During our Hebridean break last week, we took the opportunity to photograph the results of my latest ready-made knitwear project: the North Star Snood.
I loved designing my snoods last year, and also really enjoyed the process of working with William Lockie. Last year I used stitch patterns which had been previously featured on my Caller Herrin and Epistrophy designs, but for this year’s snood pattern, I decided to develop a new motif, modifying a familiar six-pointed star.
I did a lot of swatching (by hand) and we produced a couple of machined samples before I was totally satisfied with the way the motif was working. I am really pleased with the end result, and love its strong lines and bold reflections.
This is the harbour colourway and I honestly don’t think you can ever go wrong with a palette of simple blues and neutrals. That said, I was keen to try some different shades this year as well. First I selected a palette similar to one I’d previously really enjoyed working with for Tom’s Oa hoody
This colourway is buoy / charcoal and that deep, vibrant orange just looked so good in the pattern that I decided to produce a higher-contrast version – buoy / silver.
My final palette is one I had considered producing last year, and later regretted not doing.
The seafoam colourway is a soft, complex, slightly heathered greeney-bluey-grey. Its the colour of a very particular kind of traditional tweed jacket in Scotland, often referred to as a lovat tweed. It’s a popular Scottish shade, and looking at textiles woven or knitted in it, I’ve often felt that they somehow carried light within them. I love this colour anyway.
I’m finding that my “new” grey hair has the (unexpected) benefit of helping me to experiment with different palettes in what I’m wearing (or styling).
Perhaps this effect will start to tell itself in what I design as well!
The slightly muted, soft seafoam snood really works against the bright, almost neon hues of my favourite Helly Hansen jacket.
And the buoy / charcoal colourway not only looks great with my favourite windproof walking staple, but tones in with the weather!
I styled the buoy / silver colourway against a cool grey top, and have found that this snood looks great against most greys, immediately lifting them with a pop of colour.
These snoods are knitted from beautiful, soft, Yorkshire-spun lambswool. They are made using an innovative tubular method at Lockie’s mill in Hawick (in the Scottish Borders). Each snood is carefully hand-linked so that the pattern neatly matches. Lockies take great care with their production, and if you have seen or handled or worn one of these snoods, you’ll know that their feel and finishing is impeccable.
Here’s a North Star snood worn full length . . .
Though, as it is really designed for the chill winds and cool weather in which Scotland abounds a this time of year, I find I generally wear mine wrapped twice around my neck.
I am quite proud of my new knitwear designs, but I am even more proud of being able to produce sustainable, traceable pieces made from quality materials by suppliers I like working with, and whose high standards I respect. And really, the only reason that I am able to produce these things that I believe in at all is because last year’s snoods found an appreciative market, and enough of you supported my endeavours. Thankyou!
If you’d like a snood, you’ll find them in the knitwear section of the KDD shop.
Dear Kate – Thank you for this beautiful new snood and for all that you do. Wouldl you mind letting us know where you purchased your beautiful yellow/mustard top? It is gorgeous and i would love to purchase one. Thank you!
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Beautiful—no matter what colors are used!! Trying to resist. I can’t really add to my works in progress.
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These are beautiful; your colour choices are fabulous. Your “new” cropped, grey hair suits you very well!
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gorgeous! and i must say i am LOVING your new hair style – also gorgeous!
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Another beautiful addition to your line! One or the other of your two snoods will be on my Christmas list this year, for sure :)
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love the snoods…but what I really need is that sweater you’re wearing in the last few pics!!! :)
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i would also LOVE to know where that oversized grey sweater is from – what a dream!
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Just such wonderful work, great colors, and I love the depth of this design. I must say your hair just makes everything come together—stunning!
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Wear in the best of health. Your new snoods are beautiful and so very warm too. Who was your adoring photographer??? These photos are great.
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I checked on ravelry and I saw that you haven’t posted the pattern, are you going to post it eventually or are you only going to be selling finished pieces?
Thanks!
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These will remain finished pieces not patterns for handknitting – it’s good to mix things up!
