Libby Summers is a contemporary hand knit designer combining her twin passions for natural fibres and Anthropology with the launch of her new Peruvian yarns, supporting pattern collections, and beautifully presented knitting kits. Uncompromising creativity and a passion for traditional
knitting techniques are at the heart of
Libby’s work as a hand knit designer. Her designs reflect her love for the colours of English and Scottish landscapes and the value she places on natural quality fibres. This penchant for good yarn led her to develop her own collection of yarns, launched in July 2013. In addition to her yarns, patterns and kits, her portfolio of work includes the manufacture of ready
made hand knitted goods, and she is proud to have brought the skills of UK knitters to the attention of the British public on the high street with the sale of her hand knitted hot water bottle covers in John Lewis in 2010 and 2011. Her designs have had high profile attention including featuring as Number One of The
Financial
Times Magazine Top Ten Valentine Gifts in February 2012 and as Best Buy in Living Etc. in February 2012. Recently she has had designs commissioned and published by Artesano and Knitcrate, and is awaiting the publication of one of her designs in a new craft book to be launched next year. She writes regularly for Knit Today, and has also had patterns published in Knit Now, Let’s Knit, Simply Knitting and Yarnwise magazines. She works from her workshop in rural Lincolnshire, and is married with three children.
Chunky
Fine Aran
YarnCollection AW13 About the yarns Libby first came across the Quechua group of peoples when studying for a degree in Anthropology, and was fascinated and enchanted by their culture. She is excited to be able to support them by the manufacture of her branded yarn. Her old friend from university, who has made his home in Peru, was able to help her source her yarn, providing another link in the chain which brings her two passions for cultural studies and knitting together in one incredible circle of serendipity. Peruvian Highland Wool comes from a crossbreed sheep that lives in the Peruvian highlands between 2,000m above sea level to 4,500m above sea level. These animals derive from Corridale and Merinos sheep, both renowned for their wool. The environment in which they live allows them to produce a wool that is very dry, crimpy and durable. Its micron ranges from 24.5 microns to 29 microns, which produces a very soft, fine yarn. Libby Summers Chunky This gorgeous singles yarn is 100% pure Highland Wool from Peru. It has a loosely
woven
texture, and is much softer than most pure wool. It looks stunning in a plain stocking stitch, which shows off the softness and sheen of the yarn. The soft palette of neutrals, with the contrasting black and grey also offer up a range of possibilities for colour and pattern working. It is ideal for home
accessories, as well as simple classic and straightforward garments.
Libby Summers Fine Aran This is a delicate and lightweight yarn. The lovely blend of 50% FS alpaca and 50% Peruvian Highland Wool, gives it an unrivaled warmth and softness. It looks equally fantastic knitted up in textured patterns, tartan and tweed or in contrasting blocks of colour. The collection of six exciting deep and vibrant colours in the range, reflects the colour scheme of the Quechua peoples the yarn originates from.
Social and ethical responsibility There is a growing awareness amongst consumers of the importance of tracing imports to their origins, and a desire to ensure that their purchase contributes to providing a living wage to producers and supporting their way of life, rather than lining the pockets of the middle man. The Andes is home to the Quechuan-speaking people of the Andes who are particularly disadvantaged. The company that owns the ranch where Libby Summers’ yarn is produced has set up a social project, which aims to raise enough money from the sale of alpaca and wool yarns to finance the building and day-to-day running of a boarding centre at the ranch, supporting the children of the shepherds in their educational studies. When selecting a supplier, Libby employed a friend to research local yarn producing companies in Peru, and he personally visited the ranch and the school, and gave me an impressive report on the ethics of the company. The school is located in the Puno Region, Province of Azangaro, district of Munani. The vision of the founders is to improve the well being of the children of alpaca and sheep farmers in the highlands of Peru by providing them with an education, accommodation, food and health care and maintaining and enriching the Quechua language, culture and identity of the children.
Pattern Collection AW13 Libby’s AW13 Collection is aimed at busy or beginner knitters. They are designed to be quick and easy to knit, wearable and versatile. Libby Summers Chunky
Iona Collection - inspired by Scottish Fair Isle patterns and the subtle shades of East Coast villages, with their big skies and whitewashed cottages. Each pattern in this collection can be knitted plain or in the Fair Isle pattern, provided in the form of a chart.
The Lima Collection - for the home, and is all about texture, celebrating the simplicity and versatility of the knit and purl stitch.
Tea Cosies for Victory - support Prostate Cancer UK by knitting a tea cosy and holding a tea party. See the website for more details.
Singles - Morar Cardigan (three adult sizes), Canna Baby Jacket and Andrea Scarf. Libby Summers Aran
Chullu Collection -
an Accessories collection for you and your home, including a hat, scarf, wrist warmers and snood, hot water bottle cover and tea cosy. Lovely quick knits in moss stitch and rib.
Classic Collection - comprised of classic pieces to be used everyday and to go with anything; an elegant bolero, a round neck sweater, a hot water bottle and kindle case.
Mini Cakes Collection - quick and satisfying patterns, using small amounts of yarn, designed to go with our mini cakes yarn pack.
Singles - Zoe Accessories.
a: 3 Searson Close, Tallington, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 4RF t: 07818286538 e: libby@libbysummers.co.uk w: www. libbysummers.co.uk Registered company no.07243132. VAT no.160335733