April's Knitting Patterns To Look Out For

In Spring, with British weather changing from sunny to cold and rain at the turn of a dice, it's a puzzle whether to continue knitting warm garments and accessories or to ditch the DK and choose summery lace weight and 4 ply knits.

This month A Woolly Yarn is rounding up some of the best patterns recently released by independent designers. If you're wondering what next to knit, then why not be inspired by one of these?

1. Debbie Bliss

Her latest collection, available at loveknitting.com, was inspired by the TV series The Crown, which follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her accession to the throne. Think 1950s style with pretty colourwork. The patterns showcase her yarn Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply and, as such, are a lighter knit.

Joan image courtesy of Debbie Bliss/loveknitting.com

Joan is a light jumper to throw on during balmy evening. 

Vera image courtesy of Debbie Bliss/loveknitting.com

Vera is a more demanding pattern for knitters who want to try out their stranded colourwork skills. The vintage-style top certainly wouldn't look out of place on the TV drama Call The Midwife! Both patterns are instantly downloadable at a price of £3.50 each.

2. The Fibre Co

This Cumbria-based company, as well as designing some patterns in-house, also runs a yarn support programme for independent designers around the world. Here are a few recent stand-outs using their wool:

Winter Harbor Shawl image courtesy of Beatrice Perron Dahlen

It might be knitted in The Fibre Co.'s chunky Tundra yarn, but the Winter Harbor Shawl (pattern downloadable for $7.20 on Ravelry) looks to be a great cover up for Summer evenings when the sun goes down.

Forest Sweater image courtesy of Carmen Garcia de Mora

If it's not time for you to give up on the DK just yet, Carmen Garcia's de Mora's Forest Sweater is a good pattern choice. The yarn used is The Fibre Co.'s Lore spun from 100% Romney wool. The image above shows the jumper knitted in an autumnal brown shade, but there are brighter, more summery shades also available in the range. The pattern costs 7.20 Euro on Ravelry.

3. Ann Kingstone

Yorkshire designer Kingstone has released her sport weight sweater design, Esholt, as a one off pattern. Previously it was only available in her Cabled Knits book. 

Esholt image courtesy of Ann Kingstone

Kingstone says her sweater is perfect for Spring and is knitted using Carol Feller's Nua yarn. Esholt costs £7 to download.

4. Baa Ram Ewe

Baa Ram Ewe's Winterburn Aran is perfect for sweaters/cardigans worn on colder days. 

Rune image courtesy of Jennifer Wood

US designer Jennifer Wood has used the Yorkshire wool for her Rune cardigan design - I love the stitch definition on the yoke. The design costs $8.40 on Ravelry and each 100g hank of Winterburn Aran is £15.

5. Winwick Mum

Socks are perfect for knitting whilst on the go. Internet hit-designer Winwick Mum, otherwise known as Christine, has teamed up with West Yorkshire Spinners for a yarn/pattern designer combo. 

Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Spinners

Each of the four sock yarn colour ways in the collection costs £7.20.

Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Spinners

The accompanying pattern book is £8.50 either direct from WYS or your local yarn store.

Which pattern will you knit first? Or is there one you can recommend to A Woolly Yarn readers? Please let us know in the comments box below or on our Facebook page.