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The ‘snoods’ are indeed lovely, colours/pattern, and you look fabulous in them. There is a lightness about you with your ‘new’ hair!
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Wonderful colors and photoshoot. (That rainbow!) I predict that you will quickly sell out of all your stock!
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I was also surprised to see what we Americans would call a cowl or infinity scarf. Snood means something different here.
Regardless it’s a beautiful design and so intricate. Looks like a lovely knit and a gorgeous finished SNOOD! 😁
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Kate I’m loving this snood design and just about to order. I live not so terribly far from you in the Loch Lomond area and always feel very proud of our Scottish heritage and surroundings when I read your posts, since you highlight them and your husband’s photgraphs capture the scenery so well, and of course, not forgetting all you have done for the knitters around the world too with your super designs and books.
Coincidentally, I happen to be out on North Uist just now staying in a thatched Black House similar to the one in your photo shoot here. I’ve been doing lots of photography too, mainly of our wonderful turquoise waters, and white sands, so it’ll be seafoam for my colourway purchase.
Kate, is the wool really soft for being next to the neck? I’m not good with prickly, itchy wool around the neck, but I doubt you impeccable attention to detail would have chosen prickly wool.
Katy
Lady-Aga
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Hi Katy, (Lady Aga is inspired) – I would say this lambswool is the softest there is – the prickle factor with wool is always pretty subjective, of course, but we’ve had feedback from several customers who had similar concerns (and previous difficulties wearing wool next to the neck) who love these snoods. Give me a wave if you see me or Tom out and about in your area!
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Fabulous, thank you Kate. My order for the seafoam snood was placed earlier, very excited to get cosied up in its softness. I’m sure it’s going to be a favourite and much admired, will also look great with all my tweeds.
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I love the snoods, although I can’t see ever wearing one. Just don’t like anything around my neck. I do love how the blues complement your wonderful silvery hair. I think it’s beautiful. Grey just sounds so drab, although I do love the colour, I kinda prefer silvery, a touch of royalty. :) Just my thoughts.
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I just have to mention how your haircut just lifts you up. You’ve always been gorgeous, but now there’s a lightness and buoyancy to your look. Somehow the gray hair has made you look more youthful. Crazy irony, but true.
Ps the snoods are gorgeous, and the stitch pattern you designed is intriguing. I keep seeing different shapes each time I look at it. Thank you for doing your work in the best possible way.
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I love, love, LOVE your hair ! I was initially disappointed when I followed my email link to your post about your new “snood” because i was anticipating a very different item. Many, if not most, Americans think of a very specific type of headwear when they envision a snood. It can be as mundane as a simple hairnet, but is usually very elegant. I even went so far as to look up snood in a dictionary only to discover the item pictured in your photographs as an alternative meaning of the word. Shucks! Even turkeys can have snoods. So – you not only delight with your designs, stories, and those wonderful photographs – you have also taught me something entirely new, which is never a bad thing. I continue to find your designs well worth their purchase price and your blog a treasure. Keep up the good work.
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Are they made using British wool Kate?
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Most British spinners – and the vast majority of British manufacturers making garments – produce and use lambswool from New Zealand. I wrote about the history and the complexities of this situation on the post about my new sweaters, which you may not have seen? (https://katedaviesdesigns.com/2018/09/21/duntreath/) In general, if a yarn is described as “lambswool” it is unlikely to be British unless qualified as “British lambswool.” New Zealand lambswool is a great fibre, and is ideal for these snoods. Other yarns suit other projects, though, and I’m now working to produce some garments spun and made entirely from British wool later this year.
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I love this new bold design and the striking colorways! I can see myself wearing this snood from from now until Springtime here in the Seattle area. Your design and color choices are spot on as usual!
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The colours are stunning Kate!!
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Just finishing your headband, one of your earliest patterns, and recognising the six pointed star! It’s been a pleasure to knit and I’ve done it in orange against lovate green.
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Lovely designs, Kate, and your hair looks great!
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Amazing light – makes all the difference when taking photographs and really shows off the snood and vibrant colours. Gorgeous!
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