The February issue of Simply Knitting is landing on shop shelves across the UK today! We've got 23 gorgous knits tucked between the covers and we're already thinking about Valentine's gifts for you to knit as well as lovely ways to treat yourself.


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We've got three gorgeous women's tops in this issue, so you'll be able to find one to suit your style. Choose from the trendy cropped jacket on the cover, a smart cowl-neck jumper or an elegant silver tunic.

If you feel like indulging in a quicker project, try our slouchy socks or Fair Isle hot water bottle cover – or pick your favourite of the 11 patterns in our Quick & Easy Knits section!


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Just because the holiday season is out of the way, doesn't mean we're ready to stop knitting for the ones we love. The 11 patterns in our Quick & Easy Knits section include super-sweet designs and some romantic knits for Valentine's Day. Knit a simple card for a friend or say 'I love you' with a pair of heart-motif socks. We've also got fun, quick gifts for the whole family, from dads to tots.

Carrying the romantic theme further, Alan Dart has designed a pretty pair of lovers for us this issue. Pierrot and Pierrette are absolutely charming with their matching outfits and wistful faces. They'd make a great gift for a teenage girl waiting for her first Valentine's card, a newly married couple or anyone with a romantic streak!



Other great things to look out for in issue 63 include: 

• We test the best circular needles around.
  
• Get kids crafting with help from Craft Club.
  
• The story behind a knitted wedding cake...
  

And don't miss any of your usual favourites: we've got fab new yarns, great giveaways and loads of books, patterns and websites for you to try out!

There's nothing quite like making something for someone and finding out they love it literally to bits.

While many knitters knit for all sorts of occasions, there seems to be a big focus on Christmas knitting. We'd love to know which holidays, festivals or occasions you'll be knitting for next year – and if there are any you'd never knit for at all!

Simply Knitting issue 63 hits the shops on Thursday 31 December 2009. Enter our great giveaways and competitions by using the links below.

Daylight Twist lamp giveaway, page 6
Loop luxurious sock kit giveaway, page 10
Make It show tickets giveaway, page 12
Prize crossword, page 94
Prize sudoku, page 94

Future Publishing closes down between Christmas and New Year. Because of this, there will be no-one in the Simply Knitting office to answer the telephone from 24th December 2009. We will be back in the office from the 4th January. The website can be set to update automatically, so if you see new stories come up here, we're still not in the office!

I usually answer the Simply Knitting emails, and I'm off from the 22nd, so it is unlikely you will receive a reply to emails between now and the 4th January (at the earliest; I will be dealing with those I am personally able to answer on the 4th, but if your query needs to be passed on to another member of the team please be aware that they may not be able to reply immediately on the 4th).

SUBSCRIPTION QUERY?
We don't actually deal with those - they're handled by the subs team, so email simplyknitting@subscription.co.uk or call 0844 848 2852 and they will be able to help you. I believe they are in their office between Christmas and New Year, so you'll get a faster response too than if you contact us.

BACK ISSUE QUERY?
Again, we don't handle those in the Simply Knitting office. You can see all available single issues HERE. If an issue isn't shown, it is not available as a back issue.

Have a great Christmas (or other holiday, there are plenty to celebrate at this time of year).

Many knitters daydream of somehow turning their passion into a business and making enough money to build a yarn den, but few ever manage it.

Sarah at the Babylonglegs blog has managed it and is chronicling the construction of her new yarn shed. It's a mix of inspiring and down-to-earth, like the rest of her blog, and – as she's a spinner and dyer too – she regularly throws in shots of gorgeous yarns, making the escapist fantasy complete!

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.

Christmas is coming – time to dress your baby as a pudding! Or Rudolph. Or Santa...

Or, if you're feeling more restrained than we are, head over to Down Cloverlaine for some gorgeous bibs and dishcloths, including festive and seasonal motifs.

