SCRAPBOOK.
Hi, my name is Jan and I'm the person behind Elizabeth Larsen Knitwear. Welcome to my scrapbook page. A place to find snippets on what's going on with Elizabeth Larsen Knitwear; customer photos and I suppose a diary for Elizabeth Larsen Knitwear.
People often ask me who is Elizabeth Larsen?After all they know me as Jan Appleton. Well, it's me! To be more precise, Elizabeth is my middle name and Larsen is my Maiden name (my father's family come from Norway). I wanted my business to celebrate my heritage.
If you'd like to know more about me and my knitting story (it goes back a long way) read my interview with Folksy...
Me in April 2017 wearing my Torridon Collection. At least you get to see my face this time! If you'd like to see and read behind the scenes of my photo shoot in Torridon click on the button below....
Me in the 1980's wearing one of my knit weave designs. I didn't like having my photo taken in those days either! But I think this design could make a come back 😊
GALE exhibition March 2018
Photos of my stand as I set it up for my knitwear exhibition at the GALE Centre in Gairloch.
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK...
(click on the photo to take you directly to the item).
Crofter Poncho
"Très bien. Conforme à la description." iZa Le Corre, France
Ripples Caramel Box Top
"The sweater just arrived! It is more beautiful than the picture. thank you," Linda, USA
Merino Stole
"La délicatesse du travail est de toute beauté et les écharpes de haute qualité réchauffent mon hiver
" Florence, France
Translated: "The delicacy of the work is beautiful and the high-quality scarves warm my winter"
Gairloch Infinity Scarf
"Une écharpe toute en délicatesse et pleine de douceur..." Florence, France
Translated: "A scarf all in delicacy and full of softness ..."
Highland poncho
"My poncho has arrived and it’s absolutely gorgeous, I love it, thank you so much " Theresa, UK
Tartan Infinity Scarf
"Just received my beautiful tartan cowl...🖤... love, love, love it... :)" Deborah, UK
Highland poncho
"Beautiful, soft, green poncho. Lovingly made and the handmade button is a lovely touch. Well packaged and arrived promptly. I shall really enjoy wearing this. Thank you!" Yvonne, UK
Highland poncho
"Wunderschön liebevoll gemacht. Aus tollem Material. Werde mir noch einen weiteren kaufen.
Beautifully lovingly made. Made of great material. Will buy me another one." Esther, Germany
Torridon poncho
"Hi, just recieved my cowl and poncho, beautiful, elegant, lovingly made and beautifully packaged. Cant wait for my next one . Thank you." Annie, UK
Torridon poncho & Fissure burnt orange cowl
Torridon poncho in mustard
"Absloutely STUNNING! Repeat customer after buying the teal poncho a few years ago.The mustard colour is amazing, so stylish and gets lots of compliments. Jan is a great seller, arrived beautifully packaged." Morag, UK
Torridon hooded poncho in grey
"My fabulous poncho arrived today! It’s absolutely beautiful, thank you so much, I bet it will keep me lovely and warm, as well as looking very stylish! Love the large button detail too. I am one delighted customer 😊👌💕😘"
Theresa, UK
Torridon poncho in rust
"I can't say enough about this poncho, my second. When I wear them heads turn. Stunning...... excellent communication, just as described, packaged well timely arrival.
Perfect.....🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟"
Janet USA
Torridon poncho in teal
"Jan - my gorgeous poncho arrived today, and I LOVE it! It’s the perfect length, size, and is really flattering (covers all the lumps and bumps). The colour is gorgeous! I’m really pleased I was able to buy Scottish, too. Thanks so much for a gorgeous product, and your very prompt service too! Best regards Mo" Scotland
Skye wrap
"It’s arrived and is utterly beautiful thank you so so much. I’m thrilled - will be ordering again from you soon." Ally, UK
Torridon hooded poncho
"Bonjour,J'ai bien reçu le poncho, merci il est très jolie! Bonne journée! à bientôt!" Mélie, France
(Hello, I have received the poncho, thank you so very pretty!)
Torridon poncho
"Hi Jan, I absolutely love it! It's had so many compliments already and I'm saving up to buy one next month - the only problem - which colour to go for!!" Cressida, UK
Torridon cowl & fingerless gloves
I have received my order of purple and green cowl and fingerless mittens.
They are absolutely beautiful. Such lovely colours. You are so talented.
Many thanks.
Seashore infinity scarf
"Received my gorgeous scarf today, everything I hoped it would be. Thank you so much. Classy and oh so soft, just love it."
