Home Is Where the Heart Is

Knitwear designer Louisa Harding has launched a brand-new yarn range spun in her home county of Yorkshire

- Louisa Harding

KNOWN FOR her feminine, intricate patterns, Louisa Harding has had a long career in knitwear design, starting out at Rowan Yarns and establishing herself as an independent designer. She has also had great success with her range of yarns produced in association with Knitting Fever. Now, Louisa has launched a new venture, called Yarntelier, offering luxurious cashmere yarns spun in a historic mill in Yorkshire. We spoke with Louisa about her new project.

When did you learn to knit?

“My Grandma taught me to knit when I was about six years old. As a teenager I was really into making clothes; I received a sewing machine for my 18th birthday, and I studied dressmaking and pattern cutting. It wasn’t until I was at college that I fell in love with the hand knitted stitch.”

What was the first original piece of knitwear you ever created?

“When I was studying Textiles for Fashion at Brighton University, we were given various projects to complete. One of these projects was set by Woman magazine and sponsored by Patons - the brief was to design a hand knitted garment that was inspired by the Olympics (the 1988 Olympics!). I designed a gymnastics inspired sweater with a textured pattern, which was embellished with a contrast colour to look like gymnastic ribbons, and a leaf edging around the wide leotard inspired neckline. I had to knit the garment myself. I was placed third in the competition; I was given a celebration lunch and had photos of the sweater published in the magazine. I still have my award safely tucked away.”

How did you come to work in the knitwear industry?