Selvedge Fair Spring 2012 - Top Pick - Gabrielle Vary

After the fairly short lived burst of summer sunshine, we are back to temperatures within the normal range for this time of year - and these scarves by Brighton-based knitwear designer Gabrielle Vary are just what you need. I love the Piccalilli yellow (as evidenced here) but the blue stripy (called Nautical on her website) and the bright orange (Sherbert) are also fabulous. I like the checkerboard pattern that she uses for her cushion covers and other knitted goodies - which also looks great as a shawl, as modeled at the Selvedge Fair by Gabrielle's stylish assistant.
Gabrielle's pieces can be bought via her website and she takes commissions too. She is next exhibiting her work at the Brighton Artist Open Houses in May 2012.

It was great to see you Gabrielle!

egg cosies and tea cosies

hearts

cushions

coming up: Selvedge Fair Spring 2012

I'm looking forward to the Selvedge Spring Fair which is coming up soon - this Saturday, 31st March from 10am to 5pm at St Augustine's Church Hall in London N6 (just off the Archway Road - for how to get there info click here). I've been a couple of times before, and it never fails to please partly because you have the opportunity to meet and talk with designer-makers and see the things they have crafted, but also because of its setting in a church hall, decorated by Selvedge for the Fair, which always seems to be flooded with beautiful light.

A list of their exhibitors is here. I'm looking forward to taking a look at new creations by Gabrielle Vary and Tamara Fogle, and seeing wallpaper and textiles by Ivo Prints. There are also designer-makers from outside Britain such as Claudine & Compagnie from Belgium who make collars and accessories, and Parna a company that sources vintage textiles from Central and Eastern Europe.

Gabrielle Vary knitwear

Thanks to Twitter, I have found out that Gabrielle Vary (who I met at the Selvedge Autumn Fair and is the creator of my favourite quincey yellow scarf - described as mustard on the website - which I am wearing as I type) has a Facebook page.  On this page she has posted today some pics of her creations... I hope Gabrielle does not mind that I have copied a few here. The colours that Gabrielle uses in her collection are edible - look at this seagreen, damson and the most cheerful orange you ever did see.

today: Gabrielle Vary, Susannah Hunter, Alexis Dove and Clara Francis

Yellow scarf by Gabrielle Vary, handbag by Susannah Hunter appliqued with irises, Alexis Dove urchin hoop earrings and Clara Francis moth necklace.

Mrs Osborn goes on a spree: Selvedge Autumn Fair: winter woolies from Gabrielle Vary, Esk Valley, Romney Marsh Wools

The Autumn Selvedge Fair was a delight, in the lovely St Augustine Church Hall just off the Archway Road, N6

Gabrielle Vary, based near to Brighton, makes shawls, scarves and cushions - all in a deliciously edible palette of colours perfect for Autumn. Everything is designed and made by Gabrielle herself.

I succumbed to temptation and bought the quince-y coloured shawl below - I love the fact that Gabrielle made the very shawl, which I am wearing right now, herself.

Esk Valley knitwear from Scotland

One cannot have enough stripy gloves

Romney Marsh Wools, Kent

Throws, rugs and cushions in natural shades are made in a distinctive textured twill weave from Romney sheep fleeces by this family owned business - the family has been keeping Romney sheep for six generations

Romney Marsh Wools also produce a skincare range - 

I tried a bit of the lanolin hand and body lotion with some trepidation as I don't like greasy lotions that linger on the surface of my skin. But this was lovely and was absorbed quickly (probably because I have dry lizard skin), smells good too.