Unfortunately, we printed the wrong contacts list (page 91) in issue 48. We're sorry for the inconvenience, and we're working hard to make sure it doesn't happen again. You can download the correct list here (PDF).
The correct page is available to download as a PDF document. It won’t open unless you
have Adobe
Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download this
program from the Adobe
website for free.
If
you have Acrobat Reader and it’s still not working, try right-clicking
the link and clicking “save as”. Save the document onto your computer –
make sure you can find it again! – and try opening it from
there.
Friday October 31, 2008 Contacts page, issue 48
Thursday October 30, 2008 Competitions Simply Knitting issue 48
Simply Knitting
issue 48 hits the shops on Thursday 6 November. Enter our great
giveaways and competitions by using the links
below.
Make It! show tickets giveaway, page 6
Sheepfold bag kit giveaway, page 12
Prize crossword, page 94
Make It! show tickets giveaway, page 6
Sheepfold bag kit giveaway, page 12
Prize crossword, page 94
Tuesday October 28, 2008 Halloween: how will you celebrate?
Trick or treating hadn't made it to my village when I was a kid, so I've only been able to dress up and ask strangers for candy the once. An American friend of mine had the idea, and while slightly bemused, we all piled in (free sweets? where?) and raided our parents' wardrobes to make costumes.
In retrospect, a bunch of 16 year olds in masks isn't the most reassuring sight, so perhaps we should have taken her little sister along after all. Still, we had fun, and we did see lots of other (smaller) kids out trick-or-treating, so we weren't too out of place.
This year, I've already been to one Halloween party, and am planning on spending the day itself curled up on the sofa watching telly and knitting. A bottle of wine may be involved at some point, and I might even watch something scarier than Strictly Come Dancing this time.
All in all, I think, not a bad way to celebrate as I don't have any small kids and the people downstairs (who do) are likely to deal with any trick-or-treaters that come our way.
But I'm curious: how will you celebrate? Will you celebrate? And is this a holiday which you knit for? Or are you saving your energies for the much more British Bonfire Night on 5 November instead?
In retrospect, a bunch of 16 year olds in masks isn't the most reassuring sight, so perhaps we should have taken her little sister along after all. Still, we had fun, and we did see lots of other (smaller) kids out trick-or-treating, so we weren't too out of place.
This year, I've already been to one Halloween party, and am planning on spending the day itself curled up on the sofa watching telly and knitting. A bottle of wine may be involved at some point, and I might even watch something scarier than Strictly Come Dancing this time.
All in all, I think, not a bad way to celebrate as I don't have any small kids and the people downstairs (who do) are likely to deal with any trick-or-treaters that come our way.
But I'm curious: how will you celebrate? Will you celebrate? And is this a holiday which you knit for? Or are you saving your energies for the much more British Bonfire Night on 5 November instead?
Monday October 27, 2008 Calling all photographers!
The Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2008 competition closes on Friday 31 October 2008. That's in just four days. It's free and easy to enter, and we'd love to see your gorgeous snaps getting the acclaim they deserve – especially if they've got knitting in! – so don't hesitate. After all: someone's got to win it!
And if you do win? Well, there's all that praise and adulation, but there's also a prize of £15,000 – or as we like to think of it, one heck of a guilt-free yarn crawl!
Friday October 24, 2008 DropOne
The blog we're reviewing this Friday was brought to our attention by the author herself. Helen emailed us to say: I am an indie dyer and live in the north west Higlands of Scotland. I've had my blog up and running for about 18 months now, and thoroughly enjoy writing it.
Of course, we were intrigued already, but Helen continued: I originally started it up to keep my family up to date with everything we're up to, but it's grown a bit since it started. I tend to talk about life in the Highlands, some of my knitting projects, and a little bit about the dyeing side of my life.
That all sounds rather good, so we headed over to DropOne to have a look. Our first unexpected discovery was that we all want to move to where Helen lives, because it is gorgeous. Although we're not likely to relocate Simply Knitting Towers any time soon, we can get a regular fix and watch the changing seasons through Helen's photographs.
Our second discovery was that Helen is the brains (and hands) behind Ripples Hand Dyed Yarns and produces a rather lovely set of sock and DK weight yarns.
