| Holiday Discounts & Designs |
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| Laughter breaks all language barriers, and thanks to the international language of knitting I met these delightful crafters while we all holidaying in the South of China (Guilin) a few years ago. My new friend knitted circular with 4 double pointed needles while I showed her my Northern England technique of tucking a needle under my arm. We obviously amused each other - and that joy is what keeps me knitting every day! |
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| Wherever you find yourself this silly season, I hope you enjoy many indulgent fibre moments. Below are plenty of Signatur moments to share |
10% of all kits, patterns & yarns on Signatur's Shopify shop -
use promo Code KNIT26 |
 I grew up in the north of England, and still after 40 years downunder I think of snow at Christmas. Above was a particulalry frosty December Pennines morning.
If you're lucky enough to have a white Christmas I hope it's a poetic dusting and not a blinding blizzard!
Meantime downunder and despite our summer heat, we'll fire up the barbie and think of you. |
I have a SPECIAL offer of 10% off
knitting kits, patterns & all yarns.
Enjoy on SHOPIFY with Promo Code KNIT26
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Diamond Tunic The Diamond Tunic knitting kit includes patterns over three chest sizes, with the largest sizes being extremely generous. The Medium size shown will easily fit up to 46"/116cm chest.
The knitting kit includes the pattern and yarn, with written instruction supported by diagrams and images. The garment is shaped from hem to shoulder, with increases worked into the stitch pattern panels between the cables. This sits the capped sleeve almost to the elbow. This increase shaping is taken into the stitch pattern, where the centre Diamond pattern becomes wider and larger from hem to neckline. |
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Texture Jacket The Texture Jacket knitting Kit has 3 sizing options, covering sizes from 33"/84cm to 46"/118cm chest. The instructions have 5 chest sizes.
Knitting kit includes the knitting instructions with graphs & schematic. The button options range from Mother of Pearl for the Fleck Pure Wool to handmade square buttons for solid colours. There is a $2 knit class for this design, included free of charge with the knitting kit. |
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SPECIAL offer: 10% off
knitting kits, patterns & all yarns
(Go to Shopify with promo code KNIT26)
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Split Fan, Bell & Cable Cardigan shown above in the longer length. This design has two listing short length and Long length, both length options offer kits in sizes from 33"/84cm to 54"137cm. The Knitting kits include the pattern with graphs and schematic, Australian Wool and buttons. The buttons for the Flecked Wool are Mother of Pearl, and for the solid colour I've included square handmade buttons. |
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Simple Intarsia Bee Bee Jacket
I have a $2 Intarsia class which can help you skill up for intarsia.
Simply email jane@sigknit.com and I'll send you a free copy. |
.jpg) Simple Intarsia. I came up with this term when working on my book, Swing, Swagger, Drape in 2009.
Intarsia is mainly worked from graphs, but I also wanted to work designs in colour from diagrams. Hence, vertical stripes worked from a diagram for colour changes. Each area of colour is worked from an indivdual ball of wool, and bobbins for the cables. The two highlight are worked as 3 row stripes and bobbles, carrying the yarn across the knitting, bobble to bobble.
I must admit the carrying between bobbles breaks the rules of Intarsia but by using 1 length of yarn and carrying between bobbles there are only 2 ends to sew in.
Bee Bee Jacket combines four main colours with two contrasts for the stripe and bobble. There are two length options and kits offered to cover sizes from 32"/81cm to 48"/122cm + A-line hip 3"/7cm |
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| The images in the grey combinations below show the right side and wrong side of the knitting, a separate ball/length of yarn is used per area of colour. The vertical colour joins on the wrong side of the knitting show the interlocking of the two colours. This colour linking is traditionally called 'twisting' which I consider a confusing term, suggesting more action than a simple interlocking of two colours. The half moon is the two colours linking to join. |
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| Hats, wraps & accessories |
| The Wave Wrap design is just so popular. It's knitted with short rows to really show the long colour variations in these yarns. |
 The Wave Wrap can be knitted in 8ply/DK to 12ply. The thicker the yarn the larger the wrap. The pattern is one size. As wraps and scarfs must feel soft, I go up 3 to 4 needle sizes from the given needle size on the ball band.
Left: the Wave Wrap knitted in Flecked Wool 8ply using 5.5mm needles and 5 x 50g balls.
Verve 12 ply is 70% Wool & 30% Acrylic with 90m to 50g. Available in four colours, the long drifts of colour are showcased beautifully in the Wave Wrap (below).
The Verve 12ply Wave Wrap knitting kit is A$60, includes 5 x 50g balls and the pattern. Verve is on 7mm or 7.5mm. |
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Shopify promo code KNIT26 for
a SPECIAL offer of 10% off
on knitting kits, patterns & all yarns |
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  How to knit short rows
There are so many uses for short rows and therefore many different ways to knit them!
