Techniques
Joining bound off and cast on edges
This cushion is knit in the round, sewn up along the top, blocked, a cushion pad inserted, and then sewn up along the bottom. I sewed the top and bottom up as follows:

Lay cushion cover flat, with beginning of round at the right. We will join the first stitch at the front right with the first stitch at the back, then the second stitch at the front with the second stitch at the back etc. until all front stitches are joined to the back stitches.

To do this, thread a darning needle with a long thread in colour C7. Secure the thread to the wrong side of the cushion at the beginning of the round by sewing over one spot a few times. Then bring the needle behind the first stitch at the front from right to left, then behind the first stitch at the back from right to left (as you look at it). Pull the thread tight. Then bring the needle behind the second stitch at the front from right to left, then the second back stitch from right to left, pull the thread tight. Keep going across from right to left until all stitches are joined.

We're looking for test knitters for two new patterns!

The first is our Steall Shawl.  
A gorgeous shawl with a beautifully simple lace design that’s so much fun to knit. We love how quick this is to knit in mainly garter stitch, with a stunning lace section that’s much easier than it looks! This scarf makes the most of a spectrum of mini skeins from River Knits yarns, but it would be a perfect way to use up odds and ends of 4 ply yarn too! The pattern is similar to our Bracklinn Crop so I named it after another Scottish waterfall. The Steall Waterfall is found in Glen Nevis, a stunning beauty spot near Scotland’s highest mountain. The colours match with a waterfall theme too!
 
Please note that we value inclusivity at Littletheorem Knits. We welcome all test knitters regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or yarn budget – knitting is for everyone!
 
If you’re interested, head over to our Ravelry Group to find out more! If you can't access Ravelry at the moment due to its new format, drop us an email by clicking the mail icon at the bottom of our homepage.

For current test knitters, here's a video showing how to work that one tricky stitch!

 Our second pattern up for testing is our Kingsbarns Baby Blanket.

A simple but addictive mosaic pattern that makes a beautiful heirloom baby blanket. If you’ve never made a mosaic knitting pattern before, you’ll soon find out how straightforward and satisfying it is.
Kingsbarns is a little coastal town near where I grew up. I spent hours as a child playing in the rockpools there. The blue green and white pattern reminds me of waves breaking on the rocky shore. But maybe I’m just getting nostalgic with a baby of my own on the way!

Again, if you’re interested, head over to our Ravelry Group to find out more! It's available to test in three different sizes. If you can't access Ravelry at the moment due to its new format, drop us an email by clicking the mail icon at the bottom of our homepage.

We've just released a new knitting pattern! Loveheart Crop is a cute cropped tee with a delicate lace yoke. The zigzag lace design is interspersed with heart shaped double nupps, giving this crop its name.

We work from the bottom up using a simple yoked construction, all edgings are finished in neat twisted ribbing, and it’s a completely seamless knit. We give instructions for 9 sizes to fit bust 70-155 cm/28–62”. Both written instructions and charts are given for lace patterns. Measurements are given in both imperial and metric units.

It's also available on Etsy and Ravelry.

And here's the nitty gritty details!

Suggested Yarn: Biffsugar Yarns Superwash Merino Nylon 4ply (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon) 425 m/464 yds per 100g skein. Colourway: Beatrix
(425, 500, 575) [740, 830, 890] {1170, 1240, 1320} m
(464, 550, 640) [810, 910, 970] {1280, 1360, 1440} yds
 
Dimensions (Metric):
To fit bust (70-75, 80-85, 90-95) [100-105, 110-115, 120-125] {130-135, 140-145, 150-155} cm
Bust: (75, 85, 96) [105, 117, 125] {138, 146, 155} cm
Yoke Depth (10, 10, 10) [12.5, 12.5, 12.5] {15, 15, 15} cm
Length Underarm to Hem: (25, 25, 25) [27.5, 27.5, 27.5] {30, 30, 30} cm
Upper sleeve circumference: (25, 30, 30) [34, 37.5, 37.5] {46, 46, 50} cm
 