After that, we stopped counting things we like about Helen's blog, and dived in. As you browse backwards through her writing (such is the nature of blogs) do look out for an imposter among the ducks on the loch and have a look at how she and her husband put her dyeing studio together.
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.
Thursday October 23, 2008 Knitting cake from Cakejournal
<What's this? It looks suspiciously like a blog review, but it's not Friday and the name CakeJournal doesn't exactly scream knitting... what's going on?
Well, Rosie who writes and blogs for our sister magazine, ScrapBook inspirations recently sent us a link to this gorgeous photo:
And it was so delicious that we couldn't resist putting a bit about it and its creator up on our blog. CakeJournal is the online cake making journal (unsurprisingly) of Louise from Denmark. As well as this too-good-to-eat yarny creation, Louise does amazing things with cake and icing to create dazzling displays for birthdays, weddings and other cake-laden events. You can see a gallery of Louise's work online, but do beware: it will make you very hungry!
Wednesday October 22, 2008 New Rowan website!
After weeks of waiting, the new Rowan website went live this morning! We think it looks lush and are eagerly exploring. As well as the yarn and pattern information we've come to rely on, there's masses of new information, including free patterns from top designers like Kaffe Fassett, Kim Hargreaves and Martin Storey, a knitting club directory and lots more.
As with any new website, there might be one or two kinks to work out, but we look forward to watching it develop and finding out a bit more about the yarns and patterns we love – and the creative people behind them.
Tuesday October 21, 2008 Hot guys, cool yarns
Knitter, blogger, photographer and cartoonist extraordinaire Franklin Habit aka The Panopticon has once again shown that it's not just us girls who are fibre freaks – guys definitely have the same yen for yarn.
Check out his Etsy shop for this sensational Guys With Yarn 2009 calendar. For only US $28 (including shipping to the UK) you can have handsome guys and lush yarns adorning your wall all year round!
While some of the models are topless, this is not an explicit calendar so if page three is considered work safe in your office, this should be totally fine, too – although some bosses might think you're a bit odd for caring about the yarn!
Franklin has a new book out, It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons and will be at IKnit in London on 13 November to promote it, so if you like his selection of hunks, don't forget to drop by and tell him! You can save on postage by picking up a copy of the calendar on the night, too – he might even sign it, if you ask nicely!
Bargain lace yarn
I love a good yarn bargain. People always expect us to run off with the office yarn, but the yarn you see in the magazine is all for magazine use, so the Simply Knitting team shop for their personal yarn like everyone else. Anyway, one firm I have great trouble resisting is the Natural Dye Studio, and they're discontinuing their Venus lace yarn so they've discounted it by £2 per skein, so it now cost £8.99. There's a special sale page for it here.
Now the credit crunch is biting, I've been thinking much harder about the yarns I'm buying – not just in terms of cost to myself. Where the fibre in the yarn comes from, where it's spun and where it's dyed
are increasingly important. For one thing, there's the welfare of the sheep: mulesing isn't practiced in Britain. Then there's supporting the sheep farmers, the indie dyers and the local communities that they're part of. All that from a skein of yarn!
Do you have a favourite local producer or dyer? It would take me forever to list my favourite British hand-dyers, but I'm always looking for new names to add to my list of firms to shop with!
Now the credit crunch is biting, I've been thinking much harder about the yarns I'm buying – not just in terms of cost to myself. Where the fibre in the yarn comes from, where it's spun and where it's dyed
are increasingly important. For one thing, there's the welfare of the sheep: mulesing isn't practiced in Britain. Then there's supporting the sheep farmers, the indie dyers and the local communities that they're part of. All that from a skein of yarn!
Do you have a favourite local producer or dyer? It would take me forever to list my favourite British hand-dyers, but I'm always looking for new names to add to my list of firms to shop with!
Monday October 20, 2008 Halloween pattern round up
All Hallows Eve is almost upon us, so get your fastest needles or hooks out if you want to add a little bit of festive orange and black to your home.
There are lots of great free patterns around, so here are thirteen of our spooky favourites
There are lots of great free patterns around, so here are thirteen of our spooky favourites
- Cute Halloween hats from Polartech.
