Category: Kits & Patterns

1. One Colour, Two Opposites

   Posted on 12:05am Monday 17th Aug 2026

   One Colour, Two Opposites My latest design "Hope Cove" in The Knitter has been styled as a layer over a very simple white top and skirt, and seeing it photographed like that got me thinking about colour and contrast. The knitted piece suddenly felt like the focus of the whole outfit — not because there was anything complicated going on, but because the simplicity around it allowed the colour and lace pattern of the knit to really stand out.

   I've been thinking about colour lately, and particularly about what happens when you take one really good colour and give it almost nothing else to compete with. A knitted jumper in cobalt blue with black trousers feels very different from the same jumper with white trousers. The jumper hasn't changed. The colour hasn't changed. But somehow the whole outfit has. That's the interesting bit. Colour is never really seen on its own. It changes according to what you put beside it.

   AI generated image (not perfect by any means) just to prove the point

   There's actually a name for this: simultaneous contrast. It's the idea that we don't see a colour in isolation — our perception of it is influenced by the colours surrounding it. Put the same colour against a light background and it can appear darker and more defined; put it against a dark background and it can appear lighter and more vivid. The colour hasn't actually changed, but our perception of it has. Which explains something I find really useful when styling knitwear. Put a strong colour against white and it feels lighter, cleaner and more open. Put the same colour against black and it gains weight and intensity. The knit hasn't changed. The colour hasn't changed. The background has. It's a useful thing to remember when getting dressed. Take a strong-coloured knitted piece — a tomato red, grass green, cobalt blue, butter yellow, pink, orange — and put it with white. Suddenly the colour feels clean and graphic. White gives it room. It almost acts like a blank sheet of paper around the colour, allowing you to see it properly. Now put that same knit with black. Everything becomes deeper. The colour feels richer and a little more dramatic. Black acts almost like a frame around it. Neither is better. They're just saying different things. And this is one reason I particularly like doing this with knitwear. A knitted piece already has so much going on in its surface: ribbing, cables, fuzz, loops, weight, softness. You don't necessarily need another colour or pattern to make the outfit interesting. You can let the colour and texture do the work. A bright red cardigan over a white shirt. A green jumper with a pair of black trousers. A lilac knit with white denim. A saffron sweater over a black skirt. The trick is not to keep adding. When the colour is doing the talking, let the rest of the outfit whisper. So, next time you have a favourite coloured knit sitting in your wardrobe, rather than asking what else you can add to it, try asking a different question: What can I take away? Try it with white. Then try it with black. Notice how differently the colour behaves. Sometimes the best styling trick isn't finding another colour. It's making sure you have included black and white garments in your capsule wardrobe! Happy knitting & styling x Sandra

2. Recharged and inspired — a Lake District escape & a creative spark!

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 13th Oct 2025

   Hello, I’ve just come back from a wonderful weekend away in the Lake District — Coniston, to be exact — and I feel completely recharged. The weather was glorious for October: crisp mornings, clear skies, and just enough chill to make a cosy knit your best friend. There were plenty of long dog walks through golden leaves and, naturally, a few pub meals to round off each day! It was also the perfect excuse to wear two of my own designs — Gwenvor and Dusty Lilac — layered up in true autumn style. Gwenvor – a soft, textured lace cardigan in gentle heathered tones. Feminine, comfortable, and just right for sitting outside the pub with a pint and a view of the hills. Find Gwenvor on Ravelry here  Dusky Lilac - a beautiful textured array of cables, worn over a short sleeved t-shirt and a long sleeved top. Layering to perfection. Find Dusky Lilac on Ravelry here When Inspiration Circles Back Back home, something on Facebook caught my eye — Joe Browns have just released a new cowl and hat set that looks remarkably like my Flowery Infinity Scarf design! It made me smile — creative ideas have a funny way of finding their way into the world. If you love that “Joe Browns” look, here’s how you could adapt my pattern to get a similar effect: Use smaller needles to create a denser, less open fabric Cast on fewer stitches for a snugger fit Add a furry or fleecy lining for that extra cosy, luxury feel And once you’ve made the cowl, you can easily calculate the stitch count for a matching hat — the perfect winter gift set idea! 👉 Find the Flowery Infinity Scarf on Ravelry Long, open and flowing array of flowers 🌿 What’s Next Now I’m back home with my head full of new ideas — clearly the Lakes worked their magic! I’ll be sharing a peek at what’s on my needles very soon. Until then, I hope your week brings a bit of fresh air, good food, and time for your knitting. Happy stitching, Sandra x