PATTERNS13 Festive Sparkle

Get ready for party season witha glitzy patterned sweater

16 BernadetteSanta has a brand new helperand she can’t wait to get started!

21 Old GoldStay on trend with an oversized cabled cowl

25 Lilac WineLearn to knit the ripple stitchfor this versatile stripy pullover

30 Alphabet ChartsPersonalise some stockings with your FREE yarn kit

31 Siberian WinterCharmaine Fletcher’s faux-furhat and collar set will finish offyour winter wardrobe perfectly

36 Over the RainbowTry an unusual slip-stitchcolourwork technique with thischeerful cowl

38 Bright SparkGet happy feet with these brightscandi socks by Sarah Hazell

41 Gloved UpLynne Rowe’s fingerless glovesare essential this Christmas

46 Blue MoonPractise cabling with a prettypullover by Anniken Allis

53 Home Sweet HomeKnit this beautiful gingerbreadhouse and bring some festivecheer to your home!

60 Digital HeartProtect your gadgets with apretty Fair Isle cosy

63 Season’s GreetingsIs it a Christmas card, or alovingly handmade decorationfor your tree?

71 Sea BreezeConjure memories of yoursummer holidays with thisbeautiful blue cushion

75 Midnight HuesGo to your local yarn store tobuy the yarn for this cabledjumper by James C. Brett

81 Wandering StarBabies will love this matchinghat and cardi set!

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

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CHRISTMAS 2014

CONTENTS63

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05Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

89 Christmas FeastCrochet a pretty table runner tobring your festive kitchen to life

SHOPPING28 Rustic Chic

Be inspired by the naturalworld with these top buys

34 Faking ItGet the faux-fur look thiswinter season

44 A Luxury Knitted ChristmasNeed some ideas for yourwishlist? Don’t worry, we’rehere to help!

86 Colour TherapyTake your pick from eightgorgeous rust-coloured yarns!

91 What’s in StoreGet the hot gossip from ourfavourite shops around the UK

FOCUS8 Let’s Knit Loves

Catch up with the latest newsand gossip from the knittinguniverse

56 British Knitting Awards:The Results!Find out who you chose to beyour winners this year!

67 Know Your FibresDiscover more about yourfavourite yarns

87 Knit SchoolLearn how to pick upstitches from deputy editorAdrienne Chandler

PEOPLE50 Stop and Share

Catch up with the LKcommunity

98 Last WordKat Goldin reveals the secrets of her knitting stash!

IN EVERY ISSUE...3 Welcome7 This Month’s Free Gift10 November is the Month49 Coming Next Month52 Tea Break70 Bookshelf78 Subscriptions

At Let’s Knit we understandthat nothing is moreannoying than errors inknitting patterns. As part ofour total commitment toensuring that yourexperience of our magazineis as enjoyable as possible,we’re proud to offer THE LET’S KNIT

PATTERN PROMISE:

• Exclusive patternsfeatured in Let’s Knit havebeen professionallychecked and reproducedwith the utmost care.Updates can be found atwww.letsknit.co.uk • Should you encounter any problems we are morethan happy to providesupport and assistance.Contact us and we willendeavour to respond as soon as possible.By email:

support@letsknit.co.ukBy telephone: 01206508622 (office hours only)By post: at the address onpage 95 (please mark your envelope ‘Support’) (Please note we cannotoffer assistance withpatterns not published in Let’s Knit)

Whocares?...We do!

This month’s

GIFT!

Choose from tenexclusive Christmasdecoration patterns

with our FREE yarn kit!

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751316

Yourcovermake!

60 30

85 Giveaways92 Turn the Tables93 Essential Information94 Start Right95 Final Stages

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meet ourDESIGNER

“This jumper uses a simpletextured stitch, and thegarment is a flattering shape.The yarn has a sparkle whichgives it a different kind of look.”

SIÂN BROWN

EXCLUSIVE TO

FestiveSparkle

Add some shine to your Yuletidewardrobe with Siân Brown's

beautiful sweater

P R E T T Y S H I M M E R Y J U M P E R

Perfectfor parties

With so much shopping to do for theChristmas festivities the last thing you need isthe worry of finding something to wear! Neverfear - once you've made yourself this twinkling top

you will never be stuck for an outfit again! Pair it withtrousers or a simple skirt for an effortless

combination suitable for almost any occasion – oneless thing to worry about over the holiday season!

