Simply Knitting issue 90 appears in shops today, packed with patterns, ideas and tips to help you get the most from your knitting life!

You never know how the decisions you make are going to turn out. One of the interesting things about meeting knitters is how knitting has changed their lives, whether in large or small ways. Some would say it hasn’t done anything for their bank balance! We know a few people who pretty much lived their lives dressed in black until they started to knit. Now, having deliberated over variegated yarns in various electric hues and oohed and aahed over fibres from alpaca to acrylic, they’re far more inclined to include a touch of colour in their outfits.

We look at more ways to get colour into your life on page 48 – and we promise it’s worth trying, if you tend to play safe with colours. It’s got to be one of the easiest ways to change your mood and brighten your day.   

Don’t forget to start knitting for Mother’s Day too – we’ve got some great tea time treats to knit on page 52 (You can choose whether to make a cakestand f of fat-free patisserie or give them to little ones to play house with!). There’s still time to make something a bit more substantial too – why not choose a shawl or a scarf from our extra booklet? Even beginners can knit a luxurious scarf, and if you don’t have anyone to knit for, go ahead and treat yourself!

This issue comes with a free needle gauge to keep in your knitting kit – our little owl will measure every size you’ll need!

Knitting patterns in this issue include an oh-so on-trend feminine twist on the boyfriend cardi, Alan Dart’s old woman and her shout, and a selection of fab retro accessories – ideal Mother’s Day gifts.

Elsewhere in the issue, textile historian Ingrid Murnane investigates London Transport’s wartime knitting, and we bring you the chance to win tickets to the best crafting show of the year (not that we’re biased!), the Stitch and Craft Show, which takes place at London Olympia from 15-18 March. Plus we have plenty of other fab knitty prizes for you to win!

Simply Knitting 90 is on sale in shops until 21 February 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.

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