Don't unravel this December

 

Hello December! Hello advent calendars galore! I have three this year: a chocolate one, a marshmallow one, and a scrappy yarn swap one. And I have a self-striping skein. I am totally on board with the chocolate one: chocolate for breakfast is a joy! I’m sure I can find time each day to eat a marshmallow (on a good day, I may even find time to toast it!). But the yarn ones… December is stressful. Everyone (including me!) wants a magical Christmas, but that takes *work*. I’ll be dashing between carol concerts and nativities, organising Santa visits and decorating the tree, sorting presents and writing cards, organising food and baking goodies. On top of the usual laundry, food prep, housework and actual work. Does that leave time for extra advent projects? No. So I’m here to tell you: I find advent overwhelming. If you feel the same, you’re not alone. There will be posts everywhere sharing beautiful advent projects, knitted in order and on the day the advent door was opened, but if you stop for a second, you will know that there are many more advent calendars being opened that aren’t being knitted up *right now*! If your me-time this December is 30 minutes of working on a pre-existing project, or even just staring into space while your cup of coffee goes cold, know it’s not just you. I will love looking at everyone else’s advent projects, but don’t expect me to be wearing brand new scrappy socks on Christmas Day!

 

It can’t just be me. Will you be up to date with your advent calendar on Christmas Day?

 

Hope December doesn't leave you too overwhelmed. Until next time, happy knitting.

Add a little festive cheer to your windows! Christmas in the Windows: available now!

Happy Christmas! Christmas is creeping up fast, and many of us are still stuck in houses, with Christmas looking a little different to usual. This year we’ve created a new tradition: walking round the local houses and spotting the Christmas lights up in the windows. My kids have been requesting that we put more decorations in the front of our house than usual, so everyone that is walking by can see them. These banners are my contribution to this year’s window display. If you want to send some festive love to family and friends, why not make an extra banner so they can hang it up in their window, and you can be connected across the miles?

The Christmas in the Windows banners are perfect for hanging in windows, or on walls. The pattern is written for one basic banner that can be decorated with your choice of three intarsia motifs: a Christmas Tree, a wreath or the words HAPPY XMAS. The patterns for the intarsia portions are provided as both charts and written instructions. If you’re not a fan of intarsia, you can knit the banner without any colourwork and use duplicate stitch to add the motif at the end.

Each banner uses a small amount of aran weight yarn in a limited palette, and is perfect for stash-busting, or you could buy the yarn you need and make a few extra Christmas banners for friends and family from your leftovers.

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? You can find it now in my Ravelry* and PayHip stores, and until 11.59 pm GMT, Friday 18th December 2020 you can get 20% off with the code XMAS.

The pattern is also available on LoveCrafts.

Which banner are you going to cast on first? 

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Here's everything you need to know about the Christmas in the Windows banners.

Sizes

One size: 30.5 cm [12.25 in] wide x 30 cm [12 in] high

Tension

18 sts and 25 rows = 10 cm [4 in] in stocking stitch worked flat on 5 mm (US 8) needles after wet blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

Yarn

You will also need aran-weight yarn in the following colours and amounts, depending on which design you are making:

Christmas Tree

·        MC (navy blue): 130 m (145 yds)

·        A (red): 5 m (10 yds)

·        B (orange): 5 m (10 yds)

·        C (yellow): 5 m (10 yds)

·        D (green): 35 m (40 yds)

·        E (blue): 5 m (10 yds)

·        F (purple): 5 m (10 yds)

Wreath

·        MC (navy blue): 130 m (145 yds)

·        A (red): 25 m (30 yds)

·        B (orange): 5 m (10 yds)

·        C (yellow): 5 m (10 yds)

·        D (green): 50 m (55 yds)

·        E (blue): 5 m (10 yds)

·        F (purple): 5 m (10 yds)

HAPPY XMAS

·        MC (navy blue): 130 m (145 yds)

·        A (red): 20 m (25 yds)

·        G (cream): 25 m (30 yds)

Needles

·        5 mm (US 8) straight needles

Notions

·        Fixed stitch markers x 2

·        Tapestry needle

·        Bobbins for holding the different yarn colours during colourwork (optional)

·        Chart row marker (optional)

·        2 lengths of dowel, 35 cm [14 in] in length and 1 cm [0.5 in] in diameter

·        Hanging thread

·        PVA glue (optional)

Pattern notes

The sample is knitted in Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran** (aran, 184 m per 100 g ball, 100% acrylic) in 237 Midnight Blue (MC), 213 Rose Red (A), 219 Blood Orange (B), 222 Buttercup Yellow (C), 228 Lime Green (D), 239 Sailor Blue (E), 247 Pansy Purple (F) and 202 Champagne White (G).

