Middleton, Norfolk Striped Crew Neck British Wool Jumper

“After an hour or so the upward flood of the tide held its breath for an elongated moment and then it changed direction and we were being pulled back the way we had come, down towards the meeting of river with sea…”

Threads-The delicate Life of John Craske. Julia Blackburn

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The Middleton is my modern take on the classic Norfolk nautical stripe  – inspired by the Gansey jumpers worn by Norfolk fishermen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Knitted from a blend of Bluefaced Leicester and Masham certified British wools, it is the lightest-weight piece in the collection, making it ideal for a more seasonless wardrobe. My highly skilled knitters in Perugia, Italy create each jumper on a seven-gauge machine before giving it a gentle wash using their closely guarded recipe to make it incredibly light and  soft.

The open crew-neck has a flattering curved hem and oversized natural buttons at the sides. Leave them closed or open them to create easy side splits. The stripe is cleverly engineered to flow flatteringly across the shoulders and through the openings, creating a clean line and a lovely sense of movement.

Named after Sally Middleton, a skilled Gansey knitter from Upper Sheringham, who broke with tradition to knit herself a women’s version of a Gansey jumper. My modern interpretation of a British wool jumper combines a lightweight knit with a story of creativity, independence and British heritage.