Knits: the do's and don'ts

Not ready to launch into Spring yet? Me neither. We're reading all about new Spring looks - yet the weather doesn't quite seem like garden parties will be around anytime soon. That said, it's not as bitterly cold as it has been - meaning that Arctic coats (and the like) are loosing their appeal.

The answer to this conundrum? Knits! Knitted clothes are the perfect solution for the Winter-Spring transition. Knitted fabrics (warp and weft-knitted) are designed so that they interlock air in the loops, meaning the fabric is both warm AND breathable.

Technical spiel over, it's not always easy to both buy and care for knitted clothes. So here's a quick low-down on the do's & don'ts:

DO:

- Go for quality over quantity. Fast fashion and our throw-away culture is slowly loosing its appeal as people become more aware of the environmental/ethical side of production. Opt for knits from a mid to high-end retailer. I particularly love those by Jack Wills and Urban Outfitters.

- Opt for neutral colours. Stone greys, dark navy & a soft cream are all fail-safe colours to go for when buying a knitted jumper or dress. Versatility is always a plus!

- Experiment. A knitted jumper needn't be boring - try a cropped one or an off-the shoulder boat neck style. Team with a denim dress and tights.

- Decide beforehand what thickness you want. Knits can vary from lightweight and smooth to thick and chunky. Buying a couple of each will give you plenty of flexibility depending on your mood - and the weather forecast.

DON'T:

- Forget to read the care label - especially with wool. Ever put a knitted jumper in the machine wash, only for it to shrink to what could be the size of a baby wear range (see above)? Hand washing is a safer option.

- Be afraid of roll necks. I love these - they pretty much double up as a scarf, keeping your neck warm and cosy.

- Leave a snag untouched. An unravel of thread will only catch on something and cause more unravel (*quietly screams*). Neatly cut the loose thread as soon as it appears to prevent a full-blown hole.

- Go crazy on the patterns. It can turn your knitted items from sheek to sheer disatser. Apart from Christmas jumpers, that is. There's always an exception...