Juliet's blog - Jeanette Sloan does the Moon Walk

Jeanette Sloan MoonwalkJuliet Bernard of The Knitter expresses her admiration for a moonwalking knitwear designer.

The lovely Jeanette Sloan is not only a talented designer and a personal favourite of mine but she is intrepid as well.  When she told me she was taking part in the Moonwalk on 12 May to raise money for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk I was impressed. Jeanette walked 26.2 miles and was one of only 15,000 Moon Walkers. I wasn't there to see it, but apparently she was wearing a decorated bra as well – can’t wait  to see photos!

The Knitter issue 45 – on sale until 12 June 2012

The Knitter issue 45 coverWith summer on the way we’re finding ourselves looking for lighter, quicker projects to add interest to an outfit – something that isn’t too hot or heavy to knit, just in case we get some lovely weather (well, here’s hoping!). Knitted or crocheted jewellery (pictured below) could be just the thing, and a great way to use up that beautiful hank of yarn that has been sitting in your stash. Our article on page 55 is a great place to find inspiration, and the two patterns we have for you are quick enough to finish in a day.

In fact, The Knitter issue 45 is packed with light and airy designs. We can’t wait to cast on Jen Arnall-Culliford’s asymmetric shawl. The moment we first saw this design we knew how special it was. Some of us in the office – namely Juliet! – are even considering being brave and knitting it in one of this season’s tempting pastels, which we’re seeing in all the high-street shops – "shrimp or peppermint, I think."

Perfect finishing techniques – part 5

In part five of our masterclass series from Judy Furlong, we will look at the fifth stage of giving your knitting project a professional finish: Interim making up – false grafting version 2.

Previously we looked at step one to four of giving your knitting projects a perfect finish: PreparationTidy up and Block, and Interim making up – false grafting version 1.

False grafting v2 pic1

The Knitter Issue 45 errata

 

The Knitter cover smallThere is some errata for the Pimlico bag by Sarah Hatton in the Subscriber exclusive knitalong for The Knitter issue 45.

The upper strap pattern set-up should read as follows:

Next row: Cast on 9 sts onto left-hand needle, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, Sl 1, patt 17, K1.

Next row: Cast on 9 sts onto left-hand needle, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, Sl 1, patt 17, P1, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1.

Rowan knitting design competition

Get ready, get set, design! To celebrate the forthcoming Olympic Games, Yorkshire yarn company Rowan has launched an exciting knitwear design competition.

Rowan design competition

Entrants will be asked to come up with an accessory design inspired by one of the nations taking part in the 2012 Games.

Mollie Makes celebrates 1st birthday with a handmade wedding!

Our sister mag Mollie Makes is celebrating it's first birthday this month with a special birthday issue. 

On sale in the UK today, (May 11) Mollie Makes has teamed up with Etsy Wedding Registry to give away Let's Get Hitched a special DIY Wedding Spring Lookbook packed with tonnes of handmade inspiration no matter your budget.

Plus for a limited time you’ll be able to get a free digital download of the very first issue of Mollie Makes to complete your collection! Make sure you get it before 8 June 2012.

Woolfest returns on 22-23 June 2012

Woolfest, the annual celebration of wool, spinning, dyeing, knitting dreamt up by Carolyn Rawlinson in 2003, returns on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June to Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cumbria.

Woolfest fleecebuyers

For just £6 per day you can go along and indulge your passion for natural fibres, with stallholders from across the world, fleece animals to coo over (from an array of sheep breeds to alpacas and angora rabbits and goats!), workshops at Higham Hall, demonstrations and masses more.

Juliet's blog – Welcome to Planet Handmade

Juliet Bernard of The Knitter tells us all about her knitter-friendly new venture - Planet Handmade.

My lovely bosses at Future Publishing have allowed me to reduce my hours on The Knitter over the last few months to realise a personal dream of mine called Planet Handmade.

Juliet's yarn stash

There are so many designer-makers/crafters in the UK (not just in knitting and yarn) that are running a small business and want to be able to develop it further.

Download a Louisa Harding knitting pattern & aid Macmillan Cancer Support

Louisa Harding hatsIn stressful times, a bit of knitting can really help, and few things are as stressful as the illness of a loved one, as knitwear designer Louisa Harding can confirm.

When Louisa’s beloved husband was diagnosed with Lymphoma in January 2011, the whole family benefited from the help of Macmillan Cancer Support. “Our health district has a specific Macmillan funded unit which meant Stephen was treated nearer to home by Macmillan trained specialist chemotherapy nurses who are amazing.”

To give back to the charity, Louisa has taken on a huge challenge, signing up to take part in a seven-day rough trek (including sleeping in tent, using long drop toilets, and walking the terrain of the Himalayas for up to nine hours a day.

I’m really a very average wife, mum, daughter, knitwear designer, dog walker, but my goal is to complete the challenge and raise £3,900 for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

To increase the amount going to Macmillan, Louisa has also designed a trio of Himalayan Hiking Hat patterns for knitters to download. In returns she asks that you make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Perfect finishing techniques – part 4

In part four of our masterclass series from Judy Furlong, we will look at the third stage of giving your knitting project a professional finish: interim making up - false grafting version 1.

Previously we looked at step one, two and three of this process: Preparation, Tidy up and Block.

Perfect finish step4 pic1