Christmas knitting

Tricot de Noël

Knitting is enjoying a huge revival and Knitting magazine offers all you need, whether you are a beginner, returner or an experienced knitter. Every issue is packed with tips from the experts and exclusive knitting and crochet patterns for women’s fashions and accessories, babies, children, men and the home.

In this month's issue:

Kickstart your festive season with the Christmas edition of Knitting magazine. Cosy up in relaxed winter knits including snug arm warmers by Erika Knight, chic silver tunic by Sian brown and our cover star, Christmas hoodie by Susan Crawford. Adorn your home with our seasonal stash project, making your own knitted baubles or create a beautiful Christmas wreath. Katy Evans takes us on a trip to Iceland and explores the country’s knitting scene. Mean while, closer to home Shannon Denney meets Helene Magnusson, founder of The Icelandic Knitter to discuss her passion for the culture and techniques of her adopted country. Enjoy your set of free wooden buttons, a little gift from us to you, plus your monthly fix of news and reviews.

And the cover is a design after good friend Susan Crawford, alias Ruby.

Dans le dernier magasine britannique, Knitting, il y a un bel article sur moi et The Icelandic Knitter, le nom anglais de Tricoteuse d'Islande, par shannon Denney.

Et en couverture est un modèle par une bonne amie, Susan Crawford, alias Ruby.

PS: c'est promis, les photos du salon trèèèès bientôt!

Best knitting books

Meilleurs livres de tricot

Best new knitting books

What knitter can resist a gorgeous knitting book, crammed with delectable patterns and beguiling new techniques? We've picked the cream of the crop of new knitting books: some have been published recently; others will be out soon - but all are inspirational. And there's a link to buy each one.

By Olivia Gordon

Knitted lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush, Mens´Knits by Erika Knight, Sock innovation by Cookie A., Rowan´s greatest knits, etc... there are only top designers there. And guess what ? My knitting book is on the list as well ! Woh! Read the review here.

Knitted lace of Estonia de Nancy Bush, Mens´Knits de Erika Knight, Sock innovation de Cookie A., Rowan´s greatest knits, etc... il n´y a que du beau monde ! Et devinez quoi ? Mon livre de tricot en fait partie ! Lisez la critique ici.

Scandinavian style

Books in English on Icelandic knitting don't come along very often - and this one - translated from the Icelandic - is an unmissable eye-opener to another knitting culture. The brightly coloured designs using traditional rose patterns on everything from sweaters to baby clothes are stylish, adorable, and totally distinctive. They'd make charming gifts, and the basic techniques and designs laid out in the book can be easily adapted for your own patterns, too.

'Icelandic Knitting' by Hélène Magnússon (Search Press, £12.99)

Skóleppar Scissors Keeper

The other day, I had a wonderful surprise when receiving a package from the post: inside there was the loveliest Scissors Keeper. It was a gift from Mary Hawkins. The Skóleppar Scissors Keeper is made of two tiny inserts in shoes (meaning skóleppar in Icelandic). Mary made it up when she wanted to introduce my book to her knitting group and to her friends. Remember, Mary had already allow me to publish the pattern on my blog, here. She has now started to make lots of scissor keepers for Christmas presents, and is planning to knit a larger one as a spectacle case as well.

L´autre jour est arrivé par la poste un paquet avec dedans la plus mignonne des pochettes pour ciseaux pliants. C´était un cadeau de Mary Hawkins. La pochette est faite de deux toutes petites semelles tricotées islandaises. C´était une idée que Mary avait eu pour présenter mon livre à son groupe de tricot et ses amis. Elle m´avait alors contactée et depuis elle a tricoté pleins de petites pochettes pour Noël et travaille sur une autre, plus grande, destinée à une paire de lunettes. Souvenez-vous, Mary m´avait autorisé à publier les instructions sur mon blog, ici.