The blog is mostly devoted to original patterns, so it isn't updated that often, but it's well worth checking back now and then. Turns out you can do the cutest things with a ball of dishcloth cotton and knit and purl stitches – and there are other knits to oggle as well as hints and tips from time to time too.

The patterns are written out line by line so if you're not a fan of charts, then they'll be perfect for you.

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.

The Christmas countdown is well underway, so it seems like a good moment for some fast, festive crafts. And if you're decorating your home anyway, you may as well do it with yarn, right?

The folks at CraftStylish have come up with a fab way to turn a skein of yarn or some leftovers into a stylish wreath. Follow their instructions to make a yarn-wrapped wreath. It's quick, it's simple and you could use the same technique to make decorations for any other holiday – if you made your own shapes, you could make yarn-wrapped letters to spell out a word, which would be a great way to label your stash or brighten up a kid's room.

We're big fans of hand made, and love to oggle the gorgeous makes other talented folk create. If you'd like to do a bit of shopping with your oggling, then check out the Bust Magazine Christmas Craftacular which is taking place in London this Saturday, 12 December 2009 from noon to 7pm.

It's going to be packed with stalls selling crafty bits, hand made gifts and other lovely things – and there'll be craft sessions and other try-it-out opportunities as well as dancing and drinks.

It costs just £2 to enter and the first 100 people through the door will get goody bags, so if you're in the area, check it out!

Not in the UK? Bust also run Craftaculars in the USA, in New York and Los Angeles.

We're always interested when celebs or media bods pick up knitting so we were intrigued by a Telegraph piece titled Ben Fogle Challenge: learning to knit.

Ben Fogle is more usually seen presenting Animal Park or Extreme Dreams, so it's interesting to see him taking up his pins to knit bootees for his newborn. The challenge is one of four which are designed to enrich Ben's life as he learns new skills.

Knitting is often seen as a sedentary, very feminine skill – presumably why they've included it as a challenge for an outdoorsy male – but it's also a very portable skill so it'll be interesting to see if Ben does actually keep it up while he's off on his adventures.

Men are under represented at most knitting groups, and it would be great if Ben could encourage more blokes to knit. Although us insiders know that a passion for knitting doesn't mean you can't have tattoos, a passion for mountain biking or otherwise break the 'gentle granny' stereotype, we're not sure that everyone has got the memo...

What do you do when you've got a knitting question the other agony aunts just don't cover? Ask Gertrude of course!

Gertrude Woolsworthy is a giant ball of yarn with a mysterious past. In her present role as one of the organizers of Stitch & Bitch London, she writes a regular column in their newsletter and maintains her own blog, where she helps solve knitting problems.

Off beat questions and off beat answers make this a great place to go for a bit of advice – or to ask Gerty a whole new question! Recent questions have ranged from home-made yarn swifts to knitted thongs, so you can see any knit-thing goes!

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. 

The January issue of Simply Knitting is landing on shop shelves across the UK today! We've got 29 fabulous knits tucked between the covers and our fab Christmas Gift Set will help you add the finishing touches to your gift knits.

We've also got a TV star gracing – or should that be grazing? – our pages this issue. Scroll down to find out how you can knit or cross stitch Shaun the Sheep.


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Our January issue is packed with great knits for you to start a new knitting year – once you've finished up the old one! If you're still knitting gifts, we've got some super-quick projects in our Quick & Easy Knits section and some fun felted decorations from Rowan and a fab Christmas table set if you're not done decorating!

Treat yourself to our silk halterneck top or keep cosy in a trendy jumper dress (shown on the cover), knit our men's simple, stylish jumper for most appreciative bloke you know or stitch our teen's party accessories for your daughter's first dance.


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The 12 patterns in our Quick & Easy Knits section will help you get all dressed up this winter, weather it's warm socks, mitts and a cosy hat for a winter walk – or pretty hair clips, a knitted necklace and a cute clutch for a party!

