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Friday February 27, 2009
Jane's Probably Knitting
 Jane prefers to keep her blog about her favourite hobby, and leave the serious or unimaginative stuff at the office. Which is a good think for us as when she's not at work Jane's Probably Knitting.
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 February 26, 2009
Simply Knitting issue 52 on sale today!
The April issue of Simply
Knitting is winging its way to shops all over the world. If you're in the UK, start looking out for your copy today!
 Click for a larger
image.We've got wedding fever here at Simply Knitting – and if you scroll down you'll soon see why! We've got a great collection of knits for you this month, from a pretty crochet bolero, perfect for little bridesmaids to the chic cardigan on the cover you can wear to keep warm in the church. As well as the textured cardigan on the cover, we've got two more great knits for you to make yourself and all three go up to at least a size 20. Pat Menchini has designed a flattering lacy top for fuller figures in sizes 14-28 and we've also got a fab textured swing coat which is great for spring weather. And for the littlest wedding guests we've got a smart knit dress for babies. It looks great but is still easy to play in! If you're looking for gifts for the bride, why not give her a gift for her home? Make our simple colourwork bolster or choose one of our three ways to jazz up a plain cushion. And we've also got a fun knitted garter, a pretty 'something blue'! Your great gift: 16 page Alan Dart supplement! Alan Dart has designed us a stunning wedding cake, complete with bride and groom.
 Click for a larger
image.You can easily customize the colour of the flowers, hair, skin and clothes to make a really personal gift for your favourite bride and groom and the supplement also includes the garter pattern and a four-page interview with Alan. Other great things
to look out for in issue 52
include:
- Top hats! Your amazing creations for the innocent Big Knit.
- Rachael Matthews is auctioning sheep – and she'd like you to send her one!
- Designer Laura Baxendale turns junk into jewellery the crochet way.
And
don't miss any of your
usual
favourites: we've lace patterns for you to try in our April Library, piles of great books, patterns and websites and Kirstie McLeod is testing some of the most unusual yarns around!
Wednesday February 25, 2009
ASK: Wendy Capri
I have been given some Wendy Capri and would love to knit something but cannot find Capri patterns or work out an equivalent. Is it possible you could help on this? Wendy South Have you got a knitting problem you can't solve or a yarn you can't find? Email simplyknitting@futurenet.com with ASK in the subject line to submit your question for this slot.
Tuesday February 24, 2009
Crochet hamburger dress
 Good enough to eat! By Joy Kampia.
Monday February 23, 2009
Ask the Simply Knitters
We get asked lots of great questions and while we do our best, we can't always answer them. Luckily, we know that although we might not remember whether it was Patons or Hayfield that produced a certain clever baby pattern ten years ago, or whether any shops are still stocking the discontinued Sirdar Foxy, we know you know. So over the next few weeks we're going to start posting questions under the heading "Ask the Knitters" – because we know our readers are experts too! If you've got a question you'd like to ask, email us at simplyknitting@futurenet.com with ASK in the subject line. Don't forget to include a photo if you think it will help your fellow knitters solve your puzzle.
Friday February 20, 2009
The Stash Basket
 Come and have a rummage in The Stash Basket – it's full of yarn and half-finished knits. Oh – and there's cakes, too, lovely cakes. And gorgeous scenery and... Well, maybe the metaphor isn't perfect, but this is certainly a lovely blog. We enjoy blogs from around the world, but we've always got a few Brits on our radar: it's great to see how local developments resonate with other knitters, whether it's a whole lot of snow or a new Rowan magazine. Familiar with the same yarns we use, suffering from the same grey days, it's great to have a local touch. When it's all going right, The Stash Basket produces gorgeous pieces like the mittens shown above.