Instructions are provided for three designs. For each design, you will need to print out the written instructions for the plain banner (page 3) and either the chart or written instructions for the picture of your choice:

1. Christmas Tree

a. Chart, page 4

b. Written instructions, page 5

2. Wreath

a. Chart, page 6

b. Written instructions, pages 7-8

3. HAPPY XMAS

a. Chart, page 9

b. Written instructions, page 10

The pattern is designed to be worked using intarsia for the colourwork portions. If you prefer, you can work the banner in a single colour, then add the colour work at the end using duplicate stitch – the yardages given should be sufficient for you to complete the banner this way. Links to introductions to intarsia and duplicate stitch are provided in the Resources section. You may wish to use a combination of intarsia, stranded colourwork and duplicate stitch to minimise ends.

Pattern edited by Jo Torr.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity.

**Affiliate link.

Fancy a new stocking for Christmas 2020?

Last week I shared a tutorial on how to work Ladderback Jacquard. Once you've mastered Ladderback Jacquard, you might want a new project to try it out on, and you're in luck, because I've just released my latest pattern: Fireside Stocking!*

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, nothing was stirring, except for… two children attempting to set a Santa trap, some last minute present wrapping, and an argument about whether the turkey will fit in the oven. Christmas doesn’t always run smoothly, but when I go to bed, I love the excitement in my children’s eyes when they hang out their stockings, even if they’re a little sceptical about whether Santa will actually have delivered any presents in the morning.

No matter how chaotic your Christmas Eve is, there’s still space for a traditional Christmas stocking, either hung over the fireplace, or on the bedstead.  The Fireside Stocking* is knitted from the top down in the round, with stripes of traditional festive colourwork motifs: trees, stars, hearts and reindeer. The stocking is a good size, with plenty of space for all those gifts that Santa will deliver on Christmas Eve. So your beautiful colourwork doesn’t get caught while Santa is filling the stocking, I’ve included tips on how to take control of your floats.

The top of the stocking has plenty of space to embroider a name, which solves any later arguments about whose stocking is whose! Adding a name also makes the Fireside Stocking a perfect gift. A tutorial is included on how to embroider the name if you’re new to embroidery.

Want to buy the pattern now?

You can get the pattern on Ravelry* and PayHip – use the code STOCKING to get 20% off until 11.59pm GMT, Monday 7^th 2020. Don’t forget to add the pattern to your favourites while you’re there!

The pattern is also available on LoveCrafts.

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Sizes
One size:

• Circumference: 37 cm (14.75 in)
• Leg length to heel: 37.5 cm (15 in)
• Foot length from heel to tip of toe: 28.5 cm (11.5 in)

Tension
19 sts and 26 rnds = 10 cm (4 in) in stocking stitch worked in the round on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles after wet blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

You may find that you need to use a different needle size for the colourwork sections to maintain the same gauge throughout.

Yarn
Aran-weight yarn in the following colours and amounts:

• A (red): 185 m (200 yds)
• B (cream): 165 m (180 yds)
• C (green): 80 m (90 yds)

Needles

• 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle 40 cm (16 in) in length and DPNs
• 4 mm (US 6) circular needle 40 cm (16 in) in length

Notions

• Stitch markers x 3
• Chart row marker
• Scissors for cutting paper
• Sewing pins
• Tapestry needle
• Sewing thread (optional)

Pattern notes
The sample is knitted in Drops Alaska (aran, 70 m per 50 g ball, 100% wool) in Dark Red 11 (A), Off White 02 (B) and Light Olive 45 (C).

Links to the following resources are given at the end of the pattern:

• Wrap and turn
• Yarn dominance
• Catching long floats
• Ladderback jacquard

This pattern was tech edited by Jo Torr.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity. Proceed with caution.

Elmo Christmas Jumer: available now!

Is there anything more festive than Elmo in a Santa hat? If that’s your sort of thing, then keep reading!

I have a new design out in the latest issue of Knit Now Magazine, and, as you may have guessed from my opening lines, it’s a festive jumper featuring Elmo in a Santa hat!

Elmo Christmas Jumper - image copyright Practical Publishing

 

The jumper is knitted in pieces from the bottom up, then seamed. The pattern has an all-over stranded design, with Elmo knitted in using the intarsia technique. This is a design to take slowly, enjoying every stitch, and you’ll be so proud when it’s complete, and everyone else will be so impressed when you tell them you knitted it yourself!

The jumper is knitted in Stylecraft Special DK,* and the pattern is written for nine sizes (XS to 5X, finished chest sizes 76.5-160 cm). They yarn is really affordable, and even the largest size will only set you back less than £30. If you prefer something a little woollier, West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK* is an excellent 100% wool alternative.

Elmo Christmas Jumper - image copyright Practical Publishing

Want to knit the jumper for yourself? The pattern is included as a pattern card with issue 121 of Knit Now Magazine, which is available now. Please note that the pattern card is only included with UK editions of the magazine, not those purchased overseas, or the digital edition. The good news, however, is that Craft Stash will ship the UK print edition internationally (subject to availability), so you can get your hands on a copy, wherever you are in the world.

Do you want to add Elmo to your Ravelry queue or Favourites? The pattern page can be found here.** It really helps me if you share your love for the pattern.

Have you made the Elmo Sweater? Don’t forget to share your pictures with me! I love seeing your finished knits.

*Affiliate link.

**Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity; proceed with caution.

Fuchsia snowflakes cowl: new on I Like Knitting!

