New ways to wear denim
— by Alyson Walsh
As a denim lover (can’t type that without thinking of Phil Collins, oh). I am always on the look out for new ways to wear this beautiful, hard-wearing fabric. So. Continuing the DIY theme, Wool & the Gang has collaborated with Rowan on a lovely stonewashed cotton yarn. I can’t knit but I know a woman who can…
This is also one of the reasons I always pop to see the Faustine Steinmetz collection at London Fashion Week. The Parisian-born designer has said she likes to “treat jeans like a piece of couture”. Steinmetz is keen on sustainability, quality and handcrafted fabrics; everyday items such as jeans and denim jackets are deconstructed, fringed and given an unusual twist.
The denim trench at & Other Stories is on my radar, and here’s some more denim and blue for you:
Discussion (21 Comments)
- jodie filogomo says:
It is amazing how denim has incorporated into every aspect of our life recently!!
I am an avid knitter, and even years ago there was a denim colored yarn by Debbie Bliss that was incredible popular. I could see a DIY in the future of taking jeans, and making them strips to knit with……Fun & crazy!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com - Anne says:
Rowan Yarns has another yarn…Original Denim. It is cotton yarn, surface dyed, so it wears like Denim….it is washed in hot water and thrown in the dryer to tighten up the Stitches to make them pop…great formsirface texture!
- Cheryl Tucker says:
I have always loved denim, growing up in the country of Missouri riding horses required denim and to this day I think it is my favorite fabric. Great post!
- Susan B (unefemme.net) says:
I’ve been wanting a longer length denim jacket for years, and have just ordered a couple to try. Love the idea of knitted denim!
- Sue says:
Years and years ago, maybe in the eighties or early nineties, there was a knitwear label called Artwork (or similar) that made lovely things in denim yarn. Of all the bits and pieces I had, I really wish I’d kept the faded jacket /cardigan with fringing.
- Sandy Droniuk says:
Loving the yarn( of course always love your posts!). Now on a mission to find some#newknitter#luvthecolour
- Little Brown Bird says:
Rowan are going back to their roots. They used to sell a denim yarn called (funnily enough) Denim – “Denim shrinks in length and fades just like jeans.” Fun to knit and magical when washed.
It was fab; I’m glad it’s come back in a different form.
Also, there are such fabulous, weights and finishes of denim that it could be smart enough for workwear. I’m especially partial to a technical, selvedge or Japanese denim, all of which are great for tailored garments and a dream to sew.
Long live denim!
LBB x
- Victoria Green says:
Agh! I now have Phil Collins ‘Easy Lover’ as an ear worm – *Thanks* Alyson.
- Mrs Tonia says:
Much that’s evocative here. I still have my splendid Artwork denim cotton yarn pullover from Whistles somewhere. Hope I didn’t give it away when moving house recently. I do have two denim yarn cardigans which I wear a lot, one from Gap and the even nicer one from Banana Republic bought a few years ago. Last year I got great denim culottes from Jaeger and Whistles and a coat in a denim brocade on sale at Jigsaw. Saw an actor wearing this garment on Humans. As a knitter I’m most interested to track down this yarn and patterns from Rowan. Do they have a website. Otherwise I know a good yarn shop stocking Rowan. Glad this look is more current now than when I purchased these things. It only goes to show one should get and kept useful clothing one likes. The asymmetrical hem denim skirt by Marni is super but too expensive for me. Maybe I can be inspired to create something like this.
- Mrs Tonia says:
I checked out Martin Storey and Denim cotton yarn, in three shades on Rowan website http://www.knitrowan.com
There is a booklet Denim the next generation with thick Guernsey type and cabled knitwear, thick and complex to make, but a scarf or hat with some texture and fancy stitches would be much easier to create. Just an idea. One could also knit it looser to make something lacy. Might be fun. - Frances/Materfamilias says:
Too funny. Just this weekend, clearing out closets, I passed along a handknit denim skirt to my daughter, not without a second thought or two. . . The pattern, quite popular in knitting circles about ten years ago, was called Indigo Ripples and the yarn was by Rowan, the denim cotton yarn mentioned above — surface-dyed, it fades beautifully, like a pair of virgin denim jeans. . .
- Maiden denim says:
How can you NOT mention Maiden Denim on new ways wear denim? Its the best denim jewelry hands down! Find them on Etsy.
- Anna K says:
A fabulous selection here, Alyson! I love every single item. One thing that turns me off is denim with sparkly bits, frills or pleats. It’s derived from workwear and I like pieces that reflect its origins by staying simple and durable like the ones you’ve chosen here.
- Nicola S says:
Love denim. Went into a nice shop on Church St N16 at the weekend looking for some black jeans (which I found – a Danish brand called wonderwood) though not in my size but came out with some (half price – yippee) soft denim not too wide legged trousers/jeans which I will wear the life out of once the weather warms up sufficiently – another Danish brand beginning with M . I also love WATG. Their patterns and yarn are inspiring. They are also helpful and when I couldn’t make my mind up over colour, allowed me to buy two colours and return the one I didn’t want to their offices in Dalston thereby saving myself return postage (a shameless and unaffiliated plug – hope that’s ok).
- Vivienne says:
Love your blog and posts but don’t love any of this blue denim! I barely wear my denim shirt or jacket and have had denim skirts, dresses, shorts etc. I’ve really tried. I think denim outfits like the Canadian tuxedo look blah and not at all appealing. Why look blah when you don’t have to? Maybe it’s just me. Sorry everyone, I will stick with just my jeans.
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Denim yarn is inspired! Seeing it now I’m amazed it hasn’t been done before, it’s genius. The & Other Stories trench reminds me of the denim trench Marc Jacobs did eons ago that I couldn’t afford. Right I’m off to browes & Other Stories 😉