We’re so happy at Simply Knitting that it’s almost Easter, heralding longer, hopefully brighter days and a whole new season to knit for! This is the perfect time to experiment with new knitting techniques, and gain inspiration from fibre festivals such as Wonderwool Wales (taking place in Builth Wells on 27-28 April).

It may only be December, but to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the knitting highlights coming up, this is our February issue! As a result you’ll find lots of romance-themed news and patterns throughout the magazine, and our cover gift this month is a set of six heart-shaped buttons, plus a free Sweet Hearts pattern book. 

We’re delighted that we’ll still be supporting Refuge as our charity throughout 2012. If you didn’t get a chance to make a blanket in 2011, now is your chance to join in the fun, and make a real difference. Go to www.justgiving.com/refugeblankets to download patterns.

We also have some fab competitions this month, including the chance to win pampering lanolin-based toiletries from Romney March Sheep Farm in Kent, and tickets to the Creative Crafts Show at Malvern (1-3 March) and Wonderwool Wales (28-29 April. 

In Knit One Purl Fun find out how Miriam got on at Susan Crawford’s trunk show in at Marmalade Yarns in Frome, and discover how knitting keeps long distance lorry driver Addy Osbourne smiling through the miles. We also share our reviews the knitting websites and books that have caught our eyes, and offer advice on all the knitting techniques you’ll need to tackie this issue’s projects. 

Simply Knitting 88 hits shops today so make sure you get your copy!

We’re already looking forward to the beginning of 2012, with our fun list of knitters’ New Year’s resolutions on page 48, (not one of them involves giving up chocolate!).

This issues free gift is a pair of superlight 7mm needles, ideal for making many of the patterns in this issue of Simply Knitting, as well as in your free Cosy Home pattern book. 

Designs we love include Alan Dart’s magical wizard, Amanda Jones’ irresistible Dachshund sweater, an exclusive Timmy Time jumper for kids and Martin Storey’s cosy on-trend cape.

We discover how a group of South African knitters have been helping local women, talk to Maria Losch about her passion for recreating works of fine art in knitting, and chat with Debbie Bliss about her knitting life.

Simply Knitting 87 hits shops today so make sure you get your copy! This issue’s free gift is a beautiful shawl pin, perfect for wearing with the shawl patterns on page 9 and page 73.

This month, we’ll mostly be counting down the days to Christmas and knitting last-minute gifts for everyone!’

Christmas is the perfect time to say thank you to all the people who make a difference in your life. And what better way to say it than with some gorgeous hand-knitted treats?

In this issue, we have plenty of fun patterns and ideas for last-minute Christmas makes, to tempt your needles into action.