Simply Knitting issue 94 hits shops today and is chock-full of exciting knitting patterns!

The UK will really be putting on a show this summer, and what’s more, it’s one that everyone can take part in. We know many people have big plans to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and come July everyone can get involved with the drama of the Olympics – next issue we’ll have some fun knits to celebrate the skills of athletes, past and present, for you to make – whether you managed to get tickets or not!

This month is all about red white and blue, not just in a patriotic sense, but also a nautical sense, with Sarah Hatton’s stylish striped cardigan on page 12 and Sublime’s cool skull set for young pirates on page 21!

For something almost lighter than air, try Kirstie McLeod’s seam-free top in King Cole baby alpaca.

For something quirkier, look out for our Owl fingerless mitts by Amanda Jones (pictured below), and Alan Dart’s groovy troll.

There is a mistake in the pattern for the Fine Romance shawl that featured in Simply Knitting issue 93 (May 2012). 

On several of the rows it states to yfwd three or four times, but it should only be twice.  The affected rows are 3, 4, 11, 12, 19 and 20 and the correct instruction should read (yfwd) twice.  

If there are any more, the 'arms' of the butterfly stitch will end up being rather droopy and baggy!

Our sister mag Mollie Makes is celebrating its first birthday this month. This makes issue 14, which goes on sale today (11 May), a very special one indeed! It’s going to be an ultra-romantic issue too, with a free DIY wedding magazine sponsored by Etsy Wedding Registry and packed with inspiration.

Plus for a limited time you’ll be able to get a free digital download of the very first issue of Mollie Makes to complete your collection! Make sure you get it before 8 June 2012.

We love a spot of charity knitting – a great way to indulge in a favourite pastime while helping others. Knitwear designer Louise Harding has taken this a step further, by designing a set of Himalayan Hiking Hat Patterns that you can download in exchange for a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, to be followed by an amazing 11-day trip to Nepal in November, for which she is seeking sponsorship.

Louisa’s adventure will include a seven-day rough trek, during which she will be sleeping in tents, enduring long drop toilets, and having no washing facilities other than rivers, while undergoing between 4 and 9 hours daily trekking, all while sporting and being photographed in her Himalayan Hiking hats, and even knitting one on the way.  

She says: “My Goal (for a very average wife, mum, daughter, knitwear designer, dog walker) is to complete the challenge and raise £3,900 for Macmillan Cancer Support. My total raised will show as £5,000 which includes the cost of my trip which I am self-funding, so 100% of donations made go directly to Macmillan Cancer Support.”