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C O S Y C O W L

EXCLUSIVE TO

meet ourDESIGNER

“A giant cowl is definitely thiswinter’s must-have accessory.This one knits up in no time, andthe King Cole yarn is reallyeconomical too!HELEN ARDLEY

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Stay snug over the coldermonths with this gorgeous

wardrobe essential byHelen Ardley

Cowls and bulky yarns are right on trendthis season, so why not combine them

both by making this contemporarychunky accessory? Worked in mustardyellow, this project is a statement piece

that stands out against the typicallymuted winter shades. The thick

yarn means the project will knitup nice and quickly, so it'salso a good choice for thosewho can't wait to see their

finished piece!

Old Gold

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meet ourDESIGNER

“There are many different shadesin this colour range which wouldlook good together in this design,so have fun trying them out!”

LINDA PARKHOUSE

EXCLUSIVE TO

Lilac WineMake a statement in Linda

Parkhouse’s bold, cosy sweater

E S S E N T I A L W I N T E R K N I T

Fan and feather is a truly classic stitch patternthat creates a fabulous ripple effect. It works really

well with stripe patterns and we love the mixture ofpurple hues used here. It’s knitted in an aran wool yarnso is super snuggly and an ideal winter wardrobe staple.

Learn anew stitch

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O N - T R E N D A C C E S S O R I E S

It's important to stay snug on chilly days and this set is justthe thing for keeping out the biting winds. We love the

combination of a smooth and furry yarn – the textured cuffand border is perfect for recreating that classic Russianstyle. Designer Charmaine has come up with an unusual

technique to ensure a seamless transition between the twoyarns. Read the Knitwise panel overleaf to find out more.

SiberianWinter

EXCLUSIVE TO

31Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk

Cosy up with CharmaineFletcher’s Cossack-inspired

hat and collar

meet ourDESIGNER

“This hat is made in the round sothere are no seams. Whendecreasing using the furry yarn, it isimportant to use markers to helpyou keep count. There is an unusualmethod for changing the yarns;read more in the Knitwise panel.”CHARMAINE FLETCHER

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“Simple and pretty, thesefingerless mittens are quick toknit and would make a greatlast-minute gift.”LYNNE ROWE

EXCLUSIVE TO

P R E T T Y W I N T E R A C C E S S O R I E S

Gloved UpKeep cosy with a pair of fingerless

mittens by Lynne RoweWe all know how clumsy gloves can feel andhow annoying it can be taking them off every

time you want to use your touch screen phone.The solution? Fingerless mittens! These snug makes

will keep your palms nice and warm without getting inthe way when you're out and about. A good alternative

to Fair Isle, they are made using a four row patternrepeat and a slip stitch to create a tweed fabric effect.

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“Sadly I do not likegingerbread biscuits, but notwanting to exclude them frommy biscuit-filled life, I decidedto knit my very owngingerbread house!”JANE BURNS

F E S T I V E D O O R S T O P

EXCLUSIVE TO Home Sweet Home

Add some timeless charm to your decorationswith this Yuletide ornament from Jane Burns

What Christmas would be complete without aGingerbread house? With windows, button adornments and

even knitted icing, this is a great, calorie-free way to enjoy aseasonal treat! Made predominantly in stocking stitch with a

simple cable pattern on the roof and swiss-darnedembellishments, it’s also a good make for those crafters looking

to start their first winter project.

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E A S Y T R E E D E C S

Elevate the humble greetings cardwith these brilliant two-in-one

makes. As well as getting ahandmade card, your friends andfamily will be delighted to receive

a special knitted decoration to hangin their home. There are three jollydesigns to choose from: a wreath, a Christmas tree and a stocking.They're great for beginners and

they’re quick to knit so why not make all three?

Season’sGreetings

EXCLUSIVE TO

63Back issues from Jan 2011 onwards are available on the Let’s Knit app! www.letsknit.co.uk

Give a card with a twistwith these three designs

from Nicola Valiji

meet ourDESIGNER

“This project is a handmade cardand gift all in one. It’s great forusing up small amounts of spareyarn and your friends willappreciate a decoration that canbe used year after year!”NICOLA VALIJI

Toppers that double

as gifts!

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WOOLSheep adorn fields and countrysides across the world and thesehumble creatures have been providing us with beautiful wool forthousands of years. One of the things that makes it so popular is itselasticity or ‘crimp’. It will hold its shape when stretched and won’tbecome brittle or break. There are so many sheep breeds out thereand different breeds produce wool that is suited todifferent projects.