Alan Dart has designed a super-glamorous Snow Queen for us this issue. She's dressed, well, like a queen from her sparkling crown to the tips of her dainty slippers and as she stands up on her own, she's a great way to brighten up your window or mantelpiece once the holiday decorations have come down.



We're big fans of Shaun the Sheep and his baaa-rilliant TV adventures. If you'd like to get in on the action and steer him through one of his adventures then look out for the new game featuring Shaun: Shaun the Sheep Off His Head.

It's available on Nintendo DS so to help you keep your DS snug when you're not playing, Kirstie McLeod has designed a fab DS case.



It's easy enough for kids and beginner knitters to try as the case is knitted entirely in stocking stitch – his woolly coat is created by using a woolly yarn.

We're not the only Shaun fans in the office – our sister magazine, CrossStitcher, has published a cute chart so you can cross stitch your own Shaun the Sheep.

"We all love Shaun the Sheep here on CrossStitcher magazine and we thought this cute design would be really great to get kids into stitching," says editor Cathy Lewis. "We think it looks great stitched onto this cute fluffy bag!"



It's a simple project and CrossStitcher magazine includes plenty of information on how to get started, so you can have a go even if you've never stitched before. CrossStitcher issue 221 is on sale today, too, so look out for a copy wherever you buy your issue of Simply Knitting!

Other great things to look out for in issue 62 include: 

• Following on from the lifesize knitted Gingerbread House, Alison Murray shows off her new project, 'Above and Below the Waves'.
• We put our favourite needles through their paces.
  
• Unleash your knitting with gorgeous hand dyed yarns.
  

And don't miss any of your usual favourites: we've got loads of your great letters, answers to tricky questions and fab special offers!

The correct telephone number to call for information on stockists of Crendon Buttons, mentioned in issue 62 of Simply Knitting, is: 01453 883581 (not 851)

'Tis the season to give thoughtful gifts to the ones you love. This year, dodge the crowded high streets and malls and give a gift that lasts all year – a subscription to their favourite magazine.

To help you out, we've got a special offer which will let you save up to 40% on a wide range of titles.

• Get crafty with Simply Knitting and our sister titles The Knitter, PaperCraft Inspirations, CrossStitcher and Cross Stitch Collection 
• Hit the right note with music mags including Rhythm, Guitarist and Classic Rock
• Geek out with science fiction magazine SFX or flatter a film buff with Total Film
  
• Hard drives and software or games and gadgets? Choose from a wide range, including MacFormat, Windows Vista Magazine, NGamer and T3.
  
• Hit the road with Fast Bikes, Fast Ford and other top titles for petrolheads as well as cycling and athletics titles like ProCycling and Triathalon Plus
  
• Improve your snaps with PhotoPlus and Digital Camera
  
• And lots more!
  

Subscribe using this offer, and you'll...

• Save up to 40% on the shop price – our best price of the year
• Get FREE delivery direct to their door
• Give a gift that lasts all year round
  

Ordering is easy

1. Shop online using our special link: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/Z614 
2. Call 0844 848 2852 and don't forget to quote offer code Z614 (lines are open Mon-Fri 8am – 9:30pm, Sat 8am – 4pm)

Left it a bit late? We can't guarantee it'll arrive before the 25th but this offer is open until 31 January 2010.

Elizabeth Bagwell Simply Knitting's Reviews Editor

It's the first of December which means that although we've already sent our January issue to the printers (it hits the shops on Thursday) I've got to do something about This Christmas Thing.

I quite like Christmas and I love the chance to spend time with my rather far-flung family but I always have the sneaking feeling (possibly Martha Stewart induced) that I'm not doing it right – or at least, not doing enough – and suddenly commit to (knitting) twenty more things I don't have time for. 

So this year I've decided to make my resolutions a bit early. Here's the plan...

1. Don't add anything to the knitting list.
2. I mean it. Not even one little thing.
3. Find the knitting list.
4. Knit something on it.
5. Repeat steps three and four until list is complete or the 20th December hits.
6. Do some frantic last minute shopping.
7. Wrap everything on Christmas Eve. It's not last minute if you planned it that way, right?