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 February 19, 2009
Simply Knitting issue 52 competitions
Simply Knitting
issue 52 hits the shops on Thursday 26 February. Enter our great
giveaways and competitions by using the links
below. Biggan yarn giveaway, page
6 Abakhan's fun, furry yarn giveaway, page
10 Weald of Kent show tickets
giveaway, page
12 Prize crossword, page 94 Prize sudoku, page 94
Wednesday February 18, 2009
News round up: Knitting delays memory loss, causes fun and creates pirates
Knitting delays memory loss, reports an article from the BBC – but watching a lot of TV seems to speed it up. They don't say what the effect is of knitting while you watch TV is though so your Classic Knits, Classic Movies (or Monster Knits, Monster Movies or...) marathon is probably safe! Over in India, knitting is great for fun and profit, reports the Jakarta Post. Good to see knitting has world-wide appeal – and we were particularly interested to see the members of the knitting group had the same interests as our local one does: knitting for self, for friends and family, for charity and the cost vs quality yarn stashing debate! And down in Devon, the North Devon Journal has an article on Alison Murray's latest charity effort. Above and Below the Sea is raising funds for the RNLI – and is that Alan Dart's pirate, we've spotted in the picture? Jolly good use of y'aarn, we say. See knitting in the news lately? Leave a link in the comments!
Friday February 13, 2009
Serendipity
 Serendipity is a stroke of luck: a fortunate discovery while looking for something else entirely. We discovered the Serendipity blog while looking for something else, and now we'd like to share that good fortune. Even better, whether you're looking for a fun knitting blog or a way to help the residents of Victoria, Australia who are suffering from horrific bushfires, you'll find both at Seredipity. 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.
Simply Knitting on the BBC!
Check it out: we're on the telly! It's really exciting, and it's the second time we've been filmed in the last couple months – Elizabeth, Juliet Bernard ( The Knitter's new editor), Jen ( The Knitter's new tech ed), Sarah (who makes our newsletter appear in your inbox every month) and Rhian (who doesn't work on either mag) were filmed for BBC Working Lunch. That aired on 6 January, while we were a bit swamped, so it was exciting to watch the local news last night and see our faces. We were on BBC Points West, the local news for the south west of England, and you can still watch the video: Video available until 6:30PM (UK) Friday 13 February. Why were we there? Well, we had some good news yesterday: knitting is beating the credit crunch! Sales of Simply Knitting have gone up over the last year, which we're thrilled about. Knowing that you're buying the magazine regularly, even in these tougher times means we can keep on planning more exciting patterns, covergifts and features going forward. We've got some exciting things lined up and we really appreciate your support: thank you so much!
Thursday February 12, 2009
Elizabeth's 10 essential knitting notions
One benefit of melding my favourite hobby and my day job is that I quite often get to try out new gadgets, yarns and other knitting bits – or at least talk to someone who knows all about whatever it is I'm thinking of buying. Here, in no particular order, are ten I find essential. - Stitch markers – I did do maths in high school, but apparently I still can't count!
- Ball winder – because I don't know anyone patient enough to help me wind my whole stash.
- Knitpro Options needles – because if I want to cast something on at 3am, I know I've got the right size pins.
- 2.75mm DPNs – because I'm a tight knitter with big feet who loves handknit socks.
- 3.5mm DPNs – for loose cast ons and cast offs for 2.75mm socks, for toys and for 4ply and DK socks. Mmm, cosy!
- Tape measure – because 8in of stocking stitch quite often feels like 26 miles.
- Scissors – because getting a wool/acrylic blend stuck in your teeth is rather unpleasant.
- Ziplock bags – I have too many projects on the go and planned to use nice knitting bags for all of them. Clear ziplocks keep yarn and pattern tidy and under control.
- 4mm short red metal straights – I use these so much the paint's wearing off: for small projects, to test an idea or a technique on some spare DK, to knit try new stitches...
- Darning needle – I'm not a fan of making up, but it's got to be done!
And here are three I thought I'd use more: - Cable needle – I learned to cable without one, and it's saved quite a lot of searching and swearing!
- DPNs for things other than socks – two words: Magic Loop.
- Wraps Per Inch gadget – I just guesstimate and do a swatch* if I'm not familiar with the yarn.
How 'bout you? Which tools do you use all the time? * In my personal vocabulary, a swatch is usually the first couple inches of a project. That's why it's good to start with the sleeves – plus, then you don't slog through the body and think: "Aaargh! I've still got to knit the sleeves!"
