craft website to find out how to get yours.
Tuesday March 09, 2010 Show mania
Inspirational Knitters – 'I don't think anyone can be more left handed than I am'
Today's story comes from Joy Marshall from West Hallam. Being left handed she struggled to learn to knit until she found the right person to teach her.
I don't think anyone can be more left handed than I am so I took a while to get started as a knitter, she says. When I was a child in the late 1940s everyone learnt to knit – usually taught by their mum – but all I mastered was the art of casting on hundreds of stitches using the thumb method and then undoing them again!
I couldn't seem to grasp it at all until the age of eight when I went into one of our standard craft/needlework classes at school. Everyone else seemed to be knitting away but on this occasion, the teacher was joined by a student teacher on placement.
This wonderful lass sat exclusively with me and effectively forced herself to be left handed for the session. Eureka! I was off. And from that wonderful day I've never looked back. I've knitted around the world and have produced baby clothes for all my friends' children – and now grandchildren too. I just wish I could thank my helper.
Joy's method of knitting left handed looks a little different from most right handed knitting, which does cause the odd problem. I'm told that my knitting looks like a continental stitch, she says, and, of course, my knit is a right handed person's purl. Then there's the cardigans where the right front becomes the left and let's not mention the gloves! I've never been tempted to knit those gloves which incorporate an R and an L in their backs – now there's a challenge!
While knitting uses both hands, many right handed people use their right hand to do most of the work, which can mean that left handed knitters struggle to pick up their technique as they prefer to use their left hand to do most of the work. Switching to continental knitting, where you hold the yarn in your left hand, can help – and remember, as long as you're happy with the end result, there's no 'wrong' in knitting.
We’d love to hear your stories about the people who inspired you to start knit – or to keep on – knitting or helped you on your way. Send your stories and photos to simplyknitting@futurenet.com
I don't think anyone can be more left handed than I am so I took a while to get started as a knitter, she says. When I was a child in the late 1940s everyone learnt to knit – usually taught by their mum – but all I mastered was the art of casting on hundreds of stitches using the thumb method and then undoing them again!
I couldn't seem to grasp it at all until the age of eight when I went into one of our standard craft/needlework classes at school. Everyone else seemed to be knitting away but on this occasion, the teacher was joined by a student teacher on placement.
This wonderful lass sat exclusively with me and effectively forced herself to be left handed for the session. Eureka! I was off. And from that wonderful day I've never looked back. I've knitted around the world and have produced baby clothes for all my friends' children – and now grandchildren too. I just wish I could thank my helper.
Joy's method of knitting left handed looks a little different from most right handed knitting, which does cause the odd problem. I'm told that my knitting looks like a continental stitch, she says, and, of course, my knit is a right handed person's purl. Then there's the cardigans where the right front becomes the left and let's not mention the gloves! I've never been tempted to knit those gloves which incorporate an R and an L in their backs – now there's a challenge!
While knitting uses both hands, many right handed people use their right hand to do most of the work, which can mean that left handed knitters struggle to pick up their technique as they prefer to use their left hand to do most of the work. Switching to continental knitting, where you hold the yarn in your left hand, can help – and remember, as long as you're happy with the end result, there's no 'wrong' in knitting.
We’d love to hear your stories about the people who inspired you to start knit – or to keep on – knitting or helped you on your way. Send your stories and photos to simplyknitting@futurenet.com
Monday March 08, 2010 Inspirational Knitters – International Women's Day
Today is International Women's Day and we think it's an important day to take note of. According to the United Nations website, International Women's Day "is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements
of women past, present and future".
As women's achievements are often obscured – think of the amount of coverage women's football or cricket gets – we think it's important to take note of them at least once a year.
This year, we've collected your stories about the inspiring women who taught you to knit or helped you keep knitting and we'll be posting some of them this week.
We’d love to hear more stories about the people who inspired you to start knit – or to keep on – knitting or helped you on your way so if you'd like to share yours, please send your stories and photos to simplyknitting@futurenet.com
As women's achievements are often obscured – think of the amount of coverage women's football or cricket gets – we think it's important to take note of them at least once a year.
