Inspiring things

Do you ever look at those designers who just keep on turning out stunning, make-me-now designs and wonder where they get their ideas? Or think you'd love to design your own knits but can't find the inspiration?

Well the truth is that inspiration is all around you. There are the obvious ones, like the fashion industry and nature, but there are plenty of others that you might not have thought of. Here are some ways I find inspiration.

1 Other crafts
Pinterest is a great source for this. Obviously you already follow all the knitting boards you can you find, but what about, say, quilters? I've Pinned a whole load of beautiful quilts that I'm going to try to recreate using crochet.

This is one of the quilts I've Pinned. I think a mix of plain and
varigated yarn would work well to recreate the different colours.

2 The patterns all around us
The human mind is programmed to see patterns, to make sense of all the huge amounts of data that we experience every day. Take note of the things you see, the patterns your mind provides for you. It can be anything – the embossing on kitchen roll to create a lace pattern or using coloured tiles as the inspiration for an afghan.

3 Your favourite clothes
This is a great one if you're new to designing. You already know your favourite clothes fit, so all you have to do is measure them, and then try to recreate them.

4 Your favourite knitting patterns
Another one that's good for beginners. Try adapting a project you've already made and love – swap that V neck on a favourite sweater pattern for round neckline, remove a ribbed hem or cuffs and have that rolled-up effect that stocking stitch gives you, or anything else you can think of. This kind of adaptation can be as bold or as small as you like. Keep copyright in mind, though. Be inspired by other designers, don't steal from them.

This was my first-ever design, based on a pattern from Simply Knitting.

5 TV
The Killing's Sarah Lund must have inspired hundreds of knitting patterns. And she's not the only one – there are loads of TV series that showcase great knitwear. Shetland had some really cosy jumpers, hats and gloves, which period dramas are a great source of vintage inspiration.

The BBC's Shetland, which has been green lit for another
series, was a fabulous source for ideas.

Well that's my top five for ideas. Where do you get inspiration?