Every jumper tells a story

Sheringham fishermen c.1900. Courtesy of Cromer Museum, Norfolk
“seaweed” and “hailstone” stitches courtesy of Cromer Museum, Norfolk
“flowerpot” stitch, courtesy of Cromer Museum, Norfolk

There’s a story to be found within every old, hand-knitted jumper. But jumpers like these rarely stand the test of time; subject to moths, damp and decay it’s rare to find a real vintage one nowadays.

Mindful of this truth, I want to preserve the stitches, constructions and shapes of the past by remodelling them into modern, pared back garments so that their stories are not lost to us. Instead they will be retold using new technologies and honest, sustainable and traceable fibres for a new generation of wearers to make their own.

My first collection, Olive and George, has its roots in the Norfolk Gansey jumpers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries which the fishermen’s wives and daughters of Sheringham, Caister and Cley knitted for their men folk on circular needles using stitches with names such as “seaweed”, “hailstones” and “flower pot”. Functionality, durability and immense pride in the final product was the motivation behind these pieces, as they are in the garments knitted today, resulting in a timeless collection which at its core, values the safeguarding of our natural resources for future generations by creating knitwear to be proud of for many years to come.