Debbie, UK
Torridon poncho in russet
"It's gorgeous OMG" Gayle, Canada
Winter in the Glen Cowl
"This was a birthday gift for my sister. She loved it! Nice and warm with our snowy weather!" Katy, UK
Torridon beanie
Fantastic hat, looks fab and the wool is very good quality. Super service and dealing with Jan was a dream. Can thoroughly recommend both the hat and the maker! Janethepiper UK
Seashore infinity scarf
Fast shipping and Beautifully made! ❤️ Kim, USA
Torridon poncho in grey and russet
"Ponchos arrived and I love them. Can't wait to show them off! Thank you so much." Sue, USA
Seashore buttons
"And here's me showing off my special Opinan button. I'm so in love with it! 💛 " Laura, UK
Torridon poncho
"I am wearing my poncho today and loving it. It's causing quite a stir in Reigate! I wore it to the Shieldaig Hotel the other night too when the girls and I had an evening Sampling Scottish Gins! I was definitely dressed for the part!" Laura, UK
Merino Stole
"Belle qualité et très bien emballé avec soin. Merci👍🌻🌼🌸🙏" Martine, France
Gairloch poncho
"My third poncho from this artist arrived ahead of schedule and wrapped securely. I love the color with the addition of a different color woven into the edge. Stunning......I highly recommend this seller, great communication, beautiful product, amazing talent." Janet, USA
Highland poncho
"Hello Jan, just a wee bit of positive feedback on the highland poncho I got recently. I wore it to a Burns supper ceilidh on Saturday. I loved the way it feels so light but was the best thing to have at the meal as we were sitting in a horrendous cold draught. some people had to sit with their coats on but I was lovely and cosy without feeling like a mitchelin man. I'm really pleased with it.
Thanks again." Lucy, UK
Highland poncho
I think I'm a little colour blind when it comes to blues and I was a little worried that this would be a little bland as a colour. I was so pleased when it arrived to find (to me) this is a warmer greenish blue than in the photo. It reminds me of the ocean... With the tiny flecks of deep red it goes with EVERYTHING and I LOVE it. Excellent seller, good communication and quick delivery. I would highly recommend, this is a quality item. Thanks! Hazel, UK
Torridon poncho
Nice Christmas gift and the person receiving it really loved it. Well done! Brian, Malta
Torridon poncho
"I am crazy about this poncho. I have received so many wonderful compliments So lovely and beautifully made. Highest recommendation I love wearing it! Gorgeous color!" Melanie, USA
Torridon buttons
"I wanted to let you know that the buttons arrived. Omg they are absolutely beautiful." Gayle, UK
Torridon poncho
"Arrived well ahead of schedule as a gift, and received rapturous praise from the birthday girl! Many thanks, Joss." UK
Torridon poncho
"Beautiful shawl! I wish I could purchase one in each colour." Carla, Canada
Gairloch Cowl & fingerless gloves
"Hi Jan, received my order today. I'm so pleased, the items are beautiful. Can't wait to wear them. Thank you so much. Connie" UK
Torridon poncho
"I will summarise in one word...wow!!I love it! And the button is divine!So, I decided to order one in green as well. Thank you!!" Kristine, UK
Torridon fingerless gloves
"These are beautifully made, green and purple lambswool fingerless gloves! Much thanks to this seller!!" Lori, USA
Seashore poncho & infinity scarf
"Just wanted to let you know I loved the wrap and the poncho you made, and wore both on my wedding day (at separate times!). Will send photos soon when I get them from the photographer :-). Many thanks, Ali x"
Seashore infinity scarf
"Just wanted to let you know the package arrived about an hour ago! Everything is beautiful and beautifully made! " Karen, USA
Seashore infinity scarf
"Wow! It arrived yesterday and I luuuuuvvv it!! I know I will definitely get lots of wear out of this because it can be worn through out the year." Christina, UK
Torridon poncho
The poncho is beautiful. Excellent quality and just the right weight. We post menopausal women who can't wear our heavy sweaters anymore can appreciate something that is not quite as heavy and easier to wear. Purchased the grey and I love it so much I plan to order another! Five stars all the way around! Janet, USA
Torridon poncho
"I had lots of lovely comments when I wore your shawl and matching pieces the other week they were warm and I felt a million dollars in them!"
Leah, UK
Torridon poncho
"AMAZING! Flawless work with stunningly beautiful details. I appreciated the fast, safe shipping to the United States. DO NOT HESITATE to order from this artist!" Miss Betty, USA
Archived news
Photo Shoot - well an attempted photo shoot. The weather on the west coast of Scotland's been a bit poor this summer, rain, rain and more rain, oh, and wind too! So, it's been really difficult to do a photo shoot.