Oxford-based knitter Sarah has been blogging at All Fingers and Thumbs since 2006. Three years on, her blog is a fun place to visit with a great mix of knitting, craft and travel photos.

We're usually all about the yarn, but we've been enjoying the updates relating to Sarah's recent trip to the USA – and not just the shots of her newly aquired stash! As well as tagging along virtually on Sarah's visits to yarn shops, it's great to see different skylines, autumn colours and scenery as it can all be very inspiring, for both knitting and holiday planning!

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 issue 62 hits the shops on Thursday 3 December 2009. Enter our great giveaways and competitions by using the links below.

Rico Baby knitting kit giveaway, page 6
Sirdar yarn pack giveaway, page 10
Birmingham or Glasgow show tickets giveaway, page 12 – You can enter both show tickets giveaways, if you're happy to travel, but you'll have to click each link and enter separately.
Prize crossword, page 94
Prize sudoku, page 94

Sadie Ramm and the Knit Happens knitting group of Newbury are running a sponsored knitathon in conjunction with Park House School, Newbury. The event, being held on 15 December, 5pm - 8pm, is to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation, and in particular to support Steve Cullen, who's aiming to raise £4,000 for the charity.

Steve is going to be taking a husky trek across Norway, and the knitters are helping by being sponsored to knit squares to turn into blankets, which will then be donated to the Dolphin Ward at the Royal Berks Hospital in Reading. If you can knit squares and raise sponsorship money or donate spare yarn or needles, email us and we'll pass your contact details on to Sadie. You can also sponsor Steve directly.

They're not cheap, but how could we resist boots with an aran pattern? Ugg Knitted Boots come in a range of knit fabrics and mean we can now have two layers of knits keeping our toes toasty!

Miriam McDonald Simply Knitting's Production Editor

We all like different types of knitting and yarn. It often fascinates me how different people choose different projects: Jen from The Knitter has folksy-intellectual tastes, combining a love of traditional knitting skills with one for unusual techniques and unusual construction, Elizabeth's knits are often offbeat and hip, using bright colours to dramatic effect, and I'm a bit costumey, veering between Victorian bedjackets, Viking-style cabling, glittery yarn and - YES - fun fur.

Okay, of the people mentioned, I'm the one who's most likely to take flak for my tastes, fun fur being universally derided, but you do see a lot of negativity about other people's knits all over the place, online and off. Some people hate toys, some people hate acrylic, some people find lace knitting a horrible faff to produce something they'd never wear... but other people love all these things. What gives person A the right to make person B feel miserable about their knitting? Nothing. Many knitters are limited by finances, too; not everyone can afford to knit a jumper from £5-a-ball yarn, so sneering at people's yarn choices could also, unwittingly, be sneering at someone simply because they earn less, which is a pretty horrible thing to do. We are all doing this for fun, after all. All the negative comments do is remove a chunk of the joy from something that should be joyful for all of us.

Let's spread the knitting love. Let's all tell other people what we like about their knitting. (And if you can't possibly say anything nice about the fun fur, might I suggest the weather as an alternative topic?)

Purlesque, the Liverpool knitting group that released a naughty calendar last year, has a new project for you to help with. As part of the NICE Festival, Liverpool's celebration of Scandinavia and all things northern European), Purlesque are creating a knitted winter garden at the Bluecoat Centre. If you can knit a white square, knit or crochet a snowflake or make a white pom-pon, they'd love you to send it to them, or you can go to the Bluecoat Centre on the 28th or 29th November and take your yarncraft in person. They'll be asking people to try fingerknitting on the days, and of course you can make more snowflakes and squares while you're there.

It's hoped that the garden will stay up for a couple of weeks after it's been built, so if you're in Liverpool in the first fortnight in December, do drop by the Bluecoat Centre and take a look!