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Cardigan Great Britain 1982 Hand knitted angora and wool Width across shoulders 41 cm x length collar to waist 60 cm T.210-1985

Inspired by the patterns on decorative china plates, this jumper is made up of a kaleidoscope of stitches in bright primary colours, emphasising its hand crafted appeal. A patchwork effect is achieved by alternating blocks of stocking and fancy stitches. The pattern is published in The Knitwear Revolution by Suzy Menkes, Bell & Hyman,1983. The designer of the jumper, Patricia Roberts, set up a hand knitting business in 1976 and still runs a shop in London today. She has published many pattern books and issued ranges of luxury yarn. She is known for her innovative designs in bold colours using contrasting textures and decorative stitches.


Evening coat

Evening coat Great Britain 1979 Hand-knitted in natural and synthetic yarns Width arms outstretched 143 cm, length neck to hem 134.5 cm T.354-1980

A variety of textured yarns in muted colours were used to create this magnificent coat. Predominantly worked in stocking stitch, it reveals the designer's unorthodox, creative and highly influential approach to design. The shaping of this ankle-length garment with full sleeves draws upon Renaissance and Eastern dress. It was hand-knitted by Zoe Hunt for Kaffe Fassett. Kaffe Fassett was born in San Francisco and came to live in England in 1964. An art student, he did not begin knitting until his late twenties. His early commercial collections were commissioned by Missoni and Bill Gibb. Fassett is known for his geometric patterns in a rich palette of different hues. He summed up his philosophy of colour in an interview in Vogue Knitting International in 2002: 'Why limit yourself to just one shade of red when you can use seventeen?'

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