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Rachel Graham took the Student Hand Knitting 2016 title in a contest run by The Campaign for Wool, launched in 2010 to educate consumers about wool products and to support the industry. Run by a coalition of industry groups convened by the Prince of Wales, this was the Campaign’s first Student Hand Knitting contest and was part sponsored by the British Wool Marketing Board.

Rachel, studying BA(Hons)/MDes Textiles with Business Studies, said: “I was absolutely amazed to hear that I had won. Being a first year I honestly didn’t think that I would have a chance.

“I submitted my designs at the end of the summer term as I thought that it would be a great experience. It was a shock to be selected for the final. Although this was great news it meant my summer holiday was spent hand knitting in between working.”

Amanda Bright, Head of the university’s School of Art, said: “Rachel produced a stunning garment that really celebrated making and material, and I want to thank and commend her tutors: Caterina Radvan, Vikki Haffenden and Toni Hicks for making it possible for students to experience opportunities such as this as part of our curricula. I’m delighted for Rachel and the BA Textiles team and very proud.”

The competition brief by knitwear designer Marie Wallin was to create fashion garments hand-knitted in 100% wool or wool rich that displayed sculptural form using cabling and 3D knitting techniques in a palette which celebrated the colours of a British autumn.

Rachel received £500 for winning. Judges said: “This very talented designer was only in her first year of her undergraduate knitwear design course when she submitted work for selection. Her winning design was a beautiful fitted tunic dominated by a mass of knitted loops creating a dramatic and tactile effect.”

Rachel said the inspiration for her design came from “structures of frozen water, in particular the frozen waterfalls in Bergen, Norway. I wanted to show what the body would look like as a waterfall. I tried to show this by using holding techniques to create 3d loops increasing in size, down the body.

“I wanted the loops to show the natural movement of water while still keeping a feature of the structure of frozen water; to ensure this I increased each row of loops at the same point. In keeping with the frozen water concept, I used a cool blue coloured tweed yarn.”

Rachel specialises in knitted textiles and knitwear design and is particularly interested in lace-making, crochet and hand knitting.

She said: “Since starting my degree I have been able to develop my hand knitting further by experimenting with texture and 3d shapes and using knitting techniques to design knitwear. I would definitely recommend the course to prospective students as the 爱豆传媒 has a high standing and great reputation, and offers great opportunities.”