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...

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Image Credits:

Lead: Fashion sketch International knit designs, Sue Bradley.

All images courtesy of the artist.