KAFFE

FASSETT
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Issue 41
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Inspiring projects
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ISSUE 41 £5.99
in gorgeous yarns
Learn to spin JANE
WITH OUR STEP-BY-STEP SOWERBY
GUIDE TO USING A WHEEL COWL
p14

Catwalk trends
for your needles
HOW ROWAN BRINGS YOU
FASHION’S HOTTEST STYLES

PLUS! GIRL’S JACKET FAIR ISLE DRESS CABLED SOCKS MEN’S CARDIGAN PONCHO
 WELCOME

NEW YEAR, NEW YARN!

Here we are, nearly a month into 2012 already. How is it
shaping up for you? I have been enjoying myself BUYING
YARN again after last year’s yarn diet, but there is so much
to choose from - yarns that are newly launched, or some
that I have wanted to knit but just not had the opportunity.
We’ve got lots of colour for you in this
It’s a big commitment to knit a garment in a yarn you are issue, such as Tanis Gray’s scarf and
mitts, to brighten up your winter knitting!
unfamiliar with, so if you are a little unsure, then hopefully
this issue - which is full of ACCESSORIES and smaller
projects - will give you the opportunity to try something
new. For example, the little ‘Blyth’ shawl by Kitman
Figueroa has already found its way on to my needles -
she is a designer we have been eager to work with,
and I’m excited to be knitting one of her patterns.

KAFFE FASSETT and BRANDON MABLY have helped so many

of us change the way we look at and use colour, through
their designs and workshops. When we heard about their
new book, Knitting With The Color Guys (the first they’ve
written together), we couldn’t wait to tell you all about the
Brandon Mably and Kaffe Fassett have
book and bring you an exclusive design from its pages. joined forces to produce a new book of
colourful knitting patterns - find Kaffe’s
amazing blanket design on page 49
Even though the weather is gloomy outside, we hope
you will find something in this issue to BRIGHTEN UP
your days before spring arrives. Enjoy!

Malaysian designer Kitman Figueroa is a

lace prodigy - she began designing a year
Juliet Bernard ago, and now has many stunning shawls
Editor to her name, including ‘Blyth’ on page 37
 40 65 14

above Monochrome motifs make above Elegantly ruffled cowl has

a bold statement on this tunic a beautiful fit and drape

13 Collectable Patterns
14 A light, lacy cowl by Jane Sowerby 40 Rive Gauche by Martin Storey 65 Madison Avenue by Nick Atkinson
Victorian-inspired lace cowl is Tunic has the ‘wow’ factor thanks to Fascinating construction of leaves
elegantly shaped to fit beautifully its graphic black-and-white design forms this figure-hugging dress

19 Ellis River by Tanis Gray 49 X-Factor Blanket by Kaffe Fassett 71 Erik by Mathew Gnagy
Scarf and mittens are adorned Stunning, multi-coloured throw Stylish men’s jacket features
with colourful Fair Isle motifs will be the focus of any room sideways cables and rich textures

22 Dartmoor by Rosee Woodland 55 Briony by Sarah Hatton 81 Joy by Martin Storey

Classic beret features a herringbone Chunky cables and a variegated yarn Traditional Fair Isle patterning and a
stitch for a smart, woven effect cheer up this child’s hooded jacket modern shape combine in this dress

37 Blyth by Kitman Figueroa 62 Sulpice by Sarah Wilson 87 Poncho by Bergère de France

Sweet shawlette with an unusual lace A handsome cable design and twisted This swinging, cabled poncho
pattern uses one skein of sock yarn rib are used on these unisex socks has a dash of French chic

The Knitter  04 Issue 41

 81

37
62
19
71

22
55
87

49

Subscribe & Save! subscribe today and

save £20 on the shop price plus receive
exclusive patterns in every issue see page 30 for Further details

