Paddington Jumper – available in Knit Now 147

Once in a while, Knit Now ask me to design a character knit for them. I love working with characters, trying to transfer the essence of the character to my grid of stitches. These patterns are very much get-me-while-you-can, because once the print issue has sold out, the patterns are no longer available, and I often get disappointed knitters contacting me to ask how they can get hold of a copy of a pattern they missed. 

A few years ago (2018!!! Which is longer ago than I realised!), Knit Now published my children’s Paddington Jumper in a supplement to the main magazine, and since then I have had at least one email a month asking where knitters can get hold of the pattern, only to have to tell them that they’ve missed their chance and their best bet is to see if anyone is selling the supplement on ebay… until now…

I am delighted to announce that Knit Now have re-published the pattern in Knit Now issue 147! Which means you can get your hands on the pattern and knit your very own Paddington Bear jumper. 

Even better, the pattern is included in digital copies of the magazine, so even if you don’t get manage to get hold of a paper copy, you can still knit the pattern.*

The original jumper is knitted in Patons Extrafine Merino DK, but some of the colours have been discontinued since the pattern was originally published. Debbie Bliss Rialto DK** is a very close alternative; if you prefer acrylic, why not try Stylecraft Special DK,** which comes in a huge array of colours. If you are substituting yarn, do remember to check the yardage.

Knit Now issue 147 is available in the UK now; the issue goes off-sale on Wednesday 2nd November 2022. Print copies can also be ordered via CraftStash, while stocks last.

All images copyright Practical Publishing.

*Missed your chance to pick up a print copy? You can buy the issue online here.

**Affiliate link.

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Waiting for your magazine to arrive, but want to get started with the planning? Here are the pattern details:

Yarn used
Patons Merino Extrafine DK
5 (5, 6, 7, 8) balls in Baby Blue 152 (MC)
1 ball each in Camel 105 (CC1), Chesnut 111 (CC2), Royal 151 (CC3), Black 00199 (CC4), Sundance 120 (CC5), and Cherry 131 (CC6)

About the yarn
DK; 120 m per 50 g ball; 100% extra-fine Merino wool

Tension
22 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm measured over St st on larger needles

Needles used
4 mm straight
3.5 mm straight
3.5 mm circular, 40 cm

Other supplies
Yarn bobbins (optional)
2 stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Sizing
2 (4, 6, 8, 10) years, designed to fit with 5 cm positive ease

Finished measurements
Chest circumference: 60 (67, 71, 74.5, 78) cm
Length to underarm: 25 (26.5, 28, 32, 24) cm
Back length: 40 (42.5, 44.5, 50, 54) cm
Sleeve length: 21.5 (26.5, 29, 31.5, 34.5) cm

Another chance to get your hands on my Sooty children's jumper pattern!

I'm sure many of you recognise Sooty, the distinctive yellow hand puppet who has starred in various incarnations of his own show over many years (apparently he first appeared on TV in 1952!). Several years ago, I was asked by Knit Now magazine to create a children's jumper pattern featuring the character, and the pattern appeared in the Baby Knits supplement included with issue 57. Obviously, that was quite a long time ago (February 2016), but if you missed the pattern then, you have another chance to get your hands on a copy as the pattern has been republished in Issue 99 of Knit Now, which is on sale now.

The jumper is knitted flat and seamed, with the Sooty motif knitted in to the front using the intarsia technique. There are quite a lot of fine details in the picture, and I added a lot of these at the end using duplicate stitch, so feel free to combine intarsia and embroidery if that makes it easier for you to work. The collar is knitted in the round at the end after the jumper has been seamed.

The pattern is written for 4 sizes: 2, 4, 6 and 8 years, with finished chest sizes of 60, 68, 72 and 74 cm. I recommend choosing a size approximately 7.5 cm larger than the recipient's chest measurement.

The original sample is knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK,* which is lovely and soft and real treat to work with. If you fancy using something a little more budget-friendly, why not try Stylecraft Special DK,* or Paintbox Yarns Simply DK,* both of which are 100% acrylic and come in a fabulous array of colours. You'll only need very small amounts of the contrast colours, so this could be an excellent opportunity to use up some of those oddments of yarn you might have lying around.

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? You'll need to pick up a copy of Knit Now issue 99, which is available now in the UK, or can be ordered online via the More Mags website. The pattern is also avaiable in digital copies of the magazine.

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Images copyright Practical Publishing.

New designs: Peter Rabbit jumper and Bobby socks

For anyone who was starting to think that my publication schedule was slowing down, have no fear, over the next few weeks there will be new designs coming along much like buses!

First I have two designs in the latest issue (issue 90) of Knit Now magazine: a children's jumper and a pair of socks.

The jumper design is a pretty special one as it features Peter Rabbit! Published as a Peter Rabbit movie tie-in, this jumper is written for five sizes to fit ages 2–10 years, and features the rather cheeky-looking rabbit surrounded by beautiful embroidered flowers. You can make the embroidery as simple or as complicated as you wish; don't worry about using the exact colours or shapes used in the sample, work freehand and see what you come up with!

The jumper is knitted in King Cole Merino Blend DK,* an excellent value hard-wearing superwash wool yarn that comes in a variety of pastel and bright shades. I've used this yarn a few times now, and really love the slightly woolly texture of it.

The Peter Rabbit jumper is knitted flat in pieces and seamed at the end. The neckband is knitted on using a circular needle once the shoulder seams have been joined.

The second pattern I have in this issue of Knit Now is for my Bobby socks. I love to wear hand-knitted socks all year round, but I tend to put solid socks away in the summer months as they can be too warm. These lace socks allow your feet to air so they're nice and cool, but as autumn approaches they can be worn with boots, and they have a lace frill detail that would be really cute peeping out over the top of the boots.

These socks are knitted from the top down, starting with the lace frill detail, then the twisted rib cuff (which is inverted half way through with a non-ribbed row so that it sits flat). The sock is knitted with a slipped stitch heel and gusset construction, and the toe is designed such that you don't have to work any Kitchener stitch at the end – this type of toe is quickly becoming my go-to!

The pattern is written for four sizes, and the foot length is fully adjustable, so you can make perfectly-fitting socks. The sample socks are knitted in Stylecraft Head Over Heels* in the colourway Olympus; the colours make me think of summer sunsets, and the yarn composition (75% wool and 25% nylon) means these socks should stand up well to being washed and worn over and over again.

As an extra bonus, as well as many other gorgeous baby knits, the King Cole supplement also features a reprint of my Hedgehog and Hoglets blanket!

Image copyright Vikki Bird

If you fancy knitting any of these patterns, you'll need to get your hands on a copy of issue 90 of Knit Now magazine. The magazine goes on sale in the U.K. today (June 28th 2018), or can be ordered online from the MoreMags website. You can also purchase the issue digitally. Once again, Kate and the team have put together a beautiful issue, so it's definitely worth a look.

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All images are copyright Practical Publishing unless otherwsie stated, and are reproduced with permission.

New designs: Paddington Bear jumper and Tessellate baby blanket

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!

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**Ravelry is a forum for fibre crafts. Membership is free.

All images copyright Practical Publishing.