Knits from an English Rose by Sixth&Spring Books

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KNITTING

KNITS from an ENGLISH ROSE 25 modern-vintage accessories From Louisa Harding, one of

LOUISA HARDING

CRAFTS

7/17/13

KNITS

from an

ENGLISH ROSE

England’s—and the world’s— favorite knitwear designers, comes a collection of accessories evoking the Englishwoman. INSIDE YOU’LL FIND: 25 unique patterns, from lacy collars and capelets to cabled hats and mitts to appliquéd scarves and shawls • Reference guides for basic finishing techniques and yarn characteristics • Gorgeous full-color photographs • Whether you’re looking for high fashion or everyday classics, whichever side of the pond you call home, Knits from an English Rose will transport and inspire you.

$24.95 US • $26.95 CANADA ISBN 978-1-936096-65-7 52495

9 781936 096657

KNITS from an ENGLISH ROSE

timeless chic of the modern

25 modern-vintage accessories LOUISA

H A R D IN G

Knits English Rose from an

Louisa Harding K n i t s

f r o m

a n

E n g l i s h

R o s e

161 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013 sixthandspringbooks.com Editorial Director JOY AQUILINO

Vice President TRISHA MALCOLM

Developmental Editor LISA SILVERMAN

Publisher CAROLINE KILMER

Art Director DIANE LAMPHRON

Creative Director JOE VIOR

Editorial Assistant JOHANNA LEVY

Production Manager DAVID JOINNIDES

Instructions Editor CHRISTOPHER BAHLS

President ART JOINNIDES

Proofreader KRISTIN M. JONES

Chairman JAY STEIN

Photography & Design Layout STEPHEN JESSUP

Copyright © 2013 by Louisa Harding All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systems—without written permission of the publisher. The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects, and patterns are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced in any form for commercial use. Permission is granted to photocopy patterns for the personal use of the retail purchaser. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Harding, Louisa. Knits from an English rose : 25 modern - vintage accessories / Louisa Harding. pages cm Summary: “Timeless, accessible, and unabashedly romantic: this collection from renowned knitwear designer Louisa Harding will charm knitters of all levels. Inspired by Edwardian style, these 25 accessories all feature Louisa’s signature touches: subtle shaping, masterful and delicate stitch pattern combinations (especially cables and lace), beautiful embellishments, and exciting fibers. The fashionable, feminine projects range from capelets, collars, and cowls to gloves, hats, purses, and scarves-and include notes from Louisa.” — Provided by publisher. ISBN: 978-1-936096-65-7 (hardback) 1. Knitting. 2. Knitting—Patterns. I. Title. TT820.H2663 2013 746.43’2—dc23 2013022180 Manufactured in China 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 First Edition

C o n t e n t s i n t r o d u c t i o n

T h e Pa t t e r n s C a r r i e R o s e t t e S h aw l A d a C l u t c h P u r s e B e t t e B o w B e r e t A s t r i d W h i s p e r y S c a r f L o r e t t a E l e g a n t C o l l a r M a b e l C h e e k y M i t t e n s F l o r a Wi l d R o s e P u r s e P e g g y P r e t t y C o l l a r L u l u L a c y C a p e l e t E s t e l l e F e r n B o b b l e S c a r f Fa y e R u b y B e r e t M y r t l e F u r C o l l a r L o l a C h i c L i t t l e P u r s e C o n s t a n c e R o s e B u d M i t t e n s A g n e s P r i n c e s s C a p e M u r i e l Pa i s l e y C a p e l e t E v e l y n G l a m o r o u s B o b b l e H a t s L av e r n e B e a u t i f u l B l o o m S c a r v e s I r m a F l i r t y H a t Wi n n i e F l i r t y B o b b l e H a t s E u n i c e C o r o n e t C a p e l e t H a t t i e E l e g a n t M i t t e n s B o n n i e B u t t e r f l y Ve s t Ve l m a Wi s p y S h r u g N o r a D a z z l e S c a r v e s

26 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 96 100 104 108 112 118 124 128 13 2

g e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n

13 6

a b b r e v i a t i o n s

13 8

f i n i s h i n g t e c h n i q u e s

13 8

y a r n i n f o r m a t i o n

13 9

i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e y a r n t a b l e

140

y a r n d i s t r i b u t o r s

142

i n d e x

143

a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s

144

INTRODUCTION The dictionary definition of an ‘English Rose’ is an attractive girl or woman whose prettiness is considered to be quintessentially English.

