One (two) for the chenille lovers...

As a teenager, I owned a beautiful red chenille sweater. It was cropped and had full length sleeves, and was like wearing a hug. I have no idea what happened to that jumper (I vaguely recall that it was handed down to my sister at some point), but while I had it, I wore it to death. Last year, I Like Knitting magazine* put out a call for designs using chenille yarns, and I leapt at the chance to recreate that original jumper.

The Junie chenille sweater takes its inspiration from the jumper of my teenage years, updated for 2020: a sweater made of chenille is like wearing a hug! Junie is written for two lengths – the shorter of the two is designed to be quite cropped, while the longer version offers a little more coverage. Both options are cosy and cute!

This sweater is worked in the round from the bottom up as far as the armholes, then the work is split and the front and back worked separately before joining again at the shoulder seams, after which the neckband is worked from stitches that were placed on hold during the shaping of the neckline. The neckline and hem are shaped using short rows. The stitches for the sleeves are picked up around the armholes and knitted from the top down.

Junie is knitted in Premier Yarns Retro Velvet,** which is a super-chunky weight yarn, making for really speedy knitting. The pattern is written for finished bust sizes 36.5 (44.25, 52.5, 60.25, 68.5)” in short and long lengths. I recommend choosing a size with 4-8” positive ease for a relaxed fit.

I'm really sad that the sample for this one is not in my size, as I really wanted to wear the sample as soon as it came off the needles!

Full details of the pattern can be found on the Ravelry page, which can be found here.

Not content with designing just one chenille piece, I also designed the Billie chenille hat.

Billie utilises the lightweight but cosy texture of chenille with a braided cable for a look that is perfect for winter. It’s a beanie style hat with a slight slouch and a faux fur pom to top it off. The pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up.

Billie is knitted in James C. Brett Flutterby Chunky,** making this hat a project you can knit up in just an evening.

Full details for the Billie hat can be found on the Ravelry page.

Want to see my other designs in I Like Knitting magazine? You can see them all here.**

*I Like Knitting is an electronic magazine that can be viewed online via a subscription model. Full details can be found here.**

**Affiliate link.

All images copyright I Like Knitting magazine.

Festive unicorn of the sea sweater: now live on I Like Knitting!

What is cuter than a cartoon narwhal? A narwhal in a Santa hat!

My second design in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting is the Festive unicorn of the sea sweater,* which features just that: a narwhal in a Santa hat! This is the perfect Christmas sweater for a child who wants something just a little bit different!

The inspiration: Unicorn of the sea sweater
Copyright Vikki Bird

The design is inspired by my Unicorn of the Sea Sweater, which I designed for the February 2018 issue of I Like Knitting, and can be found in my Ravelry store.

The Festive unicorn of the sea sweater* is knitted flat from the bottom up in sections that are seamed before adding the neckline. The jumper is knitted in stocking stitch with 2 x 2 ribbing for the cuffs, hem and neckline and the narwhal motif is added using the intarsia technique. The pattern is written in 5 sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) years and is designed to fit with 2 inches of positive ease.

The sample is knitted in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK,** which is a lovely soft merino with excellent stitch definition. The yarn is also machine washable, which makes it ideal for kids' knits.

The Festive unicorn the sea pattern* is available now in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting magazine. I Like Knitting is an e-magazine and is available via a subscription service. For full details, head to the I Like Knitting website.*

Want to queue the pattern on Ravelry? Click here. 

Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright I Like Knitting magazine.

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This is my second design in the December 2019 issue of I Like Knitting. Missed the other design? Click here to find out more!

*I Like Knitting magazine is an e-zine available via a subscription model. Full details can be found here. All links to I Like Knitting are affiliate links.

*Affiliate link.

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.

New design: Little Fox Sweater

I have a new pattern for you today, the Little Fox Sweater.*

Foxes are one of my favourite creatures, and a perennial favourite children's character. The Little Fox jumper is perfect for Autumn with its cheeky fox on the front.


The Little Fox Sweater is knitted flat from the bottom up in sections that are seamed before adding the neckline in the round. The jumper is knitted in stocking stitch with 2 x 2 ribbing for the cuffs, hem and neckline; the fox motif is added using the intarsia technique. The pattern is written in 5 sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) years and is designed to fit with 2 inches of positive ease.