Dimensions (Imperial):
To fit bust (28-30, 32-34, 36-38) [40-42, 44-46, 48-50] {52-54, 56-58, 60-62}”
Bust: (30, 33½, 38½,) [42, 46½, 50] {55, 58½, 62}”
Yoke depth: (4, 4, 4) [5, 5, 5] {6, 6, 6}”
Length Underarm to Hem: (10, 10, 10) [11, 11, 11] {12, 12, 12}”
Upper sleeve circumference: (10, 11½, 11½) [13½, 15, 15] {18½, 18½, 20}”
 
Needles: 4 mm/US 6 75 cm/30” circular needle or as required to achieve correct gauge, if you don’t like working magic loop you may also require a shorter 4 mm/US 6 40 cm / 16” circular needle, 3.5 mm/US 4 75 cm/30” circular needle for cast on, 4 mm/US 6 dpns for finishing sleeves, you may wish to use a small crochet hook for k5togs in nupps.
 
Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 10 cm/4” in stocking stitch after blocking.
 
Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, one stitch marker, crochet hook 4 mm/US 6 or larger, waste yarn in a contrasting colour for provisional crochet cast on.
 
Techniques: Knit and purl including into back loops, able to work in the round, able to cast on and bind off, lace sts including more difficult stitches: k2tog, k3tog, k5tog, ssk, sk2p, working double nupps (instructions given), provisional crochet cast on (link to tutorial given).

An extra note on double nupps!

In the photographed pattern, I worked nupps as follows.
Double Nupp: k3tog very loosely, pulling yarn through further than usual, without slipping them off the left needle, then (yo, k3tog loosely) into the same three sts five times. You should have 11 stitches from 3. Drop the 3 sts from the left needle. On the next round when you get to these 11 sts, k5tog, k1, k5tog.

However, one of my fabulous testers worked them in a slightly different way, which I though was worth sharing! On the second round, she worked the 11 sts as k5tog, k1, k5tog through back loops.

Here's what the two look like:

The one on the left is done as stared in the pattern, and the one on the right uses k5tog tbl. Your choice which one you prefer!!

A cute cropped tee specially designed for mini skein sets and gradient yarns – although it’ll look great in any yarn! The simple stitch pattern showcases gorgeous colour combinations perfectly. The lace sections look complicated, but it’s actually just a clever combination of easy to work stitches.

It's worked from the top down using a simple yoked construction, all edgings are finished in neat twisted ribbing, and it’s completely seamless. We give instructions for 9 sizes to fit bust 70-155 cm/28–62”.

Bracklinn Falls in the Highlands of Scotland are renowned for their stunning natural beauty. The colours of this cropped sweater are reminiscent of its clear water and spectacular rock formations.

Available on this website, and on Etsy and Ravelry

A cropped cardigan with a gorgeous lace yoke. Worked with a yoked construction from the top down, this is a quick to knit, but lightweight, warm weather cardigan. Available in 8 sizes to fit bust from 75 to 150 cm/30” to 60”. Lace patterns have both charts and written instructions, we include both metric and imperial measurements, and most importantly – it’s totally seamless!
Au Jardin is French for “in the garden” which is a perfect fit for this pattern’s floral lace motif in an amazingly soft French yarn, available in lots of beautiful handdyed shades.

Available on this website, and on Etsy and Ravelry.

Another cropped cardigan with a geometric lace yoke. Worked with raglan sleeves from the top down, this is a quick to knit, but lightweight, warm weather cardigan. Available in 9 sizes to fit bust from 70-155cm/28” to 62”. Lace patterns have both charts and written instructions, we include both metric and imperial measurements, and most importantly – it’s totally seamless! Please note that the pattern is written with a little positive ease, the cardigan pictured is a size 80-85 cm/32-34” on a model with a 90 cm/36” bust for a closer fit.

Aonach is Scottish Gaelic for a mountain ridge, the zigzag edge of the lace yoke is meant to represent a serrated ridge in a mountainous landscape.

Available on this website, and on Etsy and Ravelry.

