Knitting - Make Your Own Style

Welcome to KnittingBrain.com. We're here to keep you up to date with the latest in the world of knitting. Everything from gorgeous new knitting yarns to the latest knitting books. Our aim is to review knitting products and knitting books, share tips and ideas for making your knitting progress more smoothly, help you with your yarn substitutions and to generally share our love of knitting. If you also love crochet, check out our new sister site CrochetBrain.co.uk.

Try our knitter's personality test and find out what your strengths and weaknesses are, plus get tips for branching out based on your personality profile.

There is a cautionary tale about things that will eat woolens and other animal fibres, complete with pictures of what to look out for, see our knitwear care section for more details.

Latest Knitting Goodies

love...Knitting. 25 Simple projects to Knit by Val Pierce

Available from September 2010.

This is a great little collection of patterns and at a bargain price. It shows simple doesn't have to be plain or boring.The patterns are modern and varied.

There are lots of accessories, some homeware items, a lace shrug and 2 sweaters.

I love the 'hugs 'n' kisses hat' shown right. Like all the patterns in the book it's knitted flat to keep it simple.

This would make a great gift for a new knitter or any one who wants some simple fashionable projects. Click here to see more patterns from love...knitting.

There's another batch of great knitting pattern books from Sublime yarns. The patterns are modern and wearable and all presented with the flair we've come to expect from Sublime.

Autumn-Winter Yarns

Rico Creative Poems Aran weight yarn has lovely self-striping colours. It's 100% wool and is ideal for felting/fulling.

For a machine washable alternative, try King Cole's new DK weight yarn called Riot. It is 30% wool, 70% acrylic.

If you want to wrap yourself in complete luxury, try the new lace yarn from Manos del Uruguay. It is a fabulous blend of 70% Baby Alpaca, 25% Silk and 5% Cashmere.

Autumn - Winter 2010-2011 Knitwear Fashion Trends

There's no need to regret the passing of summer. The colder months are perfect knitting inspiration.

Colourwork is gaining ground in the high street fashion collections with Fair Isle /stranded knitting designs as well as Intarsia designs. Cables are still very popular.

You can see these trends reflected in the latest collection of knitting patterns for Rowan yarns and in the Debbie Bliss knitting magazine as well as her Folk Chic pattern book.

Accessories

Hats and cowls (also called circular scarves or snoods) are a must. Make these in chunky yarns for a quick and cosy knit, or make an ethereal lace cowl .

High Fashion

Socks with skirts is a look that keeps appearing on the catwalks from design houses such as Miu Miu. I must admit to liking the thigh high Fair Isle socks in Jean Paul Gautier's autumn-winter collection. Now there's a knitting project that would keep you busy.