Welcome to the fourth instalment of my new series: Summer Knitwear 2019!
In this series I look at the trends in summer knitwear this year and make pattern suggestions for knitters inspired to replicate these looks.
See here for an overview and links for the whole series.
In today’s post, the focus is on the trend of Shabby chic. This is perhaps the easiest of all looks to emulate: simply wear your old sweaters and show off the natural beauty of all their snagged fibres, holes, frayed edges and over-stretched collars! There are also some knitting pattern suggestions below that do include a bit more work, with some unusual lace and shaping ideas.
Shabby Chic
High fashion knitwear has looked a little rough around the edges over the past few seasons, and this trend continued across collections this Spring Summer 2019.
Hanging threads, cut outs, asymmetric hems and a slouchy, oversized fit at Raf Simons, Maison Margiela and Stella McCartney all created a look that was aptly described as ‘incredibly love-worn’ by net-a-porter.com. Proenza Schouler PSWL and Preen created patchwork like effects that also created a well-worn, mended appearance- the former featuring colourful patches of intarsia, while the latter spliced tulle with knitted fabric pieces in a jigsaw like effect.
Other designers created a more distressed look, with a more ragged finish- there were frayed edges and inverted seams at AlexanderWang.T, jagged holes at Balmain, shredded edges at R13 and dark stains at Balenciaga.
For more on this trend, (specifically on the less polished finish created by making it appear as if garments are inside out) see my post from 2018: When wrong is right: a celebration of the wrong side of knitting
Clockwise from top left: Stella McCartney Asymmetric Cutout Striped Knitted Sweater (here), Maison Margiela Distressed kangaroo-pocket wool poncho (here), Raf Simons Oversized One Shoulder Striped Sweater (here).
From left: Proenza Schouler PSWL Intarsia-patchwork cotton-blend sweater (here), Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Paneled Intarsia Cotton and Point D’Esprit Tulle Sweater (here)
From left: Balenciaga Oversized acid-stained cotton sweater (here), Moncler Cashmere Slogan Roll Neck Sweater (here)
Knitting inspiration
Clockwise, from top left: 242-06 Lang Yarns Eowyn by LangYarns Switzerland (here), Pagoda by Erika Knight (here), Diana Prince Sweater by shinysuperhero (here).
Clockwise, from top left: #26 Crew Neck Sweater by Eisaku Noro Design Team 野呂英作企画室 (Photo copyright Noro Knitting Magazine) (here), Sunset Dunes by Yumiko Alexander (here), PTO-00401 Lang Yarns Cashmere Cotton by Jennifer Koch, photo copyright LangYarns Switzerland (here).
From left: Helen Tank by Eveline Cantin-Bergeron (here), Melted Shrug by Susanne Sommer (here).
Over to you
What do you think of these ‘well-loved’, shabby chic styles?
knitting through the back loop 
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