Sue’s unique contemporary limited edition knitwear
can be seen at selected craft fairs and exhibitions
throughout the year, by contacting her and visiting
her studio, and through this web site. Colours and textures are distinctive
and subtle and are best seen in person. In this web site we show only
a select few of our garments and their colours.
The collection is small and carefully considered. It consists of sweaters, jackets, tops and scarves in top quality natural yarns. Sue creates easy to wear, distinctive, subtle and sophisticated colours, textures and shapes, and everything is individually knitted and finished - nothing is mass produced. Many items are also hand dyed to achieve interesting and subtle effects, often exploiting yarn and fibre mixtures; no two garments are ever quite alike. Sue uses mostly silk, linen, cotton and viscose yarns chosen for quality, colour and texture - sourced from a variety of UK suppliers. Garments can be knitted to customers’ individual requirements and special commissions are welcomed.
Sue is a member of The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen.
The collection is small and carefully considered. It consists of sweaters, jackets, tops and scarves in top quality natural yarns. Sue creates easy to wear, distinctive, subtle and sophisticated colours, textures and shapes, and everything is individually knitted and finished - nothing is mass produced. Many items are also hand dyed to achieve interesting and subtle effects, often exploiting yarn and fibre mixtures; no two garments are ever quite alike. Sue uses mostly silk, linen, cotton and viscose yarns chosen for quality, colour and texture - sourced from a variety of UK suppliers. Garments can be knitted to customers’ individual requirements and special commissions are welcomed.
Sue is a member of The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen.
The design process
Inspiration for colour, texture and shape
Inspiration comes from many sources. The natural world offers a continuous fund of inspiration for colours and textures, such as those in some of Sue’s recent bobble tuck scarves and tops which were inspired by sea urchin shells picked up from the sea bottom by Sue while snorkelling in Greece. World and historical textiles also offer inspiration for colour combinations and textures. Sue finds further inspiration in her ideas books which she carries with her and constantly adds to. Similar to scrapbooks, they contain sketches and notes of garment and stitch ideas, items which catch Sue’s eye such as found objects (leaves, scraps of fabrics), photographs and post cards, interesting colours and colour combinations noted, etc.
Inspiration for colour, texture and shape
Inspiration comes from many sources. The natural world offers a continuous fund of inspiration for colours and textures, such as those in some of Sue’s recent bobble tuck scarves and tops which were inspired by sea urchin shells picked up from the sea bottom by Sue while snorkelling in Greece. World and historical textiles also offer inspiration for colour combinations and textures. Sue finds further inspiration in her ideas books which she carries with her and constantly adds to. Similar to scrapbooks, they contain sketches and notes of garment and stitch ideas, items which catch Sue’s eye such as found objects (leaves, scraps of fabrics), photographs and post cards, interesting colours and colour combinations noted, etc.
Background
Sue has been creating clothes from a young age - having begun by designing and making clothes for her dolls. Following an art and design foundation course, she trained in graphic design - although it was a close run thing between that and fashion. Knitting at this time was not even an interest .... ‘my family didn’t knit - they sewed’ she says. Sue gained a BA Hons in Graphic Design from the London College of Printing (now the London College of Communication - the largest constituent college of the University of the Arts, London) in 1980. On leaving college she worked for a number of leading London design consultancies before starting her design business in 1988. Susan Holton Design Consultancy offered corporate graphic design, such as company visual identity, annual reports, brochures and literature to companies large and small, national and international.
In the early 80’s knitting became first an interest and then a passion. Sue has been knitting for herself, for family and for friends ever since. In 2002 she made the decision to forget corporate design and to design, knit and dye her sweaters full time - selling directly to the public.
Sue has been creating clothes from a young age - having begun by designing and making clothes for her dolls. Following an art and design foundation course, she trained in graphic design - although it was a close run thing between that and fashion. Knitting at this time was not even an interest .... ‘my family didn’t knit - they sewed’ she says. Sue gained a BA Hons in Graphic Design from the London College of Printing (now the London College of Communication - the largest constituent college of the University of the Arts, London) in 1980. On leaving college she worked for a number of leading London design consultancies before starting her design business in 1988. Susan Holton Design Consultancy offered corporate graphic design, such as company visual identity, annual reports, brochures and literature to companies large and small, national and international.
In the early 80’s knitting became first an interest and then a passion. Sue has been knitting for herself, for family and for friends ever since. In 2002 she made the decision to forget corporate design and to design, knit and dye her sweaters full time - selling directly to the public.
Knitted stitch patterns colours and textures
Sue spends a lot of time dyeing and knitting experimental samples. These enable her to develop different stitch and yarn textures and interesting and unusual stitch and colour combinations and subtle dyed effects. Different fibres, yarns and colours are often mixed together to achieve the desired colour, texture or drape.
Knitted garment shapes and styles
Many years of experience in dressmaking and soft-tailoring have helped Sue to understand garment structure and fit and to develop flattering garment shapes and interesting styles. Once Sue began knitting she realised the possibilities inherent in creating fabric and garment together - and she became fascinated by the opportunities involved in shaping a garment through the structure of the knitting. World and historical textiles and garment shapes are also an influence.
Sue spends a lot of time dyeing and knitting experimental samples. These enable her to develop different stitch and yarn textures and interesting and unusual stitch and colour combinations and subtle dyed effects. Different fibres, yarns and colours are often mixed together to achieve the desired colour, texture or drape.
Knitted garment shapes and styles
Many years of experience in dressmaking and soft-tailoring have helped Sue to understand garment structure and fit and to develop flattering garment shapes and interesting styles. Once Sue began knitting she realised the possibilities inherent in creating fabric and garment together - and she became fascinated by the opportunities involved in shaping a garment through the structure of the knitting. World and historical textiles and garment shapes are also an influence.