Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 166 i Simply Knitting

It’s Christmas time again – or very nearly! Have you planned in enough shopping as well as knitting time?We visited bothYarndale and The Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace this autumn.We did our best to make a dent in the lovely yarn we found all around us (yes, to make gifts for other people as well as for ourselves, and to add to our ever-increasing yarn stashes!). Not to mention the new needles we just had to have, or the haberdashery... or the fabric... (well, bags need linings) – I could go on! Now to get on though, and use some of that yarn to knit this month’s projects!You’ll find little projects to make in a couple of evenings (see the fun decorations from Ann Franklin, left), and larger…

MEET OUR DESIGNER Rebecca Galeney “I wanted this jumper to be different ›om the traditional reindeer ones. It had to be fun, so I dangled baubles ›om the antlers and gave it a big red nose, with a silly face!” 10% off! Black Sheep Wools are offering 10% off Stylecraft Special Chunky! Quote offer code LKSC when you order. To place your order call 01925 764231 or visit www.blacksheepwools.com. Offer ends 8 December 2017. YOU WILL NEED StylecraftSpecialChunky(100% acrylic, 100g/144m) See table for quantitiesandmeasurements1ball of each: White1001 Black1002 Aster1003 Royal1117 Aspen1422 Gold1709 DarkBrown1004, Camel1420 Saffron1081 A pair of 5 mm needles A pair of 6mm needles 2 stitch holders For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01484 848435 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as chunky to this tension:…

“Knitters are a generous lot, and never more so than at this time of year, spending time choosing patterns, yarn and needles to make the perfect gifts for their loved ones and more often than not, racing to cast off as well as get everything else ready for that 25 December deadline. 7›iÌ›iÀ›Þ›Õ½Ûi›w››Ã›i`›Þ›ÕÀ›}›vÌ› knitting, or whether you’re likely to be meeting Father Christmas as you toil over the last stitches long after you should have gone to bed on Christmas Eve, you may well be looking forward Ì››Ã››i›¼Ãi›wÛ½››››ÌÌ››}›››Vi›Ì›i› holiday season is over. SELFISH OR PASSIONATE? ›› ›Ü›>Ì›iÝ>V̛ޛ›Ã›¼Ãi›wÛ½››››ÌÌ››}¶› Most knitters will recognise it as a word Ì›› iw›i››››ÌÌ››}›v›À›Ì›i›Ãi›ÛiÛÀ>Ì›iÀ› than someone else, but why is that Ãi›wÛ¶››VV›À ››}›Ì››Ì›i› ›VÌ›››>ÀÞ]›>› Ãi›wÛ›«iÀÛ›››Ã›››i›Ü››››Ã]›º›>V›››}› V››Ã› iÀ>Ì››››v›À››Ì›iÀ›«i›«›i]›V››iyÞ› concerned with one’s own personal «›i>ÃÕÀi››À›«À›wÌ°»›/››Ã›Ài>››Þ› ›i۽̛ iÃVÀ›Li›Ã››i››i›Ü›››w›>››Þ››>Ư̂›i› to knit…

MEET OUR DESIGNER Sophie Jordan “I took inspiration ›om illustrations to get the elves’ colours and details just right and the design simply fell into place after that. Adding the bells and pompoms was my favourite bit!” YOU WILL NEED Hayfield, Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m), 1 ball of each: White961 PillarboxRed690 FleshTone963 Lemongrass699 Sunflower978(girl elf only) Pumpkin766(girl elf only) Small amount of pink DK yarn for mouth and nose Small amount of dark brown DK yarn for eyes (both) and fringe (boy elf only) A pair of 3¼mm needles A 3mm crochet hook Stitch holder (optional) Pompom maker (optional) Soft toy filling Dressmaker’s pins Tapestry needle Sewing needle White sewing thread 2 x wooden buttons per doll (2cm diameter) Brass bell per doll (optional) 50cm ribbon (girl elf only)…

