We may still be experiencing summer temperatures, but it can be hard for a knitter to not cast their eye ahead to the next season, when it may only be a few weeks away! What better time to get a head start on cooler weather garments and accessories than long summer days? Here at the shop we have the shade cards laid out and we are picking lots of new colours and yarns for the coming seasons, we can’t wait for you to see it all!

In the mean time, Pom Pom Quarterly are as ever filling us with inspiration with the 11 designs in their latest Autumn issue. We have the issue available online and in the shop. It was shot in Hampstead Heath by Rachel Hayton. The issue focuses on naturally dyed yarns, and features articles by notable natural dyers such as Kristine Vejar,Caitlin ffrench and Emma Price.

We were all swooning over Asklöv by Nicolina Lindsten. This two colour hat has endless possibilities for customization with colours, and would be suitably unisex. The original was knit in a soft yellow and ivory white, but we can’t help but dream of more combinations. We are looking at Blacker Yarn’s Tamar for inspiration. Charcoal and pale blue? Berry pink and grey? Forest green and lime? Too many choices!

Florence is a beautiful stole/wrap by the talented Bristol Ivy. It is knit modularly, with each section joined to the previous through picking up stitches or increases and decreases. It is sure to be an interesting knit! We would knit it in an ombre of the natural shades of Purl Alpaca Fine.

Iara is a beautiful scarf is by local to us designer Renée Callahan. It features a stunning stripe and slipped stitch design to create a graphic mosaic pattern. The lush colours of Scrumptious 4ply would shine in this scarf.

Kaali is a pair of simple fingerless mittens by Fiona Alice. The main yarn is accented by small amounts of contrast colours in the cuffs. These are great stash busters, or a perfect excuse to match up unusual combinations. It would be the perfect use of Susan Crawford’s Fenella, which could be matched up with Excelana DK.

Next up is Rocquaine by Christina Danaee, which has made its way onto a few of our to-knit lists! This is a modern take on a classic gansey style, with split hems and a textured yoke. We think it would be so dreamy to any day of the week! The only trouble would be picking a shade of John Arbon Knit By Numbers DK to knit it in!

Next up is Serafine by Camille Rosselle. This pullover is knit top down, with cables that extend to hide a Kangaroo pocket in the front! The design has appeal for knitters of all ages, and in an aran weight is sure to keep its wearer warm and cozy. Almerino Aran by Rooster Yarns would provide a snuggly fabric with a bit of drape that would match well with the design.

Tannins is the last of the scarves for the issue. Designed by Sally Oakley, it features a broomstick lace pattern and a dramatic fringe. The crisp stitch pattern is perfectly suited to a yarn like Mondial’s Bio Lana.

Tevara is another luscious sweater, designed by Paula Periera. This sweater is all business in the front, with gentle twisted rib cuffs, collar and hem. The back is all party, featuring a large statement twisted rib design panel. We would love to see it in the equally lush Terra from The Fibre Co. Hanna Maciejewska’s Thessaly is the only cardigan of the issue. It features an open front with textured cable panels creating the bands and collar. The body of the sweater is knit in reversed stocking stitch. A yarn like Almerino DK from Rooster yarns would provide the crispness for the textured stitches, with plenty of drape for on open sweater. 

Turion by Linda Dubec rounds out the accessories. These otherwise simple mittens have a leaf pattern made with a series of cables and bobbles. Vivacious DK would make those bobbles pop against the reverse stocking stitch fabric. 

Last but not least, we have Vellamo, the cover girl! Francesca Hughes has created a beautiful striped sweater with an overall zigzag stitch pattern made with increases and decreases and alternating bands of garter stitch and stocking stitch. We thing the lovely shades of The Fibre Co.’s Cumbria would sing in this design. 

That’s it for our recap of the Autumn 2016 issue of Pom Pom. We can’t wait to see your knits from this issue.