As is often the way, after quiet period for new designs, I have a veritable feast to share with you over the next few weeks...

The first new design to share with you is my Fuchsia snowflakes cowl,* which is available in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting magazine, which is available now. The issue features lots of classic festive designs from previous issues, as well as several new designs that are inspired by designs previously published in I Like Knitting.

The Fuchsia snowflakes cowl features a tessellating snowflake design based on traditional Scandinavian knitting, and is inspired by the bold Snowflake infinity scarf I designed for the February 2017 issue of I Like Knitting.*** This cowl sits perfectly around the neck and provides just the right amount of extra warmth and coziness. Knitted as a single layer tube and in the round, this fair isle beauty is guaranteed to be a favourite this season.

The original design: Snowflake infinity scarf

The sample is knitted in Malabrigo Rios** in shades Fucsia and Natural. The yarn is an absolute delight to work with, and comes in a wide array of variegated and tonal colour ways.

What is extra-exciting is that the design is on the cover!

The Fuchsia snowflakes cowl is published in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting magazine,* an e-zine that is available via a subscription model. If you'd like to add the pattern to your Ravelry queue or favourites, the pattern page can be found here.

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The Fuchsia snowflakes cowl is not my only pattern in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting. For a sneak peak at the other pattern, take a look at this link. I'll tell you more about it later this week...

*I Like Knitting is an e-zine, which is available via a subscription model. Affiliate link.

**Affiliate link.

***This pattern will be available as an individual download from my Ravelry store in December 2019.

All images copyright I Like Knitting. Reproduced with permission.

Wallace and Gromit Christmas jumper!

When do you start your Christmas knitting? Do you like to get things on the needles really early and knit something for everyone you know, or do you cast something on at the last minute and end up having to write an IOU? This year I started my Christmas knitting really early (think May!) by designing this Wallace and Gromit jumper for Knit Now magazine.

I've made no secret of the fact that I adore Wallace and Gromit, so I leapt at the chance to design this jumper, which features Wallace and Gromit getting ready to celebrate Christmas, with Wallace in his Santa hat, and Gromit wrapped up warm in a scarf (which he probably knitted for himself!).

The jumper is knitted in Stylecraft Special Aran* (and Stylecraft Special Baby Aran for the pink), which is a great hard-wearing yarn, so if you knit the jumper this year, you'll still be wearing it for many years to come. The yarn comes in lots of colours, so feel free to switch out the scarf colours (you could even make them match a favourite sporting team) if blue and white isn't for you.

The pattern is written in nine sizes, with finished chest sizes of 78 to 160 cm (XS to 5X). I designed the jumper to be worn with approximately 5 cm of positive ease. The Wallace and Gromit jumper is worked flat from the bottom up in pieces that are seamed before picking up stitches for the neckband in the round. The Wallace and Gromit motif is knitted using the intarsia method, and the facial features are added at the end using embroidery.

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? It can be found in the Knitmas supplement of issue 106 of Knit Now magazine, which is available in all good newsagents and supermarkets in the UK. If you live overseas, or can't find a copy locally, you can order a copy from the MoreMags website. Print copies of the magazine also come with a gorgeous little notions tin featuring Gromit sitting in bed knitting. I've already put stitch markers in mine and put it into one of my knitting bags for use on the go!

If you'd like to add the Wallace and Gromit Christmas jumper to your Revelry queue or favourites, you can find the Ravelry pattern page here.

*Affiliate link.

All images copyright Practical Publishing.

Festive Cheer KAL 2018

In the knitting world we are well into the festive knitting season, whether it's knitting Christmas decorations or gifts. To celebrate that, I'm hosting a festive knitalong (KAL) in my Ravelry group* and on Instagram.

The KAL will be called the Festive Cheer KAL, and all you need to do to join in is to either knit (or crochet) a festive item, or an item that you'll be giving as a gift over the festive season, and post your progress in either the thread in my Ravelry group* or on Instagram using the hashtag #festivecheerKAL2018 (if you want to double your chances of winning, you can post in both).

The KAL will run between October 1st and November 30th 2018, but will be a very relaxed affair, so works in progress (WIPs) are included, and you don't have to finish anything, just post your progress.

I'll be drawing two winners, one from Instagram and one from my Ravelry group. The prize winners will be selected using a random number generator from all posts posted between October 1st and November 30th 2018.

Happy knitting!

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The rules

1. Knit or crochet a festive item, or an item to be given as a gift over the festive season

2. Post a progress shot on Instagram using the hashtag #festivecheerkal2018

Or

3. Post about your progress in the thread in my Ravelry group

4. Only entries posted between October 1st and November 30th 2018 will be included

5. WIPs are allowed and you don't have to finish what you're working on 

6. Two prize winners will be drawn using a random number generator: one from Instagram and one from Ravelry. You may enter on both platforms, but will only be able to win one prize

7. If entering via Instagram, to win a prize, you must be following me on Instagram

8. If entering via the Ravelry thread, to win a prize, you must be a member of the Ravelry group

*Ravelry link. You must be signed in to Ravelry for the link to work