Seasonal knitting inspiration
The Almanac Series is an exciting new seasonal guide to knitting from The Fibre Co.
THE TRADITIONAL
farmer’s almanac was a guide to the seasons, an annual nature-inspired book which offered information on the weather and planting dates, sunrises and sunsets, and the tides. The team at The Fibre Co. were inspired by this idea to create their own almanac for knitters: a monthly series of patterns based on seasonal themes.
The Almanac Series, which launches in September, will see a new pattern released monthly, each one showcasing a specific yarn from The Fibre Co.’s range. This new approach from the Lake District-based company was in part a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a time in which many knitters have been looking for mindful projects that make them feel happy and give them the chance to try beautiful yarns.
“What has really driven our work for autumn-winter 2021-22 were the key mantras that have been getting us through this challenging period - simplify, focus, and choose well,” explains The Fibre Co.’s founder, Daphne Marinopoulos. “We are simplifying through a slow and steady pace of releases over the course of the season. We are focussing by concentrating on just one yarn per month. And lastly, we are choosing to work on projects that are fun to make and easy to wear with a strong feel-good factor.”
The beauty of nature
This year’s Almanac Series has the theme of plants and herbalism, to recognise the importance and heightened appreciation of maintaining health in these times. Details of the first five designs have been revealed, and they are named after herbs and plants with medicinal benefits. For September, Sarah Hatton has designed ‘Cherry Bark’, a slipover with two neck options knitted in Arranmore Light. ‘Echinacea’ is a textured hat by Karie Westermann, which will be released in October, while November’s design is ‘Milk Thistle’, a three-colour shawl by Béatrice Mase. More wintry projects include the cosy ‘Lady’s Mantle’ cowl by Lily France, and a colourwork yoked sweater called ‘Yarrow’ designed by Marie-Amélie Madignier.
More projects in The Almanac Series will be revealed in the coming months, and patterns and yarns will be available to buy from your nearest stockist or direct from The Fibre Co. website.
The Fibre Co. has also been busy expanding the One Series, its popular range of essential patterns that are both size- and gender-exclusive. This began with ‘One Sweater’, a design in 15 sizes from child’s age 1-2 to adult’s 54-56in, and which was later joined by ‘One Sweater Texture’ and ‘One Sock’. New to the One Series is ‘One Sweater V-Neck’ by Becky Baker, which is designed to be knitted in either a combination of Arranmore Light and Cirro, or Meadow and Cirro. And coming up in October is ‘One Cardigan’, designed by Sarah Hatton and knitted in Lore lambswool.