The Making Waves Cowl is inspired by crashing waves breaking on the beautiful beaches of Donegal. The wave stitch pattern is knitted with increases and corresponding decreases. Each layer of waves is emphasised by rows of garter stitch texture, which represent the crest of the breaking waves.

Inspired by the poems “A Drop fell On The Apple Tree and “Like Rain It Sounded Till It Curved” by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), the Gentle Rain Shawl represents the individual raindrops that often precede an intensive rain shower. The poet Emily Dickinson wrote almost 1800 poems during her lifetime and many of her poems contain detailed referenc...

The Stonehaven Shawl is inspired by a delightful visit to the Aberdeenshire coastal town of Stonehaven. The scalloped pattern reflects both the breaking waves of the North Sea and shapes within a beautiful metal fence running along the sea front promenade.

The Field Notes Neck Warmer is a quick to knit mini-scarf, with an interesting stitch pattern inspired by the picturesque landscape at Chilton Grounds Farm.

The Criss Cross shawl is inspired by a fascinating textured parking surface! The concrete slabs have a criss cross pattern and the grass has grown through these shapes, creating a textured grid of crosses set within a textured concrete surface.

The Ridge and Furrow shawl is inspired by a fascinating feature of the landscape at Chilton Grounds Farm.

Pattern includes options for 4ply, DK and Aran yarn versions!

Looking upwards from ground level in urban areas can bring a new perspective to architectural features. The Aldgate Vest was inspired by a protruding building corner which was designed to create shade for the street below. The lower section of the vest has a twisted stitch pillar pattern. The pillars then divide to form the canopy pattern on th...

The Follow The Ferry Shawl is inspired by the many beautiful seabirds of the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, USA, especially those which appear to follow the ferries! The shawl’s asymmetric shape is inspired by the seabirds gliding and turning in mid-air above the ferry deck.

Urban environments can provide many excellent design inspirations, and external staircases on tall buildings are particularly dramatic examples. This sweater uses twisted stitches and contrasting textures to create the effect of a wide staircase making its way between building levels. Each building level and staircase return is highlighted with...

The Sutton shawl is inspired by a beautiful path in a Yorkshire garden. The path consists of a series of bricks placed in a herringbone pattern. The shawl pattern combines eyelets with garter stitch forming a series of linked diagonal lines, reminiscent of the off-set herringbone design of the path. 

Inspired by the full-size Leaf Cable Cowl, the Little Leaf Cable Cowl features the beautiful cable stitch pattern and requires only one 100g skein of aran yarn (at least 180m/196yds). The mini-cowl is fastened with three buttons for a cosy fit around the neck. The leaf inspired cable pattern combines cables and texture. As the cables begin to ...

The Shell Bank Shawl is a stunning intermediate-level knitting pattern that offers three sizes to choose from. This shawl features intricate eyelets, seamless construction, and a beautiful crescent shape. With a combination of written instructions and charts, this pattern is perfect for knitters looking to expand their skills. The design includ...

My quick and cosy snowball cowl design combines a luxury yarn with a quick to knit design to create a delightful winter accessory. This speedy knit uses 7mm needles and a bulky weight yarn for cosiness.

The Little Wavelet Shawl is a smaller version of the full-size Wavelet Shawl and is perfect for mini-skeins.

Inspired by beautiful lavender flowers, this top-down triangular shawl grows from individual flowers to a whole field!

The delicate cable pattern on the Kew Gardens cardigan features leaf motifs which gradually enlarge in size from the lower edge to the upper body. The pattern panel is worked on a reverse stocking stitch background on either side of the front band. The leaf pattern panels are also worked in the centre of the garment back, and a little leaf moti...

Inspired by a beautiful stone wall on the coastal footpath near Silecroft Beach in Cumbria, this long narrow crescent shaped shawl is prefect for keeping cosy and warm during a leisurely walk.

The Leaf Cable Cowl is great for draping at full-length or wrapping around the neck twice as a cosy neck warmer. The large leaf inspired cable pattern combines cables and texture. As the cables begin to grow, the stitch pattern develops a lovely rhythm, promoting a feeling of relaxation and wellness.

My Beachcomber shawl is inspired by “found objects” discovered on the beach during a slow, meditative walk along the shoreline. In particular, this pattern is based on a tiny frond of Seaweed washed up by the tide. The Seaweed motif is worked in the centre and in both shawl wings. Each motif is knitted with twisted stitches and eyelets surround...

My Merrow Berries triangular shawl is inspired by small details of the natural world that catch my eye during walks near my house. The stitch pattern is based on branches and berries in the rain! The shawl is knitted as a long right-angled triangle with a series of stitch patterns that are gradually extended as the shawl grows. I love the asymm...

The Wavelet Crescent Shawl design is inspired by the long curve of a sandy beach. The shawl is constructed top-down, from across the back of the neck to the outer edge.

The Wave Drift Shawl is inspired by surface water on a lake. The textured zigzag pattern represents the ripples or little waves that can ruffle an otherwise smooth lake surface as a gentle breeze blows. The shawl design aims to capture the drift of the waves along with the stillness and serenity of a peaceful lake. The triangular top-down shawl...

