The Saunter Collection

Crochet | 3 min read time

Discover the patterns, and inspiration, behind the collection, in a Q&A with our knitwear and crochet designer, Fadzi.

The Saunter Collection

Inspired by the quaint, countryside towns of the UK, the Saunter Collection includes 8 knitting and crochet patterns to make accessories that are packed with textures and colourful details, all made using the Homestead Yarn.
To find out more about the story behind the collection, we chatted to Fadzi Sango, our very own knitwear and crochet superstar, here at Stitch & Story HQ!

Hi Fadzi! Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you been crafting & designing? Did you study textiles?

My name is Fadzi, short for Fadzayi, and I’ve been crafting since I was roughly 7 or 8 years old, exploring different crafts with my brother, after school. As for designing, I developed a love for textiles when I was 16 or 17. It introduced me to a different way of making and experimenting with fibre. This led me to study a BA in textile design, specialising in knitted textiles.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the design development; I really enjoy the research, sketching, and figuring out which yarns match each design. It feels great when samples come back from the pattern testing stage; it’s exciting to see how the finished product has turned out!

Let's talk about the Saunter Collection. How does the creation of a collection begin? What's your process?

I was tasked to create a range of accessories for the Homestead Yarn. To begin with, I looked at different sources of inspiration, focusing on knitwear, colour, textures, and shapes. This process helps to identify trends, and a direction that the collection should go in. I then make a few mood boards, and choose the ideas that stand out the most. The next step is to create some quick sketches to help me figure out construction details, and the difficulty levels of the patterns.

Design is a collaborative process, so after sketching and mood board creation, I set up meetings with the collection team to present my ideas, and discuss other ways they can be developed. Once the collection is finalised, I can start swatching and experimenting with different knitting and crochet techniques!

Tell us more about the inspiration behind the Saunter Collection!

I wanted to create a collection that was fun, played with texture and colour blocking, and would inspire all levels of crafters. I was inspired by current runways, and other craft-based trends, along with wanting to see how certain knitting and crochet techniques would turn out using the Homestead Yarn.

The name for the collection is a reflection of the daily walks I’ve been taking since the first national lockdown here in the UK. I wander along unplanned routes until I reach nearby towns. As a result, I then thought about other small villages in the UK, and they became the names for each pattern.

We'd love to hear what your favourite Stitch & Story products are.

My favourite kits are the Standing Pusheen Amigurumi, the Firenze Beret and the Watson Cable Scarf. I like all the yarns, but my favourite yarn has to be the Everyday Jute. I enjoy working with it a lot, and I’ve had to stop myself from picking it up outside of work!

The Patterns

So, let’s take a closer look at the patterns themselves. Download your favourites and shop the Homestead Yarn to get started!

The Aylesford Set

A super-chunky, hat-and-scarf combo, that’s filled with colour and texture. Using a combination of knit and purl stitches, you’ll learn the seeded rib pattern.