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Fly me to the moon

Looking for a majestic make for the new year? Try Sirdar’s Moon and Stars cardigan, part of their sophisticated yet easy-to-make Midnight Garden Collection. The simple granny stitches used to hook this cardi really show off the tones in the Jewlspun Aran yarn! Visit www.sirdar.com to get the pattern and yarn for £38.90-£51.35, depending on size.

Retro Crochet by Nicki Trench, published by CICO Books (£14.99) Photography by Penny Wincer © CICO Books

SO CLASSIC

Ever feel like you were born in the wrong era? You’ll feel right at home with Nicki Trench’s new book, Retro Crochet. Inside, you’ll find everything from 30s-style lace gloves to a 70s-style striped poncho. Our favourite project is this absolutely timeless Wave-&-Chevron Chunky Scarf – it feels like Allen Ginsberg in the 1960s. Pick up the collection for £14.99 on www.amazon.co.uk

OVER HEAD

Balaclavas and hoods continue to be the fashion item du jour, and now even yarn brand Stylecraft is getting in on the trend! Choose a roomy black and white balaclava or a granny square-style hooded scarf. You can get the patterns for free at www.stylecraftyarns.co.uk

DAZZLING DELIGHTS

Sometimes, you need to keep your project simple to let your yarn colours truly shine. That’s what indie yarn dyer The Yarn Artist has done with her An Artist’s Palette blanket pattern on Ravelry. The 80x122cm throw is made of 24 solid granny squares, each using a different mini skein of yarn – the pattern was originally designed for a mini skein Advent calendar. (Of course, you could swap in your own yarn choices or leftover yarn scraps.) Download the pattern on Ravelry for £3 and get all the hand-dyed mini skeins you need when you visit www.theyarnartist.com