Spring Summer 2013 Knitwear Shape Trends & Pattern Suggestions

You may have read my earlier post about colour trends either on Crafts of Texture, or Learn About Wool. I gave a brief mention to shape, as well as looking at pattern;

For shapes think layering and drape. So delicate cardigans and swing front cardigans, lace shawls and maybe even a lightweight knit dress... Keep it simple and form flattering, keeping the eye trained on detail and colour. Stitches in knitwear... if you don't want to keep it simple with lightweight stockinette and striping, consider lace.

So I thought I would pick this up today and discuss shape and pattern in a bit more detail.

Pattern and colour are great in bold use, but it's not for everyone... sometimes we forget when looking at catwalk collections that we have to find a version that suits our purposes... be it something we can wear to work, or be truly form flattering to our personal body shape. So the key really is to consider fashion verses function when planning our wardrobe.

This season has some wonderfully bold use of print and solid colour and this will also be true in fashion knitwear, but some of these will be difficult to wear. So how can we break this up and make it a more manageable look?

Image Source: www.fashionreview.com.au

 

Above we can see some of the key use of pattern this season. A great way to reference this look without wearing head to toe pattern is to break it up. Think small areas of detail, such as bands of colour, or pattern at necklines, cuffs and hems... small flashes of Pattern can be more form flattering. This cute knit pattern Free on www.Ravelry.com is a great example.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/for-the-love-of-remnants (Pattern and photo by Katy Heister)

 

In sock weight yarn it will be just the right weight to transition into Spring. It's a perfect vehicle for a splash of seasonal colour blocking. I recommend a darker base that you can wear with anything and picking a selection of seasonal colours that will work well together. Hold your yarns together and choose your striping effect before you work, move them around in formation to see how colours pop when they are placed next to contrasts for maximum effect.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ma-belle-amie (Pattern by YarnLove, photo Pamyarnlove)

 

This is another free pattern on Ravelry and a great way to add a pop of a fashion colour to neutrals/monochromes, making a dramatic but easy to wear look this season.

Source: www.Gucci.com

 

Bold solid colours are for the braver... or are they? Think about clever use of pattern to break up the intensity of those brighter spring colours. Shear or lace areas will help.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/down purchased as part of pattern book by Rowan (Pattern by Kim Hargreaves for www.Rowan.com photo by City Purl)

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peacock-shawlette $4.50 (Pattern and photo by Kitman Figueroa)

 

Shapes are easier to look at in knitwear as these tend to be all about light, floaty and drape-able layering pieces in the Spring. So consider waterfall wraps with fitted sleeves, shawlettes and boleros for easy cover ups and fashion pattern/colour. These are in my Ravelry queue for this season;

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers-after-the-frost (Pattern by Jennifer Smith, photo by Phamtominblue)

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kit-camisole (Pattern by Bristol Ivy for www.quinceandco.com, photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge)

 

Oh and of course Ma Belle Amies above! I hope you have enjoyed my look at SS2013 knitwear and I hope you'll come back to follow my Spring knit journey. Next time I will be looking at fibre bases for spinning and knitting this Spring.

Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com