8 British Knitwear Designers Influencing Fashion Right Now

The British Isles have a long and distinguished pedigree in the craft of heritage knitwear. The oldest operating factory in the world, located in Matlock, Derbyshire, is owned by British heritage knitwear brand John Smedley, and traditional patterns from Fair Isle and Argyle in Scotland to cable knits from Ireland continue to inspire generations of designers and makers worldwide. For a shot of new-season inspiration, here’s our shortlist of the best of British knitwear brands influencing both the international catwalks and what we’ll be knitting and stitching at home this year. Suddenly, we’re looking forward to the autumn!

Genevieve Sweeney

Marrying contemporary design with unusual yarn blends and exceptional hand finishes indebted to techniques of artisan makers, Genevieve Sweeney is committed to the ethical practices and responsibilities of a premium British brand. See more at genevievesweeney.com

ERIBE

ERIBE is designed to fit in with your life and your wardrobe with a contemporary twist on traditional Scottish knitwear. The designers are specialists in the heritage knitting technique of Fair Isle, mixing patterns, colours and yarns together in an innovative way. Visit eribe.com to find out more.

Ally Bee

Ethical and sustainable values are at the core of British brand Ally Bee. We love the beautifully soft poncho jumpers and knitted cuff gloves crafted in Italian cashmere merino ‘Fairwool’, the world’s only certified ethical and environmentally sustainable luxury cashmere. See the latest collection at ally-bee.com

Barrie

Located in the tiny Scottish town of Hawick, Barrie is one of Scotland’s leading cashmere manufacturers - owned by Chanel no less - creating luscious, luxurious, covetable heritage knitwear for fashionistas. Visit barrie.com to see more.

Beehive Brand

A new soulful British brand based in Darlington, celebrating the ethical principles of supporting community and our industrial heritage of all things craft. See the range at thebeehivebrand.co.uk

Brora

Boutique brand Brora is known for its luxury, Scottish cashmere and interesting collaborations, including Sophie Dahl and celebrated London designer Eudon Choi. Find more at brora.co.uk

Peregrine

Based in Bristol, Peregrine Clothing is a classic English heritage brand, producing high-end knitwear in UK factories using sustainable yarns. Now an established international fashion brand, Peregrine started life as a manufacturer of high-quality functional clothing over 220 years ago, even producing military socks during WW1. See what’s new at thebeehivebrand.co.uk

&Daughter

Based in the Scottish borders and born out of a belief in useful things beautifully made, &Daughter works with British and Irish artisan makers using fine natural yarns and the traditional knitting technique of fully-fashioning, going through over 20 separate hand-finishing processes to create each piece. See the collection at and-daughter.com

Love this look?
Check out these knitting patterns with a heritage twist:

Accessorise your outfit with these Fair Isle gloves. Click here to download the pattern for FREE.

Team Fair Isle patterns with leather handles for a fashion-forward look. Download the FREE pattern here.

Let the yarn do the work in this cosy knit from Sirdar.

Tweed and cables combine in these stylish capes from Sirdar.

Make a statement in this long Fair Isle cardi from Rowan

Rowan gives cables a modern twist with short drop-shoulder sleeves.