Talking Points
Every letter printed here will win a Patons pattern book and fab Millward needles from Coats Crafts. Don’t forget to tell us where to send your prize!
Smocking lovely
I thought I would share a picture of me in a pattern I knitted from your September 2013 issue (issue 111). I’m not normally a fan of thick and thin types of yarn as I think it looks a bit messy as a finished item, but I did love the smock so thought I would make it. Being spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s ideal as we warm up for summer.
Vanessa Runagall, Auckland Wow Vanessa! That smock looks stunning on you, it was worth trying something a bit different.
Secret knits
I was absolutely inspired by Woolly Wormhead’s wonderful ‘Great Adventures’ hat in issue 112 of
Simply Knitting. I decided to knit one for each of the children in my family as Christmas gifts this year. They loved them! I have been a subscriber for a number of years, and you still manage to surprise me with stylish and effective designs. Thank you.
Saranna Watkins, Welwyn
What a great way to knit for the whole family, Saranna! Quick and simple projects like hats are always a good idea for Christmas knitting.
Summer staple
This is a photo of my daughter Melanie wearing the sweater that I knitted for her from the Spring issue of Simply Knitting, number 105. She loves it and it has been a great summer top for those rare cooler days and evenings. I hope to make another for myself very soon!
Yvonne Woodward, Helsby This jumper looks lovely on your daughter, Yvonne, it really suits her. She must have received many a compliment while wearing it. We can’t wait to see you in yours!
Christmas Eve
Twas the night before Christmas, And the house was all still, As the Christmas Mice gathered, Around the sacks left to fill. They sang Come All Ye Faithful, As they sipped on the sherry, And nibbled mince pies Each becoming quite merry!
They filled children’s stockings,
With gifts gay and bright, Then hopped in their Mice Sleigh, As they worked through the night. These little cuties were knitted by Pauline Grima. The Christmas Mice have now spread their Christmas Cheer all over the country as they are given as gifts each and every year. Now we know what they get up to while we’re all asleep!
Maria Grima, Reading Such sweet mice, Maria! We would have loved to find some under our trees at Christmas. We really enjoyed your poem to go with them too. What a creative family!
Fancy a cuppa?
I made this knitted cup of tea quite some years ago from Simply Knitting March 2008, issue 38, and thought you all might like to see it. I really enjoy your magazine here in North America. I hope you like my woolly cup of tea as much as I do, thanks for all of the fantastic knitting patterns and inspiration!
Debra Boardman, via email We love your woolly cuppa, Debra! Now you just need a little plate of knitted biscuits and cakes to go alongside it for the perfect tea time.
Horrid? Handsome!
Just thought you might like to see my latest knit. I had a week’s holiday so I bought a copy of your magazine and fell in love with him. After a quick rummage through my oddment bins (yes, bins plural!) I started on the
Wednesday lunchtime and finished him by the Saturday evening. I like him so much that my son might have to wait for version two.
Elinor Crossley, via email How fantastic that you had everything you needed, Elinor, that’s some clever stash busting. We think it’s only fair that you get to keep the first one.
Anyone for cake?
Alan Dart has suggested I send you this photo of the Christmas Cake I have knitted for my grandchildren. I used his pattern for a wedding cake as a starting point and some of the figures from his Advent Calendar. I enlarged Santa’s sack then knitted all the little presents. The snowballs are cotton wool balls! I found Alan’s instructions very easy to follow. The cake was for my daughter to place as a centrepiece on their Christmas table for the whole family to enjoy. It was great fun to make.
Liz Dahl, Pewsey What a clever adaptation, Liz! Your daughter must have loved having it as a table centrepiece for her Christmas dinner this year.
quick whippet hats!
I managed to quickly run up a few of these snoods for my whippets, adapting this pattern from Nikki Atkins’ Pointy Greyhound Hood from www.ravelry.com. Throughout the holidays we replaced the ‘five gold rings’ line from the Twelve Days of Christmas to “FIVE WHIPPET SNOODS!” They actually look more impressed than I thought they would, although it’s possible that could’ve had something to do with the cheese I was holding whilst my husband took the picture.
Kirsty Middleton, Challaborough They are adorable! We love seeing unusual knits like these. Maybe some matching bootees are in order to keep their paws cosy too!.