knitting through the back loop
looking at knitting from a different angle
In this fifth part of New Season Knitwear, I look at the trend for hoods, balaclavas and layered scarves/cowls on the catwalks- and give suggestions for how knitters can be inspired by this trend, including some pattern suggestions. (This post was originally scheduled to be published in Autumn/Winter 2018-19. The featured trends are still applicable… Continue reading New Season Knitwear: Mind your head- hoods & balaclavas
In this first part of New Season Knitwear, I look at the trend for oversized sweaters on the catwalks- and give suggestions for how knitters can be inspired by this trend, including some pattern suggestions. Oversized sweaters continued to dominate the designer knitwear collections for winter 2018-19. Whether boxy, slouchy, highly textured or elegantly simple,… Continue reading New Season Knitwear: Playing with Proportion
After an unexpected summer hiatus, I’m really glad to be back writing again. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, September is the perfect moment to be returning to the topic of knitting as this really heralds the start of the most active knitting season, aka ‘sweater weather’! I have a number of articles… Continue reading New Season Knitting
Knitted and crocheted lacework designs are a big trend in knitwear this spring/summer 2018 – and are a fantastic source of inspiration for knitters. This lace trend is quite literally big, with many designers featuring large openwork designs of eyelets and other motifs, which often spread across garments in all-over designs. These lace designs are… Continue reading Trending: openwork lace knits
The Knitting Year in Review As we start the new year, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the most popular patterns and designers in the knitting world in 2017. According to the wonderful search facility on the knitting and crochet website, Ravelry.com, there were an incredible 41,095 knitting patterns… Continue reading Knitting Stars & Stats of 2017
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
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
knitting through the back loop 