Louisa Harding’s talents stretch even further than knitwear design, as an eloquent storyteller, she threads a whimsical tale into her latest compilation, Orielle, with a spicy array of capes, tunics, and elegant cardigans highlighted with a golden fleck. In her own words, Louisa reflects on the fable that inspired this season’s collection-
“I have often referred to myself as a Magpie….drawn to sparkly objects and everything that twinkles. Each season as I collect my inspiration I like to invent a small story that ties my ideas together. ‘Sorella & Mister Magpie’ is the story of two sisters who live on the edge of a beautiful and peaceful wood. They befriend a Magpie who has tragically lost his companion and as we know Magpies mate for life. Mister Magpie is very thankful and joyful to have the sister’s friendship. As tokens of his gratitude he returns to them each day with a trinket he has spotted while flying high above the wood. First a frosted leaf then shiny threads from a dew glistening spider’s web, a small piece of glinting quartz…. The sisters are so appreciative of the simple yet dazzling gifts that they invite Mister Magpie to share their home. Together they weave the found shiny charms into twig sculptures and leave them twinkling in their beloved wood to lift the heart of any passerby.”
“Putting this season’s yarn collection together I realized that I have many traits that are characteristic of a magpie. The new yarns for this Autumn Winter reflect these qualities. Orielle is a beautifully soft Alpaca with the tiniest hint of Gold Estellina running through it, iridescent flecks catch the rays of light.”
Louisa Harding.
Louisa Harding Orielle
Ripe with harvest hues, Orielle by Louisa Harding offers fourteen new projects for Fall and Winter knitting, continuing on last year’s renaissance theme of subtle glitter blended with precious fibres. The Zarina capelet grabs the cover spot embossed with travelling leaves, in ‘ruby’ (shown above).
Eldora
Eldora captures visual interest and moody elegance by contrasting three complimentary shades of Orielle- ‘ruby’, ‘umbria’, and ‘jewel’ in a lovely yoked pullover highlighted with a trace of gold luster.
Pazia
Louisa puts the emphasis on opulence with her winning combination of these three shades- ’emerald’, ‘noir’ and ‘jewel’ in Pazia, a round neck cardigan with gathered waist detail.
AldinaT
The Aldina tunic is bordered with a foliage-inspired stitch and becomes a softly layered piece over a blouse. ‘Umbria’ (shown above).
Havia
With this detached collar, Havia generates extra warmth over the Aldina tunic and creates more than one stunning look. ‘Umbria’ (shown above).
