knitting through the back loop
looking at knitting from a different angle
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
Last week the XXIII Winter Olympics began in PyeongChang, and there have already been some incredible performances, as well as some rather wonderful knitwear on display. While woollen garments may no longer form the staple of athletes' competitive uniforms, several national teams chose to celebrate traditional knitwear in their official ceremony outfits and in the… Continue reading Olympic Knitting
The gorgeous, squishy texture of brioche stitch has been increasingly visible in the knitting world over the last few years (- see my recent post on popular trends in 2017 here). So what is brioche stitch? Brioche is a type of tuck stitch in which each row is knitted twice, with yarn overs knitted together… Continue reading Best of Brioche
Rainbows are that magical, unlikely ray of colour that comes with a patch of sunshine in a rain storm. They are the reminder that there can be something positive even in the midst of a negative situation; of the promise of better, sunnier times ahead; of the colour in life that can sometimes feel all… Continue reading Spotlight: Rainbow Bright
‘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
In this fourth instalment of the ‘always knitting’ series, the focus is on knitting in Scotland in the late 19th century. In his account in The Queen magazine (an earlier form of the modern day Harper’s Bazaar), the writer E.B.T. comments on the surprising ubiquity of knitters in Scotland, noting this activity goes… Continue reading From the archives: Every other woman in Scotland knits…
These cute little mitts featuring foxes, beavers, squirrels and rabbits are part of The Woodsy Association 2.0 collection from tiny owl knits. They're a great example of how little details can make a design really special - from the subtle colour shading in the animal faces to the adorable little tassels added on… Continue reading Spotlight: an eye for detail
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 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
knitting through the back loop 