Virtual Yarns - Home of Alice Starmore Yarns and Designs

2019 News Archive

2019 was a major year of colour, from the addition of a variety of stranded patterncard kits and yarn packs, to multiple photoshoots. We began in January with the Marina Hat Set patterncard kit – a beautiful splash of red and blue against the ocean. We photographed it on Emma in front of the tide on the turn, which always creates a dramatic backdrop of waves.

Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Marina Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Graceknot cardigan and Marina hat set patterncard knitwear designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 & 3 Ply hand knitting yarn
Alice Starmore Yarns & Designs

The weather was with us for our Winter photoshoots, and we had the perfect light to show off a variety of our patterncard designs, as well as our lovely Hebridean yarn.

Hawk & Hound patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Hawk & Hound patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Hawk & Hound patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Alice Starmore Yarns & Designs
Alice Starmore Yarns & Designs
Alice Starmore Yarns & Designs
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn

Feburary brought the Selkie Pullover patterncard kit, taking the Selkie cardigan design from Glamourie and turning it into a unisex pullover in a new Shore Colourway. We photographed it on both Doris and James to show its versitility.

Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Selkie Pullover patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn

Rosemarkie appeared in March in two colourways and styles. The cardigan with set-in sleeves was styled with a high-waisted skirt made by Jade from specially commissioned Harris Tweed. We photographed the waistcoat in a larger size on both Rachel and James.

Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Cardigan patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Rosemarkie Waistcoat patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
St Ciaran Wrap hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore

We also showcased some of the Aran Knitting designs thanks to shoots with Doris, Emma and Thomas. We were able to add substantially to the product imagery for these garments, helping show their textures in great detail.

St Brigid hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
St Brigid hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Na Craga hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Aranmor hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Aranmor hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Aranmor hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Maidenhair Wrap hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Maidenhair Wrap hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Maidenhair Wrap hand knitwear design from the book Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs

We started our Hiort Project Diary, documenting our journey through the research of a new project. As well as using previous costumes to illustrate design process, we also added Sketches In Wool, progress on textile design, and articles on St Kilda itself.

Developmental swatch for the Raven Costume from Glamourie by Alice Starmore
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs
Soay Lambs
Soay Lambs
A Fulmar nesting on a Cleit in St Kilda Village
Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn

We had the pleasure of doing two very different photoshoots for the Wave Hat Set patterncard kit, which we added in April. On an incredible day in Luskentyre the sea turned to a calm pool of turquoise, which set off the Wave colours beautifully. A much moodier day at Loch Lomond displayed an entirely different atmosphere.

Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Wave Hat Set patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Arabesque hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item

The Summer became the time to showcase two particular books. We started with A Collector's Item, adding the Arabesque Summer and Winter Wraps and the Gypsy Moth Wrap. We also remade many of the  book's designs in our Hebridean 2 Ply yarn. We photographed them in Glasgow with Precious; on the Isle of Harris with Emma, and at Loch Lomond and Glencoe with Rachel, bringing the designs into a wide variety of Scottish backdrops.

Arabesque hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Arabesque hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Arabesque hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Suzani Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Suzani Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth, Suzani Vest and Persian Tiles Wrap hand knitwear designs from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth and Suzani Vest hand knitwear designs from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Suzani Vest hand knitwear design in bronze colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Suzani Vest hand knitwear design in bronze colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Persian Tiles hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Persian Tiles hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Persian Tiles hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Gypsy Moth Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Gypsy Moth Wrap hand knitwear design in blue colourway from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Elizabethan Jacket hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Elizabethan Jacket hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Elizabethan Jacket hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Elizabethan Jacket hand knitwear design by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Arabesque hand knitwear design in Winter colourway by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Arabesque hand knitwear design in Winter colourway by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Arabesque hand knitwear design in Winter colourway by Jade Starmore from the book A Collector's Item
Secret Garden hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore

In July it was the turn of The Children's Collection to take the spotlight. With the help of Kaitlyn, Tamara and Spencer we added imagery of both the yarn packs from the book, and some of our patterncard kits. In addition we photographed the adult version of Secret Garden – Isobel of Mar – in Lapwing for the first time.