1 Get your needles stuck into a rainbow of colours with Paintbox Yarn’s brand new Chunky Pots range. There’s ten shades to choose from with enough meterage of each to whip up a fun cowl or hat. Each cake is worth £6.50 and there are ten pairs to win! www.paintboxyarns.com 0845 544 2196 SKMCHUNKYPOTS166 2 From Flower Power to Teal Appeal, Sirdar’s new Bohemia packs a colourful punch! Its yÕvvޛܛ››É>VÀÞ››V›››Ý››>Ûv>L› snuggle-factor too. We’ve got ten of these cosy skeins up for grabs this issue! Each one is worth £10.65 and comes with a stylish cowl pattern. www.sirdar.co.uk 01924 231682 SKMBOHEMIA166 3 Treat yourself to a luxury gift basket from The Knitting Gift Shop. We’ve got three Staggered Eyelet Handwarmer baskets to giveaway, worth £39.95 each. The basket has everything you need to…

Use two strands of Black yarn to work the eyes, and two of White for the centres. Work the Pail in Silver Grey, before changing to Powder Blue for the water. Knit the Stalk of the Pumpkin separately before sewing to the top of the Pumpkin. Give the Fairy Godmother that magical touch by knitting her using sparkly yarns. Grizelda’s Ringlets are knitted as three pieces then sewn to the back of her neck. 10% off! Minerva Crafts are offering 10% off Hayfield Bonus DK! Quote offer code BONUSDK when you order. To place your order call 01254 708068 or visit www.minervacrafts.com. Offer ends 8 December 2017.…

1 & 2 Set up as for stocking stitch; needles need to be positioned with wrong sides of knitted fabric facing. Arrange stitches so that the opposing stitches are directly under the live stitches on the needle. You want one needle to have purl bumps under the live stitches on its right side and the other needle to have knit stitches under the live stitches on its right side. In this example the front stitches have the purl bumps showing on its right side and the back needle has the knit stitches showing on its right side – as you look at it you’ll see two sets of purl bumps under the live stitches because you’re looking at the wrong side of the back needle. Cut your yarn tail as…

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK My latest book, Easy Cable Knits, is a collection of 10 patterns and designed with the novice cable knitter in mind. The cables used throughout the book are all the most basic and simple of cable techniques. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? I trawl through various fashion magazines – a must for keeping up with knit trends! I also have a huge collection of vintage and modern knitting patterns, old cross stitch and embroidery books. I regularly go hunting for inspiration at antique fairs, charity shops (Ilfracombe has some of the best charity shops for vintage knit inspiration), along with people wearing interesting knits on the street… MUST-HAVE GADGET? I’m a huge fan of the Knitpro Symfonie Wood, Single Pointed Needles. I don’t really knit with…

Secret Santa? We’ve got you covered! Find the perfect knitting gift to tell someone they’re special, without blowing the budget! 1 Make your tea break special with this limited edition Scheepjes mug, with cute motifs (spot the yarn ball!). £10.75, www.scheepjes.com/en/ 2 These sweet HiyaHiya yarn snips come in the shape of a puppy, kitty, sleepy kitty or octopus, in four different colours. £3.79, www.brownberryyarns. co.uk , 01603 418605 3 Start the morning with Cosy’s fruity blueberry, echinacea, hibiscus and rosehip tea. It’s organic too! £3.25, www.meadowyarn.co.uk , 01986 784448 4 Tame your yarn ball with a fun Skein Coat! Ideal for keeping your yarn neat and tangle-free when you pop it in your bag. £5.41 each, www.etsy.com/uk/…

Kirstie McLeod Editor I’ve knitted myself a pair of socks, a pair of mittens, half a jumper and half a cardigan. Fingers crossed I can finish the jumper and cardigan off soon… Emily Waite Designer I’m new to knitting and am still getting the hang of it! My first project is going to be a scarf, although I’d love to knit a whole winter outfit as it’s getting very cold in the office. Kate Evans Digital Editor I made myself a nice green hat,with flecks of blues and creams in it. I found a big fluffy pompom in a sale online and I’m going to put that on top of it to finish it off! Sophie Jordan Production Editor The only thing I’ve knitted for myself this year is the…

STOCKING FILLERS WHAT? There are few more appropriate gifts for avid knitters than something that ››w›ÌÀ>ÌiƯ̂i›À›iÛiÀÞ >Þ›››vi°›7i½Ài›L›}› fans of this great kitchen set, created with ›››ÌÌiÀÛwÀ››Þ››››››› °›››››Ãi›vÀ›››>›› apron, tea towel and oven gloves (from £5.99), each one decorated with a cute sheep cartoon and the words, ‘I’d rather be knitting’. Then watch as dinner prep becomes a silent knitting protest! WHERE? Vanessa Bee Designs is the place to be if you’re always on the lookout for great crafty gifts. From cows and sheep to mugs and bags, their great selection of products are always full of humour. Visit www.vanessabeedesigns.co.uk for more. You won’t want to miss out on Rowan’s new Camello yarn. Packed with luxury fibres like extra fine merino and baby camel, it’s light and airy with a chainette…

