Kate Davies' Carbeth Sweater + Sock It To You Swap Challenge Recommended Patterns

Scotland-based designer Kate Davies was quick off the mark this year with her latest pattern release. Carbeth is a cropped, boxy sweater she describes as perfect for beginner jumper knitters. It's knitted bottom up in the round and uses her own-brand Buachaille yarn. 

Image courtesy of Kate Davies

Davies calls this her Boxing Day jumper. Knitting kits containing yarn, pattern download and tote are available in her online shop from £68 plus P&P. A Woolly Yarn is a fan of the warm and hard-wearing Buachaille. Whilst the roll neck and short body of Carbeth might not suit everyone, the pattern can be easily modified to make it longer in the body and have a shorter neck if required. 

Socks Swap Challenge

Louise Scollay, Editor of the KnitBritish blog and podcast, has launched a Sock It To You Swap with her pal Louise Hunt from Catithness Crafts.  The idea is this: sign up in the Caithness Craft Ravelry Group by Friday 12th January and you'll be paired up with another sock knitter. Cast on date is 22nd January and the deadline for casting-off is March 11th. You'll then post your pair of socks to your partner and vice versa - or, if you're both going to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival between 15th and 17th March, the two Louises recommend you meeting up and swapping socks there. 

Looking for a sock pattern? Here are four of our favourites:

Dave by Rachel Coopey

Image courtesy of Rachel Coopey

Basic sock tutorial for beginners from the Queen of Socks. Costs £17 from Ravelry for the full Socks Yeah! Volume 1 download containing 12 patterns.

Simple Sock Pattern By Winwick Mum

Image courtesy of Baa Baa Brighouse

Learn how to knit rib socks with this pattern created by the prolific blogger. Currently in the sale, a printed pattern costs £1.68 plus P&P.

Brixham by Katya Frankel

Image courtesy of The Knitter magazine

This pattern originally appeared in The Knitter magazine and is now available as a £3 download from Ravelry. It requires DK weight yarn and has a knit and purl diamond pattern at the cuff to challenge basic sock knitters. 

Morwenstowe by Sonja Barielowska

Image courtesy of Blacker Yarns

This download is free. The socks have a cable pattern running up the side and use two colours of 4ply yarn. Great for intermediate knitters. 

Which are your favourite sock patterns? Let us know below or on our Facebook page.