- Tiny ghosties from Jean Greenhowe.
- American yarn company, Caron, have a gorgeous witch throw on their website.
- There's a crochet pumpkin in Gramma Lowe's collection of Halloween crafts.
- Disguise your baby as a vegetable with this adorable pumpkin hat.
- Give your stash a creepy guardian in the form of Chaucey, the knitted skull.
- Making your own costume? This witch's hat could be adapted for wizards, too.
- Knitted eyeballs make a grusome accessory...
- ...and so do knitted severed fingers!
- Frighten the granny out of granny squares with this spider crochet motif.
- Turn a quiet cup of tea into something a bit less sedate with a skull and cross-bones tea cosy from the Anticraft.
- Try your hand at Fair Isle with this totally excellent witch's cat hat from French language blog, Creations on line. Scroll down to download a PDF of the pattern in English.
- And finally, this tiny crochet witch from Armina's Ami-nals would make an adorable mascot!
Friday October 17, 2008 Being A Smallholder
We love hearing about how people around the world live and knit so we love discovering new blogs. One of our recent finds is Being a Smallholder, which about – yep, you guessed it – being a smallholder. Blog author Denise and her husband live on a smallholding in Yorkshire – along with five alpacas, two dogs, three cats and over fifty sheep.
Clear writing, intriguing photos (we'd love to see a few more, actually!) and a cast of memorable characters make Denise's blog absorbing and interesting in equal measure and provide a fasinating glimpse into the day-to-day and month-to-month routines which sheep and alpacas require. As knitters, we love finding out about the changing seasons of yarn production and the trials and joys of the people who make our favourite pastime possible, so checking for Denise's latest update definitely makes a rainy Monday more bearable!
If you'd like to buy fibre or a fleece from Denise and Tim, visit their other website, Willo Alpacas for more information.
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.
Thursday October 16, 2008 Little gems
I cast on a new sock yesterday (Shur'tugal by Alice of Socktopus) and it's got me thinking about all the knitting things I've learned from socks. This sock uses LT (Left Twist) and RT (Right Twist) stitches. In a larger garment, these stitches probably wouldn't be used too frequently, but as part of a sock pattern they're used again and agian. By the end of the first round I no longer needed to look at the instructions. By the end of the sock, doing those stitches will probably be second nature. On top of that, since making my first sock for our sock knitalong earlier this year I've improved picking up stitches drastically, used short-row shaping, learned Kitchener stitch, worked from a chart for the first time... is there anything knitting-related socks can't teach us?
Of course, no-one ever gives an adequate warning about how addictive sock knitting is. Oh, they tell you – but they can't accurately convey how life-consuming these tiny, portable, practical projects actually are. And then there's the yarn! It's so easy to splash out on a single skein of something luxurious. It's a good job all these socks are educational!
Do you have a favourite sort of project for sharpening up your skills? Have you improved by knitting hats? Levelled up with scarves? Or are you too a slave to the all-conquering sock?
Of course, no-one ever gives an adequate warning about how addictive sock knitting is. Oh, they tell you – but they can't accurately convey how life-consuming these tiny, portable, practical projects actually are. And then there's the yarn! It's so easy to splash out on a single skein of something luxurious. It's a good job all these socks are educational!
Do you have a favourite sort of project for sharpening up your skills? Have you improved by knitting hats? Levelled up with scarves? Or are you too a slave to the all-conquering sock?
Wednesday October 15, 2008 Love your body
Today is national Love Your Body Day in the US, and we're taking the opportunity to celebrate it on this side of the pond, too. Whatever your body shape and abilities, there's something to love about it. Whether it's running for the bus, dancing to Kylie or knitting and purling, take a moment today to celebrate it.
With news that more than half of American girls ages 18-25 would rather be hit by a truck than be fat, it's clearly time to look beyond the number on the scales or on the label and focus on loving what you've got, right here, right now.
