Q&A
Just bootie-ful
A
Angela says: There sure
is, Milly! Duplicate stitch
is a way of adding in small
amounts of colourwork once
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useful when you don’t want
to carry lots of strands along
the back of your work, as you
do with other methods of
colourwork, or if you only need
a small amount of another
GSPSYV8S[SVOMXXLVIEHE
wide-eyed needle with the yarn
you wish to add to your work
- make sure it’s the same
weight or slightly thicker than
XLISRI]SYYWIHXSORMX[MXL
From the back to the front,
come up through the bottom
SJXLIƤVWXWXMXGL]SY[MWLXS
GLERKIXLIGSPSYVSJ8LIR
following the shape of the
stitch – like an upside-down ‘v’ - take your needle behind the
stitch above its legs and back
down through the bottom of
XLIWXMXGL 6 ITIEXXLMWTVSGIWW
for all the stitches you wish
to change the colour of! Try
practising with this small
TVIWIRXGLEVX7MQTP]ORMXXLI
green block on a contrasting
background and add in the
VMFFSRYWMRKHYTPMGEXIWXMXGL
QUICK GIFT
Q
I completely forgot
that my friend has her
baby shower coming up in
November. I have no idea
what to knit her and I’m
running out of time!
Please help!
Tanya Melgrum, TauntonA
Angela says: We’ve
got you covered,
8 ER]E7XMXGL
7XSV]SJJIVW
a wide range of quick-to-
ORMXOMXWNYWXJSVFEF]-
think the Bonny Booties
kit, which costs £25 from
[[[WXMXGLERHWXSV]GSQ
MWNYWX[LEX]SYRIIHThe kit comes with all the
yarn, needles, buttons and
instructions you need to
knit up an adorable pair of
FEF]FSSXMIW%RHWMRGI
you’re in a hurry, you’ll be
pleased to know they offer
next-day delivery! I'm sure
]SYVJVMIRH[MPPPSZIXLIQ
POM PERFECTQ
I’m knitting a little beanie
for my new cousin and
XLITEXXIVRWE]WXSƤRMWLMX
with a pompom. I’ve only ever
made two pom-poms before,
using some cardboard, and
they both looked a little
wonky. What’s the best way
to make a neat pom-pom?
Charlie Grace, PrestonA
Lucy says: I recommend
investing in a proper
TSQTSQQEOIV'LEVPMI=SY
can buy a pack of large pom-
pom makers from Clover for
e7MQTP]IQEMPgroves@
stockistenquiries.co.ukXSƤRH
]SYVRIEVIWXWXSGOMWX8LI
pack comes with instructions
on how best to make a pom-
TSQ 1 ]XSTXMTMWXSXVMQ]SYV
pom-pom down to size by
EFSYXGQ8LMWXVMQQMRK
should neaten your pom-pom
up, making all the lengths of
]EVRVSYKLP]XLIWEQIWM^INEW SKILL SET
Q
I'd like to spend my
Christmas holidays
improving my knitting skills- from learning new shaping
techniques to a better way to
cast on. You name it, I want
to learn it! Any advice?
Chris Johnson, Lancashire
A
Joanna says: The
Christmas holidays are a
fab time to learn something
RI[8LIVIEVITPIRX]SJ
=SY 8 YFIXYXSVMEPWERHFPSKposts around on the net for
any technique you can think
of, but I suggest you pick
yourself up a copy of the
new edition of The Knitting
Book by Vikki Haffenden and
*VIHIVMGE 4 EXQSVI-XLEWSZIV
250 techniques for you to try,
including new cast ons and
shaping! Plus, there are some
fun projects you could whip
up to test out your new-found
WOMPPW-LEZISRISJXLIWIMR
Q]ORMXXMRKPMFVEV]EXLSQI
=SYGERTMGOYTEGST]JSV
]SYVWIPJEX[[[EQE^SRGS
YOJSVe,ETT]ORMXXMRKPLAY TIME!
Q
My daughter has asked
me to knit my grandson
a playmat for his new
nursery. I’m a little worried
that whatever I knit it with
will quickly be ruined from
wear and tear. Is there a
robust but colourful option for
something like this?
Cheryl Tanley, LondonA
Lou says:=SYŭVIMRPYGO
Cheryl! I made my little
RMIGIEFMKƥSSVGYWLMSRJSVher room recently using the
colourful and cuddly Bernat
Baby Blanket and it still looksas good as new a month later!
=SYGERTMGOYTEFMKK
FEPPJSVe JVSQ[[[
[SSP[EVILSYWIGSYOSVF]
GEPPMRK ERH
XEOI]SYVTMGOSJ WSPMHERH
variegated shades – including
WM\RI[TEWXIPGLSMGIW8LI
pure polyester yarn is soft
on sensitive skin, but sturdy
enough that it can withstand
PSXWSJYWI%RHEWEFSRYWMX
can be cleaned in the washing
machine and the tumble drier
JSVIEW]GEVI,EZIJYRKnit these booties with
a kit from Stitch & StoryPom-pom makers do
the hard work for you!Work this chart
in duplicate stitchWe love this handy book
of knitting techniquesCuddly, soft and hardwearing- that's Bernat Baby Blanket