Wednesday February 11, 2009
How to use knitting charts
Charts do look rather complicated the first time you use them, but they’re actually quite simple to work with and once you get used to them you can instantly see what you're about to knit, making it really easy to spot a mistake. If you haven’t used a chart before, we suggest that you: - Make a photocopy. You can increase the size of the chart at the same time so it’s easier to read and then mark off each row with a highlighter as you knit it.
- Have a go at a section of the chart using some spare yarn. It will help you familiarize yourself with the symbols.
- Take your time on the first few rows. Once you’ve got the pattern set up you’ll quickly see how the sections work and match them to the charts.
- Learn to read your knitting. If you can't tell a yo or a k2tog from an ordinary stitch once you've knitted it, it's going to be hard to tell if your knitting matches the chart. On the other hand, once you can it should be easy: after all, a chart is just a different way of representing the knitting stitches, like a road map, if you will.
Try this simple lace chart to get started. To help you out if you get stuck, we've written out the pattern next to it. Start knitting at bottom from right to left. This sounds counter
intuitive but it means that as you knit the project, you can compare it
to what's in front of you and your knitting should look like the chart.
- This is a garter stitch lace pattern, so most of the
squares are knit. On many charts, a white square will indicate stocking
stitch (i.e. knit on a right side row, purl on a wrong side).
- When
you're knitting a right side row, it should look like the chart, stitches
should line up as they do on the chart making it really easy to
see if you've made a mistake.
- Use a smooth yarn, preferably one you've used before for this swatch: save the laceweight mohair for your next project!
- Click on the chart to get a larger version, then print it off so you can mark off each row as you knit it.
Click to enlarge |
Cast on 14 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2 & every alt row: Knit.
Row 3: K4, k2tog, yo, K2, yo, k2tog, K4.
Row 5: K4, yo, k2tog, K2, k2tog, yo, K4.
Row 7: K3, yo, k2tog, K4, k2tog, yo, K3.
Row 9: K2, yo, k2tog, K6, k2tog, yo, K2.
Row 11: K2, k2tog, yo, K6, yo, k2tog, K2.
Row 13: K3, k2tog, yo, K4, yo, k2tog, K3.
Row 15: K4, k2tog, yo, K2, yo, k2tog, K4.
Row 17: Knit
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The chart key tells you what to knit for each square on the chart.
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Why use charts?
Can you explain why you have decided to do charts of the
pattern instead of writing it, for the aran coat in issue 49? I
think I read somewhere that it takes up less space, but I can't see how.I
am an old school knitter used to written patterns so when I saw this
coat I thought I'd have a go at it only to find I had to read a chart
and not a written pattern. I ended up asking someone to write it out
for me, but can't do that every time I see something I'd like to knit.
I see you are also doing it in your sister magazine The Knitter . Is
this how your magazines are going to be in future?Carol Reardon, HantsHello Carol, Glad to hear you like the coat and hope you do have a go at knitting it – it's a lovely design. Charts
have been used since at least the 1840s and as well as saving space,
they also allow you to see clearly how the stitches should come out, so
there are lots of advantages to using them. We use charts to show lace, cable or colourwork which is too
complicated or lengthy to write out in full – writing out the two 36 row
pattern repeats, plus the fronts for the aran coat would take several more pages, meaning
we’d have had to drop at least one of the other patterns we featured that issue. We
also use charts for complex patterns as you can instantly see what
you’ll be knitting so it’s really easy to see if you’ve made a mistake,
and there’s less risk of someone mistyping something – e.g. turning a
K4 into a K3 and throwing the whole cable pattern out. You can read our tips and try a simple lace chart to help you get started. Hope you enjoy knitting the jacket – do send us a photo when you’re done, We’d love to see it!
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Help us solve a puzzle!
Pull out the last few issues of Simply Knitting and help us figure out which one prompted Andy Hemsley from the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer to describe the cover as "a supermodel posing in a colourful, chunky-knit top with a plunging neck-line and strangely alluring big buttons." Yep, it's true! Andy has recently discovered that knitting isn't just for crones and may need a lie down while he recovers.
Friday February 06, 2009
Get Mother's Day wrapped up early!