30% off! Wool Warehouse are offering 30% off DROPS Alpaca until the end of the year! To place your order call 01926 882818 or visit www.woolwarehouse.co.uk. This offer closes 31 December 2017. YOU WILL NEED DROPS, Alpaca (100% alpaca, 50g/167m) A set of 4 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) A set of 5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) A 5mm circular needle, 60cm long 5 ( 5 : 6 : 6 : 6 ) buttons For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as 4ply to this tension: 17 sts and 22 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 5mm needles and yarn held double ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 Easy moss stitch and simple stocking stitch make this playsuit a…

MEET OUR DESIGNER Monica Russel “I wanted to knit a jumper that would look great with jeans or a floaty skirt, and have the option to wear a shirt underneath it. This jumper ticks all the boxes, and is a quick knit too.” YOU WILL NEED DROPSAir70% alpaca, 23% polyamide, 7% wool, 50g/150m) A pair of 5mm needles 5 mm circular needle, 40cm long For yarn stockists contact www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as aran to this tension: 15 sts and 25 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Pine Cone Pattern using 5mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 We’re always looking for ways to make your luxury knitting affordable, which is why we asked our designer Monica to come up with this…

A HELPING HAND I attend the knit and natter group at my mother’s care home. The ladies are encouraged to knit and this project came about to help a resident revive her knitting skills. I encouraged her to knit a white rectangle and when she finished it I took it home to turn it into the snowman. The idea was to keep it simple to produce an effective result – nothing difficult. She loved it and has gone on to make other simple projects, which I put together for her and other residents. One of the ladies is making a rectangle which will become a Christmas cracker. She’s going to put a little gift inside for her daughter. Another lady, who is partially sighted, wanted to make a scarf but…

Cara O’Callaghan ›TUV›NGCTPGF›VQ›MPKV› CV›UEJQQN››DWV›NQUV› KPVGTGUV›FWG›VQ›C› XGT[›URGEK›E› RTQDNGO›› “Everything I made ended up triangle-shaped because of all the stitches I dropped! For a long time, I thought knitting was just something I couldn’t do,” she says. “I remembered my mother knitting when I was a child, so around eight years ago, I asked her to give me some tips. I was surprised by how quickly I got the hang of it and soon knitted myself an extra-long scarf, thankfully not triangle-shaped!” Cara became determined to master socks “after seeing amazing examples online”, but had to get over her fears. “They always looked complicated and ››Ü>Û››Ì››› >Ìi ]›LÕÌ›››w›>››Þ› decided to take up the challenge,” she says. “I love making them because there are so many possible patterns, and I can complete a…

YOU WILL NEED Rowan, Hemp Tweed (75% wool, 25% hemp, 50g/95m) A pair of 4mm needles A pair of 4 mm needles A pair of 5mm needles A 4mm circular needle, no more than 40cm long Stitch holders For yarn stockists contact Rowan Yarns 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com TENSION Yarn used knits as aran to these tensions: 19 sts and 25 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4 mm needles 19 sts and 20 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over patterned st st using 5mm needles ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 This jumper really does have it all! Great fashion credentials, a yarn that's perfect for spring through to winter, and neat and tidy raglan sleeves, all knitted up in a time-conserving, aran-weight…

SETTING UP Arrange your stitches evenly so that half are on one needle and half are on another, with both needle tips pointing to the right, and wrong sides facing together (we’ve split our knitting over two separate needles for ease). Cut your yarn to make a tail about three times as long as the width of the stitches on one of your needles and thread onto a tapestry needle – if in doubt, go for a longer tail until you’re a bit more confident. If you are finishing a sock toe, arrange stitches so the stitches for the top of the foot are on one needle, and the stitches for the bottom of the foot are on the other. Some sock patterns recommend cutting a 20cm tail, but we…

