The Erika Knight Yarn Collection is rooted in British landscape and traditions. The knitting patterns in Sussex take both as a starting point. Sussex County is a beautiful part of South England with rough seashores, majestic chalk cliffs and gentle hills. Erika Knight, Mieka John and Jule Kebelmann designed seven knitting patterns to reflect this manifold landscape and took inspiration from the vast knitting traditions in Britain. Find a modern take on cabled vests, Shetland lace and Fisherman's jumpers.
Photos by Simone Hawlisch
Pelham jumper
A rib stitch is synonymous with resilience and reliability, fitting for blustery walks, when the funnel neck is pulled up close to your chin, for protection against the elements. Designed to be thrown on over layers, workwear, or everyday jeans, this casual, oversized sweater feels timeless and genderless. It is designed to be hardwearing and hardworking in your wardrobe.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4)
• To fit chest: 78-86 (94-102) 110-118 (126-134) cm/ 30.75-34 (37-40.25) 43.25-46.5 (49.5-52.75)”
• Finished measurement chest circumference: 110 (121) 132 (142.5) cm/ 43.25 (47.75) 52 (56)”
• Recommend ease: 9-32 cm/ 3.5-12.5” of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Wild Wool
• Quantity: 9 (10) 12 (13) x 100g hanks
• Shown in colours: 707 Dawdle and 709 Swagger
• Needles: 5 mm/US 8 and 5.5 mm/US 9 needles, straight or circular needles with a length of at least 80 cm/ 36”
• Gauge: 22 sts x 40 rows = 10 cm/4’’ on 5.5 mm/US 9 in rib pattern, after blocking.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, Stitch holders
Hastings jumper
Visiting a working fishing beach like the one in Hastings is a feast for the eyes with a jarring mix of manmade detritus and natural washed-up flotsam and jetsam. Using a basic two-colour stranded, North Sea inspired pattern repeated in bands across the body and sleeves, the flat surface is interrupted by the colour change adding visual textural interest. This is a modern take on a traditional Gansey.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8)
• To fit chest up to: 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (118) 126 (134) cm/ 30.75 (34) 37 (40.25) 43.25 (46.5) 49.5 (52.75)”
• Finished measurements chest circumf.: 97.5 (107) 117.5 (127.5) 137.5 (147.5) 157.5 (167.5) cm/ 38.5 (42.25) 46.25 (50.25) 54.25 (58) 62 (66)”
• Recommend ease: 20-33 cm / 8-13” of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, British Blue Wool 100 & 25
• Quantities:
MC 605 French 2 (2) 2 (3) 3 (3) 3 (4) x 100g hanks
CC1 600 Clarissa 2 (2) 2 (3) 3 (3) 3 (4) x 100g hanks
CC2 607 Cloak 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) x 100g hanks
CC3 109 Steve 2 (2) 2 (3) 3 (3) 3 (4) x 25g balls
CC4 602 Regents Park 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) x 100g hanks
CC5 603 Kanoko 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 (2) x 100g hanks
• Needles: 4 mm/US 6 needles straight or circular needles with a length of at least 80 cm / 36”; 3.75 mm/US 5 circular needle, 40 cm/16” length
• Gauge: 24 sts x 24 rows = 10 cm/4” on 4mm/US 6 in Fair Isle pattern, after blocking.
• Notions: Tapestry needles, Stitch markers, Stitch holders
Fairlight cardigan
Inspired by the heritage of Gansey bridal shirt patterns this design incorporates some of these traditional fishing community stitches into a modern, wearable boxy shaped cardigan, made lighter for warmer months with open eyelet stitches and knitted in Studio Linen for an elegant drape.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4)
• To fit chest up to: 86 (102) 118 (134) cm/ 34 (40.25) 46.5 (52.75)”
• Finished measurements chest circumf.: 107.5 (122.5) 137.5 (152.5) cm/ 42.25 (48.25) 54.25 (60)”
• Recommend ease: 19-32 cm / 7.5-12.5” of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Studio Linen
• Quantity: 11 (13) 14 (16) x 50g hanks
• Shown in colour: 414 Shallow
• Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 circular needles with a length of at least 80cm / 36”; 3.75 mm/US 5 circular needles with a length of at least 80cm / 36”
• Gauge: 24 sts x 31 rows = 10cm / 4” on 3.75 mm/US 5 needles in pattern, after blocking.