The sample is knitted in Stylecraft Life DK,* one of my favourite yarns for hard-wearing children's garments. Using DK weight yarn makes for a nice lightweight jumper that is perfect for layering.

Fancy knitting your own Little Fox Sweater? You can find the pattern in the October 2018 issue of I Like Knitting magazine. I Like Knitting magazine* is an e-magazine that is available via a subscription model, giving you access to a whole host of beautiful patterns. You can also favourite and queue the pattern via the Ravelry pattern page.

Want to add the pattern to your Ravelry queue or favourites? The Ravelry pattern entry can be found here.

*Affiliate link.

Images copyright I Like Knitting.

New design: Soft Sky Baby Cardigan

Another week, another new design! This one is slightly autumnal in feel, which seems a little surreal bearing in mind the crazy warm temperatures we've been experiencing in the past few weeks!

I love preppy-style clothing on small children, and cardigans make a perfect additional layer during the transitional period from summer to autumn (cast it on now to be ready for autumn!). The Soft Sky Baby Cardigan* is a gorgeous little cabled cardigan that features classic raglan shaping combined with intricate cabled panels that run down the two fronts of the garment. The cardigan is knitted from the bottom up, with the sleeves and body joined at the base of the yoke.

The Soft Sky Baby Cardigan is designed in five sizes (to fit ages 3 months to 2 years, with finished chest sizes of 19 to 23.5 inches).

The sample is knitted in Sublime Yarns Extra Fine Merino Wool DK* (100% Extra Fine Merino; 127 yards [116 meters]/50 grams), which is, as the name suggests, a pretty luxurious option; it's wonderfully soft and has beautiful stitch definition. It also comes in a lovely array of colours, both bold and subtle, so I'm sure you'll be able to find a shade you like.

If you'd like to knit the Soft Sky Baby Cardigan, you can find the pattern in the August 2018 issue of I Like Knitting magazine.* I Like Knitting magazine is a digital magazine that can be purchased via subscription. More information can be found here.

Want to favourite or queue the pattern on Ravelry? The Ravelry listing can be found here.

*Affiliate link.

All images are copyright I Like Knitting.

New Design: Little Sailor Baby Vest

Spring is finally starting to emerge, and here's a new pattern that is perfect for the new season, my Little Sailor Baby vest.

 
The Little Sailor vest is a baby vest featuring a traditional sailing boat. The vest is inspired by vintage clothing, and is the perfect traditional item for a baby's wardrobe.


The vest is knitted from the bottom up in pieces. The boat is knitted on a stocking stitch background using the intarsia technique. The hem, armholes and necklines are knitted using 2x2 rib and the armholes and necklines are picked up and knitted after the garment has been seamed. The shoulders are fastened using buttons to allow for easy dressing.

The vest is designed to fit ages 3 months to 2 years, with 2 inches positive ease. Sizing details are shown in the schematic. The sample is knitted in Bergere de France Ideal,* a hard-wearing sport-weight blend of acrylic, polyamide and wool, which is machine washable, making it a perfect yarn for knitting baby gifts.


The pattern is in the latest issue (April 2018) of I Like Knitting magazine, an e-zine available via a subscription model. If you want to find out more, click here.* The issue is full of gorgeous things to knit, with sections for both Easter and nautical-inspired designs.


If you want to favourite the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue, you can find the pattern page here.

*Affiliate link.

All images copyright I Like Knitting.

New design: Apple Leaves Sweater

Today I get to share with you a beautiful new design I was working on earlier in the year and is now available for you to knit, the Apple Leaves Sweater, which can be found exclusively in the October 2017 issue of I Like Knitting magazine.*

Image copyright I Like Knitting

I adore autumn, especially watching the leaves change colour and fall from the trees to form a thick carpet that is so much fun to crunch through. The Apple Leaves Sweater picks up the leaf motif in the form of a central lace panel that runs down the jumper; the jumper is fully reversible, so can be worn with the lace panel at the back (as modelled) or the front.

The jumper is knitted from the top-down in the round, with a placket running along one of the raglan increase lines to allow the neckline to be opened up, making it easy to get the jumper over a baby's head. I used my favourite wooden apple buttons to close the placket, making a feature of the detail. If you wish to make the placket less visible, you could use buttons that blend in with the yarn you choose to knit the jumper in.