When grafting a sock toe you are working with a group of stitches that are all effectively part of the same row or round, and so they can be grafted together seamlessly. However, when you graft two pieces or ‘ends’ of fabric together, you will find they are always half a stitch out. There isn’t a real solution to this. You can cast off one of the sets of stitches and ‘false graft’ them onto the other, and this will disguise it a bit, but really the easiest approach is just to graft as neatly and as accurately as possible. In some cases, your pattern may use a ‘spacer’ pattern to hide the join and instruct you to graft in garter stitch or reverse stocking stitch. It’ll still be half…

MEET OUR DESIGNER Ann Franklin “I hadn’t intended to make decorations with clown noses, but once I’d given the star a big red nose, I knew I simply had to include it on all the others.” YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes, Twinkle (75% cotton, 25% polyester; 50g/130m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Yellow (936), Yarn B Red (924), Yarn C Black (903), Yarn D Mid Green (930), Yarn E Silver Grey (904), Yarn F White (913), Yarn G Light Green (922), Yarn H Pink (925) • A pair of 3mm needles • Sewing thread in black, cream and red • 50g toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 25 sts and 38 rows to measure 10x10cm…

YOU WILL NEED Hayfield, Bonus Glitter DK (95% acrylic, 5% polyester, 100g/296m) 1 ball of each: IcedGem228 Icicle220 Spangle227 Hayfield, Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) 1 ball of GalaGreen704 Small amount of black DK yarn for embroidering eyes A pair of 3¾mm needles A pair of 4mm needles A pair of 5 mm needles 4 cotton buds Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231 682 www.sirdar.co.uk TENSION Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 13 sts and 21 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 5 mm needles with yarn held double 22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 4mm needles MEASUREMENTS To fit a teapot that holds 6 to 8 cups Egg cosy 16cm circumference…

“It’s so lovely that we get lots of donations of knitted items, they make each EDJ›GL›HUHQW›µ Knitting can provide a warm, safe and nurturing feeling – especially to little ones who are new to this world. Mylo and Friends is dedicated to providing premature babies and their parents with a helping hand at the beginning of their early lives. The kind-hearted charity was founded back in December 2014, when Mylo’s mother, Stevie Delaney, found herself delivering him earlier than expected. “When Mylo was born Stevie had nothing,” says volunteer Rachael Vincent. “She wanted to make sure there was a charity that could offer other families bags with necessary bits in.” INSIDE THE BAGS Those ‘bits’ include helpful items such as micro nappies, cotton wool and vests. The bags also contain…

WENSLEYDALE WENSLEYDALE LONGWOOL SHEEP SHOP W wensleydalelongwool.co.uk T 01969 623558 Established in 1989. We sell our own ‘Sheep Shop’ brand Wensleydale Wool which is commission spun, dyed and finished exclusively for us in Yorkshire. Sheep Shop patterns, garments, tops, fleece and more. Shop, web sales and mail order available. STYLECRAFT ASHLEY’S WOOL SHOP W 62 Dyer Street, Cirencester, GL7 2PF T 01285 653245 Paradise for fellow ‘knitaholics.’ Massive stocks of most brands of all kinds of exciting yarns and thousands of patterns. The complete range of Stylecraft and a range of DK and cotton DK plus 4 ply. Contact us on the above details or pop in and say hello! SIRDAR & ROWAN THE WOOL SHOP W ludlow-woolshop.co.uk T 01584 872988 Based in Ludlow, we stock a wide…

CHAIN STITCH  This is the foundation of all crochet stitches. 1 About 15cm (6in) from the end of the yarn, make a loop with the ball end on top. Insert the hook through this loop and catch the yarn, pulling it through the loop. Slide the slipknot up to the hook. 2 With the hook in your right hand, hold the slipknot between thumb and finger of the left hand. Move the hook under and over the yarn. 3 Pull the hook and yarn back through the slipknot loop to form your first chain (ch) stitch. Now repeat steps 1 & 2 until you’ve formed a chain. 4 This is what your row of chains will look like. Keep going until you have the number of chains that are stated…

Daily knitting routine I’m more alert in the mornings, so I tend to try and start writing my patterns early on in the day. I then spend the rest of the day swatching, sewing and trying to come up with new ideas. There’s little time in the day when I’m not doing something knitting related. Dream knitting day Probably in Porthleven, spending time relaxing and knitting, overlooking the harbour with a good, proper clotted cream tea. The big seas that roll in off the Atlantic are quite a sight to behold. Or maybe visiting Italy (my husband’s Tuscan), spending time there with family eating wonderful food and enjoying the odd glass of wine. Best knitting companion My dog Maggie. We’ve had her eight years, she’s a rescue dog and we…