• Notions: Cable needle, Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, Stitch holders, 9 buttons – 4-hole, 1.5 cm / 0.5” diameter
Ringmer vest
A meandering cable traverses the front of this classic vest shape – quick to knit in super chunky Maxi Wool - splitting at the centre point of the ‘v’ neck to create an integral neckband.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8)
• To fit chest up to: 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (11) 126 (134) cm/ 30.75 (33.7) 37 (40.25) 43.25 (46.5) 49.5 (52.75)”
• Finished measurements chest circumf.: 97 (106) 115.5 (124.5) 134 (143) 152.5 (161.5) cm/ 38.25 (41.75) 45.5 (49) 52.75 (56.25) 60 (63.5)”
• Recommend ease: 19-27.5 cm / 7.5-10.75” of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Maxi Wool
• Quantity: 5 (6) 6 (7) 7 (8) 9 (10) x 100 g hanks
• Shown in colour: 219 Mulberry
• Needles: 10 mm/US 15 needles, straight or circular needles with a length of at least 80 cm / 36”; 9 mm/US 13 circular needle, 40 cm / 16” length
• Gauge: 13 sts x 12 rows = 10 cm / 4” on 10 mm/US 15 needles in pattern, after blocking.
• Notions: Cable needle, Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, Stitch holders
Arun wrap
The Arun Wrap embodies the timeless grace of age-old ironwork. Its rectangular form, adorned with thick and thin stripes, mirrors the enduring metalwork of gates and fences. The rectangular wrap's twists, mirroring twisted cables, interweave with garter sections that evoke the steadfast rhythm of a fence.
• Sizes: one size
• Finished measurements rectangle: 50 x 152 cm/ 20 x 60”
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Wool Local
• Quantity: 2 x 100g hanks
• Shown in colour: Gritstone Flax (804)
• Needles: 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needle with a cable length of at least 60 cm / 24” or straight needles
• Gauge: 25 sts x 31 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4” worked at, in lace pattern, after blocking
• Notions: Blocking tools, Darning needle, Row counter (optional), Scissors, Stitch markers (10 pieces, optional), Tape measure / gauge ruler, Cable needle (can be replaced with a locking
stitch marker for 1/1 cables)
Brighton jumper
Like the hills and valleys and the waves of the sea at the shores of Sussex, the twisted stitch pattern of this jumper is going up and down. It’s the perfect garment for a clear cold day at the sea for the high collar, the long sleeves and the rustic wool are keeping you warm and cozy.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8)
• To fit chest: 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (118) 126 (134)cm/ 30.75 (34) 37 (40) 43.25 (46.5) 49.5 (52.75)”
• Finished measurements chest circumf.: 92 (100) 108 (116) 124 (132) 140 (148) cm/ 36.25 (39.5) 42.5 (45.5) 48.75 (52) 55 (58.25)”
• Recommend ease: 14 cm / 5.5“ of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Wool Local Aran
• Quantity: 5 (5) 5 (6) 6 (7) 7 (8) x 100g hanks
• Shown in colour: 809 Willington
• Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles with a length of at least 80 cm / 36” and 40 cm / 16” or double-pointed needles; 5.00 mm/US 8 circular needles with a length of at least 80cm / 36”
• Gauge: 20 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm / 4” on 5.00 mm / US 8 in stocking stitch / textured stitch after blocking
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors
Hove cardigan
Hove is the sister cardigan of the Brighton jumper like the cities Brighton & Hove are sister cities. A little shorter than Brighton and with an open V-shaped neckline and patterned sleeves, Hove is romantic and warming. Let it embrace you like a loving hug.
• Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8)
• To fit chest: 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (118) 126 (134)cm/ 30.75 (34) 37 (40) 43.25 (46.5) 49.5 (52.75)”
• Finished measurements chest circumf.: 92 (100) 108 (116) 124 (132) 140 (148)cm/ 36.25 (39.5) 42.5 (45.5) 48.75 (52) 55 (58.25)”
• Recommend ease: 14 cm / 5.5“ of positive ease
• Yarn: Erika Knight, Wool Local Aran
• Quantity: 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7) x 100g hanks
• Shown in colour: 812 Ickwell
• Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles with a length of at least 80cm/36”; 5.00 mm/US 8 circular needles with a length of at least 80cm/36”
• Gauge: 20 sts x 30 rows = 10 cm / 4” on 5.00 mm / US 8 in stocking stitch / textured stitch after blocking
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, 5 (5) 5 (5) 5 (5) 6 (6) buttons, 1.5 cm / 0.5”
