If you’re struggling for gift ideas for a man (or anyone) in your life, then maybe a handmade lambswool scarf, or a cosy warm men’s wool hat could be the answer! At my last craft fair, I was really pleased to help people choose knitwear for their sons, husbands and partners. I realised that although I design my scarves to be unisex, I’m not very good at having them photographed on men.

So, this week Rose and Julien took a selection of my work to photograph on a cold misty morning in Galashiels. It’s really lovely to have some photos of my work in the town where they are made!

Collingwood-Norris started with a scarf design, created with men in mind. Something that wasn’t going to feel too big and bulky, and wouldn’t be too long. I’ve used superfine lambswool for these scarves- it’s very soft, and the fabric is lightweight but warm. With very little effort, they should last for many years (as Collingwood-Norris is now 6, I can confidently say at least 6 years now- my first scarves are still going strong).

The first scarf I created for Collingwood-Norris was ‘Mist’, followed by ‘Storm’. Both in greys, they’ll go with everything, and can be smart or casual. My personal preference is to combine them with a brighter coat, but if you want a ‘safe’ option, greys might be it!

Greens in my women and men’s wool scarves and hats are proving very popular, as a way of adding colour without being too loud. The dark green I’ve chosen always reminds me of my local landscape, and it’s in quite a few of my designs this year, allowing hats and scarves to be mixed and matched.

Those of you who know me, or have followed me for a while probably already know that I think we should all wear more colour in Winter. It’s a time of year when there’s not a lot of colour in the landscape, so when the weather’s miserable it’s just all a bit grey and depressing.

I believe that we feel happier when wearing brighter colours, and more of them. Just imagine how different our cities could be in Winter if people wore more colour!

This week I’ve been knitting with a red that’s new to me. I love new colours, and working out what to put with them! This year I think reds and warm colours provide an extra boost of comfort and positivity somehow, so I’ve added both of these new scarves to my website. They’re quite similar, but I like them both, so for a short time there will be both options available.

When thinking about knitwear gifts for men, blues are always great in my book. It’s no secret that I love them, and think you can never wear too much blue! Blues are another ‘safe’ option for men I think, and this Ash scarf combines navy with bright and light blues to make it vibrant.

For those who prefer a much smaller scarf, or for anyone who can’t wear wool, I have a small range of silk scarves. These scarves are much thinner, and have a different subtle pattern on each side. They’re smooth, soft, and still very warm, and would work well for smarter looks, as well as casual.