Mr Smith’s Dapper Cowl

It is not always easy designing knitwear for gentlemen. My experience tells me that actually they like an understated stitch. You need to steer away from the fashion yarns. For a fully successful home-knit I think it is best avoiding the chunky weights. Some of my earliest creations for Big B failed quite spectacularly, I did not appreciate the full length of his torso and jumpers looked more 80’s crop top than classic gansey.

My boys also tend to get a bit over-heated. Hats and scarves are flung asunder in no time. Not all men can really ‘rock’ the textured knit. Obviously ‘real’ men can. Who doesn’t want a bespoke tweed accessory? The lovely people at Debenhams, here in Britain asked me to design a piece of knitwear inspired by the ever-so-dapper Patrick Grant and his Hammond and Co collection. The look of this line is classic Englishman. I decided to turn to the classically British yarn company Rowan for inspiration. I wanted to create an accessory that is both practical and cosy. Mr Smith’s Dapper Cowl is crocheted using Rowan Fine Tweed in Burnsall. I used just two 25g balls and a textured linen stitch. If you look at the photographs you can see the gorgeous variation in colours. This is a very English yarn for a very English man.

Mr Smith is a talented musician and singer and he pointed out how useful this cowl will be to keep his neck warm in rehearsal. Doesn’t he wear it well? If you are keen to make a gift for a certain Mr this Christmas, my advice would be choose classic colours, a fine quality yarn and small stitch. Make something they want to wear daily. Every gentleman needs his bespoke home comforts. The perfect gift.

The gorgeous photographs and model come courtesy of Smith Imaging – please enquire via their website or this blog before reproducing these images.