1 Holding the piece of knitting you are going to pick the sts up from in your left hand, and starting at the top-right corner, insert the right-hand needle between the first two stitches of the row. 2 Wind your yarn around the needle and ‘knit’ the first stitch... 3 ...And pull the new stitch through between the two stitches. 4 Continue to work like this along the row or until you have picked up the necessary number of stitches. Try to space your stitches evenly.…

MEET OUR DESIGNER Jane Burns “Chris›as jumpers should be fun, not only to wear but to make. If you’re new to crochet, the detail is simple to learn. If, however you are feeling intimidated, fear not! Simply cut out felt circles and sew them on.” YOU WILL NEED KingColeMerinoBlend DK (100% wool, 50g/104m) King Cole, Baby Glitz DK (3% polyester, 97% acrylic, 100g/290m) Small amount of orange DK yarn A pair of 3¼mm needles A pair of 4mm needles A 3¼mm circular needle, 40cm long A 4½mm crochet hook (optional) 10x25cm piece of washable sparkly white felt (if not using crochet method for snowman) Darning needle Stitch markers Stitch holder 2 x 15mm black buttons 3 x 10mm black buttons Sewing needle and thread Small amount of toy…

PROF. B. WORMY MARY-ANNE TAYLOR COULDN’T WAIT TO SHARE HER PROF. B. WORMINGTON FROM ISSUE 158. WE LOVE HIS LITTLE GLASSES CHAIN – A GREAT FINISHING TOUCH. MARY-ANNE’S KNITTING IS SO NEAT – IT’S WONDERFUL! LET IT SNOW THROW-BACK TIME! YOU MIGHT HAVE SPOTTED THIS FESTIVE TREAT IN OUR PREVIOUS ISSUE. JANET BUNCE’S MUM KNITTED THIS ONE FOR HER FROM THE ORIGINAL 80S SIRDAR PATTERN! BERRY CUTE THIS HAS TO BE THE SWEETEST LITTLE BERRY WE’VE EVER SEEN! SHARON WILLIS’ DAUGHTER, ISABELLA, LOOKS LIKE SHE’S LOVING HER NEW ROMPER SUIT FROM ISSUE 163 AS MUCH AS WE DO. SUCH FAB COLOURS!…

CHECK YOUR ISSUE NEXT MONTH TO SEE IF YOU’RE A WINNER! Every month, three subscribers win a prize as a thank you for their loyalty to Simply Knitting. This month, the winners (below) will each receive a Wool and the Gang Lil’ Snood Dogg Kit, worth £34.50 – perfect for those chilly days! /TU›6C[NQT, Letchworth/U›8CNGPVKPG, Dunfermline/TU›4GKF, Liverpool FIND US AND FOLLOW US! Post a pic on our Facebook page facebook.com/simplyknitting Tweet us @SimplyKnitMag twitter.com/SimplyKnitMag Add to our Finished Projects board ravelry.com/groups/ simply-knitting-magazine Use the hashtag #simplyknitting instagram.com/simplyknittingmag Follow us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/simplyknitmag EMAIL US AT: simplyknitting@immediate.co.uk WRITE TO US AT: Simply Knitting , Immediate Media Co, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN IMMEDIATE MEDIA COMPANY, PUBLISHERS OF SIMPLY KNITTING, SUBS STARS GIVEAWAY TERMS AND…

1 Insert the tip of the right-hand needle into the front of the stitch and knit as normal, but don’t drop it from the left-hand needle. 2 Then take the right-hand needle behind the left-hand one and insert the tip of the needle down through the back of the stitch on the left-hand needle. 3 Wrap the yarn around the tip of the right-hand needle to knit the stitch. Bring the needle through to make the stitch, keeping it on the right-hand needle. 4 Take the stitch off the left-hand needle. You will have increased one stitch by knitting twice into the original stitch, first at the front, then at the back.…

1 These images show what happens to the yarn that you carry over on the wrong side of the work. Work a stitch in the first colour as usual. To change colour, twist the two yarns together before working the next stitch. 2 Work the next stitch in the new colour as normal. When working alternating stitches of two colours, try and keep an even tension and do not pull the yarn too tight. 3 Change back to the original colour, not forgetting to twist the two yarns together before you work the stitch. 4 A completed row shows the yarn ‘floats’ carried across the back of the work. If you always keep the floats of one colour above the other colour, your work will look neater.…