This year, we've collected your stories about the inspiring women who taught you to knit or helped you keep knitting and we'll be posting some of them this week.
We’d love to hear more stories about the people who inspired you to start knit – or to keep on – knitting or helped you on your way so if you'd like to share yours, please send your stories and photos to simplyknitting@futurenet.com
Friday March 05, 2010 Phew!
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| Miriam McDonald Simply Knitting's Production Editor |
There's always a lot of travelling to do for shows, but it does make useful knitting time. I'll have socks (because they're simple), a child knit for Pebbles Project or something for my current swap with me. When you're travelling by train, something small and portable, on short needles so it won't inconvenience other travellers, is ideal. Even if you find stocking stitch boring it's great if you have a really early start as it requires so little thought. Complicated patterns and trains don't mix for me!
I've had a FAIL on the yarn diet; one of Elizabeth's friends has started dyeing her own yarn, and I bought a skein of muted green sock yarn from her. That's on top of the pea-soup-coloured laceweight I got as a birthday gift from the SK team. (That's the best way I can describe the colour, but it's lovely in yarn, believe me.) Still, for lapses they're very nice ones, and I've managed to buy just one skein so far in 2010, a vast improvement on 2009's impulse purchases. I'm allowing myself to buy yarn at shows, so I'm looking forward to Stitch & Craft even more. Are you hoping to do a bit of shopping there, or have you signed up for any workshops?
Monday March 01, 2010 Subscriptions make great gifts!
Spoil your mum with up to 40% off a subscription to one of our fantastic magazines!
We've got lots of crafty titles for you to choose from: Simply Knitting, The Knitter, PaperCraft Inspirations, CrossStitcher, Cross Stitch Collection and Your Family Tree.
3 reasons a subscription is the perfect present
1. You'll save up to 40% off the cover prices
2. You'll give a Mother’s Day gift that your mum can enjoy all year
3. She'll get her favourite magazine delivered to her home every month
To order, visit: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/x437 or call: 0844 848 2852 and quote order code X437.
You have to use this special URL or call and quote the offer code to receive this offer. Lines are open 8am-9.30pm weekdays and 8am-4pm Saturdays. Offer ends 31 March 2010. Call or click for full details.
Friday February 26, 2010 The Thrifty Knitter – knitting blog review
There's a lot going on at The Thrifty Knitter blog so regular readers will come back to a carousel of interesting happenings – you might have to wait a while to find out what's happening with your favourite project, but it'll surely come round again eventually.
Blogger Nikol Lohr is also the author of Naughty Needles: Sexy, Saucy Knits for the Bedroom and Beyond and the webzine Disgruntled Housewife so she's clearly a woman who knows how to multitask.
The Thrifty Knitter is home to posts about well, knitting. Look out for stories about her finished – or frogged – objects (she estimates that she knits enough stitches for 1.75 sweaters for every one she finishes), her sheep and chickens, her newly created patterns and a year-long systematic project to Be More Organized – a goal we can certainly sympathize with!
She also posts about the Building Scarf, a knitting project to bring a chill to even the stoutest of hearts: a garter stitch scarf several hundred feet long. Luckily, she's roping other knitters in to help but its nonetheless a daunting task and we'll be cheering it on to the finish line – it goes on display in 2012.
Read a great blog? Write a great blog? Tell us what it is and why you like it, and you might see it here next Friday.
New Leaf, issue 65
Thanks to Maria Birchall for sending this correction in so quickly.
She says: I discovered a mistake on the back. After the word purlwise, row 19 reads: K1, p2tog, P4, *P26 (28:28:34:34:34); rep from * once, P17 (23:28:31:36:41). The P26 and the P17 should be K26 and K17.
You should knit rather than purl for all sizes.
Apologies for the error – we hope you'll enjoy knitting this pattern.