We had a break in the weather and we went for it. A visit to a local beach and ruins meant a longish walk with my knitwear and camera equipment through a field full of cows (I'm a little bit afraid of cows). We just got out of the car and of course it started to rain, but we ploughed on and got ourselves over to the old fishing station.
Mark took a few photos for ideas once the rain stopped but it was just too windy. So, the camera went away and we just enjoyed a stroll in the wind and rain back to the car. I might get the photos taken sometime soon!
Busy, busy, busy 15th August.
It's that time of year when I don't know if I'm going backwards or forwards! The summer season is full of events, local artisan markets and despite spending the first six months of the year designing and knitting, I'm just not quite ready. Which also means little or no time to up date my website, write a blog or clean my house (tehe, don't miss cleaning the house, except I'd hate visitors to just drop by unannounced as it's a constant mess). So, I'm cramming this update in a small window of time in between knitting orders, well us women are renowned for multi-tasking aren't we? (Please do excuse any spelling mistakes, poor grammar as I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm squeezing this in - sorry :( ).
I'm not complaining about being busy, quite like the pressure and I've done some pretty interesting events and met some absolutely lovely people from all over the world. It's great to see my knitwear travelling to far flung places and I just wish that sometimes I could go with it, as I do love to travel. But, have you not noticed that it's all or nothing? So, for me that means long days, especially when I do events!
I've got my new autumn / winter collection launching very soon. Just need to get the photos taken and then they can be put on the website. I've used some different yarns, merino and silk being the main two and I will have a limited edition textured merino poncho inspired by the textures left behind on the seashore (if you look at 'Meet my customers' you'll see Janet modelling one!
Fun at Inverness
Highland Games!
15/16 July
After a very early start (a 12 hour day for me on my feet) setting up and a long day ahead it was great to see so many people turn up to the games on Saturday, despite the weather being erratic. With strong gusts of winds that actually blew my stand over on the Saturday and I was indoors ( I was opposite the open door though).
Love it when other stall holders buy my knitwear! Especially when they knit themselves. This lovely lady knits fabulous chunky accessories and bought one of my lightweight lace scarves.
Standing on your feet all day is really tiring, so you just have to spoil yourself with a lovely cake to keep you going!
Lots going on the Saturday with the Highland Games and then on the Sunday we were entertained with the Inverness pipe band. Great to meet so many people from all over the world! A short video to give you a flavour of some of the entertainment.
Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
7/8/9 July
A beautiful setting and the perfect backdrop for my knitwear at the Crathes Summer Event with Exclusively Highlands. You can't be anything but impressed with the detail in these old castles and the craftmanship. I was lucky that one of my customer's didn't mind
me taking a photo of her in her newly purchased poncho,
well it just had to be done!
Seashore infinity scarf prize draw - June.
And the winner is...
DRUM ROLL....
Congratulations to Christina Lyth! You are the winner of one of my Seashore cotton infinity scarves. Check out all the colours available and choose your favourite one.
A lovely evening stroll amongst the cotton tops....
Long summer days are the best in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in June when it hardly gets dark. A lovely evening stroll through the cotton tops at Red Point in Wester Ross to make the most of the brighter evenings and blow the cobwebs of the day away, re-charge our batteries and enjoy what nature's got to offer.
There was a stiff breeze that kept the midges away and made the cotton tops dance in the light. Whenever I feel I need some inspiration or to clear my head a walk along the seashore or into the mountains does the job.
What do you do to clear your head?
Windy photo shoot for my new Seashore Collection....
We waited a while for the weather to improve before we could do the photo shoot for my Seashore Collection. The best day still happened to be windy, making it quite difficult to keep the mannequin upright (lots of pebbles sorted that out). Hubby Mark had his work cut out!
The seed for my Seashore Collection was sown over a year ago with my love for beach combing. Read more about the inspiration behind my collection read the blog...
Meet my lovely customers....
Torridon Collection super soft Scottish lambswool poncho and matching cowl and fingerless gloves. Bespoke colours for my lovely customer in Canada, Gayle. Thanks for the photo Gayle!
Available in different colours, or your own colour choice. Just enquire.
Seashore textures poncho. Knitted in a beautiful melange merino wool. Textured waves and a two tone fringe.
Seashore Collection, super soft cotton poncho and matching infinity scarf. Available in different colours.
Thanks Peggy!