Image copyright I Like Knitting

The Apple Leaves Sweater is written in five sizes 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months, to fit chest sizes 16–20 in (40.5–50.5 cm), with 3 inches (7.5 cm) of positive ease for a relaxed fit.

The sweater is knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK (100% extra fine merino; shade 0449, Botanist)**, a lovely soft wool that has excellent stitch definition and wonderful colour intensity.

Fancy adding the pattern to your Ravelry queue? The pattern page can be found here.

*I Like Knitting magazine is available electronically, and can be purchased on a subscription basis or as an individual issue. All links to I Like Knitting in this post are affiliate links.
 **Affiliate link.

New design: Snowflake infinity scarf

Over the past week I've shown you not one but two shiny new designs, Granny's Button Jar and Leaf socks, and here is a third, my Snowflake Infinity Scarf.

Image courtesy of I Like Knitting.

The scarf is knitted in the round as a really long tube with a stranded, tesselating snowflake design that runs the length of the tube. When the full length required is acheived, the tube is cast off and the ends seamed to make the tube into a cowl. The cowl is long enough to be wrapped round the neck twice, making it very cosy (I think this cowl would be perfect for wearing on long winter walks, or while out in the snow).

I love this design, and can't wait to get the sample back from the publishers! It's knitted in Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran, which is lovely and plump and squishy. I definitely think this design could be worn by men and women, and the Rico yarn comes in a large variety of colours, so there should be something to suit everyone.

And very excitingly, the design is on the cover!

Image courtesy of I Like Knitting.

The pattern is published in the February 2017 issue of I Like Knitting magazine, an e-zine that is available via a subscription model.

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New design: Leaf socks

Last week I unveiled my first design of the year, Granny's Button Jar. Today I'm going to show you my second design for the year, Leaf socks. My ankle length Leaf socks are knitted from the toe up and use a gusset and heel flap construction. The socks have a leaf lace pattern across the top of the foot and around the leg, and the pattern is written in four sizes (finished sock circumference 6 1/2, 7 1/2, 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 inches). The pattern is published in the February 2017 of I Like Knitting magazine, which is published as an e-zine that can be accessed via a subscription model.

Image courtesy of I Like Knitting.

The sample socks are knitted in Artesano Definition Sock, a 4-ply wool/nylon blend yarn, which is sadly now discontinued. The socks can be knitted in any 4-ply 'sock' yarn, e.g. a wool nylon blend or high-twist merino, though I would recommend using a solid or semi-solid so the stitch pattern shows up. A couple of suggestions are Malabrigo sock, a 100% merino with high twist for durability; the colour Lettuce would be perfect; or the classic Regia 4-ply, a good sturdy wool/nylon blend; the colurway Knall Frosch is ideal.

I have one more new pattern to show you, but that can wait until tomorrow.

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Remember, Granny's Button Jar is available at the introductory price of £2.50 until the end of Tuesday (11.59pm, GMT, Tuesday 10th January 2017), just add the pattern to the cart and the discount will come off automatically.

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New design: Winter garden gate throw

The clocks went back last week, and the nights are definitely drawing in, so now is the perfect time to cast on a cosy cabled blanket. My latest design, Winter garden gate throw, is just the thing.

Winter garden gate throw, image copyright I Like Knitting

The throw is inspired by the twisted lines and spirals of wrought iron ornamental work, which are replicated in intricate cables. The throw measures 131 x 141 cm (51¾ x 55½ in) and can be used ornamentally but is also an excellent size for snuggling in on a sofa. Winter garden gate throw is knitted in one piece with a moss stitch border surrounding the cabled panel. The cable work is intricate, but as the design is knitted in chunky weight yarn you can start to see the pattern develop really quickly; I strongly recommend learning how to cable without a needle for this design, as there are cables every few stitches, and losing the cable needle would be pretty frustrating!

Cable details, image copyright I Like Knitting

The throw is knitted in King Cole New Magnum Chunky, which is one of my favourite chunky yarns: the yarn is soft and warm, but also hard wearing, easy care and economical.

Winter garden gate throw is available exclusively in the December 2016 edition of I Like Knitting magazine, a subscription-only e-zine. For more detials about how to access the pattern, head to their website.

Warm and cosy, image copyright I Like Knitting

Thanks to King Cole for providing yarn support for this design.

*This post contains affiliate links, see the Disclaimers and policies page for more information.*