Competition Chaos!

David Neiper. Never heard of him, or his brand? Neither had I 6 weeks ago. His brand had been up and running for over 40 years, and all the clothes are designed, produced and distributed in Derby. I know- saying I live hear you’d have thought I’d heard of him, or the brand? But no. No I hadn’t. Mainly because the clothing produced are aimed at the older generation of women- the over 50’s to be precise. So apart from being about 31 years younger than their target market, the other reason I hadn’t heard of them was because their clothing’s a little out of my price range. Just a little. Well, you know, as a student, a lot…

Anyway! Back to the point! We were introduced the brand at uni, and given this fab opportunity to design 4 pieces of clothing to debut the company!

Along the way, me and the other knit gals were learning the ropes on the Dubied- a more industrial knitting machine than we’d been used to. (not a power machine, but one up from your bog standard domestic machine!) I’ll admit, me and the dubied didn’t get along for many weeks- trust me my language was fowl at more than one point- but eventually I got there. Dubied knitting machines allow you to knit using a double bed, making a thicker, nicer knit. Anyway, I got knitting and produced some great things!

I got experimenting with a bit of bright yellow shearing elastic. I know- not very over 50. But the whole point of the comp was to introduce the company to new ideas… Well, fast forward to a few experiments later, and a i ended up with a design!

Next came my fave design! I love it! My mom doesn’t like it- mainly because the sample I had to cut up to fit on the board I had promised her for a cushion… #sorrysue . Nah, she does really! I just love the patterns and think the bright yellow is fab!

The next 2 designs are pretty cute too! The grey cardigan was made on the Shima, with the sleeves being a simple Dubied stripe. The other sample, is a combo of both a domestic sample combined with a Dubied rib! Here's my final 4 design boards!

So how did it go? I GOT SHORTLISTED!!! I didn’t get any further than that in the competition, but having been the kid who never even won a race at sports day- I’ll take that! To be honest, I’m just proud a well-known company (that’s up to popular debate) have seen my designs!

So chill yeah there’s a deadline and competition over? WRONG! Next up- Bradford Textiles Society Competition!

This one’s an annual comp for anyone who does textiles really. I love it. They like designs that are a little ‘out there’. So naturally, that’s what I did.

THESE SAMPLES ARE LITERALLY SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING KNITS I'VE EVER DONE! I LOVE THEM! I THINK THEY'RE GREAT!

Seriously I need to calm down…

Yet again the yellow elastic made an appearance, but in my opinion, its fab! I love the lil’ fringing thing I’ve done too. Very proud of it, if I do say so myself…

So yeah, that’s about all that’s been happening with me lately- BUSY BUSY BUSY! Oh that, and I brought a knitting machine! Not bad for someone who didn’t even want to be a knitter!

Bethan Rose x