knitting through the back loop
looking at knitting from a different angle
Welcome to my new series: Knitwear Trends for Summer 2019! An introduction In this series, I’ll be looking at the latest trends in knitwear and offering pattern suggestions for knitters who are inspired to make these styles. In future posts, I’ll look at some of key trends of the season: Lace, Embellishments, Intarsia colour-work, Contrast… Continue reading Knitwear Trends for Summer 2019: an overview
Like an '80s mullet, many tops this season are business in the front and party in the back! Buttons, bows, lace panels, cut-outs, contrast fabric and architectural folds all transformed the backs of otherwise simple knitwear into more dramatic pieces. DESIGNER: Clockwise, from top, 3.1 Phillip Lim Open Back Ribbed Wool and Yak Blend Sweater… Continue reading Trending: the new back
‘I’m not wrong, I’m just knit that way.’* We learn from an early stage of knitting that one side of our fabric is the right and the other is wrong. This sounds strangely moralistic - as though one side is innately better in its qualities- when, in fact, the designations are simply a way to distinguish… Continue reading When wrong is right: a celebration of the wrong side of knitting
What is the Penguono?: A pattern by the fantastically colourful and innovative designer Stephen West, the Penguono is a kimono style, short sleeved jacket that you can also flip upside down and wear as a long coat. Why is it a sweater of the season? Penguono was published by westknits in 2014 but embodies many… Continue reading Sweaters of the Season: Penguono
Intarsia, also known as picture knitting, was a big trend on the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2017. This technique allows designers to precisely apply and play with colour. Unlike stranded colourwork, intarsia can be used to place blocks of colour anywhere and in any shape within a knitted fabric, using as many colours… Continue reading Trending: picture knitting
There were embellishments galore on the catwalk for autumn/winter 2017- many of them appearing at Gucci, which embraced the sentiment of more is more with some abandon. Tassels, fringing, pompoms, lace and feathers were all left hanging at hems and cuffs- see more at my article Spotlight: Dangly Bits (here). The fabric of garments… Continue reading Trending: more is more
Knitted socks are hugely popular amongst knitters, but rarely feature much in mainstream fashion. But this autumn/winter season, the knitted sock has been elevated to the catwalk. Or at least they were at British fashion brand Mulberry (here.) Mulberry's A/W 2017 collection featured an array of fuzzy mohair socks - some above the knee, others… Continue reading Trending: designer socks
There were a lot of things left hanging on the catwalks this autumn/winter 2017. Opulent feathers, playful pompoms, dramatic fringe and pretty lace were all added to the bottoms of cardigans/jumpers or the underside of sleeves, adding a touch of quirkiness to otherwise simple pieces or bringing another element to already flamboyant garments. … Continue reading Spotlight: dangly bits
When is a top both sleeved and sleeveless? When it is part of the knitwear collection by Raf Simons for Calvin Klein this winter. Several tops in the 205W9NYC collection featured these distinctive detachable sleeves, a couple in bright contrast colours and another continuing in a single, streamlined black. How to wear? This concept offers… Continue reading Trending: sometimes sleeves
Cables were a big trend on the catwalks for autumn/winter 2017. At Temperley and Lanvin, they formed classic, crisp, symmetrical designs. Sonia Rykiel and Ulla Johnson created more richly decorated pieces by combining multiple cabled strands with lace, ruffles and textured popcorn stitch, respectively. There was a more relaxed look at Joseph, with soft, slouchy… Continue reading Trending: cable texture
knitting through the back loop 