Our November issue is in shops now and is packed with patterns that are perfect for keeping you cosy this winter, whether you knit them or wear them! Cable is everywhere this season, so we couldn't resist bringing you an issue full of pretty twists and plaits.

What type of knitter are you? Have you planned all your Christmas knitting and are you halfway through already? If the answer is ‘yes’, then well done you – we are in awe of your super-organised knitted life! If though, like most of the rest of us, you’re saying ‘no, I haven’t started yet!’, then we’re here to help.

You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this issue for gifts for kids – fairytales are in this year, so Alan Dart’s beautiful Fairy Godmother is on hand to grant many wishes, and what little girl wouldn’t love Amanda Jones' Red Riding Hood cape (shown left)? Kyoko Nakayoshi’s super collection of 6 gifts for friends and family on page 54 will do wonders to shorten your list for the grown-ups who need spoiling.

Don’t forget we are still raising money for Refuge. All your knitted teds and blankets are really appreciated, so please keep it up. Donate to the campaign if you can, at www.justgiving.com/knitforrefuge.

Be inspired by the charity work of young knitter Ellie Zika, get to know a knitting group in Cardiff and find out how Rachael Gwilliam of ArtYarn used knitting to help Crewe celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee!

Enjoy using your free scissors too. With comfy handles and sharp blades, they’re perfect for keeping in your knitting kit.

Next month, don’t miss out on our biggest ever issue. It will be our 100th edition – and so we’ve pulled out all the stops and will be bringing you an amazing 100 patterns to knit! We’ll have a special Christmas book for you to cherish too it will be a beautiful collection and a very special issue. 

Don’t forget to share your knitting triumphs with us by emailing us at simplyknitting@futurenet.com. We love to see your photos, and the best ones will be published on our Talking Points pages!

Simply Knitting 99 is on sale in shops until 30 October 2012

Up to six months after publication, this issue may be available to buy as a back issue by phoning our customer services people on 0844 848 2852, and you can also buy back issues of Simply Knitting online.

To make sure you don't miss a single issue, why not subscribe to Simply Knitting magazine? Our subscription gift this issue is a KnitPro Comby sampler comprising three pairs of circular needles in 4mm, 5mm and 6mm sizes, two cables and cable keys, and four end caps, all presented in a handy vinyl storage case. It's yours when you subscribe to Simply Knitting – plus, you’ll save up to 32% off the shop price of the magazine!

We also have a great subscription offer for overseas readers - try a 6-month subscription to Simply Knitting and start saving today!

If you’d prefer a digital issue, why not subscribe to the Newsstand app edition of Simply Knitting? We also have a special Newsstand app edition for readers in the US.

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Snacks that have kept us going this issue: Sticky coconut sweets from Borneo, and Dolly mixture topped cakes!