She says: I discovered a mistake on the back. After the word purlwise, row 19 reads: K1, p2tog, P4, *P26 (28:28:34:34:34); rep from * once, P17 (23:28:31:36:41). The P26 and the P17 should be K26 and K17.
You should knit rather than purl for all sizes.
Apologies for the error – we hope you'll enjoy knitting this pattern.
Thursday February 25, 2010 Simply Knitting Issue 65 – on sale today!
The April issue of Simply Knitting is hits shop shelves across the UK today! We've got 27 great knits for spring tucked between the covers and we're already thinking about decorating your home for Easter as well as knits to make friends and family smile.
Click for a larger image.
We've got some lovely knits for you – and your family. Our cover project is a really versatile woman's gilet – subscribers get more ideas of how to wear this wardrobe staple on page 22 – and we've also got a pretty blue and white jumper to help you stretch your Fair Isle skills.
Men will love our cosy man's cardigan in soft browns and dinosaur lovers of all ages will be clamouring for our brilliant dinosaur jumper. It'll fit chest sizes 25-30in (68-78cm) which is roughly kids sizes 4-8 years but if your favourite paleontologist is a bit bigger then the design would look on a great cushion or throw too.
If you're looking for a quicker knit, try our fab vintage style clutch or one of the 12 patterns in our Quick & Easy Knits section.
Click for a larger image.
This month, we're getting ready for Easter so we've got some fab Easter eggs and cute egg cosies to decorate your table with.
We've also got some great gift ideas, whether you're treating a friend to a luxurious lace scarf or a new arrival to a pair sweet baby bootees – or yourself to a pair of bright knee high socks.
Alan Dart has also caught the bug and has made a whole catwalk of Easter bonnets with cute chicks to model them.
They're so fun and unusual that kids and adults alike are sure to love them and they're quick to knit so they make a great alternative to chocolate.
Other great things to look out for in issue 65 include:
Click for a larger image.
We've got some lovely knits for you – and your family. Our cover project is a really versatile woman's gilet – subscribers get more ideas of how to wear this wardrobe staple on page 22 – and we've also got a pretty blue and white jumper to help you stretch your Fair Isle skills.
Men will love our cosy man's cardigan in soft browns and dinosaur lovers of all ages will be clamouring for our brilliant dinosaur jumper. It'll fit chest sizes 25-30in (68-78cm) which is roughly kids sizes 4-8 years but if your favourite paleontologist is a bit bigger then the design would look on a great cushion or throw too.
If you're looking for a quicker knit, try our fab vintage style clutch or one of the 12 patterns in our Quick & Easy Knits section.
Click for a larger image.
This month, we're getting ready for Easter so we've got some fab Easter eggs and cute egg cosies to decorate your table with.
We've also got some great gift ideas, whether you're treating a friend to a luxurious lace scarf or a new arrival to a pair sweet baby bootees – or yourself to a pair of bright knee high socks.
Alan Dart has also caught the bug and has made a whole catwalk of Easter bonnets with cute chicks to model them.
They're so fun and unusual that kids and adults alike are sure to love them and they're quick to knit so they make a great alternative to chocolate.
Other great things to look out for in issue 65 include:
- New 'Fair Isle' effect yarns.
- Rachael Matthews is setting fire to a spinning wheel.
- All about the largest knitted rock in the Tate.
Tuesday February 23, 2010 Knit Expo – knitting in Exeter
Knitting, live performances and art created on the spot all meet at Knit Expo 2010 in Exeter.
The event is taking knitting out of the workbox and into the limelight with a mix of stalls, knit-ins and cabaret. Offering learning and teaching, sharing and swapping, watching and doing and buying and selling it looks like a great day out for knitters with attitude.
Workshops and classes cost just £5 and cover a range of topics from 'How to knit' through creative writing to 'How to sell on the internet'.
Knit Expo takes place at the Exeter Phoenix art centre on 17 April 2010 from 2-8pm. Tickets cost £6 (concessions £4.50). Under 12s go free and participants are encouraged to bring their knitting, whether beginner or expert. For more information visit the Knit Expo website or call the box office on 01392 667080.
