The eagle-eyed among you will have already spotted that I published a new pattern yesterday – Late Bloom. I’m really proud of this one, so I thought I’d take a few minutes to blog about it and let you know how it came to be!

Well, this is a design which came pretty much fully-formed into my brain about a year ago. I found the perfect yarn (Shiladsair Luxury DK – a stunning yarn, naturally dyed in the Isle of Skye), swatched for the lace panel and found that it was absolutely perfect first time. But time got the better of me and I just didn’t manage to cast on. I tried to use the yarn for another project, but that didn’t work out. Finally, late last year the lovely Elly of Magpielly got in touch to ask if I needed any help with sample knitting. Boy, did I! So I wrote up the pattern for Late Bloom and sent the yarn off to her to knit the main part of the body and the front lace panel. She did a great job – it came out absolutely perfect. A month or so later I tackled the collar (which took some trial and error to get absolutely spot on) and after quiiiite a bit of garter stitch, I had a super squishy and delicious finished jumper!

I really wanted Late Bloom to be flattering and easy to wear for my shape, in the hope that it would also be flattering for other people with a similar shape. There are enough sweaters out there that look amazing on the petite, and a growing number which are designed for the busty, but I’m neither of those things – I’m very much bottom-heavy, so I need plenty going on up top to balance that out, hence the nice big shawl collar. I also thought that a single vertical line would draw the eye nicely, and gentle waist shaping coupled with a faux side-seam would flatter my waist. I think it’s done quite well.

Oh and of course I can’t help but mention the photos! For the incredible location I have Caroline to thank. We got to talking on Twitter about picturesque ruins and she mentioned the ruined mills of Cheesden Valley, so off I trundled with my friends Matthew (photographer) and Danni (his girlfriend) to explore and take pictures. Oh and you may recognise the skirt from this post. I just couldn’t resist!

Late Bloom is now half price until 1st February, so get it cheap while you can!