"The Knitter" Gallery

Kemptown Scarf - issue 189. This unisex reversible scarf is worked in squidgy brioche. Starting off with a 2 colour cast on, the brioche rib pattern is set up and worked. A 2 coloured chevron pattern is worked throughout the scarf and is worked by simply switching the brioche knit (BRK) stitches to brioche purl (BRP) stitches and vice versa within the rows

Prismatic hat - Issue 184. Colourful Beanie Hat worked in Brioche Rib for the Brim and a mix of Brioche stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch in the body. Suggested yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners Colourlab (100% British Wool) 1 x 00 gram self striping yarn and 1 x 100 gram solid colour. .

Porto

Tocatta Wrap, issue 179

An interesting take on the traditional feather and fan pattern, this wrap uses stacked decreases and lace eyelets to create deeper, more accentuated waves, Slipped stitches are used to help the knitter place the stacked decreases in the correct place, as well as providing a decorative feature. Sandra’s wrap is knitted in three shades of Rowan’s Felted Tweed. 

Lodore Falls

Have fun with slip stitch patterns with this jazzy cushion cover! The cushion is worked in 3 shades of Rowans’ Pure Superwash worsted yarn and is formed from 8 separate squares sewn together and finished with a zip opening. The cushion is worked in eight pieces: 4 identical squares in yarns A and C and 4 identical squares in yarns B and C. All squares are woked in the same slip stitch pattern and then joined to create a front and back piece, which are again joined and a zip inserted into the 4th side.

helleborine

This delicate, wide triangular shawl is worked back and forth in a lace pattern from the bottom point up. Three bands of feminine mosaic flowers are incorporated to break up the solid areas of colour. The shawl is finished off with a few rows of garter stitch before an i-cord cast-off. The design is knitted in Exquisite 4ply, a beautifully silky and luxurious yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners.

Porto

Porto Cardigan, issue 166

A play with variegated yarn, this cardigan displays what can be achieved when yarns are swapped or rows are shortened and the same mosaic slip stitch pattern is used, Variegated yarn and a plain solid yarn are used together, to give a bold look to this simply shaped, casual cardigan.The design is knitted in two colourways of West Yorkshire Spinners’ ColourLab yarn, which you can order through Sandra.

Lodore Falls

TWO STITCH techniques are brought together in this draping shawl. First, a narrow band of two-colour brioche is worked; starting off from a point, and ending off at a point with 14 pattern repeats in between. You will need to concentrate, but once you have mastered a few inches you will be on your way. The main body of the shawl is worked in short-row shaping in garter stitch.

helleborine

WE LOVE the sophisticated effect Sandra Nesbitt has achieved with her two-colour slip stitch pattern. Her cushion cover is formed from three pieces, and tassels are added to the ribbed band on the upper front. Our sample has been knitted in two undyed shades from West Yorkshire Spinners’ Illustrious Naturals range, which blends wool with British alpaca.

A pattern of lace and twisted stitch tulips decorates this neat jumper.
The tulip motifs ‘grow’ on twisted stems, which look like cables but don’t require a cable needle. This neat design has a cropped body and sleeves.

The baby alpaca DK yarn from Juniper Moon Farm, offers a wonderfully soft fabric with a fluffy halo.

Gwenvor, issue 155

Knitted in a heavy DK-weight wool, this cropped cardigan is a versatile piece for year-round wear.
It features panels of lace rib which are worked on the front sections, sleeves and back, and which stand out well on a background of reverse stocking stitch.

Compass cove

A smart pattern of rope cables, worked in two colours upon a striped background, forms the central decorative panel on this cushion cover. The cover is formed from one front piece and two overlapping back pieces, and is knitted in a smooth aran-weight wool. The front piece incorporates a Fair Isle cable centre panel which is worked in two colours, and the rest is worked in stocking stitch.

Cramond Bag

All pieces are worked flat. The bag starts with the base, then stitches are picked up for working the front. The back is picked up along the base then worked the same as the front. The straps are worked in two parts, then sewn together with an overlap.

Siren Tunic Top

FOLK-INSPIRED COLOURWORK in red and cream lends a festive feel to this tunic dress for girls aged from six months to two years, It features raglan sleeves, a buttoned opening at the back neck, and a slightly flared skirt section in moss stitch. The fine merino and baby alpaca blend from Yarn Stories feels super-soft.

THIS WARM and cosy winter wrap features a stylised tartan pattern. This is achieved by working a slip stitch pattern in two different yarns - a solid brown shade, and a self-striping colourway. 

Lorien, issue 132

Cushion cover features a pattern of leaves in a calming palette of cream and brown. The stranded colourwork motifs are knitted on both the front and back; the two back pieces are joined with a ribbed button band.

LACE STITCH patterns can look amazing when worked in a chunky yarn,The pinwheel lace pattern gives an attractive fabric, and is paired with simple moss stitch edges. 

Tormentil lace and cable shawlette, issue 124 May 2018

Super-long and draping, this shawl design has a shallow crescent shape. It’s achieved by casting on a small number of stitches, gradually increasing to the central section, then decreasing again slowly. A pretty stitch pattern is used along one length of the shawl, while the opposite edge has a lacy border. 

 

The design is complemented by the use of a hand-dyed yarn from The Yarn Collective.  

Weald, issue 110 April 2017

This was my biggest achievement yet - A beautiful cable pattern to both the front and back of the Weald poncho makes this a stunner! There are cabled braids in the side panels and this is where all the shaping takes place. One size only.

This minimalist cushion shows off the intricacies of cabling. Use bright contrasting colours to create a statement piece or, as I did, knit in two shades of grey for a sophisticated look. The centre front panel is worked by knitting a standard ribbed cable with a larger number of stitches than normal and by working the cable away from the two side panels, thus forming triangular holes at each side of the cable twist. These holes are filled in with stocking stitch, worked in a contrasting colour and perpendicular to the cable.  

Marrakesh Bolster, issue 103 October 2016

I really enjoyed designing and knitting this cool bolster. My original idea was to knit it in blue and yellow on a white background to try and mimic Moroccan tiles but I think these wicked colours look better!

 Knit in Yarn Stories yarn, all the separate slip stitch patterns are my own original ones. 

Reflections Tunic Top, issue 101 August 2016

My latest design to be included in the August 2016, edition of The Knitter is "Reflections" tunic top. 

Knit in beautiful blue 4ply silk-merino yarn with small beads added at the bust line and the bottom of the tunic. 

This was a fun knit to design, utilising lace and cable work (which I both love) and incorporating a little beading (my 1st time ever!)  

Lois cross over top, edition 99 June 2016

  I was really pleased when I was asked by the editor of Simply Knitting to design for their sister magazine "The Knitter". The Lois cable / lace cross over top was my 1st design for them. A clever constructed design which tested my sewing patience but was well worth the effort. 

The Knitter, Issue 99 Magazine published in June 2016