Two New Pattern Books From Ann Kingstone & Kate Davies

Looking for your next knit? Popular designers Ann Kingstone and Kate Davies both have a new book out containing patterns suitable for the wintry weather.  A Woolly Yarn found out more.

Cabled Knits

Image courtesy of Ann Kingstone.

Yorkshire designer Ann Kingstone, whose designs are often inspired by the landscape surrounding her, has brought together a plethora of cable designs, aiming, she says, to provide "an in-depth examination of the history, types and techniques of knitted cables, aka 'travelling stitches'".

Ann Kingstone sent A Woolly Yarn a copy of Cabled Knits in exchange for an unbiased review.

It's quite a hefty, softback book with excellent project photography and large print, which is particularly useful when it comes to the cable pattern charts.

At the beginning of the book Kingstone has written an essay about cabling history and also includes a illustrated techniques section showing how to do the different stitches mentioned in the book.

Then it's on to the 16 patterns. They're a pretty mixture of cardigans, sweaters and wraps, with whimsical designs for a pair of socks, a headband, phone case and a mug cosy thrown in.

The most stand out pattern is one we featured on A Woolly Yarn's Facebook page earlier in the year: Woodkirk.

Woodkirk image courtesy of Amelia Sobanksi/Ann Kingstone

The tree on the back of the cardigan is stunning and the pattern has a chart and spaces for you to write in the number of stitches required at various points in the process for your size.

Less complicated but also striking is Arthington, with its cabled yoke knitted in heavy DK weight.

Arthington image courtesy of Amelia Sobanksi/Ann Kingstone

Wanting a quicker knit to try out your cabling skills? Wath is a phone case that only requires approximately 15g of DK yarn and is a good practice project.

Wath image courtesy of Amelia Sobanksi/Ann Kingstone

All in all Cabled Knits is a great book with projects suitable for both beginners who want to learn cabling and more advanced knitters who are looking to build on their skills. Thanks to Ann Kingstone  for the review copy and find out very soon how you can win it in our Christmas competition!

Cabled Knits costs £17 for a Ravelry download, £25 for the book plus P&P when ordered direct from Ann Kingstone's website, or £33.50 plus P&P if you choose both the print and e-book together.

Milarrochy Heids

Image courtesy of Kate Davies

Meanwhile Kate Davies' latest pattern book is a collection of hats from her and other designers. All
use her recently launched Scottish yarn Milarrochy Tweed, which is a blend of 70% wool and 30% mohair. 'Heid' is a Scottish word for hat, although considering all the patterns are of hats you have probably guessed that already!

I haven't seen a copy yet of the book but Davies has written about each pattern on her blog and all of them are viewable on Ravelry.

So what's inside?

Milarrochy Heids contains 15 hat patterns in various shapes whether you prefer, slouchy, bobble hat, beanie or something different.

The cover pattern Breiwick by Ella Gordon sets the high standard for the designs within.

What that cover photograph doesn't show, however, is the amazing flower design on the crown:

Breiwick image courtesy of Kate Davies Designs

Looking at all the patterns on Ravelry, Sarah Mackay's Every Flavour bobble hat stands out. Mackay has incorporated all 12 shades of Davies' Milarrochy Tweed range in the design.

Every Flavour image courtesy of Kate Davies Designs

Emily K William's Tarradale slouchy hat is suitable for colourwork beginners, using just two shades.

Tarradale image courtesy of Kate Davies Designs

The print version of Milarrochy Heids has already sold out on Davies' website at the time of writing where the price is £18 plus P&P. Davies fans will be pleased to know, however, that I found, again correct at the time of writing, print copies for sale at Wild and Woolly, Wool Warehouse, Tangled Yarn, and Ewe & Ply. The ebook is downloadable for the same price of £18 from Ravelry.

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