The asymmetric Ammonoid Shawl begins with a semi-circle shape from which textured stripes radiate outwards in a curved border pattern. The shawl pattern combines the properties of a half-pi construction with a gradually widening knitted-on border edge. The overall shape of the shawl is reminiscent of a section of a fossilised ammonite.

The Barberry Shawl is a stunning knitting pattern that will challenge your skills and result in a beautiful accessory to add to your wardrobe. This intermediate-level pattern features intricate cables, eyelets, twisted stitches, and bobbles, creating a textured and visually appealing design. The shawl is worked in one piece from the top down, f...

My Museum Quarter Wrap combines bold colour, short row shaping and intarsia to create a dramatic optical effect. The wrap is inspired by a stunning installation by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz Diez (1923-2019) on the steps next to MUMOK, the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna’s Museum Quarter. Carlos Cruz Diez is well known for his amazing colour ...

THIS DESIGN was inspired by a section of carved stone I saw at Ghent train station in Belgium, and my initial design development was the subject of my third ‘Notes from my Sketchbook’ article in Issue 146,” says Emma Vining. “For this sweater, I have extended my original swatch into a combined cable and ridged feather and fan repeat. The feath...

“THIS STITCH pattern was inspired by a

Yarn John Arbon Knit By Numbers 4 Ply

My Crow Steps design is inspired by a distinctive architectural feature found in the city of Ghent, Belgium. Ghent has many beautiful buildings with “crow stepped gables”, a stair-step feature surrounding a triangular gable. Dating back to the 12th Century, the crow steps provided convenient roof access, particularly for roofers and Chimney Swe...

From the feel of the hot desert sun to the sight of the cholla cacti dotted all over the landscape, the inspiration for this triangular shawl design is the desert landscape in the US state of Arizona.

“I am fascinated by the way a design can be altered over a series of tiles,” says Emma Vining. “When the tiles are assembled in a different order, new patterns emerge. This design uses this principle to build up a series of semi-circles which are slightly off-set. Where the edges of the shapes meet, the outer lines appear to swirl, creating ple...

This lightweight scarf in beautiful undyed Scottish Merino fleece is knitted on the bias and blends textures and gentle gradient stripes to create something you’ll love to knit and wear. The scarf can be knitted in 4ply or DK yarns.

Inspired by rows of flower bulbs growing in a field, the Chatto Sweater has wonderful texture. As the bulbs begin to grow, the leaves spread out over planted ridges and a central flower head emerges. The ridges are knitted with long lines of single eyelets and flower heads are formed using a double eyelet and twisted stitch combination. The pat...

A distinctive slot pattern creates interest on this ribbed cardigan design and use code Oxford20 for 20% off the full price until 31st July 2024!

“My cardigan design captures the moment before new leaves burst from their buds,” says Emma Vining. “I have used a single twisted stitch on a reverse stocking stitch background so that the stalks and stems look like they have been ‘drawn’ onto the knitting. Mixing the stitch patterns by combining twisted stitches, a wide rib and reverse stockin...

“Ruby is an elegant fitted cardigan with a pattern of flashing gemstones linked by curving lines of eyelets,” says Emma Vining. “The ‘rubies’ are made with extended lines of twisted stitches with a large eyelet centre, with long lines of eyelets separating each set of rubies. The eyelet pattern extends from the cast-on edge to the shoulders and...

“My design was influenced by the beautiful Rococo style of the Wallace Collection in London,” says Emma Vining. “It has a twisted stitch design around the neckline inspired by a semi-precious stone necklace, while the sleeves feature ‘bracelets’ at the wrist. The main body of the sweater is knitted in stocking stitch, which gradually changes to...

“Blissful Twists” is a cable sweater that is easy to knit. The Sirdar Sylvan self striping yarn gives an interesting twist to the cables.

This breezy scarf is a must-have accessory for your summer wardrobe that will partner perfectly with a smart or formal outfit. Ideal for chilly summer evening, the simple yet delicate stitching is great for beginners or anyone who wants to practice their lace skills. Scarves aren’t just for the winter, you know!

The colours of these lovely lace weight yarns remind me of a beautiful sunset at the end of a summer’s day.

Curves & Corners Scarf is knitted in sections that are picked up as you go. The corners are mitred corners with a garter stitch ridge pattern and the curves are created using short row shaping in a rib and twisted stitch pattern. These stitch patterns are reversible.

The Autumn Garden Cowl pattern combines ribbing with increasing and decreasing to make a seedhead stitch. The increases and decreases make the circular ‘seedheads’. The cowl is knitted with three 50g balls of Artesano Superwash Merino DK yarn and the pattern is written for one size.

This smart bag uses reverse Fair Isle patterning to form a series of textured ridges, which separate graphic strips of ‘right way round’ Fair Isle.

My little suns scarf uses short row shaping to make bright ‘pops’ of colour with a stocking stitch background. The finished scarf measures 130cm x 30cm.