Soft and smooth yarns are usually made offibres where the individual strands have asmaller diameter; this is known as the microncount. A micron is equal to one millionth of ametre. They may also have a longer staple –that’s the length of the fibre. Long staplescan be spun more tightlyand will havefewer stickingout fibres, whichcan make theyarn feel tickly.

Here in Britain, weare so lucky to have a hugenumber of brilliant breeds.Bluefaced Leicester iswonderfully soft against theskin and will certainly dispelany myths of ‘scratchy Britishwool’. One of the finest fleecesis from merino sheep (right),now most commonly found inAustralia. These sheep producereally thick fleeces, so are bredespecially for their wool.

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F E A T U R E | F A N T A S T I C F I B R E S

FIBRESKnow your

Find out more about your favourite yarns!

Born, bred and made in Yorkshire,Wendy Ramsdale DK is a pure wool yarn

blended from Masham fleece from localsheep. It costs £3.74 per 50g (112m) ball

from 0117 300 5211, www.getknitted.com

Yarn comes in many varieties and as knitters, it’s importantto have an understanding and appreciation of the materialswe use. There’s more to choosing a yarn than just liking thecolour and this handy guide will break down some of the

need-to-know facts about different fibres to help you sourcethe best yarn for your project. We’ve also included a fewmore unusual blends to tempt you to try something new!

SHOPPING LIST

Merino is such a soft fibre it can be even worn bythose with super sensitive skin. Katia

Merino Baby is a 4ply yarn that’s perfect for little ones. It has an

RRP of £4.35 per 50g (165m) ball.For stockists: www.katia.com

New for AW14/15, Patons MerinoExtrafine Big is a bright, bold yarnthat is soft, smooth and fabulouslychunky. It costs £3.95 per (50g)40m ball from 01829 740903,www.laughinghens.com

Available in natural, dyed or variegatedshades, West Yorkshire Spinners

Bluefaced Leicester comes in DK oraran weight. Prices start with an RRP of£4.85 per 50g (112m) ball. For stockists:01535 664500, www.wyspinners.com

Available in over 200 shades, Jamieson’sof Shetland Spindrift is a classic Britishwool that’s close to a 4ply in tension, and isgreat for Fair Isle and vintage knits. £2.90per 25g (105m) ball from 01595 693114,www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk

Most people aresensitive to thelanolin in wool,rather than the

wool itself

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“Sea breeze is given extratexture by working thecoloured stripes in reversestocking stitch. It’s simple butvery effective.”

JULIE FERGUSON

Sea BreezeBring the ocean into your everyday

life with a teal cushion cover by Julie Ferguson

P R E T T Y H O M E W A R E M A K E

EXCLUSIVE TO

There’s nothing quite as calming as the gentle currents ofmaritime air, and with this three-striped chevron

accessory you can now bring serenity into the heart of yourhome. Knitted predominantly in stocking stitch, this is a simpleproject that will add a splash of colour to any bed or living room.

It’s also crafted using superwash wool, so there’s no need to worryabout it getting dirty!

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“This little set is fun and easy towear, and the yarn is machinewashable, which is a bonus. I havecut off 2m lengths of yarn towork the Fair Isle stars on thefront of the cardigan and the hatto avoid too much stranding.”

MONICA RUSSEL

EXCLUSIVE TO Wandering StarWe love this bright and bold baby

set from Monica Russel

M O D E R N B A B Y S E T

Regular readers of LK will know how much welove to see babies in cheerful colourways, and

this striking hat and cardi combo certainlyticks all the right boxes. The star motifs use theFair Isle method of stranding the yarns across the

back of the work – just remember not to pull them tootightly on the hat as you’ll need it to stretch.

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C R O C H E T H O M E W A R E S F O R B E G I N N E R S

Christmas Feast

EXCLUSIVE TO

meet ourDESIGNER

“This table runner can be easilyadapted to fit any table. Simplyrearrange the squares, addingmore if necessary. Join where thesquares meet and work theborder as instructed.”

JANE BURNS

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www.letsknit.co.uk

Add some festive sparkle to the big spread with Jane Burns' table runner

Christmas homewares don't all have to be redand green. This project uses muted shades, but

the cotton-blend yarn has been plied with athread of metallic silver which makes it perfectfor the holiday season. The pattern is made up

of lots of squares, which are then sewn together,meaning you can easily change the

size and shape of runner to suit your table.

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