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Knitwear has entered the digital revolution and been re-appropriated by the next generation of upcoming fashion and textile designers
Designers such as Sarah Elwick have a modern take on the heritage craft of British knitwear and have reinvigorated its image, making it relevant and fashionable again for a new digital audience.
Sarah, of Sarah Elwick Knitwear, has embraced the use of cutting-edge Japanese Shima knitting technology to bring heritage knitwear stitch patterns to a modern audience in her new knitwear accessory collection for Autumn/Winter 2013.
Sarah specialized in knitwear on her textile design degree at Winchester School of Art.
The designer said: “Since I was first introduced to machine knitting on my degree course in 2000. I have been fascinated by the millions of stitch combinations and structures that can be produced and the different finishes that can be produced by using different yarns.”
Sarah takes inspiration from new technology, and added: “With Japanese digital knitting technology the possibilities stitch combinations, fabric structure, and knitted fabric weights are infinite. This enables me to produce intricately patterned lightweight fabrics, with the highest quality finish.”
Sarah’s new collection for Autumn/Winter 2013 takes its inspiration from traditional stitch patterns such as Fairisles and chevrons as seen in the Aztec trend.
The designer fuses her influences with a contemporary eye for striking and unusual colour combinations made from either 100% finest Italian merino or 100% highest quality Scottish Lambswool.
Sarah said: “The choice of a high quality yarn is hugely important to me as it is completely integral to the finish and quality of my final products.”
On her choices of wool, she added: “I have selected two high quality yarns for different performance reasons; the Scottish Lambswool is a lovely traditional wool, bred and processed here in the UK and offers a real softness and warmth making it an ideal choice for my extra-long, extra-warm, chevron patterned scarves.”
The Italian merino is a lightweight yarn with many performance qualities including being breathable, hypo-allergenic, and machine-washable making it ideally suited for her range of babies blankets and lighter weight scarves.
Sarah stocks her knitwear collection in a selection of boutiques, including Luna & Curious, Oh Baby London and online through Archies Boutique, Not on the High St and her own online shop.
She will also be exhibiting her work at MADE LONDON, at One Marylebone from the 25th-27th October 2013 with DesignGap, and at MADE13 at the Corn Exchange from the 21st-24th of November 2013 in Brighton.