Stephen West Midgard
With his unabashed love of colour, dramatic styling and innovative techniques it’s hard to mistake the original designs of Stephen West. The latest in his series of West Knits books, the highly anticipated Midgard, is the result of a collaboration with fellow designer Cirilia Rose. Fancy a little peek at some of the patterns and finding out how you could win a copy? …
Photographed in Reykjavik, Iceland by the multi-talented  Ysolda Teague (a name you probably recognise!), the setting echos this collection of beautiful and eclectic patterns. Esjan above is a statement shawl, with a bold lacy edging. Using aran weight yarn, it is just the thing to wrap yourself up in come winter – hurray for cosy shawls!
Harpa is a colour work scarf worked in the round – this creates the added bonuses of no wrong side to display and an extra thick cosy material!
The pals also lent their knitty skills to a pair of handwarmers, each reflecting their designer styles. For Stephens Saema you have his love of textured stitches which creates a woven effect and some clever short row shaping to create a comfy thumb gusset. Where as Cirilia takes inspiration from one of her favourite details in Reykjavik by representing the brightly coloured roofs of the houses on Litrik.
Of course, if you’re out in Iceland and want to get ahead, you’ll need a hat! Either the two textured beauties Raxtur and Baxtur or the delicate colourwork silver birches of Elvar will keep you toasty.
As well as accessories, this pair have garments covered too. Hekla and Sólfar, both simple and elegant allow you to play with colour combinations.
Gullfoss features some of that clever Mr. West construction where the garment can be worn upside down or back to front to make a poncho or a scarf.
As well as working with Stephen West, Cirilia Rose has been busy with her own publication, ‘Magpies, Homebodies and Nomads’ which is out this Autumn. We are thrilled that she is visiting Loop later this year where, as well as a book signing, we will be hosting her as a teacher for some exciting new classes. As well as Bricolage Basics on 15th November  (a creativity masterclass) and an Intarsia Workshop on 16th November; you can also learn the tricks to recreate your favourite garment in Clone Your Closet.
To book on any class simply call the shop on 020 7288 1160 and we’ll be happy to help.
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So now you are better acquainted with Midgard, you’ll be pleased to know that we are hosting another one of our fabulous giveaways! Just comment below letting us know which pattern from the book you can’t wait to cast on and we’ll pull a name out of the hat next Friday. This competition closes Wednesday 20th August at midnight.
Good Luck and Happy Knitting!
Esjan. I am so ready for some cold weather knitting and this would be perfect for the oncoming cold months a good cuppa. ☺
Harpa, it looks so snuggly!
gullfloss I love it.
The Litrik handwarmers look especially fab. And an idea for easy to post Christmas presents. Sorry is it too early to say Christmas? :-)
Baxtur, definitely; i’m in desperate need of a scrummy slouchy hat before winter gets here!
Esjan for me definitely!
Harpa.
I’d love to knit the Harpa pattern. I’m drawn towards colour work at the moment and the colours used in that scarf are gorgeous; it also looks lovely and cosy for winter.
I really like Litrik; I haven’t tried hand/wrist-warmers before and these look really great with the bold pattern.
Oooh Hekla looks gorgeous :-)
Love the hat. Going to order the pattern.
Esjan looks an interesting knit, and cosy too.
I love the heavy lace edging on Esjan – that would be my first knit (of many!) from ths gorgeous book.
Solifar first! Although they’re all fab!
Love ‘Esjan’. Stunning and cosy.
Harpa definitely, reminds me of the amazing coloured glass design in the Harpa concert hall in Reykjavik
Gosh, it’s a toss-up between Raxtur, Baxtur, and Gullfoss, I think! I mean, not that I NEED more hats, but…
Baxtur, definitely, with Esjan a close second.
harpa!!! what a cozy knit that would be!
Just love the Harpa dual colour way scarf! Looks deliciously cosy!!
Just love the dual colour way scarf, it looks deliciously cosy!
Too many choices but I think Esjan would be the favourite.
I love Gullifloss.
Aaah! I love Stephen West’s designs. For me it has to be Esjan, a quirky shawl that I’d love to knit and maybe be in some bright colours for winter!
I’ve admired Solfar since the first photos came out.
I have yet to knit a Stephen West pattern although there are many that I like.
I think l could start with one of the hat patterns in this book.
