Designer Feature

The Hill Top Shawl, Cumbria, and finding inspiration in the world around you

The Fibre Co. founder, Daphne Marinopoulos, sat down this week with designer Helen Stewart to discuss England, British sheep breeds, Cumbria, and finding creative inspiration in the world outside your back door. 

Last year, Daphne and her family relocated to her husband’s home in the north of England, in the lake district. They found their new home in Cumbria, and quickly set about finding inspiration in the many sheep-filled hillsides surrounding them. If you listen, you’ll also get a sneak preview of our new fall yarn for 2016!

We released Cumbria in a worsted weight in fall of 2015, and the fingering weight this January. Designer Helen Stewart used the natural undyed color of the fingering weight to create the lovely Hill Top Shawl, released this past week in time for her Curious Handmade Country House Retreat. Her lovely design quickly made it to the front page of Ravelry’s Hot Right Now, and is sure to become a favorite for knit-alongs this spring.

From the designer:

The Hill Top Shawl was inspired by the rolling fields, stone walls, and craggy hills of gorgeous Cumbria in the north of England. There is an everyday magic to this place, where a touch of untamed wilderness still endures amid a tradition of rural life that reaches back back centuries. Cumbria is the ancestral home of Peter Rabbit and the epitome of what Robert Blake called ‘England’s green and pleasant land,’ and it stole my heart years ago. I’ve poured that love into this design: an elegant crescent-shaped shawl with a rustic soul.

I’ve interspersed super simple garter stitch with eye-catching lace panels, and finished it all off with a sweet, engaging picot edge. You might drape this shawl around your shoulders as you nestle in at home with a book, safe from the elements, or wrap it snugly around your neck for comfort as you head out bravely on a weekend hike. This classic accessory will keep you warm and cosy wherever it’s worn.

— Helen Stewart, Curious Handmade

The Hill Top Shawl is 30% off until March 29th. KAL anyone?

Enter our giveaway to win two skeins of Cumbria Fingering to make your own Hill Top Shawl!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

27 thoughts on “The Hill Top Shawl, Cumbria, and finding inspiration in the world around you

  1. Rebecca G says:

    I really like the gentle curve of this shawl, I think it will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

  2. lisa says:

    As soon as I saw this pattern I hopped over to Ravelry to make it mine! Beautiful!

  3. Mary says:

    what a pretty shawl – and I love the story behind the yarn and the pattern!

  4. Anne says:

    I like this shawl. It’s quite nice looking and would be great for the colder days.

  5. Greta says:

    Beautiful shawl! I’d like to make one in each color of Cumbria.

  6. Glenda says:

    I love the use of the mesh and garter stitches…beautiful drape. Perfect for this time of year!

  7. Lee says:

    What a beautiful shawl using another of your lovely yarns! Thanks for the generous giveaway!

  8. Christine says:

    I can’t wait to knit this!

  9. Karen says:

    Loved this shawl the moment I saw it! I’m thinking of knitting one in either Buttermere or Helvellyn.

  10. Catherine H says:

    Beautiful shawl

  11. Kim Reid says:

    Beautiful shawl, I love the Eden Valley color and would love to join the KAL!

  12. Jenna K says:

    I love Helen’s patterns and would love to knit this one with the beautiful Cumbria 🙂

  13. lk says:

    Wow! This shawl looks great!

  14. Anne Westbrook Mursin says:

    What a pretty shawl! I like the simplicity of it – mostly garter stitch with just a hint of an interesting lace. I’ll be knitting along! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂

  15. Kathy Wallace says:

    Just bought the shawl – a lovely yarn and pattern combination!

  16. Lily says:

    The perfect grey! Love the pattern. Looks just right for spring.

  17. Jane Lockrey says:

    what a gorgeous pattern – I’ve been trying to decide on a patten for my first shawl and I think I’ve found it! Thanks so much for sharing!
    ps in the rafflecopter I entered my Instagram account incorrectly – it’s actually its.jane.e

  18. Kathryn says:

    Love reading about your new home and its impact on your design- a while back, I blogged about the color inspiration I found from the buildings around me. Check it out: http://eastroadknits.blogspot.com/2015/07/inspiration-is-all-around.html

  19. Susan says:

    Helen designs the most simple yet perfect shawls. Also very wearable. Love it.

  20. Absolutely love this gorgeous shawl! So elegant & rustic at the same time! I’m definitely in for the KAL!

  21. Veronika says:

    It is a beautiful shawl. Something to think about when all my current wips are finished. 🙂

  22. Page S says:

    Really lovely pattern!

  23. Teri says:

    I love the new Cumbria fingering along with this beautiful design by Helen Stewart.

  24. emi lipe love says:

    I love the feminine yet classic design of the shawl.

  25. Savannagal says:

    The shawl is lovely. I don’t like too much fuss and this one looks like it would go with just about anything.

  26. Nancy J says:

    This looks like a great design that won’t be too heavy for So Cal weather.

  27. Melinda says:

    I am loving this. Looks fancy but super easy

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