You can knit Princess Diana's most iconic looks
Published on 10 November 2020 3 min readIf I were to swap jobs with someone for the day, up there on my list would be Amy Roberts. Emmy award-winner Roberts is the costume designer behind Seasons 3 and 4 of Netflix’s hit series The Crown. Oh the neckerchiefs, the lush velvets and silks, the perfect pastel twin sets and the extravagant hats! As Season 4 graces our screens this November, all eyes will be on Diana, Princess of Wales, played by Emma Corrin.
The people’s princess stole our hearts and became the Royal Family’s most influential fashion icon. But it was her love of the knitted jumper that gets our hearts racing. From the famous black sheep sweater, now part of the Victoria & Albert Museum's permanent collection, to her love for classic Aran jumpers, bold oversized knits teamed with floaty skirts, and knitted jackets paired with jeans - Diana had a knitted number to suit every occasion. This is how you can recreate some of her most famous looks.
The perfect bow
There is nothing more alluring and fancy than a giant bow. We've been fastening garments with bountiful bows since the 12th Century, in fact, by 17th century Britain, even the men wore a flurry of bows if they wanted to be seen as fashionistas. If they were good enough for Audrey Hepburn, they were good enough for Princess Di. But this princess was about practical femininity too - her bows had to be practical enough to wear for running in her Princes' school egg and spoon race! Recreate the look with Kate Bellando's Sailor Sweater with perfect intarsia bow.
Flock appeal
Princess Di wore this iconic black sheep jumper just after her engagement to Prince Charles. Designed by Warm & Wonderful in 1979, the look was flung back into the spotlight after Harry Styles wore a similar sweater vest version this summer and it was announced the famous sheep jumper is being reissued, oh joy! Get the look with P/hop's vintage pattern helping raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)’s life-saving work around the world.
Simply the vest
The sweater vest, a bit like the collared jumper is having something of a revival. Get the Diana-tried-and-tested look by teaming your knitted tank top with a pastel coloured shirt.
Wild at heart
Only do what your heart tells you." - Princess Diana
Diana didn't just follow the trends, she wore classic looks and made them her own, and that's what made her a style muse. If you love vintage-inspired knits and you want to learn how to embroider this is the timeless knit for you. Get the look with Debbie Bliss's Beryl cardigan - knitted flat and seamed, with sweet embroidered flowers added afterwards using simple embroidery stitches.
Shape shifter
We might have done away with belted jumpers, but this geometric look is here to stay. Recreate the look with gorgeous diamond motifs and textured cables in the Alaska jumper by Debbie Bliss. With a high ribbed collar, this is a jumper that will keep you cosy and stylish all winter long.
Run free
I like to be a free spirit. Some don't like that, but that's the way I am." - Princess Diana
No one should be without at least one Fair Isle jumper in their wardrobe and Diana's jumper choice at the age of 19, shows how it's done! Fair Isle jumper, turtleneck and corduroy trousers - it's the perfect ensemble for a countryside stroll.
Once you learn the technique of Fair Isle knitting, you can create beautiful designs with multiple colourways. We absolutely love this design by Caitlin Hunter - Ghost Horses. A top-down circular yoke sweater featuring all-over stranded colourwork, with a ring of horses galloping across the yoke!