A pretty sweater with a v-neck front and back and symmetrical slanting lace patterns. This sweater is knit from the top down – we work the neckline in four panels for the front and back right/left shoulders, then join them up to knit the body. Stitches are picked up round the armholes to form the sleeves.

The lace pattern repeat is quite wide, which means the gap between sizes is quite large. To counterbalance this and to make the sizing more inclusive, we worked samples in both wool and alpaca. The alpaca yarn loosens up a lot more after blocking, giving a different range of sizes to the wool yarn. We include sizings for both – yarn choice one gives a more snug fit than yarn choice two if you are undecided which to pick. Don’t feel you must use either wool or alpaca either, try different needle sizes to get the gauge of either yarn. The Dairsie Sweater sample photographed was knit in alpaca yarn, and the sister pattern Dairsie Cardigan was knit with wool yarn. They were both worked in the smallest size and are shown on a with a 34”/85 cm bust.

Available here on this website, as well as on Etsy and Ravelry.

The matching cardigan to Dairsie Sweater! I actually knitted the sweater version too, and loved it so much I knitted this up to wear to a wedding. This cardigan is knit from the top down – we work the neckline in four panels for the front and back right/left shoulders, then join them up to knit the body. Stitches are picked up round the armholes to form the sleeves.

As for Dairsie Sweater, this has two different yarn choices to give a wider range of sizes.

Available here on this website, and on Etsy or Ravelry.

A beautiful, delicate top that’s quick to knit - even in laceweight yarn. The ideal Summer knit, something lightweight that still looks stunning. The lace pattern looks impressive but is simple to knit. This really is a top you can dress up or down. This tank is knit from the top down with a yoked construction. Stitches from the front and back of the yoke make up the body, and extra stitches are cast on at the underarm. The hem and sleeves have an attached i-cord edging to keep everything neat and to stop edges from curling. There are more stitches at the front than the back to provide a better fit and to give a pretty scoop neck. The pattern gives 10 sizes - to fit bust 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56)".

Available here on this website, as well as on Etsy and Ravelry.

A lightweight summer cardigan with an intricate floral lace pattern. This cardigan is knitted from the top down using a yoked construction and has a cute cropped design. This cheery bright green cardigan was knitted for a great friend to wear on her wedding day, and I hope it’s the perfect knit for a special occasion.

Available on this website, as well as on Etsy and Ravelry.

A classic sweater in a cotton/linen blend to keep the chill at bay on Summer evenings. Cute nautical stripes and neat twisted rib edgings make this a wardrobe staple. This sweater is seamless, knitted from the top down, and has set in sleeves. Instructions for 10 sizes are given: to fit bust 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56)”. Guidance for altering the sweater for a perfect fit is given at the end of the pattern.

Available here on the website, as well as on Etsy and Ravelry.

This cropped cardigan is knitted from the top down using a yoked construction. Both charts and written instructions are given for the lace sections. Please check all measurements below before deciding what size to knit and note that this shrug has about 1” negative ease, so if you prefer a looser fit you may wish to go up a size.Instructions are given for eight sizes: to fit bust 28-30, 32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54 and 56-58.

Available here on the website, and on Etsy and Ravelry

We might just be saving the best for last!
Our latest pattern release,  Loveheart Crop, is a cute cropped tee with a delicate lace yoke. The zigzag lace design is interspersed with heart shaped double nupps, giving this crop its name.

Worked from the bottom up using a simple yoked construction, all edgings are finished in neat twisted ribbing, and it’s a completely seamless knit. We give instructions for 9 sizes to fit bust 70-155 cm/28–62”. Both written instructions and charts are given for lace patterns. Measurements are given in both imperial and metric units.

Once again, this is available on our website as well as on Etsy and Ravelry.

We've just released our latest pattern - Bracklinn Crop! It's a super cute cropped tee worked from the top down with an "easier than it looks" lace pattern. Designed for mini-skein sets or leftover sock yarn - with detailed instructions on using more/fewer colours.

It's available in nine sizes too, to fit busts from 28" - 62", and it's been thoroughly tech edited and test knitted.

It's available here on our website and also on Etsy and Ravelry - use coupon code BRACKLINN50 for a 50% discount until midnight (GMT) on Wednesday 5th Aug.

