Winter Warmers with ROVE

Winter is definitely upon us, layers are needed to keep us warm be it around the house or going out and about as the season changes.  It’s very rare that I am scarfless at this time of the year, I like wearing them all the time and have quite a collection so it was wonderful when Rose from ROVE got in touch regarding her inspiring knitwear company.

I have known Rose for many years and own one of her cowl scarves that I would never part with.  It has been a joy to see her company grow and morph into ROVE today.  Simplicity is key when it comes to her knitwear, sustainability at the core and the promotion of British craftsmanship giving it a voice.

We make functional knitwear for men and women that evokes a sense of adventure and connection to the natural world. With every stitch, we aim to inspire and empower our customers to explore their own unique journeys, embracing comfort, style, and the beauty of british craftsmanship. Sustainability and transparency are core values in our small business.

Rose started her label Rose Brown Knitwear at a workstation set up around the kitchen table after becoming disillusioned by the studio she was working for at the time, as many of her designs were being mass produced using synthetic fibres which unsettled her.  She wanted to go back to her roots and beliefs  and desire to find quality, long lasting knitwear manufactured in Britain using British spun wool.   Over the last 10 years the label has evolved with a new name meeting the need for sustainable, low impact clothing by producing organic, natural, recycled or biodegradable materials along with a traceable production process.  Each yearly collection designed is unique with nature inspiring the colour palette, each piece outliving the season it was created for to be worn for many years to come.

I am wearing the chequerboard scarf in charcoal which works perfectly with my winter wardrobe, these beautiful scarves are crafted from the finest merino lambswool spun in Yorkshire, knitted in their Greater Manchester factory and hand finished in ROVE Margate studio.  Wool is a sustainable choice for the environmentally conscious, especially with its natural breathability, biodegradability and natural resistance to light rain.  Its double thickness  and softness makes it the perfect scarf to wear keeping you warm and cosy on the coldest days.

Rose is very proud that 100% of her products are made in Britain, slowly and sustainably using a small batch production process.  Skilled craftsmanship is paramount from the initial sketched design through to pressing, finishing and labelling.  The jumpers are handmade by a retried knitter who works from her home in Lancashire.  The socks are manufactured in Derbyshire factory who have been making socks for 100 years.  By working with these skilled artisans and investing in these unique pieces we are supporting the future and heritage of the British Textile industry, which in my mind is such an important thing to do.

I will cherish my scarf, it has been a permanent fixture to my outfits over the last week and the sumptuous merino wool socks are going to be squirrelled away to give as a Christmas gift to a loved one who I know will get great pleasure from receiving them.