If you're a maker and would like to sell your work at Knit Expo, then please visit the website to find out more and book a table – they cost just £20.
Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum!
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| Miriam McDonald Simply Knitting's Production Editor |
I suppose it depends on whether you're a one-project or many-projects sort of knitter; I like to have two things on the needles at any one time, a big garment for home and socks for carrying around. Many-project knitters probably cast on all sorts of things at once, thereby shrinking their lists. I went visiting family last weekend, and have come back with requests for socks and bedsocks. Also, Chrissie at Injabulo is collecting knits for Pebbles Project, a scheme in South Africa's winelands working with disadvantaged children, especially those whose lives are affected by alcohol, and I want to make something for that. (Look at those kids! How could anyone with a spare minute and spare yarn not want to pop a hat or woolly jumper on them?) Now my little list of things to knit has turned into a great big list of things to knit.
Anyone else got a list that's looking like Jack's beanstalk? I bet if there is a giant at the top of mine, he probably wants socks too!
Monday February 22, 2010 Knitters help Haiti
The terrible earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January has prompted many people to ask 'what can I do?' Here are three ideas from the knitting world – and if you've heard of more great knitting-related appeals and fund raisers, please do leave a comment to help other knitters find ways to help. Top toy designer Alan Dart has designed Haitian Ada. (shown left) She's a Hispaniolan solenodon, an animal unique to Haiti and the Dominican Republic and her dress was inspired by the Haitian flag. The design is free to download and he hopes that knitters will make a donation to a charity supporting victims of the earthquake and use it to raise funds as well. He'd be thrilled if you knit several to raffle, sell or auction or held a sponsored knitalong. His preferred charity is the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The Yarnharlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, has been fundraising through her blog and her campaign Knitters Without Borders has raised over one million US dollars for the charity Doctors Without Borders (link to UK site). If you make a donation as part of the campaign, please email Stephanie and let her know so she can add your donation to the total.
Over on Ravelry designers have pledged profits from over 1,000 patterns to help Haiti making this a guilt-free time to pick up any patterns you've had your eye on.
We're thrilled to see knitters rallying around in a crisis and we know there are lots of appeals we've missed off this list. If you've heard of a great campaign – or a running one – help other knitters find it by leaving a comment below.
Friday February 19, 2010 White Lie Knits – knitting blog review
Designer Joan McGowan-Michael uses her blog White Lies Knits to showcase her designs – and suggest different ways to wear them. When you see a knit in a magazine or book, it will have been styled a certain way – but that's not the only way to wear it.
Joan's design ethos is 'comfortable and flattering' whether you're a sample size or any other size, so as well as designing clothes for a range of figures she also suggests different ways to wear them.
It's a fun site to browse and you may find yourself inspired to cast on something new – or style your own knits in a completely different way!
Read a great blog? Write a great blog? Tell us what it is and why you like it, and you might see it here next Friday.
FREE patterns for subscribers!
Subscribers to Simply Knitting now have access to a special website with free patterns and articles. It's called CraftCircle and it's really easy to use – just select which magazine you subscribe to and enter your surname and subscriber number (you'll find this on the coversheet which comes with your magazine every month).
CraftCircle is brand new but we've already uploaded some fab patterns from our archive – and they're free to download once you're logged in.
We've also uploaded our special subscriber-only articles, so if you missed any you can catch up now.
CraftCircle is a collaboration between Simply Knitting, The Knitter, CrossStitcher, Cross Stitch Collection and PaperCraft Inspirations. The other magazines are also adding free projects and articles to download – and Simply Knitting subscribers can access it all.
So if you want to try out a new hobby, cast on a new pattern or just take a break with something knitty to read, head on over to CraftCircle.
Thursday February 18, 2010 Competitions – Simply Knitting issue 65
Simply Knitting
issue 65 hits the shops on Thursday 25 February 2010. Enter our great
giveaways and competitions by using the links
below.
