The excitement of seeing one of my designs in print never grows old. Sometimes I am fortunate enough to have an issue posted to our house. But actually the real thrill is leafing through a fresh issue in a newsagent or a supermarket and spotting an image within and then paying for the magazine with a beaming smile. A secret, cheeky joy.
This month I have three accessories in the Autumn issue of Knitting Magazine.
For the autumn season you will see a funky twist on plaid cropping up on the high street. Oh my word how the fashions of my university days are coming round again. Firstly here is my Gingernut cowl. My love affair with the cowl scarf doesn’t appear to be diminishing. Such a practical design which compliments the neckline with no fuss. Perfect.
With this commission I wanted to combine autumn tones with a classic tartan pattern. The beauty of this pattern is a really easy twist on creating the vertical lines of colour using a crochet hook.
At the weekend I will do a little techniques tutorial. I really enjoyed making this. Not least because I know which jacket I will match it with for my autumn wardrobe.
Next the Cinder slouch hat and legwarmers. This Artesano Aran is gorgeous to work with. A fabulous superfine alpaca. The colours I have gone with here remind me of cinder toffee and plum crumble, yummy.
I swapped the colour-way round to show you how choosing a different dominant shade for the main colour can give you a totally different effect.
If you are thinking that these colour choices are too ‘zingy’ for your tastes. What about a chic monochrome palette of black and white, or perhaps go all Nordic Christmas with a Scarlet Red and cream.
You may not imagine that you will ever venture again into a bobble hat. Like me you might have done the leg-warmer the first time round. But believe me any teenager or student in your life will be happy for these items for Christmas. I never thought I would revisit the legwarmer, but do you know what? With some skinny jeans and chunky boots I might be able to rock this look. The photo above makes me laugh because I was trying out the warmers for size at the beginning of hot June – I have lived all summer in these flatties – perhaps not the best combination with slubby aran.
Tell me what you think. I hate to say it but I am sort of looking forward to the autumn, just so I can try out my new snuggly creations.
I love the Gingernut Cowl. It brings back childhoom memories . My Nan used to knit Rupert the Bear and she would used the same technique to make his yellow and black tartan trousers.