Christmas has come early in the world of Cotton & Cloud because my new knitting pattern has made it on the front cover of The Knitter magazine issue 39!!!!!
Red Willow, combination of traditional Fair Isle on a modern garment.
The knitting pattern is called Red Willow, and is a combination of traditional Fair Isle on a modern shape of a garment. The yarn used for this is Blue Sky Alpaca sport weight. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS YARN. If you haven’t knitted with this yarn, it is your duty to do so! (LOL)!!! You will fall in love with it just by looking at them.
What is special about this issue is that talented Emma King has written an amazing masterclass article about re-colouring Fair Isle designs based on this pattern. Really amazing and helpful article and you can see many different colour combinations of the Fair Motif.
There are also many great patterns including gorgeous tops, socks to wear with your boots, and a very fascinating article about Guernsey jumper. I love this issue so much. As usual, the magazine is so superbly compiled. I don’t know how hard The Knitter team work! I think this is the one to keep (you can subscribe the mag from here).
You don't have to do much styling with this top as the piece will catch everyone's eyes.
Like how the model is wearing, you can combine this top with a long T-shirt. Or you could mix it with a nice cotton shirt with jeans. There are so many options because many colours are used.
Show off your knitting skills to people! Make a statement to the world! 
For those who are confident knitters, do you do Fair Isle with one or two hands? I do it with two hands.
For those who is not so confident with Fair Isle, have no fear – it’s so fun! I usually knit Continental method and many years back, I just so wanted to knit a serious Fair Isle so I practiced English knitting method really hard. I am so glad that I did it.
Just for fun, I have made video tutorials to help knitting Fair Isle. Although, I think practice makes perfect but hopefully these video tutorials would give you some tips and help for you to enjoy your knit-life even more
How to knit Continental method
Fair Isle knitting using two hands
Tips for a tidy Fair Isle in purl (but also applies to knit row)
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Wow, that’s such an amazing eye-catching piece! Seriously makes me wish I could knit! Or that you’d offer them for sale!
Congratulations for being on the cover of the magazine! Very well deserved!!
Hi Pili!
I urge you to start knitting. You can make a nice cozy scarf for G!
Thank you so much
I was so happy to see the garment on the cover and it has given me so much more energy
x
Kyoko
what a fabulous top and congratulations on making the front cover!!! A lovely early Christmas present!
Hi Ruth,
Thank you very much. Totally, it really is a great Christmas gift for me for 2011.
Although we have slightly warmer winter than usual, my knit enthusiasm has not stopped LOL!
Hope you are well
x
kyoko
I fell for this design as soon as my copy landed on my doormat. It’s absolutely beautiful Kyoko! Completely gorgeous. I love the unusual shape of it as well. Congratulations!
Hello Jen!
I feel so happy that you like the design!! When I opened the package I was “wwooohoooo!!!!! I can’t believe it!!!!”
The shape looks unusual but actually quite simple. The yarn was gorge too. So much knitting, so much fun!!
x
Kyoko
Congratulations – it’s lovely and what a thrill to be the cover girl!
Hi Mary!
It has really give me lots of positive energy and happiness! LOOOVVE fair isle knitting 
Thank you so much for your lovely comment
x
Kyoko
This is gorgeous!!! And well done on making the cover!
Hi Annie,
Thank you so much! More knitting on their way
x
Kyoko
Hi Kyoko!
The fair isle top is lovely and congratulations on the pattern being on the front cover of The Knitter magazine.
Will catch up with you soon.
Mary
Hi Mary!
Thank you so much.
Must must catch up. It has been a very busy couple of months but should be better by the end of Dec. Chat to you soon!
x
Kyoko