The Knitter - Issue 197 January 2024

Within the City Palace complex in Jaipur there are four gate buildings that surround the inner courtyard, which leads to the Chandra Mahal - the main palace building within the complex. The four gates are adorned with themes that represent the four seasons and Hindu Gods. The Lotus Gate, which sits to the Southern side of the courtyard, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva-Parvati was the inspiration for this design. The Lotus Gate represented the summer and the incredible painted patterns within the archway around the central wooden doors feature a continuous fanned flower tessellation and Lotus flowers in full bloom are featured on the facade. The Lotus Gate alone features a huge amount of wonderful surface pattern and therefore design inspiration, but it is the Peacock Gate, which sits to the Northern side of the courtyard and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the winter season, which is the most ornately decorated. If you ever get a chance to visit Jaipur, you must make sure you go to the Palace and seek out the gates, or, if you're not likely to visit India, you can always search online. The design is relatively easy to crochet. It is a "join as you go" project, which you could find a little tricky if you have never done it before. The printed brochure pattern includes lots of step by step images, charts and diagrams to help.

Jen and Jim Arnall-Culliford of AC Knitwear have a passion for teaching knitters new techniques clearly and simply. How confident are you when it comes to your knitting? When you see a pattern that uses an unfamiliar technique, do you dive straight in? Or do you find yourself knitting the same sorts of projects over and over again? There’s so much to be gained from learning something new, but all too often, people shy away from it. Confident Knitting: A Third Year of Techniques is designed to help you tackle new projects with, well, utmost confidence! This technique-based programme features twelve patterns, from twelve amazing designers supported with twelve photo and video tutorials – giving you twelve chances to find some new joy in your knitting! Confident Knitting follows a similar format to our previous books A Year of Techniques and Boost Your Knitting, but, like both of those publications, is a completely self-contained programme, so there’s no need to have already worked through any of our previous publications! Techniques covered in this book are: Amazing blocking Catching floats in colourwork Embroidering your knitting Folded hem Garter stitch short-row heel German twisted cast on for ribbing Grab stitches I-cord cast off Modular knitting Mosaic knitting Reversible cables Vikkel braids A Year of Techniques brings you 12 patterns and tutorials to upgrade your knitting skills. With projects from world-class designers accompanied by clear step-wise tutorials and online videos, there’s always something new to learn. Techniques covered in this book are: Afterthought heels and thumbs Garter stitch grafting Helical stripes Intarsia Judy’s magic cast on (both for starting closed tubes, and as a provisional cast on) Knitting on a border Mastering dominance in Fair Isle knitting Pinhole cast on (also known as Emily Ocker's circular cast on) Reading cables from charts Short rows Steeks Turning a heel

Fast and pretty, this shawl creates a simple and elegant piece that looks more complex than it is! Worked in heavier weight yarn this creates a warm shawl that can also be wrapped around the neck as a scarf for cold days. This shawl uses a simple lace repeat so it would be suitable for a first shawl project. This pattern is charted and also has full written instructions.

Issue 32: Spring 2020 Spring is just around the corner to reinvigorate us with longer days and buds bursting forth. We’re welcoming sweet spring breezes with our first theme of the new decade: air. This precious and fragile element unites us, and our designers translated this ethereal concept into tangible knits and crochet. Each pattern captures the spaces between the stitches, with gauzy mohairs, modern lace, and airy open textures. Featuring designs by: Amalia Sieber, Brontë Swannick, Camila Larsen Esveile, Joji Locatelli, Lana Jois, Mara Licole Taylor, Meghan Fernandes, Nataliya Sinelshchikova, Rosemary (Romi) Hill, Wencke Petermann. For art direction and styling, we collaborated with multi-disciplinary artist Ocean Rose to capture this collection of atmospheric patterns. Ocean also lends their talents for a how-to on flower arranging so you can create your own welcome to spring with a floating botanical decoration. Your taste buds will be catered for by Kat Goldin's meringue recipe, and finally we have an interview with body-positive activist and designer Jacqueline Cieslack. Pause, take a deep breath and find your space this spring.