It turns out I am not the most patient knitter. I am willing to learn, and am really proud of the (mainly) smooth cream stitches that are flowing out of my needles. It just takes so long! Adding another couple of cm seems to take forever and I only seem capable of doing about 3 rows before the concentration starts to get to me and I need a break. I’m sure to many of you this will sound familiar and will advise me it will get easier, I will get quicker and I have a lifetime of enjoyment ahead. I do actually believe you as I can see myself improving daily (it’s my new ‘last half hour winding down at work’ ploy) but I am also quite ambitious (in an idealistic, unrealistic way rather than the steely kind) and have already set my sights on my next project, which will be a funky patchwork cushion cover. This daydream also leaps ahead to Christmas and the rapturous cries of joy from my family who will all be receiving something wonderfully knitted – like I said, idealistic, unrealistic. But in the meantime I am pressing on. What I am going to do with a knitted book cover I have no idea, but it’s a great starter project and I have a feeling just seeing it there in all it’s finished glory will be enough…hence the title of this blog.

Knitting’s new club – Dominique, Emma B, Katy, Anna

In other news Emma K and Claire went off for the day to our photographer’s house for the June photo shoot. Laurel, our photographer lives in a cottage on the Cowdery Estate in West Sussex and yes it is just how you imagine, all rustic charm and beautiful gardens and as our theme for the shoot was ‘summer occasionwear’ the resulting gallery is gorgeous. The June issue comes out 15th May so you’ll be able to see for yourself. The July photo shoot has just taken place too amongst the colourful beach huts of Hove, and as we’re sorting through and choosing our pics, full of sunshine and with a nautical theme, its starting to feel like summer could be on it’s way – another reference to the blog title if you will. If only it would stop raining today.

On a last note, Emma K and I were in attendance at the annual Open House launch party for this year’s Brighton Festival. The Open House tours are when local artists open their houses to the public to view their art and craft work, whether it be painting, jewellery or in Kate Jenkins from Cardigan’s case a whole shop decked out in a knitted garden titled Cardigan in Bloom. As we stationed ourselves near the wine tasting stand we were soon everybody’s friends and a fun night was had by all. The month long Brighton Festival starts on the 2nd May if you happen to be down this way. And if not, Emma is going to the Cardigan In Bloom Private View this weekend so I’m sure we will be bringing you pictures soon.

If you are taken with Martin Storey's 'Lyme' Jumper or the pretty 'Vintage' cardi, Angel Yarns have offered a 10% discount to all Knitting readers off Rowan Cashcotton and Rowan Calmer. Visit www.angelyarns.com and quote KM50.

For the fabulous 'Classic and Cool' cardi (cover shot) receive 10% discount from Bournetoknit. Click onto www.bournetoknit.com and quote KM50.

For the Sirdar boys Chunky Sweater Bourne to knit are offering a further 10% off Sirdar Click. Click onto www.bournetoknit.com and quote KM50.

If you want to knit Wendys gorgeous short Cardigan this month HCS will give 10% discount. Visit www.hcscrafts.co.uk and quote KM50.

Louisa Harding's beautiful bag project is made all the more beautiful with a 10% discount off Cinnabar Aran from www.first4yarns.co.uk if you quote KM50 while ordering from their website or call 01547 529111.

To knit Emma Varnam's Cheeky monkey jumper, Kangaroo will give you a 10% discount when ordering Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK. Visit www.kangaroo.uk.com Please quote KM50.

Iriss of Penzance are generously offering 10% of Patons Washed Haze Aran for the 'Rosie Throw' . Call 01736 366568 and quote Knitting Magazine.

Offers end 31st May.

We’ve finally got the May issue, our 50th issue in fact, finished and sent off to our printers. We were determined to celebrate our achievement with something spectacular and I think you’ll agree a 32-page design supplement featuring new designs exclusively for us from the likes of Louisa Harding, Sasha Kagan, Erika Knight and Brandon Mably is quite a coup. And of course you benefit too!

32 extra pages on top of the magazine is quite a lot of extra work though, especially with myself and Emma B managing to fit a holiday each into March. I spent a week in Cornwall, enduring the worst storms we’ve had this year but enjoying the gastronomic delights of Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver and Emma spent a week up to her knees (literally) in snow in Lapland, leaving Emma K and Claire holding the fort, which they did admirably.

They forgot to mention they’d organised a phone interview between myself and Debbie Macomber, the American author of the Blossom Street knitting series of novels, New York Best seller list and seller of 60 million books, which was interesting when I received a call from her PR company confirming it. But I rose to the challenge and had a lovely long chat with her, which you will be able to read in the August issue.

This month we’re especially proud of our May gallery, having planned a beautiful outside shoot, all late spring/early summer sunshine, only to be rained off at the last minute. Instead Emma K had the great idea of using pretty wallpaper as a back drop and went off to Laura Ashley, returning with rolls of beautiful floral and patterned wallpaper which look with great with our collection. I think it’s our best gallery yet.

We’ve just started on our June issue and Emma K has challenged us beginner/non knitters to take up our needles and tackle a beginner pattern for a simple book cover. Emma B (who is by no means a beginner and is putting the rest of us to shame), Anna (advertising, and definitely a beginner) and myself (not doing too badly) have accepted, chosen our colours and learnt how to cast on. The plan is to kill many birds with one stone. Those of us who are not proficient knitters will learn, we will be able to demonstrate to beginners that learning to knit and read a pattern is not difficult and anyone can do it, and I shall write a witty and humorous account of our journey including the book cover pattern and photographs of our efforts.

In fact I’m off now to start row 6. Slow and steady wins the race remember?