Annual 6 – Test Knit
Building on the success of our previous five publications, we're excited to announce that The Annual (issue six) will be hitting stands this September. It'll feature engaging articles, enjoyable puzzles, charming illustrations, and six brand-new knitting patterns inspired by the exciting era of power and steam.
There’s something for everyone in these patterns, using yarn and fibre from across our product range, with lots of beautiful colours and textures, and plenty of comforting squish. This sixth Annual will be full of inspiring ideas to spark your creativity, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
If you’d like to help test-knit one of the patterns, read on! But first (as we’re rather excited about them) we’d like to show you a glimpse of the patterns we have in store for you… Thanks to one of this year’s designers, Eva Lenz, for illustrating these schematics for us!
The cowl is a really fun knit inspired by vintage photos of ‘The Great Train Robbery’, giving a playful nod to the attire of the train gangs and adding nostalgic charm.
It is knitted flat, starting at the bottom ribbing, then joined in the round and worked bottom up to finish at the neckline. The shawl is knitted flat from start to finish. On both pieces the point is shaped using decreases and German short rows. A series of playful stitches and yarn-overs gently reveals an aerial view of charming steam trains, their huge wheels rolling gracefully along the tracks.
The cowl and shawl are perfect for a touch of luxury using our Seafarer Sport, or for traditional softness using our Yarnadelic Sport. Both are suited to accessories that benefit from drape and shine.
Skills Used: knitting flat, joining in round (cowl only), decreasing, German short rows, twisted stitches, yarn overs
Ever since the first steam trains, our desire to explore new places has fuelled us, much like the steam that powered them. This sense of movement and direction is beautifully reflected in the chevron band and the hat’s swirling crown.
Beginning with a provisional cast-on, the chevron colourwork band is worked flat and grafted to form the circumference. Stitches are picked up along one edge of the band and worked in stocking stitch before decreasing, and picked up along the other for the ribbed brim. The hat can be finished with an optional tassel. The striped chevron band offers plenty of opportunities for customisation, making it truly your own.
This simple colourwork hat can be knitted in the 4ply of your choice and is perfect for our trusted and hardworking yarn ranges: Devonia 4ply, Knit by Numbers 4ply, and Devon Naturals 4ply. It’s the perfect little hat for travel or any other adventure.
Skills Used: provisional cast on, colourwork stripes, working on the bias, grafting, picking up stitches, decreasing, ribbing, tassel
A beautiful triangular shawl with an elegant cable that resembles the optical illusion of railway tracks fading into the horizon. Knitted mostly with the soothing rhythm of garter stitch, this lightweight accessory is worked on the bias with increases. It is simple to wear and effortlessly adds a subtle touch of sophistication to any outfit.
Whether you love the delicate drape of Seafarer Lace (available for Testers to preorder now), the cosy hug of Harvest Hues 4ply, or the heritage warmth of Appledore DK, the bold geometric cables add a beautiful touch.
All three weights create a shawl of the same size, but a different drape and finish, depending on preference. It's an ideal project for both intermediate knitters and eager beginners who want to explore something new.
Skills Used: knit flat, increasing, decreasing, cable panel, short rows
Inspired by Enid Marx, one of the pioneering women commissioned by London Transport to design moquette seating fabric for Underground trains, this piece beautifully blends comfort with a rich history. Worked from the bottom upwards, the raised purl bumps and slipped-stitch colourwork pattern give both dickie and slipover a soft, plush texture, reminiscent of the sturdy moquette fabrics often used on transport seating.
The dickie, knitted in Devon Naturals Aran (available for Testers to preorder now), with its comforting polo neck, will defeat any draught of cold air that runs down the gap between your neck and your coat collar. It tucks in neatly, with none of the bulk or awkward ends of a scarf to contend with. The slipover, knitted in Harvest Hues Worsted or Appledore Aran, features a cosy crew or polo neck and side tabs to keep you warm on chilly days.
Skills Used: worked flat, bottom up, ribbing, short rows, increasing, decreasing, slipped stitches, button holes
The Piccadilly and Victoria tube lines beautifully capture both sides of London: the charming, historic, and tourist-friendly areas, along with the vibrant, fast-paced heart of the capital. Running north/south and east/west, these two lines span across all parts of the city, seamlessly linking the old with the new.
Select any two coordinating shades along with a contrasting main colour to craft your socks uniquely. Let your design be inspired by a beautiful blend of past and present moquette seat fabrics, creating a charming and personalised colourwork motif.
Moquette is a woven fabric prized for its durability, with colours and busy patterns that disguise wear and tear. Exmoor Sock and Devonia 4ply are therefore ideal yarns for this fun and colourful design. The only limit is your imagination!
Skills Used: Cuff down, short row heel, rounded toe, grafting, colourwork, increasing, decreasing
This design showcases a central bold cable inspired by the intersections of train tracks. Knit from the top down, the textured moss stitch side panels echo the natural scenery often glimpsed from a train window. Finished with ribbing along the collar and armholes and a split hem for a modern-classic look.
This comfy vest when combined with our versatile Knit by Numbers DK, squishy Yarnadelic Worsted, or rustic Appledore DK adds style to any outfit and is guaranteed to become a warming, go-to staple for your travels.
Skills Used: increasing, decreasing, top down, worked flat, joined in round, ribbing, split hem
How to get involved…
If you would like to join in the fun then please complete this form letting us know which pattern you are interested in testing for us. If your application is successful, we will send you an email invite to the test space hosted on Slack (a free messaging platform), which will also let you know which pattern you'll be testing. It may take us a few days to get back to you after filling in the form, as this process isn't automated and we are only a small team here. As we are usually oversubscribed for our Annual testing, unfortunately not everyone will be invited to participate, but we will send you an email to let you know whether you've been successful with your application or not!
*** Please note that participation in the test will only be available through Slack, so only sign up if you are willing to work on this platform. We will not be sending pattern details via email or other digital/print media. Thanks for your understanding.***
At this point, you’ll have a bit of time to swatch and find some yarn before the patterns land with you on 6 February. You are more than welcome to use stash - handspun/mill spun, our mill, or someone else’s ('tis all fair game) - but if you would like to pick out something new, there will be a 15% discount code included in our email to you (valid until the end of February 2026).
Testing will run from 6 February to 2 April, so please be mindful of this when picking your project, as some are a little larger than others!
Once the test is over, we will send you a questionnaire for feedback and would love it if you could also send us some photos of your finished piece for us to use - fully credited of course! All testers who submit
feedback will receive a pdf copy of the final pattern they have tested when The Annual (issue six) is published in September, as well as a voucher code (valid until the end of December 2026) for an additional 15% off any of our products, as a thank you for your help.
Questions and support
Dedicated JAT Slack channels will be set up for testers to discuss issues and give feedback for each pattern. These channels will be monitored by us Mill Folks, our amazing tech editor, Jen Hurley of Rainy Day Knits, and the pattern designers, so you’ll be sure to get a speedy response to any queries. There will also be channels for everyone to introduce themselves, share photos of their WIPs and FOs, and have a bit of a natter.
Please note that these patterns are still in draft form. Your test knitting helps us iron out any issues for the final publication, so we require testers who are prepared to knit the pattern as written and not make any modifications, but who are also prepared to make updates where the pattern may be amended during the test phase.
Share your progress
We love seeing what folks are making and this test is no exception. Please do feel free to share pictures of your progress on social media, and don’t forget to tag us in your posts! @jarbontextiles
We are so looking forward to following along with everyone’s progress and seeing these power- and steam-themed designs emerge into the world!