The Knitter  05 Issue 41

 right Knitting delights
on a Norwegian cruise
52 78
28
Be Inspired
08 The Knitter Loves…
The latest trends and treats in the
knitting, craft and fashion world
24 Masterclass
Learn how to spin your own yarn on
a wheel with our step-by-step guide
33 Knitting cruises
How one holiday offered inspiration,
education and conversation
47 Kings of colour
A peek at the new book from design
stars Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably
24
52 Fair Isle yarns
Our pick of the best yarns for
colourwork, from wool to alpaca
61 Books
Great new titles on colour and design
78 Fast fashion
A look at Rowan Studio, the catwalk-
inspired handknit design collection
The Knitter  06 Issue 41
boutique
33 pag e 92
47
98
Regulars
28 In the Loop
News and views from our readers,
plus our project photo gallery!
Cover photography: jesse wild. hair & make-up: sarah bee.
30 Subscription offers
cover model: helena ekestubbe at mot models.
91 Information page
Stockist details, pattern corrections
and essential knitting abbreviations
97 Next Month
98 Charity giveaway
Win our prize pile, worth £219, filled
with yarns, tools, books and treats
 Future Publishing Ltd, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW
Phone 01225 442244 Email TheKnitter@futurenet.com
Website www.theknitter.co.uk kitman figueroa
UK subscriptions 0844 848 2852; theknitter@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk tanis gray Kitman is originally from
The former yarn editor of Malaysia, but now lives in

Editorial Vogue Knitting, Knit

Simple, Knit.1 and the
Debbie Bliss magazines,
to check Tanis now spends her time
editing knitting books,
designing and teaching
as many people to knit as
possible. Her Fair Isle scarf
and mitten set on page 19
Editor Juliet Bernard show off her talent for
juliet.bernard@futurenet.com stranded colourwork.
Deputy Editor Rosee Woodland Art Editor Jude Curle
rosee.woodland@futurenet.com jude.curle@futurenet.com
Texas with her husband
John and dog Pepe. She
began designing last year,
and now has more than 20
stunningly intricate shawl
designs to her name. Her
pretty shawlette on page
37 is her first pattern to be
published in a magazine.

Operations Editor Helen Spedding

helen.spedding@futurenet.com

Technical Assistants Jennifer Storey, Cara Medus

jennifer.storey@futurenet.com cara.medus@futurenet.com

Group Senior Editor Julie Tolley Group Art Editor Matt Hunkin

Contributors
Nick Atkinson, Rhian Drinkwater, Kitman Figueroa, Judy Furlong, Tanis Gray, Sarah Hatton, Jane Sowerby,
Martin Storey, Sarah Wilson, Catherine Wright
Thanks to Abigail Barker, Sarah Bee, Debora Bradley, Melanie Edgar, Thelma German, Nicky Hale,
Kim Hobley, Frances Jago, Kirstie McLeod, Kimberley Watson
Photography Jesse Wild, Philip Sowels, Simon Lees Design & Art Direction Sarah Clark
Models Helena Ekestubbe at MOT Models, Sylvia F at NEVS, Polly Spedding
Creative Director Robin Abbott Editorial Director Jim Douglas

Advertising contributors
Senior Advertising Manager Amanda Burns
Account Manager Rachael Hawkins Advertising Sales Executive Sarah Cartlidge
rachael.hawkins@futurenet.com sarah.cartlidge@futurenet.com
UK Sales Director Clare Coleman-Straw
Marketing
Marketing Manager - Creative Lyndsey Mayhew
Marketing Executive Samantha Book
Subscriptions Portfolio Manager Elaine Sosna Subscriptions Product Manager Elizabeth Davies
Print & Production
Production Manager Mark Constance
Production Co-ordinator Stephanie Smith Advertising Production Co-ordinators Clare Dodd, Jo Gay
Paper Controller Lorraine Rees Prepress Manager Brian Hook Prepress Coordinator Jason Hudson
Image Manipulation Rosalind Anderson, Steven Wood

Circulation Licensing
Trade Marketing Manager International Licensing Director
Philippa Gordon Tim Hudson
philippa.gordon@futurenet.com tim.hudson@futurenet.com jane sowerby
International Account Manager Tel: + 44 (0)1225 442244
Fax: + 44 (0)1225 732275
Celebrated designer Jane is
Rebecca Hill
rebecca.hill@futurenet.com sarah wilson well known for sharing the
beauty of Victorian knitted
Future Publishing Limited Kansas City-based Sarah,
lace shawls with modern
Group Publisher Kerry Lawrence who designs under the
Chief Executive, Future UK Mark Wood
name ‘The Sexy Knitter’, knitters. Her research into
Subscriptions is known for her flirty, the history of knitting and
Phone our UK hotline on 0844 848 2852 or subscribe online at www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
Overseas subscriptions +44 1604 251045 feminine knitwear. She also her updating of exquisite
has an eye for a handsome 19th century patterns
Printed in the UK by Midway Colour Print (cover) and William Gibbons (pages). Distributed in the UK by Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT Tel: 020 7429 4000 sock design, and this appear in the classic book
Want to work for Future? Next issue on sale month she has created an Victorian Lace Today.
Visit www.futurenet.com/jobs Wednesday 22 February intriguingly cabled pattern Her latest design for
with twisted ribbing that’s The Knitter, a cosy cowl,
Future produces carefully targeted magazines, websites and
events for people with a passion. Our portfolio includes more sure to appeal to both men can be found on page 14.
than 180 magazines, websites and events and we export and women. Find her
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The Knitter  07 Issue 41

