We have a great selection of special offers for you in issue 104, which should be dropping through subscribers' doors any day now. If you buy your copy, it'll be in the shops this Wednesday, 20th February.

For the 'Country casual' cable jumper pattern on page 12, you can get free postage on the King Cole Merino Blend DK yarn when you order it from Great British Yarns or call 01225 462776 - quote 'Simply Knitting'. This offer is valid until 19th March 2013.

You may think Fair Isle is only for experience knitters, but with this stunning cushion design you'll be able to knit it up in no time, perfecting another new skill.

Designer Jane Burns has created this gorgeous cushion, perfect to keep for yourself, give to a loved one, or even make as a housewarming gift for a couple moving in together.

"When I was asked if I’d like to contribute to the Simply Knitting blog, I was thrilled. I’m Max, and I work for MillaMia in a senior sales role, but also oversee the blog and count myself an avid (if not obsessive) knitter!

Knitting for babies is very topical in the MillaMia office at the moment, as one of our team is expecting her third baby any day! Needless to say I have a few things on the needles, one project for some seriously cute baby clogs (pattern is called clog-n-socs by Bekah Knits) is featured on our own blog, which you can find here.

If you need some help with the abbreviations used in the 'Bright heart' red jacket in issue 104, page 21, here's what they mean:

ABBREVIATIONS

C2B Slip next st to cn and hold at back, K1; K1 from cn

C2F Slip next st to cn and hold at front, K1; K1 from cn

T2B Slip next st to cn and hold at back, K1; P1 from cn

T2F Slip next st to cn and hold at front, P1; K1 from cn

rib2tog Either k2tog or p2tog depending on what the next stitch in the ribbing should be. This will keep your ribbing looking neat throughout the buttonholes.

Issue 104 of Simply Knitting will be in the shops on Wednesday 20th February, and if you subscribe you may have received your copy already. The great prizes up for grabs this month are four fantastic books and Rowan yarn, so don't miss your chance to win - turn to the relevant page in the issue to find the keyword and details of how to enter, and then click the links below to fill in the entry form(s).

Win a copy of Knit Your Own Scotland

We’ve giving away four copies of this fun pattern book, so you can knit a Scottish Saltire flag, Billy Connolly, the Loch Ness Monster, and much more!

Issue 104 hits shops on Wednesday 20th February. Turn to page 7 to find this giveaway's keyword and enter the competition here.

It's great to celebrate love on Valentine's Day, but sadly many women will spend today - and every day - in fear of an abusive partner. For women who manage to leave their abusive partners, coming to Refuge can be the first step in a brave journey. This Valentine’s Day Refuge will be supporting over 2,000 women and their children as they escape domestic violence and rebuild their lives, helping them to regain their independence.

We've rounded up five of our favourite books of baby and toddler knitting patterns...

This book had us all oohing and aahing in the office with its utterly inspiring baby knits, which are sure to make even the most unmaternal knitter feel broody! You don’t need to be pregnant to knit them, of course – any of these would make a wonderful gift. This collection of 28 patterns for babies from newborn to 12 months has simple projects suitable for first-time knitters as well as complex knits for the more experienced. There are clear instructions on basic techniques for newbies too.
Ranging from blankets to bibs and cardies to cushions, all the designs are practical as well as gorgeous to look at. The book is divided into trimesters to help match the projects to your physical and mental condition! This is a truly delightful book you’ll want to keep. What To Knit When You’re Expecting by Nikki Van De Car is published by Kyle Books, £14.99, PB. Buy it on Amazon here.

Last week we brought you our top tips for knitwear to suit plus-size figures, with scoop or v-necks that flatter larger busts, peplum waists that flare out over the tummy and hips, and empire-line designs that fit the slimmest part of your body. You can find the full article here, along with professional guidance from designer and technical expert Belinda Boaden on taking accurate body measurements.

Over on our Facebook page you've been sharing your own tips, so we've added a few more here, plus another four great patterns from The Making Spot.

We know everyone loves a tea cosy, and they've come a long way from the designs your Grandmother knitted in the 50s... Cosy Tea, makers of delicious organic teas, have collected together a whole range of different patterns - and best of all, they're all free.

Loani Prior, author of Wild Tea Cosies, shared this amazing Garden Party teacosy. You can find out more on Loani’s website.

In case you haven't heard, The Making Spot have introduced fabulous Friday Freebies: every weekend you'll find another bargainista project. This week there's a great collection of quick Valentine's gifts - six projects, including these mug hugs, plus a single red rose, cufflinks and cute knitted chocolates.