Secret Garden hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Secret Garden hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Isobel Of Mar hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Isobel Of Mar hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Isobel Of Mar hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Mendocino hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Widdicombe Fair patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Moon & Stars patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Widdicombe Fair patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Elephants waistcoat hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Elephants waistcoat hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Elephants waistcoat hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Moon & Stars patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Moon & Stars patterncard knitwear design by Jade Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Fish & Anchors hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Fish & Anchors hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Fish & Anchors hand knitwear design from the book The Children's Collection by Alice Starmore
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs
Elizabethan Wrap hand knitwear design from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore

In August we had an unexpectedly sunny photoshoot in Fife with Jessica, allowing us to add the Elizabethan Wrap to the Collector's Item yarn packs. We also got some lovely new images of the Petronella patterncard kit made up in Suilven colour.

Elizabethan Wrap hand knitwear design from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Elizabethan Wrap hand knitwear design from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Petronella patterncard kit design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Bainin hand knitting yarn
Petronella patterncard kit design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Bainin hand knitting yarn
Petronella patterncard kit design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Bainin hand knitting yarn
Katherine Of Aragon hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore

Thanks to shoots with both Jessica and Emma we were able to add to the Tudor Roses design imagery, showing these designs against location backdrops.

Katherine Of Aragon hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Katherine Of Aragon hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Mary Tudor hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Mary Tudor hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Mary Tudor hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Margaret Beaufort hand knitwear design by Alice Starmore from the book Tudor Roses
Margaret Beaufort hand knitwear design by Alice Starmore from the book Tudor Roses
Margaret Beaufort hand knitwear design by Alice Starmore from the book Tudor Roses
Elizabeth Woodville hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Elizabeth Woodville hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Elizabeth Woodville and Lady Mary hand knitwear designs from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Elizabeth Woodville and Lady Mary hand knitwear designs from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Mary Queen of Scots hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Mary Queen of Scots hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Anne Boleyn hand knitwear design from the book Tudor Roses by Alice Starmore
Hebridean 2 Ply Moorland Colours by Alice Starmore

September brought a riot of moorland colour. We added the Mamba Designer's Palette to the website, which features a beautiful set of moorland-inspired colours and a book of my Mamba artworks, which feature the Lewis moor in detail. We also recorded a new video talk – Creating Colours – which goes into detail on colour inspiration, natural dyes and our own yarn range.

Hebridean 2 Ply Moorland Colours by Alice Starmore
Hebridean 2 Ply Moorland Colours by Alice Starmore
Hebridean 2 Ply Moorland Colours by Alice Starmore
Mòinteach patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn

The moorland colour theme continued with the Mòinteach patterncard kit.

Mòinteach patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Mòinteach patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Mòinteach patterncard knitwear design by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Alice Starmore Scottish Hand Knittwear Yarns and Designs

A very different video tutorial followed swiftly after, with a talk on the history of Knitting Belts and a demonstration of how to make and use one.

Damselfly Hat Set patterncard knitwear design in Emerald colourway by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn

The Damselfly Hat Set patterncard kit arrived in time for cooler weather, with a choice of three beautiful colourways.

Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set patterncard knitwear design in Emerald colourway by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set and cardigan designs by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Damselfly Hat Set patterncard knitwear design in Red colourway by Alice Starmore in pure wool Hebridean 2 Ply hand knitting yarn
Persian Tiles hand knitwear design from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore

Images taken throughout the year made their way on to the website. A favourite was this version of the Persian Tiles, made in Storm Petrel and Pebble Beach.

Persian Tiles hand knitwear design from the book A Collector's Item by Jade Starmore
Virtual Yarns: Home of Alice Starmore Yarns And Designs

We finished the year with a glowing new Amber Colourway of the Painted Lady patterncard kit. This was shot in December next to a frozen loch in "magic hour" sunrise.

Virtual Yarns: Home of Alice Starmore Yarns And Designs
Virtual Yarns: Home of Alice Starmore Yarns And Designs
Virtual Yarns: Home of Alice Starmore Yarns And Designs