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Charl
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Charl
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Sustainability
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charlknits

Traceable & sustainable British knitwear with a story to tell.

🌤 Hello, how was your weekend? 🌱 I don't kn

🌤 Hello, how was your weekend?

🌱 I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm a bit in limbo at the moment; waiting for normality to slowly return, waiting for spring to FINALLY arrive so that I can wear my spring blouses and plant out my more delicate plants!

🌤 During a sunny moment on Saturday, we went for a walk through the fields to an alpaca farm near our new home. I didn't think there would be so many alpacas, all completely different shades to each other, unlike the sheep we're so used to seeing in the fields.

🐐 This is one of the special, rather beautiful qualities of alpaca yarn - it comes in all sorts of natural shades that are really saturated in tone. Once the animals are shorn, the fibre is sorted by colour ensuring a uniform shade. This means that you can use the yarn without needing to dye it, removing one more process. Just like sheep's wool is it anti-bacterial and temperature regulating but it tends to feel heavier and softer making the garments it is knitted into more draped, rather than bouncy like a wool knit. This is why I like to use both yarns in my collection because they complement each other beautifully offering shapes and handles that are completely different to each other. If you'd like to read more about these lovely, peaceful animals, there is a section on my website under the "Sustainability" header (link in bio).

⭐ Other news this month is that I'm really proud to have joined up with the beautiful British crafts website @vigourandskills who showcase the work of the very best British Makers, their website is absolutely gorgeous and the makers they showcase are truly inspirational. Watch out for more behind the scenes images and insights into my design process coming soon on their site...

#alpaca #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #april #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🌱 Well, it's definitely been a gardening week,

🌱 Well, it's definitely been a gardening week, even though the weather hasn't felt very spring-like!

🌹 @francestophill makes gardening chic look effortless in her Codling cardi and vintage coat. Layering weights means you can regulate your body temperature as you carry out more or less energetic jobs and the natural qualities of the baby alpaca yarn means that it naturally regulates your body temperature!

🌻 I'm hoping to plant more flower seeds this afternoon if the sun comes out 🤞

#francestophill #gardening #loveyourgarden #babyalpaca #naturalyarns #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #april #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes #madeinbritain #britishbrand

💚 A little-known fact is that fishermen were al

💚 A little-known fact is that fishermen were also farmers and gardeners.

🌱 When I was first researching stitches for my collection at the Cromer Museum, I was surprised to discover the "Flowerpot" design which was unique to Caister, Norfolk. I thought it was strange for a fisherman's Gansey to feature such an unrelated object, but I was wrong! I have since discovered that fishermen would farm and cultivate produce from their gardens to supplement their income from fishing and when the sea was too rough to go out in (which happened quite often) they would turn to their vegetables instead.

📷 This period photograph, taken by Olive Edis shows Mrs Middleton wearing her own adaptation of a Gansey jumper (a sleeveless waistcoat) standing in her cottage garden. A precious and rare example of a woman wearing a Gansey knit.

Image of Old Mrs Middleton by Olive Edis is courtesy of Norfolk Museums Service.

#fishermen #ganseys #gardeners #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #norfolkmuseumservice #april #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🐑 It's lovely to be able to use a yarn with a t

🐑 It's lovely to be able to use a yarn with a traceable British story to it!

I've been reading about the history of British wool in my new book; "This Golden Fleece - A Journey Through Britain' Knitted History" by Esther Rutter. It's a fascinating read, telling the story of British knitwear heritage and also explainig how and why different breeds of sheep evolved in different parts of the country, adapting to their environments. I particularly like the passage below, as Esther has such a lovely way of conveying insteresting facts:

"In breed names we find Britain in miniature: Welsh Mountain, Manx Loagthtan, Derbyshire Gritstone, Norfolk Horn. Britain's polyglot history of exchange with the Continent is here too: British Texel, British Friesland, British Bleu du Maine."

🐑 The wool used in my own knitwear collection is a blend of Masham and Bluefaced Leicester, the Masham breed is known for its long, lustrous fleece and black and white face and legs (similar to the sheep in these pictures), and the Bluefaced Leicester, with its long, Romanesque nose, is well known for producing one of the finest wools in Britain which is demi-lustrous and silky soft.

🌅 I stepped outside yesterday evening to take these photograohs of the sheep in the field next to my house, the lambs are so joyful, I feel very proud to be using British wool and helping to keep the story alive!

#lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #april #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🐣 Happy Easter! #easter2021 #britishwool #apri

🐣 Happy Easter!

#easter2021 #britishwool #april #springtime

☀️ Just popped outside for a bit of sunshine..

☀️ Just popped outside for a bit of sunshine... you've got to make the most of every minute of it at this time of year haven't you?

💐 Have you thought about your "spring garden" wardrobe yet?

🌦 You migtht need a cardigan by the weekend! X

🚀 There's still time to order a #charlknits cardigan in time for the weekend and... there's 20% off the Rook and Sparrow knits for now!

#lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #Easterweekend #cardigans #weekenddressing #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🐣 Anyone for an Easter Egg Hunt? 🐑 Our egg

🐣 Anyone for an Easter Egg Hunt?

🐑 Our egg warmers are back! Hand knitted in 100% British wool in new spring colours:

🌈 Duck Egg Blue and Russet Yellow.

£15 For the pair, beautifully gift wrapped as always 💛

#easter #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #ICONSexclusive #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🌬 It was so windy yesterday that I worried all

🌬 It was so windy yesterday that I worried all the beautiful spring blossom would get blown off the trees outside my window.

🌸 It seems to be there for a minute, then gone!

🌱 Isn't this the beauty of this time of year though - each week marks a new stage in the awakening of the world!