The link above will take you to Dec 2022 newsletter - scroll down to see step by step the short rows worked on the Wave Wrap. |
 Hats, Wraps and Accessories, knitted in either Verve or Wool Fleck. The Muffin Top & Wicked Hats are two separate patterns, though the fundamentals are similar.
Hat patterns can be knitted circular or on straight needles.
Shown side-on, and from the back in Wool Fleck Mustard Wicked Hat. Right, in Wool Fleck Stone Muffin Top Hat.
Two shades of Denim are also available. |
| Perfect small projects, whether they're single colour, flecked yarn or multi-colour combinations |
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| Show line-up for Winter 2026 |
 I am joining the fabulous Sydney Artisans at Marrickville's Portugal Club. It's a two day indoor market on May 23 - 24 and August 1st & 2nd.
Plenty of free parking alongside food vans and the Portugal club. If you follow me on Insta or Fb, (and why wouldn't you?) I share images of fellow stallholders' creations, not just my own!
Sydney Artisans replaces North Sydney's Coal Loader. |
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Canberra Australian Yarn Show 6 - 7 March
It's the the third year of this fabulous fibre event.
In addition to the amazing market floor, Catrina & John host classes & interact with designer discussions panels & presentations from wool industry growers, spinners & designers, ravelery masters & influencers. Hotel Realm is a lovely venue, classes need to be booked ASAP.
Canberra Handmade Market EPIC 21 - 22 March
This award-winning market brings Australian made designers, makers and creators together from handknitting to hand-crafted beers, local wines, cheese, clothing, furniture, art, jewellery - even goodies for the man in your life and your woof! Always a fabulous line-up of 200 stalls supported by amazing food vans. Free parking & entry.
Melbourne Australasian Quilt Convention 9 - 12 April
AQC is mecca for creative fingers & perfect timing to see what's new from Signatur Handknits. An amazing Quilt Exhibition plus awards, patchwork and craft supplies, with additional traders from estate jewellery to clothing.
Classes fill fast with both local and international tutors.
(This maybe my only Melbourne event in 2026)
Sydney Fibre Frolic Festival Mulgoa Sun 3rd May
Edmund Rice Conference Centre at Winbourne, 1315 Mulgoa Rd. An annual event for fabulous fibres at an amazing venue over two days. Book for classes.
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Canberra Old Bus Depot Market 14 - 15 May.
Wool Week is an annual event that brings designers and makers from Melbourne, way out west to Northern NSW. From woolly hats to good old long johns, handknits, crochet, felting and, don't forget, weaving supplies too.
Sydney Artisans Marrickville 23 - 24 May
At the Portugal Club. 100 Marrickville Rd. Indoors over two days, relaxed atmosphere with pottery, clothing, tricky gin, and of course Portugese Tarts and Signatur Handknits.
Canberra Handmade Market EPIC 13 - 14 June
Always new additions to the line-up of Australian stall holders. This will be my last event in Canberra for 2026.
Sydney Quilt & Craft Fair Weds 15 to Sat 18 June
Yet to be confirmed as this clashes with Bendigo!
Which will I do?
Bendigo Sheep & Wool Fair 17 - 19 July.
To be confirmed.
Fibrefest at Wyong Racecourse Sun 27th Sept.
The NSW Knitters Guild bring this event together each year, indoor and out door market, fashion parades, demonstartions and lots and lots of fibre!
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Stories and Videos on Facebook and Instagram...
...altering a favourite garment's shape or size |
 The Madras Jacket was part of my winter collection in 2001. It's still one of my favourite designs, as Fairisle is all about playing with colours.
I am often asked about altering garments as there's nothing sadder than the one you love looking stunning but being too big or small, too long/short.
It's not always possible to alter a garment too much. However Jennifer brought her Madras Jacket to me (purchased before marriage and her now 18-year old daughter) it was in the pinks and oranges shown left: my favourite colourways. She said she'd be happy to have it really jazzed up, so I couldn't resist. |
 It came up fabulously, with new button bands (adding to chest) plus some new flashy buttons.
I added length, as I am a horder, and still had some of the original lengths of the different colourways, and it worked brilliantly.
I added a little surface decoration, which you can see better below. Then I used the original buttons as a trim to the cuffs and hemline. |
Left shows some of the many colourways of Madras. This was 20 years ago & many colours have changed slightly.
Below left shows the added length using bands of different colourways. I brought these additional colours into the front bands and used them as surface embellishment.
Below right the triangle buttons help create a cuff detail and surface embellishment on the neck edge. I am always very careful when adding surface embellishment.
Here's the link to the video
Facebook.com/signaturhandknits
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| Jennifer promised to take some great photos of her being 'back in love' with my Madras Jacket |
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| Above centre shows the original Blue colour combination |
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| If you'd like to discuss anything about knitting, please email Jane. Thanks for your support: Laura, Petra, Annette, Philippa, Helen, Cathryn, Stephanie, Dodie, Anne, Kelly & I look forward to seeing you in the knitting circle! |