Trends v Accessories v Websites v Events v Embellishments v Books v More…

HELP AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS
If you’re fed up with wrestling with
numerous sheets of paper as you
tackle a complex cable or shawl
pattern, then help is at hand with the
new Knit Companion iPad app.
You simply import a PDF pattern,
then you can reorder the instructions
by cutting and pasting relevant
pieces together. It’s easy to combine
charts and access information at the
swipe of a finger. You can highlight
which line you’re on, while there’s an
on-screen row counter and you can Relax and learn in
add notes as you go. It took us half an the company of the
hour to set up a complicated pattern Skein Queen, Debbie Orr
but it was worth every second.
Approx. £10 from the iTunes Store.
www.knitcompanion.com
Dyeing to unwind!
If Christmas has left you feeling frazzled, then why not cheer yourself up with plans
for a summer knitting retreat in the south of France, called ‘Dyeing To Unwind?
Organised by the Skein Queen herself, hand-dyer Debbie Orr, you’ll spend
five nights in a gorgeous French gite, and enjoy daily workshops. These cover
everything from finding inspiration in nature, to dyeing yarn and designing and
knitting colourwork, and are taught by experts Debbie Orr, Suzanne Stallard,
Rowena Sweeney and Debbie Heeley.
The dyeing retreat takes place on 16-21 May, in the Lot et Garonne region of France.
The Knit All yarn and materials are included, as is full board including wine! A few days in the
Companion company of other knitters and experts sounds like pure luxury to us, and there are
works on the also opportunities to check out local crafts and French knitting.
Apple iPad For more information, visit www.skeinqueen.co.uk/blog/?p=3856

Wool Shop wonders Nautical knits from Nick

For a culture so steeped in knitting history, Scotland can There’s a treat in store for fans of the
sometimes seem to be lacking in yarn shops. That’s starting beautiful Artesano Aran yarn, with
to change, however, and the latest arrival is The Wool Shop a new collection from Nick Atkinson
Scotland in Haddington, showing it off in a variety of clever
near Edinburgh. It stocks and interesting designs. Entitled
Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Sirdar Shipping Forecast, the collection will
and Patons yarns, as well as be admired by fans of cables – our
KnitPro accessories and favourite is the ‘Malin’ jumper with
beautiful handmade needles a horizontal design. Patterns are £2
from Canada. each; for details call 0118 950 3350 or
www.beadshopscotland.co.uk visit www.artesanoyarns.co.uk.

The Knitter 08 Issue 41

 The Knitter loves...

ON OUR

Knitter’s
NEEDLES

notebook
Operations editor Helen
Spedding has been knitting
layers to keep cosy:
1 “Our editor, Juliet, wore
her ‘Shadowbox’ oversized
cowl to a photoshoot last
year and I admired how
elegant she looked in it.
I started making one for
myself but it was a long,
slow project - far too much
garter stitch in the round
for my liking. However, I
love the result - the colours
2 Rowan Design Studio and selling
1 www.thewoolsanctuary.com
of the Manos Wool Clasica
really cheer me up.”
http://bit.ly/t59NZj
2 “Jared Flood’s patterns
really appeal to me, both in
terms of design, and also
the clear, almost scientific
way in which they’re
written. I’m really enjoying
this ‘Guernsey Wrap’ with
its classic knit and purl
patterning, in Rowan
Felted Tweed.”
www.brooklyntweed.net
3 “Thinking ahead to
spring, I’m set to cast on the
‘Tirrold’ tank top designed
by Jen Arnall-Culliford.
The pattern is from
Fyberspates’ Scrumptious
Collection, and I’m using
Scrumptious Lace in the
Water colourway. I’ll be
making the longer-length
version, though, which will
be more flattering to a
woman of my age!”
www.fyberspates.co.uk
3 professional finishing to learning
Suzie’s ‘Humbugs’ armwarmer design
A PLACE TO REST
Relax at the Wool Sanctuary, the
home of designer Suzie Johnson.
While Suzie found fame on
Kirstie Allsopp’s Homemade
Home TV programme, she’s been
well known in knitting circles
for some time, working in the
her gorgeous knitting kits.
You can buy these kits from
her website, where you can also
book onto Suzie’s workshops,
held in her home in Weston-
super-Mare. These range from
to knit socks, and will also give
you a discount on the Rowan and
Debbie Bliss yarns she sells.

