Thursday 14 January 2016

Simple Stylish Knitting

At this time of year there's lots of adverts on tv for new craft publications. I buy quite a few of the first issues even though I've no intention of buying any more, just because they're at an introductory price and there's usually free gifts included.

Take Simple Stylish Knitting, the first issue is just 99p and with the magazine comes two balls of yarn, a pair of knitting needles and a yarn needle.


As well as step by step instructions to learn essential knitting techniques, there's lots of handy hints as well as some cute knitting patterns. I think this scarf is quite charming, and easy enough for even a beginner to make.


How about this Mr Fox iPad case, I wouldn't mind one of those myself, if only I had an iPad.


Each issue comes with 50% wool yarn and instructions to knit a square in a new stitch which will eventually be made in to this throw. However, as the regular price for each issue is £3.99, and with ninety issues in the series, it would work out to be a very costly throw.


I think the first issue is definitely worth the 99p but I won't be buying any further issues.

52 comments:

  1. The pom pom scarf and the fox case do look great...

    Yes, at this time of year there are many adverts for the 'new' monthly magazines - I try to stay clear from them!

    Hope your Thursday is going well - keep warm - the weather has turned rather cool!

    All the best Jan

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    1. There's some lovely little projects in the magazine and it's perfect for a beginner. I don't buy many magazines these days, mainly because of the cost but these introductory priced ones are usually quite good value. It's snowing here today, thankfully it isn't sticking though.

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  2. definitely worth 99p i think i'll get it just for the wool haha :) xx

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    1. I think it's definitely worth 99p, even if you buy it just for the freebies.

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  3. Hi Jo,
    I've bought this magazine too. (have to for this price)I bought another copy too cos the wool is really nice. I'm making some hand warmers with it. I also picked up the next issue in W.H. Smiths yesterday.Love the Burnt Orange colour. I may get another copy of that one too but like you I won't buy it when it goes to £3.99. I think you only get one ball too.

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    1. Buying a couple of copies is actually a really good idea, you've got enough yarn then to actually make something worthwhile. I haven't seen the second issue yet, I shall look out for it though as I like the sound of that burnt orange colour.

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  4. Hubby and I once sat down and worked out how much it was going to cost to build the 'aircraft carrier'. It was something like £425.00 a great deposit towards your own secondhand canoe!

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    1. They are a bit of a con. Many people start buying the magazines without realising how many issues it takes to make the item and they've usually spent a fair whack already before they realise they're going to have to part with a lot more money before the item's complete.

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  5. Such a great idea to buy the introductory offers if you haven't already got that size needles, they are quite a price now.

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    1. They are, and the magazine's worth a look at for 99p, it doesn't buy much these days.

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  6. The scarf is quite nice isn't it, like you I wont be subscribing as I've cut right back - only the one sewing magazine for me now x

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    1. I think the scarf's lovely, simple but very effective. I buy magazines from time to time but nothing on a regular basis.

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  7. I know what you mean, it soon adds up. I may treat myself to the knitting mag if it's still out xx

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    1. I think it's worth the 99p for the yarn alone, but I wouldn't fork out £3.99 for it. I do enjoy a magazine occationaly but they're so expensive these days, they're the same price or more than a book and a book lasts me longer than a mag does.

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  8. Did you see the sad one for star wars helmets, my 10 year old grandson would love them.

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    1. I haven't seen that one. I bet it's quite popular with the youngsters though.

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  9. That's a great buy. How I wish we had these offers here in the US. Have a great day, Pat

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    1. They're good offers when they start but the price soon increases after the first couple of issues. Still, it's worth getting them just for the free gifts alone.

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  10. I will look out for that.I hope I am not too late.Freebie yarn is usually shiny and acrylic but this sounds better quality.Is the wool all the same colour or do different ones have different colours?

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    1. The yarn is the same in each magazine but there's a different colour each week. I hope you manage to find a copy, I'm not sure how long it's on sale for.

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  11. There are 90 issues????! That's a HUGE throw... The scarf design is very pretty though, and two balls of wool for 99p is a bargain. Jx

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    1. I know. They certainly know how to keep people hooked on buying the magazine for a long time. I shan't get pulled in.

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  12. I didn't see that one this morning when I was at the supermarket. Probably just as well! LOL

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    1. Ha ha, they're so tempting, aren't they? I try to stay away from the magazine stands but I don't stand a chance when they're advertised on tv.

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  13. What a great deal - I've never seen a magazine offer anything other than a deal on their subscription rate.

    That's something we really seem to lack here in Canada - good magazines. Most of our (dwindling) supply is from the US & the Canadian $ markup is quite steep.

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    1. We get lots of these kind of magazines being advertised just after Christmas each year. We have lots of really good magazines here, particularly craft ones, but they're so expensive. I try to resist buying them now but I do allow myself a treat every once in a while.

