Have you picked up your copy of issue 56 yet? As well as all these gorgeous patterns, there's also an eight-page Design Workshop supplement devoted to designing your own shawl.

This new series of patterns and step-by-step guides is written by our commissioning editor Rosee Woodland; she's an expert in pattern construction. She'll guide you through fnding your design inspiration, choosing your yarn, and each step of your construction.

As Rosee explains, accessories such as shawls are the perfect place to start if you've never written your own knitting pattern before. You can keep it simple, or go wild with complex stitch patterns.

The New Year is often a time when knitters turn frugal, eschewing new yarn purchases in favour of finishing old projects and stashbusting.

The Knitter magazine has scored a major coup by partnering with one of the biggest names in the industry. Already a superstar in America and the UK, Jane Sowerby has got on board with the magazine to design some exclusive lace patterns for The Knitter.

This is the first time that Jane has worked with a UK magazine and she has selected The Knitter for her debut in recognition of the consistent high quality of the magazine and its patterns.

As the author of the seminal book ‘Victorian Lace Today’, which brought classic lace patterns to a new audience, Jane is an expert in the field and has designed projects exclusively for The Knitter. October’s issue will feature two beautiful variations on a Gothic Shawl, with designs for two different lacy cowls to come in November, and February 2012.