One of the best things about picking up a new yarn is seeing how it behaves compared to your old favourites. In the case of Dovestone Natural Chunky, we're loving getting to know its drape and definition - and putting it to good use in some gorgeous patterns.

Above is the gorgeous Clem sweater, part of the new Learn to Knit at Home collection, created by Alison Moreton. We asked Alison about the inspiration behind it, and the collection as a whole.
What inspired Learn to Knit at Home?
The idea was that they were really simple, easy to knit designs. People come and do our Learn to Knit workshop and learn basic skills and it needs to be at that level. 

After the workshop, you can do any of the patterns. They use garter stitch and stocking stitch, which are the first two most people learn.

Can a sweater really be a project for a beginner?
Yes - Clem definitely is! The shaping is very simple. It's designed to be boxy, and the front and back are made the same, it has a slash neckline, sewing up is on straight seams and there are no complicated sleeves.

What about sizing?
Knitted in Dovestone Natural Chunky, it can be worn by anyone from a size 10 upwards because it's designed to be over-sized and boxy. If you're very petite or want a more snug fit, you can make it inDovestone Natural Aran and it will be a bit smaller.

Can you still make the design interesting even with a simple pattern? Yes. I thought about the simplest sweater you can do that's easy to sew up and designed for all sizes. It's not lacking in details - the garter stitch around the cuffs and across the shoulders looks great and it stops it curling in the way stocking stitch can.

What about Dovestone Natural Chunky - how does it work with this sweater?
The yarn is really drapey - a stiffer yarn might try to hold its own shape, but this just lies beautifully on you. It makes so much difference to have such a good yarn to work with. 

Learn to Knit at Home is available now - click here to view the designs and order. Click here for Dovestone Natural Chunky and click here for Dovestone Natural Aran, which are used for all the patterns.
For a special bundle offer on the Clem sweater pattern and Dovestone Natural Chunky, keep reading!

If you want to create your own Clem sweater to snuggle into, we have a special introductory offer for you. We’re giving you our brand new Learn to Knit at Home book absolutely free when you buy the 9 balls of Dovestone Natural Chunkyonline. Just add the yarn and book to your basket and enter the discount code CLEMSWEATER at the till. (Offer valid until 8.30am on Thursday 27th July.) Don’t forget you can place an online order to collect in store, and spend over £50 on anything online and we’ll ship it to you for free!		There's not long left to vote in the British Knitting and Crochet Awards, celebrating the best of all things yarn-related. We're thrilled to say we've been shortlisted in two categories - Best Brand for British Yarn and Best Independent Yarn Brand. Please do vote for us if you can - click here for the voting form (and the chance to win some great goodies!). Don't forget to vote in the other categories, too, and make sure your favourite yarns and designers are recognised when the winners are announced in September.