We've got a few new test knits on the go at the moment too! One's sweet and simple children’s sweater with zigzag colourwork detailing. Worked from the top down using a yoked construction, this straightforward knit is totally seamless. Available in 9 sizes to fit newborns to 11 year olds:

The next is a worsted weight version of our classic winter warmer, Courie In. It's got a slightly unusual construction. Sleeves are knitted first from cuff to centre back, then both sleeves are joined with a three needle bind off. Stitches are picked up at the bottom edge from underarm to underarm and worked down to the hem to form the back. Then stitches are picked up round the front to form the garter stitch wrap front. There's instructions for nine sizes to fit busts from 26” to 60”/65 to 150 cm, and I'm looking for two testers per size ideally.

Apart from all this knitting I've been trying to chill out and enjoy month seven of pregnancy! Not always easy when your back's aching and you can't sleep due to a baby practicing for future dance-offs in the womb! Here's a bump pic, again modelling my new design Worsted Courie In!

The weather here in Glasgow's been pretty poor, even by Scottish standards! But still managed a bit of time out in the garden, there's quite a lot of veg still growing and the sweet peas are thriving!

A cute cropped cardigan with a pretty lace yoke. Worked with a yoked construction from the top down, this is a quick to knit, but lightweight, warm weather cardigan. Available in 8 sizes to fit bust from 75 to 150 cm/30” to 60”. Lace patterns have both charts and written instructions, we include both metric and imperial measurements, and most importantly – it’s totally seamless!
 
Au Jardin is French for “in the garden” which is a perfect fit for this pattern’s floral lace motif in an amazingly soft French yarn, available in gorgeous handdyed shades.

It's available now here on our website, on Ravelry and in our Etsy shop, Use coupon code JARDIN50 for a 50% discount, valid until 22nd July.

An exciting opportunity to be the first to knit our latest design!
A classic cardigan with a pretty lace pattern and a cosy shawl front. The lace pattern is simple and straightforward, and it knits up fast with DK yarn and larger needles. This is a perfect winter warmer – one you’ll want to snuggle up in every day!
This cardigan is worked in one piece from the hem up to the underarms, then stitches are divided and we work the two fronts and the back separately, then we rejoin fronts and back with a three needle bind off at the shoulder. Pick up stitches round the armhole for sleeves which are worked flat and seamed, and to finish off pick up stitches round the front of the cardigan for a shawl collar.

We're running the test in the Littletheorem Knits Ravelry Group, head over to find out more details and sign up now. If you're having issues with Ravelry at the moment never fear! Use the email contact button at the bottom of our homepage - I'd be happy for you to get involved over email!

The perfect cropped cardigan for Summer

A cute cropped cardigan with a pretty lace yoke. Worked with raglan sleeves from the top down, this is a quick to knit, but lightweight, warm weather cardigan. Available in 9 sizes to fit bust from 70-155cm/28” to 62”. Lace patterns have both charts and written instructions, we include both metric and imperial measurements, and most importantly – it’s totally seamless! Please note that the pattern is written with a little positive ease, the cardigan pictured is a size 80-85 cm/32-34” on a model with a 90 cm/36” bust for a closer fit.
 
Aonach is Scottish Gaelic for a mountain ridge, the zigzag edge of the lace yoke is meant to represent a serrated ridge in a mountainous landscape.

Use coupon code AONACH50 until midnight (GMT) on 24th June for a 50% discount on our website or on Ravelry, or even better - our Patreon Supporters get it for free!

 Call for Testers – Strathearn Cardigan
 
A gorgeous cardigan with a cosy garter stitch shawl front and an intricate cabled design. Slipped, twisted stitches in the cables are designed to look great in colourful sock yarn. It’s a top down, totally seamless cardigan. Both written instructions and charts are given for all the cable patterns, and it has instructions for 8 sizes to fit a 75 – 150 cm/30 – 60” bust.

Head over to the Littletheorem Knits group on Ravelry to find out more and sign up to test knit!