Bergere de France yarn giveaway, page 6
Eucalan no-rinse wash pack giveaway, page 10
Weald of Kend Craft Show tickets giveaway, page 12
Prize crossword, page 94
Prize sudoku, page 94
Bergere de France yarn giveaway, page 6
Eucalan no-rinse wash pack giveaway, page 10
Weald of Kend Craft Show tickets giveaway, page 12
Prize crossword, page 94
Prize sudoku, page 94
Tuesday February 16, 2010 The Knitter Errata Issue 15 (updated 1/3/10)
Errata for Issue 15 of The Knitter including Maggiore, Victoria Falls and A Gray Cardigan.
...
The Knitter: Errata Issue 14
Errata for Issue 14 of The Knitter including Stanley Blanket and Cuthbert Hat.
...
Monday February 15, 2010 Stitch & Craft Show 2010
Are you coming to the Stitch & Craft Show 2010?
The Simply Knitting team will be there in force and we hope to see lots of you. You can drop by our stand to say 'hi!' or check out our subscription offer – don't forget to wear your favourite knits, so you can show us how they look in real life!
There'll be lots to see – and buy – at the show, so if you want to keep up-to-date with what's being planned, here are three easy ways:
The Stitch & Craft Show 2010 takes place at Olympia 2 in London on 18-22 March 2010.
The Simply Knitting team will be there in force and we hope to see lots of you. You can drop by our stand to say 'hi!' or check out our subscription offer – don't forget to wear your favourite knits, so you can show us how they look in real life!
There'll be lots to see – and buy – at the show, so if you want to keep up-to-date with what's being planned, here are three easy ways:
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The Stitch & Craft Show 2010 takes place at Olympia 2 in London on 18-22 March 2010.
Friday February 12, 2010 Little Purl of the Orient – knitting blog review
One of the reasons knitting and blogging go so well together is that while you're reading about someone who lives on the other side of the world or whose life is very different from yours, you're also finding out that they knit the same 'weird' way or love the same patterns.
Little Purl of the Orient is packed with plenty of finished items so it's a brilliant way to brighten up a Friday afternoon. Based in Hong Kong, the author provides a glimpse of sunshine with her photographs of home and abroad – especially welcome for those of us looking out the window to another grey, rainy British winter day.
The kids' knits really stand out on this blog – you'll love the way the author adapts patterns to create two equivalent but different knits for her two daughters and they seem to be happy to show them off, too.
Read a great blog? Write a great blog? Tell us what it is and why you like it, and you might see it here next Friday.
Wednesday February 10, 2010 100 year-old nun knits for 24 hours to raise money for charity
We don't often read the Wetherby News website, but one recent article caught our eye: Knitting Sicklinghall nun nets £9,000 for Bosnia orphans trumpets the headline, and the story contains even more impressive details. Sister Mary Duncan is 100 years old and undertook a grueling 24-hour knitathon to raise the funds.
It's well worth clicking through to read the full details – and the convent is still collecting money for this cause, so if you want to support her appeal you can.
Monday February 08, 2010 This doesn't count, right?
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| Miriam McDonald Simply Knitting's Production Editor |
I must admit, I got sent a humdinger of a knit in my last swap. Setting aside all the other goodies in the box, my swap partner sent me a lace scarf, knitted in a gorgeous muted green that I love. I do themed swaps, and it's always great fun to see how other people interpret a theme, but this time I've been awestruck. We get professionally knitted items in the office all the time, and as The Knitter is devoted to more technically advanced knits we do see some exquisite lace knitting on their desks. Well, this scarf is every bit as good as something they'd feature. It really is amazing. I feel almost guilty for owning something so special!
None of that really answers the question of whether getting yarn in a swap counts as breaking the yarn diet. On balance, it probably doesn't count, given that I have not actually bought it. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
(On the sock front, but the way, I'm planning to do the Nutkin socks Sarah recommended last week, but as I didn't have the pattern to hand over the weekend I cast on a pair of 2x2 rib socks. It'll be Nutkins after that!)
