CABLED HATS never go out of style, and this chic example for women by Lisa Richardson is sure to make a gift that will be gratefully received! The wide cables themselves add interest without making the hat too bulky. Made using Rowan’s super-chunky Alpaca Chunky yarn and 10mm knitting needles, the hat will knit up quickly, and shouldn’t be too challenging even for beginner knitters with some experience. The yarn itself is amazingly soft, and light yet warm, and comes in six neutral shades from cream to dark grey.

SIZE: To fit an average size adult head

YARN: Rowan Alpaca Chunky (Super-chunky weight; 98% alpaca, 2% polyamide; 70m/77yds per 100g ball)

Heron (078); 2 x 100g balls

“THE DESIGN for this cowl is the result of playing with mirror images,” says Barb Brown. “Not only are the colours reversed on each side, some of the colours in the rounds are reversed as well. Wear it as a scarf, button it up for a cowl, or give it a half-twist before buttoning for a moebius look.” Barb has used two shades of Excelana 4 Ply for her cowl. This pure British wool, which comes in a palette of vintage -inspired colours, blooms beautifully after washing.

SIZE: 21¹/₂cm (8¹/₂in) by 117cm (46in)

YARN: Excelana 4 Ply (4ply weight; 100% wool; 159m/174yds per 50g ball)

A Powdered Egg; 2 x 50g balls

THE BRIGHT patterning and unusual cable details on this jumper should really appeal to girls who like to stay warm yet smart in the winter months. Designed for Faroese yarn company Navia by Anna Magnussen, the jumper has a stranded colourwork pattern that’s mirrored on either side of that central cable. It’s knitted in Navia’s soft Duo yarn, which blends Faroese and Shetland wool with Australian lambswool, and comes in lots of bright colours as well as softer neutrals.

SIZE AND YARN: look after the description

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES

1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 60cm long

1 set 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) circular needles, 60cm long

WRAP YOUR child up warm in a cosy handknit jumper - you know they’ll appreciate it, even if they don’t always show it! These classic diamond cables add texture and interest to a simple raglan sweater, and you can choose between a round neck or polo neck. Sirdar’s Supersoft Aranyarn is ideal for children’s knits. It’s soft on their skin but easy to wash and care for, no matter how grubby they get! The yarn comes in 23 colours, from baby pastels to these rich shades.

SIZE AND YARN: look after the description

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES

1 pair 5mm (UK 6/US 8) knitting needles

1 pair 4mm (UK 8/US 6) knitting needles

“I’VE NEVER known a man who can resist a pair of knitted socks, and if they’re Fair Isle socks, then that’s a bonus,” says designer Jean Moss. “This cosy pair is robust enough to wear either with or without shoes; the decorative striping in the heel does a good job of reinforcing it. For a less pronounced striped effect, swap the colours in the chart around to give a consistent background throughout, as in the second version.” Jean has used Rowan Felted Tweed Aran for a rustic-looking fabric and a warm feel.

SIZE: Small: To fit a man's small foot, circumference 23¹/₂cm (9¹/₄in)

Medium: To fit a man's medium foot, circumference 26¹/₄cm (10¹/₂in)