Knitted comfort The wow factor!

Could you help Upon Butterfly Wings? This non-profit
organisation tries to bring some comfort to bereaved parents
who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
They provide memory
boxes, including knitted
blankets and teddies, and
knitted clothes in sizes to fit
premature babies, and are
always seeking donations.
For more details please visit
www.uponbutterflywings.org.
Visitors to Cumbria now have a new attraction to add to their
list. From January to April, the Rheged Centre in Penrith is
running the exhibition ‘WOW – wonder of wool and the art of
knit and stitch’. Featuring
the knitted work of many
artists - including these
‘Knitted Houses of Crime’
- the show costs £2.50 to
enter. Call 01768 860069
or visit www.rheged.com
for more information

The Knitter 09 Issue 41

The Knitter loves...

TOP DROPS Rowan’s new

FROM NORWAY collections use
You might know the Norwegian summery yarns
company Garnstudio DROPS for and textures
its beautiful range of natural
yarns at affordable prices, but
did you know the company’s
website was also packed with
thousands of beautiful patterns
– all available for free?
You can browse by category
(baby, accessories, felted, dolls,
etc) or see everything that’s
available for specific yarn
tensions or types. There are a
huge variety of designs to choose
from, with every technique and
tension you can think of
represented. Our favourites are
some gorgeous chunky house
socks (Moon socks) and the
selections of beautiful
Norwegian jumpers.
All patterns are designed for
the DROPS yarn range (though
would be easy to substitute if
you wished), which we’ve been
really impressed by – it’s both
cheap to buy and fabulous
quality, our favourite
combination! Juliet had the
chance to squish a lot of it while
on her recent knitting cruise,
Looking ahead to spring
and came back full of praise. The winter chills might not be behind us yet, but we can’t wait to get stuck into
www.garnstudio.com Rowan’s beautiful new collections packed with knits for spring and summer.
The first release is the 51st edition of Rowan’s Knitting & Crochet Magazine,
which contains three pattern collections. ‘Artisan’ has a gorgeous homespun look,
while ‘Riviera’ contains more kitsch and colourful designs. ‘Essentials’ simplifies
some of the new designs for more easy-to-wear styles, while cotton yarns feature
prominently throughout the collections.
Meanwhile, the Seascapes brochure contains some stunning designs for men and
women inspired by rugged coastlines, and The Summerspun Collection shows off
Rowan’s new Summerspun wool/cotton yarn, with 1970s-inspired colours.
Martin Storey has created a beautiful selection of baby and toddler knits, Little
Rowan, while Meadow by Amy Butler is full of fun, youthful designs.
Magazine 51 is out now and costs £11.95. The pattern booklets are available from
DROPS has a large range of gorgeous 1 February and cost £8.50 each, except for Meadow by Amy Butler which is £9.95.
yarns - we especially like its alpaca For details of your nearest stockist, call 01484 681881 or visit www.knitrowan.com.

Erika’s British passion Showtime in the Midlands

Celebrated knitwear designer Erika Knight has launched her
first yarn collection, using 100% British wools spun in West
Yorkshire. The range includes Vintage
Wool, a DK-weight yarn and Maxi Wool,
a soft super-chunky that looks ideal for
accessories. The yarns come in a palette
of muted colours, and are available from
a growing number of retailers - we’ll
bring you a full review of the yarns soon.
For more details call 0333 666 5333 or
visit www.erikaknight.co.uk.
We all love craft shows for a bit of yarny retail therapy, and
even better when there are classes and exhibits to enjoy as
well! The Creative Crafts Show takes place at the Malvern
Showground from 1-3
March, and we’re particularly
looking forward to the
‘Extreme Textile Workshops’
from Rachel John, the
original Extreme Knitter.
Call 01822 617744 or visit
www.sccshows.co.uk.

The Knitter 10 Issue 41