Libby Summers is a contemporary hand knit designer combining her twin passions for natural fibres and Anthropology with the launch of her new Peruvian yarns, supporting pattern

collections, and beautifully presented knitting kits.

Uncompromising creativity and a passion for traditional knitting techniques are at the heart of

Libby’s work as a hand knit designer. Her designs reflect her love for the colours of English and

Scottish landscapes and the value she places on natural quality fibres.  This penchant for good yarn led

her to develop her own collection of yarns, launched in July 2013. 

In addition to her yarns, patterns and kits, her portfolio of work includes the manufacture of ready made hand knitted goods, and she is proud to have brought the skills of UK knitters to the attention

of the British public on the high street with the sale of her hand knitted hot water bottle covers in John Lewis in 2010 and 2011.

Her designs have had high profile attention including featuring as Number One of The Financial

Times Magazine Top Ten Valentine Gifts in February 2012 and as Best Buy in Living Etc. in February

2012. Recently she has had designs commissioned and published by Artesano and  Knitcrate, and is

awaiting the publication of one of her designs in a new craft book to be launched next year. She writes

regularly for Knit Today, and has also had patterns published in Knit Now, Let’s Knit, Simply Knitting

and Yarnwise magazines. She works from her workshop in rural Lincolnshire, and is married with

three children.

Chunky Fine Aran

About the yarns

Libby first came across the Quechua group of peoples when studying for a degree in

Anthropology, and was fascinated and enchanted by their culture. She is excited to be able to

support them by the manufacture of her branded yarn. Her old friend from university, who has made

his home in Peru, was able to help her source her yarn, providing another link in the chain which

brings her two passions for cultural studies and knitting together in one incredible circle of

serendipity.

Peruvian Highland Wool comes from a crossbreed sheep that lives in the Peruvian highlands

between 2,000m above sea level to 4,500m above sea level. These animals derive from Corridale

and Merinos sheep, both renowned for their wool. The environment in which they live allows

them to produce a wool that is very dry, crimpy and durable. Its micron ranges from 24.5 microns

to 29 microns, which produces a very soft, fine yarn.

Libby Summers Chunky

This gorgeous singles yarn is 100% pure Highland Wool from Peru. It has a loosely woven texture, and is much softer than most pure wool. It looks stunning in a plain stocking stitch,

which shows off the softness and sheen of the yarn. The soft palette of neutrals, with the

contrasting black and grey also offer up a range of possibilities for colour and pattern working. It is

ideal for home accessories, as well as simple classic and straightforward garments.

Libby Summers Fine Aran

This is a delicate and lightweight yarn. The lovely blend of 50% FS alpaca and 50% Peruvian

Highland Wool, gives it an unrivaled warmth and softness. It looks equally fantastic knitted up in textured patterns, tartan and tweed or in contrasting blocks of colour. The collection of six exciting

deep and vibrant colours in the range, reflects the colour scheme of the Quechua peoples the

yarn originates from.

YarnCollection AW13

Social and ethical responsibility

There is a growing awareness amongst consumers of the importance of tracing imports to their

origins, and a desire to ensure that their purchase contributes to providing a living wage to

producers and supporting their way of life, rather than lining the pockets of the middle man.

The Andes is home to the Quechuan-speaking people of the Andes who are particularly

disadvantaged. The company that owns the ranch where Libby Summers’ yarn is produced has

set up a social project, which aims to raise enough money from the sale of alpaca and wool

yarns to finance the building and day-to-day running of a boarding centre at the ranch, supporting

the children of the shepherds in their educational studies. When selecting a supplier, Libby

employed a friend to research local yarn producing companies in Peru, and he personally

visited the ranch and the school, and gave me an impressive report on the ethics of the

company.

The school is located in the Puno Region, Province of Azangaro, district of Munani. The vision of

the founders is to improve the well being of the children of alpaca and sheep farmers in the

highlands of Peru by providing them with an education, accommodation, food and health care

and maintaining and enriching the Quechua language, culture and identity of the children.

Libby’s AW13 Collection is aimed at busy or beginner knitters. They are designed to be quick and easy to

knit, wearable and versatile.

Libby Summers Chunky

Iona Collection - inspired by Scottish Fair Isle patterns and the subtle shades of East Coast villages,

with their big skies and whitewashed cottages. Each pattern in this collection can be knitted plain or in the Fair Isle pattern, provided in the form of a chart.

The Lima Collection - for the home, and is all about texture, celebrating the simplicity and

versatility of the knit and purl stitch.

Tea Cosies for Victory - support Prostate Cancer UK by knitting a tea cosy and holding a tea party.

See the website for more details.

Singles - Morar Cardigan (three adult sizes), Canna Baby Jacket and Andrea Scarf.

Libby Summers Aran

Chullu Collection - an Accessories collection for you and your home, including a hat, scarf, wrist

warmers and snood, hot water bottle cover and tea cosy. Lovely quick knits in moss stitch and rib.

Classic Collection - comprised of classic pieces to be used everyday and to go with anything; an

elegant bolero, a round neck sweater, a hot water bottle and kindle case.

Mini Cakes Collection - quick and satisfying patterns, using small amounts of yarn, designed to go

with our mini cakes yarn pack.

Singles - Zoe Accessories.

Pattern Collection AW13

a: 3 Searson Close, Tallington, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 4RF t: 07818286538 e: libby@libbysummers.co.uk w: www. libbysummers.co.ukRegistered company no.07243132. VAT no.160335733