Knit Happens...

Pink and navy houndstooth handmade sweater

My daughter Brooke has been married for 5 years to a good-looking and talented man named Jack. Jack grew up in London, England with his remarkable parents Olwyn and Nigel. Olwyn is the knitter of this amazing sweater and many other items! This is her knitting story…

Brooke and Olwyn enjoying the English countryside.

Olwyn started her knitting adventure at 7 years old, taught by her Mother. She comes from a long line of knitters, her mum, and her grandmother. Knitting was and still is a part of British culture. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, everyone knit their own hats, gloves and sweaters. Olwyn’s knitting adventure got more serious as she got older and in her late teens she starting knitting more complicated designs. Cable knit sweaters, Fair Isle knitting with lots of woven colors and traditional patterns from Scotland are her current favorites.

Nigel’s latest “jumper” (sweater) in a cable knit design.

Stunning cable knit pattern, a traditional Scotland design.

Beautiful gloves with a stripe detail.

Spun wool is the textile of choice for Olwyn. Her other favorite yarns are soft cashmere or alpaca but they are not very practical, dry clean only! For sturdy sweaters she prefers something hard wearing , like wool-based yarns that can be washed. She buys some of her yarns at a lovely neighborhood yarn shop in Herne Hill, website here.

A kaleidoscope of wool yarn colors at the neighborhood yarn shop in Herne Hill.

From time to time a sock or sweater needs to be mended. For this, Olwyn has a wooden darning mushroom, handed down to her through generations of knitters, circa 1800’s, from the Victorian era. It’s one her most loved possessions.

Orange socks with Olwyn’s beloved darning mushroom.

Recently, Olwyn had the opportunity to knit massive socks for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of “Cats”! The giant socks, 2 feet by 4 feet, are then distressed to look as though they have been played with by a cat! She has knit these socks for shows in London, New York and Paris!

“Cat’s” Sock

My favorite of the knitted items I have seen from Olwyn, is this gorgeous tomato red scarf, knit from wool given to Olwyn by my daughter, Brooke. The scarf looks lacy like it has been crocheted. It is small and wraps around the neck without being too bulky.

Lacy scarf

If you are looking for something to do with your hands that is creative, fun and diverse, try knitting! There are many places to get fabulous yarns and supplies, and you might even take a class to get started.

Happy Knitting!