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  14. Hi - I have just found your blog and have enjoyed having a read. I bought this magazine last week and agree it is a bargain for 99p. Like yourself I always just buy the first issue. I love crafting magazines but they are expensive. Joan

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    1. I totally agree with you. The price of some magazines is ridiculous, you can buy a book for less than they cost. I do like these kind of publications though, well, the first couple of issues, I give them a miss after that when the price increases.

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  15. Jo, You are so 'crafty' I am not a bit talented like you: I should read Simply Stylish. I look forward to your posts about your garden. P. x

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    1. I do like to give crafts a go, I'm a bit of a Jack of all trades, master of none. Things will slow down with my gardening this year now that I haven't got the allotment but I shall be growing some things in the garden which will still keep me busy.

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  16. Wow, that would be an expensive throw wouldn't it. It is pretty, but too costly for me, nice to get some of the better priced issues though. xx

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    1. I think a throw made up of different squares would be a lovely thing to make but not at that price. I'm sure many people must get caught out, embarking on the project without realising how many issues there are and what the ultimate cost will be.

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    2. But £3.99 a week is less than the cost of an exercise class. Knitting is such good therapy too. I started the Hachette Partworks one in October 2013, and have just finished it (now sewing together - yuk). I don't want to think about the total cost, but it has been a great lesson in patience. I would never have spent the money to buy all the wool in one go, and I've enjoyed the different stitches. Having said that I wouldn't recommend Hachette Partworks. A friend started the Simply Stylish one after I started mine, and the wool and patterns are lovely. Am really tempted to do that one next - but do I need two blankets? What would be good is to get it as a group, then you could share the pattern and buy your own wool.

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    3. I agree, there's lots of things which cost more than £3.99 a week, it's just a case of weighing up if this magazine is worth it to you or not. I think the throw is lovely, but I'd rather choose my own yarn, buy a book showing lots of different stitches and work from that. I think your suggestion of getting the magazine as a group is a good one and as for needing more than one blanket, definitely. They're so addictive once you start making them.

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  17. Ooo I was thinking of getting this saw it advertised the other day. I make cards but am looking for some projects that will take a bit longer and as the last time I tried knitting was for my brother to make gloves before he was born (he is now 26) I thought I would give it a go again and maybe finish a pair for his baby.

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    1. I think I saw that there were some little bootees to make in issue two, they would be cute to make for a baby. I like that there's some nice easy patterns in the magazine, great for people who are just learning to knit.

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  18. That is a bargain, especially with the wool and needles thrown in, but rug is one you could probably make with scraps and your own take on lots of different squares. Take care.

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    1. I agree. The first couple of issues are worth getting for the freebies but I wouldn't pay the cost of every issue just for the sake of making the throw, you could make that so easily yourself.

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  19. You're right, these magazines work out to be quite expensive. Howeer, I do think buying the first oen can give you a start into a new hobbie. I do like that iPad cover (I don't have an iPad though!).

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    1. Like you say, the first issues can be great for getting you started on a new hobby. I don't have an iPad either but I do like the foxy cover.

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  20. That pom-pom scarf is gorgeous! I had to write a step-by-step guide on "How to Make a God's Eye" yesterday and the guy I based my guide on was so talented. He made it look easy...but I knew if I tried it, the result wouldn't be nearly that beautiful!

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    1. There's some really talented people out there. I like to try my hand at many crafts but I could never say that I've mastered any one of them.

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  21. I wonder how many people would last the duration. 90 squares! I am assuming it's every week otherwise you would be at it for years!

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    1. I'm not sure how often it's published, I can't find that information anywhere but I think you must be right. It's a big commitment.

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  22. Wow, you can't complain for 99p, can you? I like the Pom Pom scarf and the foxy cover. Worth it just for the wool! xx

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    1. It's a good price for this first issue but it's rather expensive once it's at the full price. It's got some good little projects in it though, and as you say, it's worth 99p just for the yarn.

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  23. The final cost is mind boggling, i wonder how many will make it to the end. 99p for those needles and wool is a bargain though.
    Lisa x

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    1. It is, isn't it? I bet there aren't many people who buy the whole set. 99p is a good price though, especially if you're just starting to learn to knit, it's got some handy hints and tips in it and some nice, easy projects.

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  24. Now if they could just give me more time or help me better manage the time I have so that I could make their lovely projects, I would gladly buy their magazine :) It is such a tempting offer! xx

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    1. Ha ha, I know what you mean. There's so many things I want to make, I just don't have time for everything.

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  25. Oh my....I am salivating looking at what you could knit. I love the scarf AND throw! It really is worth the money!xxx

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    1. They are lovely patterns. Definitely worth the 99p for the first issue.

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