Any knitter worth their salt knows that it’s wise to get a head start on those cooler-weather knits. And hopefully in this issue, there’ll be plenty to tempt you. Our cover garment (page 14) is nothing short of fabulous, combining rich mustard and chunky cables, while the Lothian jumper (page 48), in gorgeous green, takes a more delicate approach. Accessories include jewel-tone mitts (page 66), our latest KAL shawl (page 19), and delightful colourwork socks with a squirrel motif on page 52.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Sachiyo Ishii’s fairy house on page 76. It’s a really magical knit and a perfect opportunity to try toy knitting if you haven’t already – plus we have 10 garden birds for you to try in this month’s supplement! For a bigger make, I recommend the Petals blanket on page 37 – a chance to bring some rich, autumnal colours into your home.

Sometimes, of course, it’s nice to let the yarn do some of the ‘heavy lifting’. With this in mind, our Deputy Editor Jayne shares her top tips for knitting with variegated yarn on page 22. And I know a lot of you like to knit for altruistic reasons, so our guide to ‘craftivism’ on page 42 is a must-read.