Gullfloss by Stephen West, so multifunctional!
I would love to knit Harpa by Cirilia Rose – I’ve just learned how to do colorwork and this seems like something I could handle :-) I’ve knit several Stephen West patterns though, so this was definitely a tough choice!
Solfar is so beautiful! Love the cozy neck. I just took a class with Stephen in Birmingham, Alabama (USA) and was so inspired. Thanks for a beautiful website!!
Raxtur is my favourite. It looks practical but whimsical and elvish at the same time.
It has to be the stunning Esjan, sooo cosy.
Hekla looks great for Autumn!
Solfar looks great for Autumn.
Ooh, Hekla, Raxtur, Litrik, Harpur……
Esjan is such a lovely design
Esjan! I do believe in elves!
Gullfloss!
I want to do the gulfoss one a combination of a technical challenge and a cool pattern sounds like a pleasure to knit
I would love to start knitting the Sólfar by Stephen West
in exactly those colours, I love the odd construction details that Stephen manages to find in most of his shawls, fabulous. Can’t wait to start knitting
I would love to knit this in a nice warm brown for my son
Gullfloss looks an exciting experience to knit and totally adaptable which is great for the Autumn.
Hekla looks very inviting although I have to say I think they all look tempting. Keeping my fingers xd.
Favourite two by far are Hekla and Gullfloss both wearable for a lady of my years ??? who wants something a bit differant
I love Elvar, so beautiful!
Harpa!
No doubt, I would love to knit Hekla – and in the same colours as on the picture.
Litrik looks like a fun small project!
Gullfoss is so clever – and just as beautiful as the real place (see G.o.T.)
Raxtur and Litrik! Great portable projects and both look so fun :)
I would love to knit gullfosse in those gorgeous colours.
Gullfoss or harpa, simple yet dramatic. Just beautiful.
Baxtur is such a unique construction. Love to knit it and learn new techniques. Hard choice – all the patterns are great. Thanks.
I’d love to make myself a Harpa I’ve had this in my ravelry queue for so many years it’s such a beautiful and effective colourwork pattern. Just Beautiful :) X
Esjan! I love Stephen’s shawls
Helka or Gullfoss? Both so unique and beautiful. Stephen West and Cirilia Rose both understand that we knitters love to deviate from a standard pattern. Thank you
Gullfoss.Great design and colour!
I love Esjan! It’s on my to-do list for a long time.
Solfar for my daughter so she can wrap herself up while doing her English dissertation in her last year at university.
Hekla it looks so warm
Baxtur is the pattern I’d pick. I’ve begun to really like two-color knitting. This hat is so attractive! I love the design!
Harpa would be my choice, I love the pattern repeat and that it’s a cowl.
Thanks!
Sólfar would be my choice. Love Stephen West’s quirky and striking designs. Cheers
Elvar!
The Elvar hat looks beautiful! Can’t wait to cast that on!
Baxtur for me! Love Stephen West’s patterns.
Harpa, please! That looks beautiful!
Esjan is amazing! It would definitely be my first project
Baxtur…Omg this pattern is georgous
Heklar and Elvar! Too hard to choose just one!
Heklar is my favourite!
Hekla looks amazing!
I love their designs — Hekla would be first in my queue!
Elvar, I just love hats and this looks so cute!
Gullfloss, a real everything-cozy-in-one pattern!
A very difficult decision ! I would like to try Harpa – bold and graphic – and now, what colours to choose ?
Litrik is so sweet!
I think the ‘Elvar’ hat is quite beautiful.
Gullfloss, it’s amazing!
Esjan looks amazing – interesting texture……. Great for cold winter evenings by the fire.
Esjan! Love the construction! After that, I’d cast on every single one. Love this collection!
Gullfloss – it’s GORGEOUS. And also, I am passionate about bird dental hygiene.
Harpa
I would LOVE to make them all!!!!
I think I’ll start with Harpa!
Thank You
Hekla closly followed by Gullfloss. The first for everyday wear, the later for cosy evenings spinning or knitting.
I’ve been obsessed with knitting a Harpa or Esjan for quite some time now!
So many great patterns! I love the Elvar hat.
Esjan or Gullfloss ! Hekla I have already! ;)
Hekla. It simply looks gorgeous!
Has to be Harpa! Love the colour work.