“the skill involved is incredible”

Merino Sock Hand Dye is a vibrant new yarn from Yarnsmiths, in a choice of 10 zingy colourways £15 per 100g/400m; www.woolwarehouse.co.uk Kate Davies has produced a handy notions kit for knitters. Her

The garment is worked in the round to the underarms. The front and back are then worked separately to the shoulders, which are joined with a three-needle cast-off before adding neck and armhole edging

BORDER PATTERN (worked over 13 sts)Row 1 (RS): K5, cluster-3, K5.Row 2 and all WS rows: Knit.Row 3: K4, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, SSK, K4.Row 5: K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, SSK, K3.Row 7: K5, yo, sk2po, yo, K5.Ro

CHART A Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 wyif, K1, yo, K2.Row 2 and all following WS rows: Sl 1 wyif,K1, purl to last 2 sts, K2.Row 3: Sl 1 wyif, (K1, yo) twice, K2.Row 5: Sl 1 wyif, K1, yo, K3, yo, K2.Row 7: Sl 1 wy

We’re living in a fast-paced society, where instant gratification is the norm and automation is valued. It’s a challenging climate for traditional crafts, which require meticulous skills and intricate

The cool turquoise in Marianne Rawlins’ pretty shawl will have you dreaming of the poolside all year round ■ Rico Baby Cotton Soft DK (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 50g/125m), 2 balls of each: Natural (058