We're on Patreon

If you're interested in exclusive discounts, early access to sales and test knits, and the chance to get more involved in my design process you should take a look. I've just posted a "behind the scenes" blogpost about how I plan a month's designing.

Visit our Patreon Page to find out more!

We're looking for test knitters for our latest design, Au Jardin Cardigan.

A cute cropped cardigan with a pretty lace yoke. Worked from the top down, this is a quick to knit, lightweight, warm weather cardigan. Available in 8 sizes to fit bust from 75 to 150 cm/30” to 60”. Lace patterns have both charts and written instructions, we include both metric and imperial measurements, and most importantly – it’s totally seamless!
 
Au Jardin is French for “in the garden” which is a perfect fit for this pattern’s floral lace motif in an amazingly soft French yarn, available in gorgeous handdyed shades.

Head over to our Ravelry Group for more details and to sign up to test the pattern!
Not interested in testing, but still want to knit it? Not to worry - the finished pattern will be available to purchase from mid July.

More News from Littletheorem Knits
Coming soon, Aonach Cardigan...

Another lightweight knit perfect for Summer knitting! Due for release in early June, watch out for further details and an exclusive coupon code for subscribers.

A date for your diary: on the 4th June we'll be holding a 24 hour flash sale in collaboration with No1 Magazine. No1 Magazine is bringing together the best of Scottish online shopping for a day of virtual retail therapy. Follow our social media channels for coupon codes and further announcements!

Sadly the website has been a bit neglected lately, and it's definitely a long time since I wrote a blog post! Life has been hectic here, as I'm sure it has been for everyone in these unprecedented times. As a teacher, I'm currently working from home providing work and support for my pupils online, which has definitely been keeping me busy! I feel like I've been knitting like a demon lately too, projects are just falling off the needles at the moment. What's been spurring me on is that now I'm "knitting for two"! I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and expecting a little bundle of joy sometime in early October - which means lots of baby knits are in the pipeline!

But today is a holiday from school, the weather's very stormy outside for May, and a bit of work on the website is long overdue - so I've been taking the time to update the shop, here's some of the new goodies available!

A matching sweater and cardigan with v-neck fronts and backs and a symmetrical slanting lace patterns. Both are knit from the top down – we work the neckline in four panels for the front and back right/left shoulders, then join them up to knit the body. Stitches are picked up round the armholes to form the sleeves.

The lace pattern repeat is quite wide, which means the gap between sizes is quite large. To counterbalance this and to make the sizing more inclusive, we worked samples in both wool and alpaca. The alpaca yarn loosens up a lot more after blocking, giving a different range of sizes to the wool yarn. We include sizings for both – yarn choice one gives a more snug fit than yarn choice two if you are undecided which to pick. Don’t feel you must use either wool or alpaca either, try different needle sizes to get the gauge of either yarn. The Dairsie Cardigan sample photographed was knit in a wool yarn, and the sister pattern Dairsie Sweater was knit with the alpaca. They were both worked in the smallest size and are pictured on a model with a 34”/85 cm bust.

You can purchase the sweater pattern here, and the cardigan pattern here!

A pair of quick to knit hand warmers. These mitts are something a little bit special – the symmetrical lace patterns look super complicated, but are actually very straightforward. They knit up fast in beautiful hand-dyed yarn, making them great gifting material for a knitworthy friend – or a well-deserved treat for yourself! Dalgety Bay is a little town on the Fife coast in Scotland, with beautiful views of the famous Forth Road Bridge. There’s stunning walks along the Fife coastal path, but with the wind whipping off the North Sea your hands will definitely need a little something extra to keep them toasty!

Purchase the pattern here!

Zero Hour Knits is a collection of patterns intended to be knitted for last minute gifts.
All the patterns are worked with bulky yarn held double, making them lightening fast to knit. Any one of the patterns could easily be knitted in a single evening.
It comprises patterns for a hat, cowl, slippers and a hot water bottle cozy - all are unisex and all the garments come in three sizes. There’s surely something for everyone!

Here's the links to purchase patterns for the hat, cowl, slippers, hot water bottle cozy and the ebook with all four patterns!