Looking for a special gift for mum this Mother’s Day? Spoil your mum with up to 40% off a subscription to one of our fantastic magazines… A subscription makes a unique gift: • Save up to 40% off the cover prices • A perfect Mother’s Day gift that your mum can enjoy throughout the year • Convenient and free home delivery every month, often with special free gifts. Don’t delay, treat your mum today! There are two easy ways to order: - Click here or type this special URL into your browser: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/Mum2
- Call: 0844 848 2852 and quote order code X396 to receive this offer – lines are open 8am-9.30pm weekdays and 8am-4pm Saturdays.
Abby's Yarns
 Abby Franquemont, author of the Abby's Yarns blog does knit – but she also spins. A lot. And right now she's writing a series of posts which tell you everything you need to know to start making your own yarn, from choosing fibre to choosing a spinning wheel. Spinning isn't something we touch on that often, as we're usually more interested in playing with yarn than making it, but we do think every knitter should give it a go – knitting with yarn you made yourself is as exciting as casting off your first project, so even if you hate the whole process (unlikely, we reckon!) it's well worth the £10-20 you'll pay for a drop spindle and some nice wool fibre. The other thing you'll need to get started making your own yarns is a bit of advice from a friendly expert, and if you haven't got one on hand, Abby's blog will get you going in the right direction with links to video tutorials, technique pages and suggestions for books to read. Abby's an enthusiastic and talented fibre artist, and her blog is an invaluable resource for new spinners, a fount of esoteric information for more experienced spinners and a fun read for the rest of us. 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 February 05, 2009
Can you tell what it is yet?
    Can you tell what it is? It's hard to guess from these close ups of bright, fluffy, brilliant fibre work, but these snaps are all part of the UK's Crochet Coral Reef – and it's coming to the Stitch & Craft Show 2009 at Olympia in London!  We're super-excited about the show, and will be hosting a knitting clinic, so if you've got a knitting dilemna (that's not which of the hundreds of exhibitors' stalls to visit first) drop by and see us! There'll be loads of workshops, classes and exhibitions – and not just for knitting. If you've been wanting to scrapbook your baby's first year or make the invitations for your wedding, the show is the perfect place to pick up all the tips and supplies you'll need. Book tickets by Friday 13 March 2009 and pay only £8 per adult.
Monday February 02, 2009
Snow Day!
With snow still falling and the Met Office putting out extreme weather warnings it seems like the only sensible thing to do tonight – and maybe for the next few days! – is to curl up at home with a hot drink and some knitting! The cold snap has brought home to me that I really do need some gloves, pronto, so I think I might cast on a pair in the next few days! Can anyone suggest a good pattern? Gloves, mitterns or fingerless mitts, if it's a handwarmer, I'm interested.
Advertise in Simply Knitting or The Knitter
If you run a business – small or large – and would like to advertise in Simply Knitting or The Knitter, please email either Amanda Haughey (amanda.haughey@futurenet.com) or Nicoline Fox (nicoline.fox@futurenet.com) or call them on 01225 442244.
Friday January 30, 2009
Celeb sock: Stephen Fry, Alan Titchmarsh & Rick Stein!
Way back in issue 22 we teamed up with Colinette to launch a competition asking our readers to design a pair of socks for their favourite celebrity. We had loads of fab entries, and the winners were published in issue 30. The winning entry, designed by Stephanie Angus, was a pair of socks for a Mr Stephen Fry, novelist, TV presenter and universally acclaimed know-it-all – and, we recently discovered, Twitterer. We also discovered that Mr Fry's fans are both numerous and eloquent in their pleading that we dig this pattern out of our archives and let it see the light of the internet. It was hard to resist – so we didn't!
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Celeb Socks (PDF) contains three patterns: Stephen Fry socks by Stephanie Angus, Alan Titchmarsh Fantasy Socks by Jane Sanderson and Rick Stein Bed Socks by Evelyn Tanner. |
If you send us a photo of a celebrity, like Mr Fry, wearing your handknits we will send you something fab from our stash box! The more outrageous the knit, the more outrageous the reward... This pattern 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.
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