What does this have to do with knitting? Well, part of loving your body is treating it to clothes that fit, are comfortable, and that you love to wear. And, as we all know, nothing says "I love you" quite like spending hours of your free time knitting for the loved one. Cast on a pattern you love and knit every stitch with the same care you'd give to a gift for a friend's wedding or a baby's coming home outfit. Make it a challenging pattern. Take your time and as you knit think about how much you'll enjoy wearing it. Pick a size which fits you now, rather than when you lose half a stone. Knit the details you love, rather than the ones which hide your "flaws". Choose your favourite yarn, and enjoy every stitch.
Your body carries you through every day and it's got to take you all the way from cradle to grave: you might as well enjoy it!
With news that more than half of American girls ages 18-25 would rather be hit by a truck than be fat, it's clearly time to look beyond the number on the scales or on the label and focus on loving what you've got, right here, right now.
What does this have to do with knitting? Well, part of loving your body is treating it to clothes that fit, are comfortable, and that you love to wear. And, as we all know, nothing says "I love you" quite like spending hours of your free time knitting for the loved one. Cast on a pattern you love and knit every stitch with the same care you'd give to a gift for a friend's wedding or a baby's coming home outfit. Make it a challenging pattern. Take your time and as you knit think about how much you'll enjoy wearing it. Pick a size which fits you now, rather than when you lose half a stone. Knit the details you love, rather than the ones which hide your "flaws". Choose your favourite yarn, and enjoy every stitch.
Your body carries you through every day and it's got to take you all the way from cradle to grave: you might as well enjoy it!
Bear with us
The nice people at Stylecraft have been in touch with us - we said they were doing a Pudsey Bear knitting pattern when, in fact, King Cole are the people behind the knitted bear. This year he's been updated with a new bandage and other features.
Anyway, this Oops! has given me a chance to remind you that this year's Children in Need day is on Friday 14 November, so if you're planning to knit a bear to raise money, you've got just over a fortnight left! Click on the King Cole link above to be taken to King Cole's website, and for more information on Children in Need itself, which raises money for disadvantaged children and young people here in the UK, click here.
Anyway, this Oops! has given me a chance to remind you that this year's Children in Need day is on Friday 14 November, so if you're planning to knit a bear to raise money, you've got just over a fortnight left! Click on the King Cole link above to be taken to King Cole's website, and for more information on Children in Need itself, which raises money for disadvantaged children and young people here in the UK, click here.
Tuesday October 14, 2008 Knitting patterns and crafty chat
Fun website allaboutyou.com has added a craft channel to their site! This means that as well as beauty tips, food, home and travel ideas you can now download a free knitting pattern from their growing collection – and they've got some good ones by designers like Debbie Bliss – or chat to other like-minded folk in their forum. We think it's a lovely way to spend a coffee break!
Monday October 13, 2008 Finish your hats and send them in
If you're knitting for innocents The Big Knit campaign to raise money for Age Concern then hurry up! You've only got until the 17 October 2008 to get your hats in for this year's campaign – and such a small thing can make a big difference!
For every behatted smoothie sold, innocent will donate 50p to Age Concern. Last year they raised over £200,000 – we're sure you can help them do better this year.
Friday 17 October 2008 is also the closing date for our fab innocent smoothie hat designing competion, on page 53 of issue 46, so get your pins clicking to create either the most creative or
most fruity hat the judges have seen and you can win some lovely yarn in a
special innocent hamper.
Thursday October 09, 2008 Simply Knitting issue 47 on sale today!
The November issue of Simply
Knitting lands on the shelves today at all the best shops (as we see it, of course!) nationwide. Pick up your copy for a host of gorgeous Christmas knits.
Click for a larger image.
Despite the sunshine, there's a chill in the air and with all that's got to be packed into the 77 days left until Christmas, it's a good idea to start knitting early so you have time to treat yourself to our lovely lacy bolero, perfect for parties or our cosy cable cardigan, which is great for snuggling up in!
We've got plenty of Christmas goodies as well. Alan Dart's Santa makes a gorgeous centrepiece or a friendly face to sit in your window, but we've got plenty of other goodies too. There's a stocking to knit and felt, a handy and festive crochet Christmas pudding workbasket, part one of our series of stash-busting decorations and even a tree skirt to hide away an unsightly pot.