⛅I tried to capture this fleeting moment in these photos - I'm sure the delicate spring light helped!

#yellow #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #ICONSexclusive #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #organiccashmere #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

☕ Time for tea? Do you have a favourite tea pot

☕ Time for tea?

Do you have a favourite tea pot?

Mine is a pink and black spotty one I bought in Asolo (Northern Italy) whilst I was working at Benetton. It's chipped, stained and the lid has been glued back together but it still makes the best cuppa!

🍪 I love the idea of "teatime", especially on a Sunday - it reminds me of Christopher Robin.

I made hot cross scones yesterday and they were very successful (recipe below). (I've tried making Hot Cross Buns but they take ages and mine always come out feeling like rocks!)

🐣 They are also really yummy as part of a high tea with a boiled egg - and what better to keep them warm than a cosy little Charl egg warmer, kntted in Spring colours!

🎁 These will be available to buy in pairs, beautifully wrapped on my website (and Instagram/Facebook) tomorrow, just in time for Easter.

Hot Cross Scones:

500g self raising flour

125g caster sugar

125g butter

135g raisins

1/2 lemon zest grated

1 small apple grated

1 heaped tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp mixed spice

1 egg beaten and mixed with 125ml milk

marmalade to galze

35g flour moxed with 2-3 tbsp water to make the cross.

1 lined baking tray

oven set at 190 degrees

Mix the dry ingredients with the cubed butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the raisins, zest and apple. Make a well in the centre and gradually stir in the milk and egg until it forms a damp dough.

Turn onto a floured board and nead, then roll out to a thickness of 4cm. Use a small glass or circular pastry cutter to stamp out your scones, place on the baking sheet.

Mix the flour and water together to form a paste and transfer into a piping bag. Pipe crosses onto each scone, put in the oven to cook for about 20 mins (delending on your oven).

Once the scones have come out of the oven mix a couple of desert spoons of marmalade with 1 desert spoon of boiling water ( i pop it n the microwave to melt) then brush over each scone so that it looks shiny.

Enjoy! x

(This recipe was adapted from one I found in my National Trust Book of Scones)

#hotcrossbuns #hotcrossscones #easterbaking #eggcosies #eggwarmers #teatime #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #

🌸 Hello, how's your week been? 🎀 I've been

🌸 Hello, how's your week been?

🎀 I've been very busy packaging up my Chibbles knits to send out to my patient new customers! Thank you for your lovely comments, I've been saving them all!

🎁 I treated myself to a new @seebychloe blouse too (thanks @wardrobeicons for your edit!). It got me thinking about how we shop; do you impulse buy and throw on your new item immediately, or do you deliberate over it for days and leave in it's packaging before finally opening? I do the latter, but I wish I did the former!

🌸 Now I have finally unpacked my beautiful acquisition I've been playing around with how it will fit into my spring edit. I love the attention to detail on the broderie anglaise which complements the detailing on my knitwear; at the shoulders, neckines and cuffs. Cardigans are so handy at this time of year because they give you the chance to wear summery tops whilst still staying warm!

🌈 Then there's the colour - which always has such an instinctive pull. I've been drawn to the deicate pinks and off-whites of the hawthorn and cherry blossoms outside. The pale creams and pinks of my knitwear and my new blouse work really well with the grey Codling cardigan - feminine lace details soften the ribs, and the cardi tones down the blouse so that it doesnt look too "girly"!

⚓The nautical Chibbles funnel neck breaches the gap between Winter and Spring beautifully too, with its clean lines and strong silhouette - I'll be wearing all of these combinations with pale denim jeans or my thick whilte cotton trousers - once it's stopped raining! 🌦

#lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #ICONSexclusive #march #Britishwool #chibbles #pink #nauticalstripes #bretonstripes #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🚀 The Chibbles knit is back in stock and availa

🚀 The Chibbles knit is back in stock and available to order right now at @wardrobeicons

For my lovely patient customers who have pre-ordered their jumpers , I'm busy packing them up now, hoping to get them all sent out to you by the end of the day 🤞

What a great start to the week! 🧡🧡

#lovedclotheslast #charlknits #wardrobeICONS #ICONSexclusive #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

🐑 Spring has definitely been in the air this we

🐑 Spring has definitely been in the air this weekend in line with the March Equinox. I've been out gardening in landlocked Warwickshire, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Norfolk, thinking about what it must be like along the coast at this time of year...

🌊 Did you know that Equinoxes can affect the oceans and in particular the tides? Apparently the sun has a stronger "pull" on the Earth than usual which is due to the alignment between the sun and the Equator. As a result, the water surface is strongly attracted by the sun and accentuates the tides which are called "Great Tides".

⛵The Norfolk Fishermen would've been aware of these tidal surges at this time of the year and would've known to look out for them as they could be particularly treacherous along this stretch of coastline which is full of sandbanks - as Robert Smith recounts in his fascinating book "Crossing the Bar" - Tales of Wells Harbour". The fishermen had the greatest knowledge of the sea, the weather and the tides, more even than the sailors, it was a knowledge that was passed down through generations - just like the Gansey jumpers and the knitting patterns.

⚓The fishermen were almost always the lifeboatmen too in their communities, as can be seen in the group photographs of the time. Images courtesy of #norfolkmuseumservice

#robertsmithMBE @staynextthesea #lovedclotheslast #charlknits #march #Britishwool #knitwear #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessupport #shoplocal #shopsmall #warwickshire
#newbrand #shopindependent #investmentfashion #slowfashion #foreverfashion #springfashion #intuitiveliving #repeatdressing #lookforthecrookmark #everydayactivism #whomademyclothes #whatsinmyclothes

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