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)

WE LOVE the homespun, 1930s look of this cabled cardigan by Martin Storey. Its chunky texture of diamond cables works perfectly in Rowan’s Pure Wool Aran yarn, and details such as the lined pockets and shallow set-in sleeves add to the vintage feel. The Pure Wool Aran yarn is arobust, machine-washable wool that’s ideal for winter garments which will get lots of wear. It’s available in 18 shades, both muted and bright.

SIZE AND YARN: look after the description

NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES

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

1 pair 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) knitting needles

THESE ELEGANT wristwarmers by Tanis Gray are decorated with two lace ‘cuffs’, which overlap to provide warmth and beauty. The cuffs are knitted separately, then sewn onto simple garter stitch tubes which have thumbholes. “It’s easier to put them together by wearing the mitts while sewing the cuffs on,” Tanis suggests. She has used the wonderfully soft and light Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK yarn from Sublime, which is a merino wool spun with delicate, lustrous metallic threads.

SIZE: One size, to fit average woman’s hands

Length: 25cm (10in)

Palm circumference: 15cm (6in)

THIS COLOURFUL clutch bag by Nicki Merrall is knitted in a variegated yarn, using seamless techniques. The front flap is made first, one hexagon at a time, with more hexagons joined on by picking up stitches. Once the front flap is complete, stitches are picked up round three sides of the flap to make a mitred facing. Stitches are then cast on and picked up along the remaining flap edge before the bag is knitted in the round, from the top down. The lower edges are joined using a three-needle cast-off. The bag is then completed by inserting a lining fabric and thick interfacing.

SIZE: 33cm (13in) wide by 19¹/₂cm (7¹/₂in) deep

YARN: Noro Silk Garden Sock (4ply weight; 40% lambswool, 25% silk, 25% nylon, 10% kid mohair; 300m/328yds per 100g ball)