New stockist: Pelicans & Parrots

We were really excited to be invited by boutique Pelicans & Parrots to be involved in their tropical takeover which launched last Thursday evening. You can now find a selection of our archive pieces available to buy in their Black store, on Stoke Newington Road. It's especially cool for us to be stocked by P&P because we've been mega fans of both stores ever since they opened.

Learn to knit workshop

This evening saw the start of our knitting workshops that we'll be hosting in our studio every Monday evening. The first course, Learn to Knit, began today and we kicked off in style, with delicious snacks prepared by Merci Marie (the team who handle the brilliant cafe in our building) and wine selected by Ruth Spivey at Street Vin (currently at Dalston Street Feast). Attendees spent the evening learning how to cast on and all had mastered the knit stitch by the time we had finished. Next week, we'll tackle the purl....

To enquire about the August or September workshops, email us.

Amy Hall at Pelicans & Parrots

We're very excited to announce that archive Amy Hall pieces will be available to buy in our favourite Dalston boutique, Pelicans & Parrots from next week. Their Tropical Takeover launches next Thursday evening from 6pm. If you fancy coming along for some tropical drinks and a spot of summertime retail therapy, email them to RSVP.

Introducing the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection

If you haven't been following our Instagram feed over the last day or so, you may not have seen our new collection gradually appearing, image by image. We're going to share yesterday's images with you below. To catch the rest of them still coming through today, find us here.

This season we were inspired by strong, influential women throughout the world with a focus on the specific craft of knitting and crochet – for example: most of the pieces consist of knitted panels which have then been assembled using an assortment of different crochet stitches. The Boudicca coat also features a scarf panel which has been knitted using a yarn which was hand-spun especially for us by a local spinner in Dalston (Sheep of Steel) using Merino wool and sustainable soy bean fibre.

See part two of our big reveal here.
[Photography by Alyssa Boni, make-up by Ellie Tobin, model Naomi Pelkiewicz)

Recent coverage: The Dalstonist

We're one of the Dalstonist's top five fashion labels. Read the article here.

Sheep of Steel

I took a much-needed break from the studio this morning to pop over to Islington and check out this year's New Designers exhibition at the Business Design Centre. There were some beautiful pieces of knitwear on show by various graduates but my main reason for going was to see Irem Arig, who I worked with on the Future Cities project last summer.

She has set up a new collective of UK-based spinners called Sheep of Steel and their HQ, conveniently enough, is just down the road from our own in Dalston. Their mission is to create unique, experimental,  yet beautiful yarns using all manner of fibres, colours and textures. In Irem's own words: the possibilities are endless.

We're hoping to work together again, perhaps on some yarn for A/W 2014 - I am particularly excited about some of the incredible fibres I saw this morning that I have never come across before; banana, soya and corn to name a few. These are all by-products of the food industry which makes them completely sustainable and eco friendly. They are as soft as silk and I can't wait to spin some up and see how they knit.

A welcome distraction

Friday afternoon in the studio:

Sample sale success!

Saturday's sample sale was a roaring success, with people coming by from all over town. The Invisible Line gallery in Dalston looked great and was the perfect venue for our little pop-up. We teamed up with Feather M and, leather & knit being one of my favourite combinations, it was a perfect match. If you couldn't make it down on Saturday, you'll be pleased to hear we still have one or two pieces left over, which can be found in the clearance section of our online shop.

 Ready to start receiving customers...

The sale in full swing:

TV presenter Anita Rani does a spot of shopping:

Click here to see the new A/W 2013 lookbook

SAMPLE SALE 27th April

After the huge success of our last sale, we've decided to host another! This time at the Invisible Line gallery on Dalston Lane.
We'll be selling off press samples and stock from A/W 2012, as well as pieces from S/S 2012 and other very lovely knits, all at bargain prices. If the weather refuses to warm up, there's plenty to keep you cosy. If the sunshine suddenly arrives (here's hoping....), we can kit you out in something suitably summery. Here's just some of the pieces we'll have on sale, prices start at £30. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Interview: My Chic City visit the studio

My Chic City came by the studio recently to chat with me about the brand, as well as raiding my wardrobe. I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about being in front of the camera (I'm far more comfortable behind the lens), but those guys are so easy to be around, I enjoyed it more than I thought. Here are a couple of shots the girls took using my iPhone. You can see the rest and read the interview on MyChicCity.com.

[Top photo: jacket by Vivienne Westwood, skirt Amy Hall S/S 2012 - click here to buy in sale, clutch Bracher Emdem, necklace Celia B. Left: silk coat Shanghai Tang, dress vintage Ossie Clarke, shoes Alexander Wang]

Sample Sale! Next Saturday 20th October

Philippa Long at Wolf & Badger

My friend and fellow Dalston dweller, Philippa Long held her A/W 2012 launch last Thursday at Wolf & Badger in Notting Hill.  Her new collection is rich yet delicate and, thanks in part to the weather finally perking up, the party was great fun, too.

Pip (pictured among her guests in one of her pieces, top image) is completely committed, like me, to British manufacture and ethical processes. She's passionate about using high quality fabrics and finishes to create beautiful timeless designs.  She was born and brought up in West Sussex and studied fashion at the University of Brighton. She launched her eponymous label this year.


I asked Pip to give me a few words on the new collection and this is what she had to say:

"This season I have drawn my inspiration from traditional African wax prints, sourced from my local market in East London, and influenced by the shapes, folds and fabric combinations I've seen being compiled by the West Indian market goers.  With the colourful scenes of the market stalls in mind, I've created this Autumn Winter collection.


To find out more about Philippa you can visit her website here or see her pieces for yourself at Wolf & Badger on Ledbury Road in Notting Hill.