Pimp your knitwear – Quick and easy Christmas makeover

Let’s Knit Christmas Knitting Special is out,  and I have been really lucky to have not one but five designs featured this month.

The stores are packed with inexpensive sweaters and cardigans this season just crying out for a personal touch.  The full on reindeer sweater a bit too much Christmas for your liking?  Why not add a little touch of festive fun to your garment with this quick and easy project?

I have designed some Christmassy pockets, which knit up super fast using a mixture of intarsia and fairisle (or if you prefer you could knit the pocket then swiss darn the motif on).

My top tips for matching your pockets to the original garment are; look really closely at the garment that is getting the make over.  Match the weight of the yarn to that of the garment, the pattern specifies 4ply yarn as this was fine knit cardigan.  Would DK yarn or even Aran weight be a better match?  remember to adjust your needle size accordingly!

Take a close look at the cuffs and edging of the garment, is it 1×1 or 2×2 ribbing or even moss stitch? try and match it.

Finally the cast off edge,  I recommend using a tubular cast off.  This best matches the cast off produced by commercial knitting machines. To do this, transfer all the knit stitches to one DPN and hold at the front, all the purl stitches onto another DPN and hold at the back.  Graft the stitches together using kitchener stitch.  I will be posting a tutorial here on the blog shortly, so watch this space!
View my video tutorial or photo tutorial

Pockets not your thing?

Why not try these elbow patches, they are another quick and easy knit and perfect for getting that on trend look at a fraction of the high street price tag!

These are just ideal for practicing your stranded colour work, they have minimal shaping and are worked in DK yarn, a whole new look in no time at all.