Peggy sent me lots of lovely photos wrapped up in her knitwear. Lovely to see her complementing my knits with her own knits too ☺️
I think she looks fabulous! But, I suppose I am a bit biased 😉
Poncho, shawl or wrap this linen and cotton top can be worn lots of ways. Thanks to my lovely customer for the photo.
Bespoke Order for Maggie
I do like to create a pice of knitwear that reflects the customer and compliments an outfit. I enjoyed creating a merino wrap for my lovely customer. Fusing lipstick pink, burnt orange and black with a shimmer of lurex running through. The inspiration behind the edging pattern came from the fabulous hat being worn.
Thanks to Ali for this lovely photo of her wearing my Seashore Poncho and Infinity Scarf on her wedding day! Doesn't she look beautiful.
Doesn't she look lovely in my Highland poncho. You can't see them in the photo sadly, but she had matching cowboy boots on, fabulous!
Lovely Lynne wearing my Gairloch cowl knitted in a super soft lambswool spun in Scotland.
Doesn't Kathy look lovely in her Torridon poncho, she wears it well next to her art work!
This lovely lady is also wearing one of my Torridon poncho's in mustard. The lovely back drop of Blair Castle.
One of my lovely regular customer's sporting my 'new' textured jacket design in lambswool. It fitted her to perfection!
Not just for women! My unisex beanies and cowls are bought by as many men as women. And they look great too. This chap from Australia bought a Torridon beanie to go Otter watching in Torridon! :)
MOY FIELD SPORTS FAIR 4/5th AUGUST
The heavy rain and the mud didn't dampen the spirit of Moy! I had lots of fun trying to avoid the drips on my stand but that's a British summer for you.
Meet some of my lovely customers....
Meet Janet, wearing one of my new autumn / winter merino wool poncho's. Inspired by the textures left behind on the seashore and the flow of seaweed with the ebb and flow of the tide.
This lovely customer is wearing my Winter in the Glen Bird Cowl. Doesn't she wear it well.
Meet some of my lovely customers from Inverness Highland Games and Gala. I'm so lucky to have such delightful customers who let me take their photo. I'm sorry I don't do them more justice, but I just use my mobile phone and they're all in situ. No posing or models, just real women wearing my knitwear and don't they look great?!
My new lace scarves and Seashore Collection were the most popular items this weekend.
CRATHES CASTLE SUMMER EVENT 7-9TH JULY
This lovely Canadian lady kindly let me take a photo of her with her 'new to her' Seashore Poncho knitted in a gorgeous 50% merino, 25% silk and 25% nylon. In a black tweed effect and it suited her so well, that I just had to take a photo. And what a back drop for a photo, the top floor of Crathes Castle is pretty impressive.
PS. Don't forget, if you send in a photo of you ( or someone else, but not someone randomly on the street ;) ) wearing my knitwear you'll receive a little thank you gift!
Meet Emily and Fiona.
I walked into one Latitude 57 (one of my stockists) only to find these lovely ladies trying on my super soft lambswool Torridon beanies. Don't they look lovely! Thanks for letting me take the photo, you really suited them!
My knitwear isn't just for women! I do unisex hats and cowls too, as this chap manages to demonstrate so well at the GALE Centre in Gairloch. He's wearing my Torridon lambswool cowl in rust and teal.
REVIEW
"I am wearing my poncho today and loving it. It's causing quite a stir in Reigate! I wore it to the Shieldaig Hotel the other night too when the girls and I had an evening Sampling Scottish Gins! I was definitely dressed for the part!"...
... "And here's me showing off my special Opinan button. I'm so in love with it! 💛"
Thanks Laura!
BESPOKE ORDERS
Sometimes you want something just a little bit different than anyone else.
...if you are looking for something that little bit different.
Claire wanted a simple crop top with subtle details. I used three different very fine yarns to get the random stripe effect and a bit of pastel pink/white scalloping to soften the edges.
PRIZE DRAW
I want to see your photos!
I'm looking for customers to share their Elizabeth Larsen Knitwear photos for my Scrapbook page.
As a thank you any photos sent in will be rewarded with a little 'thank you' surprise gift.
Email them to: elizabethlarsenknitwear@gmail.com
April saw my first prize draw being drawn for a Torridon cowl. Thanks to Rose and Sam from the GALE Centre in Gairloch for pulling the winner from the hat (literally).
And the winner was (drum roll) Jennifer Watson. "Wahaaayyy! I never win anything! Until now that is..." "Hi Jan, Thank you - it arrived today. Beautiful! all the best, Jennifer"
