About Us
Sue Hill Handknits was established in 2004 when Sue gave up her managerial position with an international publishing and exhibition company to have her son Jack.
Sue didn’t want to be away from her son but wanted a new challenge (as if a first baby is not enough!) so her mother suggested knitting!
Sue, taught by her mother, Valerie, at the age of ten, had always knitted for children, mainly for Birthday and Christmas presents. So mother and daughter made up some patterns of their own and started knitting designs using the best yarn they could find.
As their knits became known, they were asked more and more for softer yarns, cashmere with cotton or wool and then pure cashmere. At the same time, one of Sue’s most trusted knitters lent her some of her patterns that she had knitted for her children. Sue fell in love with the beautiful vintage designs, mainly from the ‘50s and started concentrating on adapting these designs to use with modern yarns. As Sue took on more knitters, more vintage patterns came to light in attics and dusty boxes, some dating as far back as 1935! Now the range includes designs adapted from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s.
Different ideas came to fruition such as her unique buttons – hand covered in the same knitted yarn as the garment, hand embroidered daisies and roses, teddy bears etc. All of these making Sue Hill designs so different and unique.
The yarns used are the finest available – pure cashmere and cashmere/cotton blends by the famous Italian company Loro Piana and blends of cashmere and fine merino all spun, twisted and dyed to Sue’s specification in Italy.
When a garment is completely finished and ready for sale, Sue attaches a Signature tag showing the knitter’s name, proving its uniqueness. It is then packaged in a lilac Signature gift box and finished with white grosgrain ribbon.
Sue is best known for her vintage cashmere baby knits which include dresses, matinee jackets, pram coats, bonnets, bootees etc. Now due to demand, her retail range for older children (up to 6yrs) includes vintage coats, dresses and matching jackets, all hand knitted in beautifully muted colours and finished with hand covered buttons or hand embroidery.
Because of her pattern making skills, Sue is able to make up designs from any customers ideas. She has even made a pure cashmere christening ensemble for a customer in Glasgow just from a pencil sketch! Together with the baby’s measurements and some dress maker’s type mock ups, she liaised with her knitter to produce exactly what the customer wanted – a cashmere all in one with silk covered buttons with a long flowing coat to match.
The same principles apply to her newly launched Liberty fabric collection – Sue has her own highly skilled seamstresses making up unique designs that combine with the hand knitted range.
Everything about Sue’s garments is British made – Sue’s knitters are based all over the UK and in regular telephone contact to discuss patterns, yarns etc. All the labels, buttons and hand embroidery is done in-house by Sue and her very able assistants. Valerie, Sue’s mother, is always on hand to discuss technical issues with new patterns and to test knit them to see if they work! Sue’s husband Keith helps Sue with yarn and design selection and the day to day administration of the company which is run from their home in East Sussex.
Her ranges can be found in the following outlets:
BABYLIST, PARSONS GREEN, LONDON (Exclusive range)
BABY GIFTS (online)
BERGDORF GOODMAN, NEW YORK (AW10)
BUBBELAH (online)
FORTNUM & MASON, PICADILLY, LONDON (Exclusive range)
JENKLAIRKIDS.COM, USA
JOUJOU & LUCY, MAIDA VALE, LONDON
LITTLE WHOPPETS, WORCHESTER
MELISSA RIVA FLOWERS, ST JOHN’S WOOD, LONDON
MONOGRAMMED LINEN SHOP, WALTON ST, LONDON
PRETTY SPECIAL, CHELTENHAM (AW10)
SELVEDGE, LONDON
THE NURSERY WINDOW, WALTON ST, LONDON (Exclusive range)
THE ULTIMATE BABY SHOWER (online)
For more information, contact Sue on tel: 01825 830551 or email suehill@suehillhandknits.co.uk
www.suehillhandknits.co.uk
