Miriam McDonald Simply Knitting's Production Editor

Issue 69 has gone to press now, and I'm having a hard time remembering that June has only just started. Working in magazines gives a skewed sense of time, but working in the yarn industry, things are done even further ahead. We're planning a photo shoot for tomorrow, and while a lot of it's for issue 70, the August issue, there are a couple of garments ready for issues months in the future, from yarn companies' AW 2010 ranges. We're already seeing AW yarns and designs from major firms, and of course the yarn buyers/ spinners and pattern designers will have worked on those ranges for months. Essentially, they're nearly a year ahead, and all those designers are already looking at trends for next Spring - spinners may be thinking of Autumn 2011 by now.

I can't tell you what the yarn companies are bringing out as most information is embargoed until the official launches, but having seen what's coming out on the high street this winter, it does look like the second half of 2010 is going to be a very fashionable time to be a knitter. There's going to be lots of rustic knitwear in the shops: stranded colourwork like you'd associate with Fair Isle and Scandinavia, but in neutral colours, and patterns from further afield like South America and Central Asia. Chunky knits are also going to be in pretty much every shop, again in a lot of neutral and dark shades, especially grey. Last year's AW yarn releases contained bouclé yarns from several manufacturers - well, with all the fleecy, woolly textures around this autumn, if you whipped up a hat in Wendy Origin or a scarf in Sublime Woolly Merino, you'll be the envy of every dedicated follower of fashion (not to mention warm).

Of course, the best thing about being a knitter is that no matter what's in fashion, you have the skills to make and wear exactly what you like. Maybe I will finish the GREEN JUMPER OF DOOM in time for this winter. (It's been on the needles so long it deserves the capitals!) Will you be starting anything for winter soon, or do you have too many WIPs already?