Lets Knit issue 64

The new issue of Let's Knit (issue 64) hit the shops last week and it's a bumper issue for me as I have 3 designs in this issue.

First up is 'Ramona' knitted in a new yarn which I think will become my new favourite yarn, Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend Fino. It has the silky softness and gorgeous stitch definition of Silk Blend, which is a dk yarn, but the Fino is a 4ply/fingering weight version. I love knitting with finer yarns and this yarn is perfect for garments and accessories like shawl. In fact, I have a shawl in the pipeline which will be selfpublished sometime this spring.

Back to 'Ramona'. This sweater also features my new favourite sweater construction technique. In fact, both my knitted sweaters in this issue features this technique. I love knitting sweaters in the round but I also love set in sleeves because of the fit. This technique gives me both of those. Both 'Ramona' and 'Maria' (see below) are knitted in the round to the armholes. The front and back are then knitted separately to the shoulders which are joined using a three needle cast off. Stitches for the sleeves are then picked up around the armhole and the sleeves are knitted downwards in the round and the sleeve caps are shaped using short rows. The bonus of this technique for the designer is that there is no complicated sleeve cap shaping math to work out and no complicated setting in sleeve caps for the knitter. It's a win-win situtation and I'm planning to use this sweater construction again in the future.

'Ramona' has an interesting lace panel running up the centre front and back of the sweater. The back of the sweater also has a curved hemline which is achieved by working short rows. With elbow length sleeves this top is perfect for spring days and chilly summer days (we tend to get a lot of those in the UK). All that remains is to decide which colour of Silk Blend Fino you will use.

A big thank you to Leni, aka The Fluffy Viking, for knitting the sample for me. She did a great job.

My second design is 'Maria' which is knitted in King Cole Merino Blend DK. 'Maria' has a beautiful and simple lace panel either side of the front neckline and across the top of the back, which unfortunately isn't shown in the magazine.

 I did take a quick pic of the back before posting. This pic was taken early in the morning while it was still dark, so it's not the best but it does show the lace panel on the back. This is another great transitional garment.

A bit thank you to Anita for knitting this sweater for me. She did a great job too!

And finally a bit of crochet. 'Verna' is a sweet, cropped cardigan featuring linked trebles, which I just love. I discovered linked trebles just before I submitted this design and they're fab. They eliminate the gaps you normally get between trebles (and can also be used for double trebles) and create a great fabric with improved drape. This cardigan alternates rows of linked trebles and rows of eyelets for a great spring and summer cover up. Wear it over a pretty dress, like in the photo, on warmer days and layer it over long-sleeved t-shirts and jeans on chillier days.

For 'Verna' I used a yarn I've never tried before. Wendy Merino DK is a budget yarn which is actually rather nice and proves you don't have to spend a fortune for a nice merino yarn.

Let's Knit is in the shops in the UK now.