Hello! I hope this post
finds you well. After the 'mini beast from the East' at the weekend
(does that make anyone else think there might have been a ladybird
invasion? Rest assured, it was just a bit more snow), it finally
feels like spring might be on its way – there's a possibility that
I might be able to leave the house without a coat on this afternoon!
I have two new patterns to
share with you today, both from the latest issue of Knit
Now magazine (Issue 86), which is goes on sale today. This issue
of Knit Now magazine is the annual British issue, which celebrates
British yarns and British designers – every pattern featured in the
magazine is designed by a British designer, and every yarn featured
has a strong British link, whether it is fully manufactured in
Britain or is produced by a British company.
First up we have a pattern
that I have been itching to share with you for ages: the Paddington jumper. Paddington
Bear, a bear who travels from Peru to London in search of a new
life and new adventures, is one of my childhood favourites and one
that has a different incarnation for each new generation: for me it
was the books and television series, while for the latest generation
it is the Paddington movies (Paddington
2 was out at the end of last year, and is excellent). I was
delighted when I was asked by Knit Now to design a jumper featuring
the famous bear and this is what I came up with: Paddington in his
classic duffle coat and hat, carrying his suitcase.
The jumper is knitted in
DK weight yarn (Patons
Merino Extrafine DK*), and sized to fit ages 2–10. The jumper
is knitted in pieces from the bottom up with the Paddington motif
incorporated using the intarsia technique. The neckline is knitted on
in the round after the shoulders have been seamed. Extra detailing is
added at the end using embroidery.
My second pattern in this
issue of Knit Now is the Tessellate baby blanket. Unusually for me,
this pattern is completely suitable for beginners. All you need to be
able to do is knit garter stitch, work simple increases and
decreases, and pick up stitches!
The blanket is a bold,
high contrast design, inspired by patchwork and quilting. The blanket
features a strong geometric design created using simple two colour
squares that are knitted on the diagonal. The squares are sewn
together at the end and finished with a border in a contrast colour.
The Tessellate baby
blanket is knitted in Three
Bears Yarn Affection 100% Cotton Aran, which is spun in
Lancashire by English Fine Cottons.
Issue 86 of Knit Now
magazine is available now from newsagents and supermarkets in the UK.
Copies may also be purchased from MoreMags.
Please note that the pattern for the Paddington jumper is only
included in UK editions, not digital or international editions.
As ever, I would love to
see if you knit any of my designs. The easiest way to share is to
create a project page on Ravelry,**
or to post a photo on Instagram
and tag me (@vikkibirddesigns).
Happy knitting!
*Affiliate link.
**Ravelry is a forum for
fibre crafts. Membership is free.
All images copyright Practical Publishing.
All images copyright Practical Publishing.