In the package, there was also the latest issue of Slipknot, the Journal of the UK Knitting and Crochet Guild, of which Mary is the editor. A nice issue all about colours. I particulary enjoyed the article by Rebecca Price and her interview of Cathy Challender, lecturer on Fashion Knitwear and Knitted textile design at the Nothingham Trent University, "Knitting the past with the present" and especially the amazing work of Ria Thomas.

In Slipknot you can also find Mary´s pattern and read a very nice review of my book (click on picture to enlarge and read).

Dans le paquet, il y avait aussi le dernier numéro de Slipknot, le magasine de UK Knitting and Crochet Guild, (Guild de Grande-Bretagne de Crochet et Tricot) duquel Mary est l´éditeur. Un numéro sur la couleur dans lequel j´ai particulièrement aimé l´article de Rebecca Price et son interview de Cathy Challender, professeur du département Mode et Tricot de l´Université de Nothingham Trent ainsi que le travail magnifique de Ria Thomas.

Dans Slipknot, vous trouverez aussi le modèle de pochette de Mary accompagné d´un bel article sur mon livre (cliquez sur l´image pour agrandir et lire).

Marie Claire Idées

My mum just called to tell me about it : I´m in the newest issue of Marie Claire Idées ! Thanks Marie Claire ! Off to buy the magasine !

Ma maman vient de m´appeler pour me le dire : je suis dans le nouveau MC Idées ! Ca alors, merciiii MC ! Je cours l´acheter !

EDIT :

What to bring back from Iceland ? My knitting book, says Marie Claire !

Que rapporter d´Islande ? Mon livre de tricot, dit MC !

Another busy week-end

Un autre week-end bien chargé

More book reviews from British magasine Knit today. Thank you Diane ! Click on image to read.

Tomorrow, I will be at the International Bazaar in Luxembourg between 12.30 and 18:00 and on Sunday from 10:00. And, also tomorrow, will be the opening party of a new shop, Herðubreið, at Baronstigur in Reykjavík with some of my stuff. Have a very nice week-end !

Mon livre de tricot sélectionné dans les bonnes lectures du mois par le magasine anglais Knit today. Merci Diane ! Cliquez sur l´image pour lire.

Demain, je serai au Bazaar international à Luxembourg entre 10:30 et 18:00 et dimanche à partir de 10:00. Demain aussi, c´est l´ouverture d´un nouveau magasin à Reykjavík, Herðubreið, à Baronstigur. Bon week-end à tous !

More book reviews

One of my Icelandic friend, Edda, went to London the other day and bought some knitting magasines: look at what she send me! Simply knitting loves me (and I love them too!)! Thank you Katy Evans from Knitting magasine! Click on the picture to enlarge.


Une de mes amies islandaises, Edda, est allée à Londres l´autre jour, et comme elle tricote, elle a acheté des magasines et voici ce qu´elle m´a envoyé! Simply knitting m´adore (moi aussi je les adore!)! Merci Katy Evans de Knitting ! Cliquez sur la photo pour lire.

Book review

The latest review of my book Icelandic knitting using Rose patterns on myshelf.com. Thank you Rachel! Read the review here.

La dernière critique (bonne!) de mon livre Icelandic knitting using Rose patterns (Le tricot jacquard en Islande ou le renouveau de la semelle tricotée islandaise) sur myshelf.com. Merci Rachel! Lisez la critique ici.

Knitter's review and scarf pattern

I'm supposed to be on holidays right now!

But I definitively had to let you know that my knitting book, Icelandic knitting using Rose patterns, had a really great review on Clara Parke' s Knitter's review. Lela Nargi wrote the review and I have an exclusive scarf pattern for sale on her blog: http://www.lelanarginews.blogspot.com/. Thank you Lela!

By the way the book is / will be/ is about to be available here: Search Press Ltd (the editor in the UK), Unicorn Books in the US, Crafter's Choice, Amazon. And if you can' t wait, you can always contact me...

One has to get started...

Design*Sponge has a new monthly column presenting designers from all around the world. First regional round up was inIceland and there is an interview with me to read here.

Isn´t it one way to get started?