Of course, that's not all! For the little ones, we've got a great playmat made from organic wool and our two-needle men's socks make a great gift – or a cosy treat for cold toes.
Your gift this issue is our fab sock calendar. With twelve patterns for socks for the whole family and a handy calendar to keep your schedule on, it's a gift that will last all year.
Click for a larger image.
Other great things to look out for in issue 47 include:
Click for a larger image.
Despite the sunshine, there's a chill in the air and with all that's got to be packed into the 77 days left until Christmas, it's a good idea to start knitting early so you have time to treat yourself to our lovely lacy bolero, perfect for parties or our cosy cable cardigan, which is great for snuggling up in!
We've got plenty of Christmas goodies as well. Alan Dart's Santa makes a gorgeous centrepiece or a friendly face to sit in your window, but we've got plenty of other goodies too. There's a stocking to knit and felt, a handy and festive crochet Christmas pudding workbasket, part one of our series of stash-busting decorations and even a tree skirt to hide away an unsightly pot.
Of course, that's not all! For the little ones, we've got a great playmat made from organic wool and our two-needle men's socks make a great gift – or a cosy treat for cold toes.
Your gift this issue is our fab sock calendar. With twelve patterns for socks for the whole family and a handy calendar to keep your schedule on, it's a gift that will last all year.
Click for a larger image.
Other great things to look out for in issue 47 include:
- Cashmere, silk and more in Kirstie McLeod's luxury yarn reviews.
- All about IKnit Day.
- Results of the Catch A Sailor's Fancy competition.
Cardiff craft show dates
If you're looking forward to Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts in Cardiff, as mentioned in the Diary section of issue 47, please note that the show dates are the 30th October to the 1st November, not the 31st to the 2nd as stated. Visit IHCF's website for full details.
Wednesday October 08, 2008 Cath Kidston: new book, fab compo
Simply Knitting Towers is a hive of crafty activity, and today we've got to give a hat-tip to our sister magazine, You Can Craft! as they've not only got an interview with designer Cath Kidston on their blog, but are giving everyone who reads a chance to ask Cath a question and win a copy of her new book, Make!
Make! is a crafty extravaganza from one of our favourite fabric designers and even comes with a free tote bag for you to decorate using the tips in the book.
If you fancy getting your hands on the goodies or finding out a bit more about this retro-chic crafty designer, click on the banner below and start thinking about what you'd like to ask her!
Make! is a crafty extravaganza from one of our favourite fabric designers and even comes with a free tote bag for you to decorate using the tips in the book.
If you fancy getting your hands on the goodies or finding out a bit more about this retro-chic crafty designer, click on the banner below and start thinking about what you'd like to ask her!
Tuesday October 07, 2008 Alan Dart and Simply Knitting patterns on eBay
We love eBay. It's a great source for unusual bits and pieces at knock down prices – but it's not a great place to buy our patterns.
Alan Dart's gorgeous Santa is on sale on eBay already, and prices have reached over £8 – and that's without p&p!
Of course, we think he's worth it but as a comparison:
If eBay isn't your thing, we do have a free small ads page in the magazine for readers. You can find out how to send us your request in every issue, and we publish as many as we can.
Edited to add: I can't believe I forgot to mention this! You can get some of Alan's patterns directly from the man himself via his website www.alandart.co.uk
Alan Dart's gorgeous Santa is on sale on eBay already, and prices have reached over £8 – and that's without p&p!
Of course, we think he's worth it but as a comparison:
- If you wait two days you can buy it from your newsagent for £4.49. You'll get the rest of the magazine, too, and support a local business!
- If you subscribe by direct debit it's just £8.74 per quarter right now – that's three months worth of issues for the cost of getting this one pattern posted to you. And you'd already have it, if you're in the UK.
- If you missed a back issue, try our subscription department first. We sell whole back issues for £5.99 (UK), £6.99 (Europe) or £7.99 (rest of world). Visit www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk or call 0844 848 2852.
If eBay isn't your thing, we do have a free small ads page in the magazine for readers. You can find out how to send us your request in every issue, and we publish as many as we can.
Edited to add: I can't believe I forgot to mention this! You can get some of Alan's patterns directly from the man himself via his website www.alandart.co.uk
