I loved how the pretty the balls looked on the shelf, so I had to take a photo to show you!  These are all 12 shades available.

The book to go with the yarn is called The Naturally Sublime Egyptian Cotton DK Book (661) and features 20 designs for babies, children and adults using Sublime Egyptian Cotton DK.

For women, there are chic little waistcoats, stripey nautical-inspired knits and the simply stunning Pointelle with an exquisite lace back. For boys there is an easy gansey style sweater and matching slouchy hat emblazoned with a skull and crossbones motif and for girls, there are trendy little cropped cardies to wear with beach dresses and Bermudas. There’s the simplest sailor gansey in the smartest deep red for men.

Finally, there is an exquisite lace christening gown, ballerina cardie and Tutu shoes for baby girls and the most adorable little sailor suits for baby boys – outstanding little vintage styles for your tiny treasures.

Have a look on our shop website for pictures of the designs in the book.

I knitted this shrug using a lovely shade of Angel from the pattern book Angel by Debbie Bliss.  It’s basically 2 sleeves and a ribbed band. Pretty quick to do.

My Mum also knitted this short cardigan, from the same pattern book, using Debbie Bliss Party Angel yarn.  It’s Angel yarn with a touch of sparkle! I wore this cardi a few times of the Christmas season. It was great for parties.

I found the cardi to be a good fit and I will wear it often but one thing Mum did say when she picked up around the edge for the ribbed band, she needed to pick up more stitches than the pattern said, because it was pulling in otherwise.

The new year brings with it lots of new yarns, pattern books and fabrics, the first of which is Rowan Magazine 51. It is due out on 15th January but you can pre-order your copy now which will be despatched as soon as it arrives at the shop.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 51 sees key shapes which reflect a new confidence emerging within the wearer.  The designs have been created for ease of movement and casual freedom giving a relaxed, summery vibe.  The fun element is injected with a return to the retro resort styles where pattern and colour explode.  The season is mainly understated, where nothing is outrageous.  Rowan is promoting two stories Artisan and Riviera to reflect these trends.  Essentials is the showcase for the key shapes of the season but translated into more simplified, easy to wear styles that will compliment the season’s essential looks.

(click to enlarge the pictures below)

The Rowan yarns used are Pima Cotton DK, Cotton Glace, Savannah, Revive, Handknit Cotton, Panama, Kidsilk Haze, Siena 4 Ply, Wool Cotton, Fine Lace, All Seasons Cotton, Denim

In this book, Vintage Designs to Knit by Kim Hargreaves, Rowan have chosen to revisit 25 of her truly great designs in their favorite classic yarns: wools, mohairs and cottons, so there is something to knit all year round. There are smart little sweaters, soft cardigans, tailored jackets and cute tops, with beaded, textured, plain and lacy stitches, plus a few accessories.

Visit our shop website to pick up your copy, just in time for Christmas!

Inspired by traditional fishermen’s sweaters from around the British Isles, the 23 classic cable and aran projects in this new book Aran Knits by Rowan designer, Martin Storey, are perfect for knitters who want to experience the delight of creation aran textures without finding the patterns too complicated to knit.

Visit our shop or website to pick up your copy.

Called simply the Kidsilk Haze Stripe Collection, it contains 6 knitting patterns including a cardigan, three sweaters, a wrap and scarf.

Available to purchase on our website for only £4.95!

In this issue there are 23 delicious projects celebrate cosy cold-weather knitting with vintage silhouettes, twisting cables, and embellished fancies.  There’s also an interview with Annemor Sundbo, Norway’s preeminent knitting historian, and a helpful article on cables.

Pick up your copy from the shop or from our website.

This issue is inspired by the coming festive season with a collection of eight designs including Nordic patterned garments, as well as elegant, easy to wear evening pieces.

Martin Storey uses Kidsilk Haze, Kid Classic and Shimmer to create a collection that lets you select the perfect festive knit for you and the party season.

I think it’s one of the best Studio books for a while!

Kim’s last book, Shadows, was a bit different to earlier designs and to be honest didn’t really appeal to me.  However I think with Scarlet, Kim is back to her best and there are several designs that I’d like to add to my queue.

(Click the pictures below to see a larger version)

You can see all the designs on the main website here.

Here’s what you can expect in this issue:

Pick up your copy from our shop or online.