Over the years my knitting designs, publications and imagery have often been referred to as ‘quintessentially

English’. As a creative person you are the product of your life experience, education and family, mine all deeply rooted in England. Growing up in the centre of London and living in a high-rise apartment, I had no green grass or rose bush garden; my playgrounds were museums and galleries. Visiting these magical places I developed a love of costume, textiles and fashion. I learnt to sew and relished the idea that you could turn a flat piece of fabric into a three-dimensional garment. I scoured London’s markets buying up fabric oddments, soon realising I was strongly attracted to shiny and embellished fabrics, anything with sequins and beads. My education path took me to college to study ‘Textiles for Fashion’ in Brighton, an archetypal English seaside town, with a pier, fish and chips and stony beach as well as the best vintage shops that England has to offer. The vintage stores offered me, the humble fashion student, an alternative way to dress. Scouring racks of handmade dresses I saw the skill and love that went into making these clothes, the processes used, the attention to detail and the beauty of the embroidered embellishments. At college I discovered my love of designing using the medium of hand knitting. Although I was taught to knit by my maternal grandmother at age six, college showed me how to take the knit and purl stitches, combine and experiment with them and transform yarn into beautiful knitted garments. During college I was fortunate to spend a three-month internship in Yorkshire at Rowan Yarns. All of a sudden, I found myself with my urban background transferred to the middle of the English countryside, green fields and country lanes, dry stone walls and an expanse of sky that went on and on uninterrupted across the horizon. I fell in love with Yorkshire, the wide-open spaces, the flora and fauna, the amazingly friendly people, and I decided to move there after college, leaving behind my London city life. Yorkshire is the largest county in England, its symbol the white Tudor Rose. In our house we have a stained-glass window depicting this heraldic emblem and little wild roses grow all around our garden which is a rambling place filled with native English flowers. Knits from an English Rose encapsulates my style, a style that has evolved over time stimulated by all my jumbled influences; the girl who grew up in urban London and found herself in the wildness of Yorkshire. My designs are inspired by my love of fashion, costume and vintage clothing; my yarns are chosen for their elegance, sparkle, beautiful construction and fabulous colour. I strongly believe that whatever age we may be we all have an inner girl, and for me she is the ever elusive ideal of the ‘English Rose’, feminine, individual and creative. The designs and images in this book are a visualisation of my ‘English Rose’ narrative, inspired by and photographed at Cannon Hall, a wonderful house steeped in heritage and set in the beautiful Yorkshire landscape.

Carrie Rosette Shawl pattern page 26

Ada Clutch Purse pattern page 32

Bette Bow Beret

pattern page 36

Astrid Whispery Scarf pattern page 40

Loretta Elegant Collar

Mabel Cheeky Mittens

Flora Wild Rose Purse

Peggy Pretty Collar

pattern page 44

pattern page 52

pattern page 48

pattern page 56

Lulu Lacy Capelet

pattern page 60

Estelle Fern Bobble Scarf pattern page 66

Faye Ruby Beret

pattern page 70

Lola Chic LittlePurse

pattern page 78

Myrtle Fur Collar

pattern page 74

Constance Rose Bud Mittens pattern page 82

Agnes Princess Cape pattern page 86

Muriel Paisley Capelet pattern page 90

Evelyn Glamorous Bobble Hat pattern page 96

Evelyn Glamorous Bobble Hat

pattern page 96

Laverne Beautiful Bloom Scarf pattern page 100

Irma Flirty Hat

pattern page 104