If you’re a fan of seamless knitting, you may be tempted to use grafting when joining the shoulders on a sweater or cardigan. However, there are very good reasons for not doing this. Firstly, the shoulder of a garment is a very visible point on the garment. Any differences in tension will be hard to hide in this area, which is always on display. Secondly, joining the shoulders using the more traditional methods of a sewn seam, or a three-needle cast off (where the front and back shoulder stitches are worked together, before being cast off), creates a strong and stable fixed point for the fabric of the jumper to hang from. Think of it as an invisible coat hanger for your sweater if you like! By contrast, grafting the…

YOU WILL NEED • Red and cream 4ply yarn in small amounts • A set of 2›mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) • A 3mm crochet hook TENSION Yarn used knits as 4ply to this tension: 28 sts and 34 rounds to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 2›mm needles (exact tension is not critical for this pattern) MEASUREMENTS Approx 18cm long ABBREVIATIONS For a full list see page 95 Try out your new-found knitting skills by casting on this seasonal stocking, complete with a simple, grafted toe. STOCKING Cast on 36 sts using 2¾mm needles and red yarn. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches and place marker. Round 1 K2, P2 to end. Change to cream yarn. Round 2 Knit. Round 3 K2,…

Jorid Linvik’s Big Book of Knitted Socks Trafalgar Square Books (£20) If sock knitting is your thing (or you’re keen to get started) then, as the title suggests, this book really is for you! Packed with 45 stunning designs in a rainbow of toe-pleasing shades, this book treats you with beautiful photography and great instruction. Whether you’re knitting for yourself, or all the family, there’s a pattern you’ll fall in love with. Choose your sock chart from those w››i ›Ü›Ì›› >›V››}›i›i«›>›ÌÃ]›VÕÌi›V>ÌÛ and so much more. Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible Hitomi Shida (Tuttle Publishing £10.50) This season you’ll be sorely tempted by the exciting and unique patterns from Hitomi Shida. Her strikingly original designs are perfect for creating up-to-date garments that will wow family and friends. Each pattern is a lesson…

MINI STOCKING PATTERN CAST ON 20 sts using long-tail method and leaving a long tail for sewing up. ROW 1 (RS) Purl. ROW 2 Knit. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 twice more. ROW 7 Knit. ROW 8 Purl. Continue in st st for 8 more rows. ROW 17 K7, kfb 6 times, K7. [26 sts] ROW 18 Purl. ROW 19 K10, kfb 6 times, K10. [32 sts] ROW 20 Purl. ROW 21 K10, kfb 12 times, K10. [44 sts] ROW 22 Purl. Continue in st st for 4 more rows. ROW 27 Ssk twice, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog twice. [40 sts] ROW 28 Purl. Cast off , leaving long tail. Fold Stocking in half inside out and widthways, then sew cast-off stitches together using tail. Turn Stocking right-side…

“With Kniterate, clothing is made locally and in small batches on demand, preventing garments ›om ending up in landfill.” Can you imagine a machine that can create the knitwear that you dream up at the touch of a button? Along with input from his co-founders Triambak Saxena and Tom Catling, plus knitwear designer Jinhee Park, Gerard Rubio has devised Kniterate, a digital knitting machine that will, as he puts it, “change fashion the way desktop 3D printers are revolutionising manufacturing.” Gerard had his brainwave while at university watching fashion design students using traditional knitting machines with punch cards. “I became fascinated. It made me think about 3D printers, where you make a design on your computer, press a button and the machine creates it automatically. I did some research on…

CAST ON: CABLE METHOD  Use it for a firm edge, and when adding stitches in your work. 1 Make a slip knot. Insert right-hand needle into the stitch as if to knit. Wrap the yarn around the point and pull through, slipping the stitch on to the left-hand needle. 2 Push the point of the right-hand needle between the first and second stitches. Wrap the yarn anti-clockwise round the point of the right-hand needle. 3 Pull the loop out with the right-hand needle, then slip it over the tip of the left-hand needle. 4 Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you have the number of stitches you require. CAST ON: THUMB METHOD  A great all-rounder, use it to cast on stitches quickly and easily. 1 Make a slipknot and place…