Colour, Culture, and Craft: Exploring Sue Bradley’s New Book
Now that Autumn is ushering its way in, and the chill of the shorter days is looming, we though perhaps a few of you may be looking ahead to starting a new warm and woolly project, ready for cosier days.
For knitters who find joy in colour, pattern, and cultural storytelling, Sue Bradley’s new book Pattern: Hand Knitting Designs from Around the World is a treasure chest of inspiration. With 28 accessible patterns for garments and accessories, Bradley shares global textile traditions, celebrating the artistry of knitting while inviting makers to explore their own creativity.
Pattern: Hand Knitting Designs from Around the World by Sue Bradley
The book is structured around ten chapters, each dedicated to a different country and its textile heritage. From the intricate motifs of India and Japan to the bold geometrics of Mexico and the rich embroideries of Ukraine, Bradley presents a vibrant journey across cultures. Each section includes a Pattern Library, allowing knitters not only to follow her designs but also to experiment—mixing motifs, colours, and symbols from one culture with the shapes of another. With more than 250 full-colour charts, the book offers endless possibilities for adaptation, making it as much a resource for design as it is a pattern collection.
Example project from Pattern: Hand Knitting Designs from Around the World by Sue Bradley
Accessibility is at the heart of the book. The garment shapes are intentionally simple, designed to let colourwork shine without overwhelming knitters. Whether creating a sweater inspired by Tibetan textiles or a scarf echoing Moroccan patterns, the designs encourage both beginners and experienced knitters to experiment with confidence.
Sketches - alternative designs for the Latvian cardigan, Sue Bradley.
Bradley brings to this book over 35 years of experience in textile design. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she has built a career that spans fashion, interiors, and one-off wearable art pieces. Her hand-knits have been sold by world-renowned retailers such as Liberty, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols, and she has designed for houses including Shrimps, Etro, and Missoni. Alongside her design practice, she has taught for many years, notably as Course Leader for Mixed Media Textiles at Bath Spa University, and she continues to share her knowledge through workshops and talks.
Latvian Cardigan, Sue Bradley.
What shines through in Patterns is Bradley’s lifelong obsession with colour and her deep respect for the histories woven into textiles. Each design is rooted in research — be it through her collection of vintage fabrics, sketchbooks filled with costume studies, or time spent tracing the details of historical garments. The result is a book that feels both global and personal, balancing tradition with the freedom to make something entirely your own. This is a publication for anyone who loves knitting as a form of storytelling, and a reminder that every stitch can carry a piece of the world within it.
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Further Information:
Pattern: Hand Knitting Designs from Around the World by Sue Bradley is available now from Crowood Press
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If you are interested in knitting, and would like to try your hand at creating your own naturally dyed yarns, take a look at the upcoming London Textile Month workshop, Creating Vibrant Colour with Natural Dyes with Liz Baltesz.
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Image Credits:
Lead: Fashion sketch International knit designs, Sue Bradley.
All images courtesy of the artist.