Celebrate Wool Week (October 15 to 20) with some cosy fashion. Lisa Haynes rounds up the nattiest knitwear.

 

The obsession kicked off with cream, then it was red. The latest incarnation is navy and white...

But whatever the colour and pattern, our love affair with knitwear is here to stay.

Chunky knits are everywhere right now - in shops, magazine fashion pages and even on TV screens. As fans of hit series The Killing will know, main character Sarah Lund has become just as famous for her iconic jumper as her detective skills!

Despite being a Danish export, Lund's chunky knit has become a national treasure here, and in the wake of the drama's popularity sales of patterned knitwear soared last winter.

With the third and final series airing in November, it would be wise to shop for your very own trademark knit now - and you can mark the start of UK Wool Week on October 15.

This season, big knits are getting another injection of cool with The Campaign For Wool's 'Wool School'. Backed by patron the Prince of Wales, fashion, textiles and design students across the country have designed a wool jumper to be sold in top retailers like Marks & Spencer, Hobbs and Topshop as well as online.

Join the fashion flock and cosy up in our pick of woolly wonders.

:: Baa baa brilliant

Slogans are big news this season. What better way to celebrate Wool Week than with Topshop's 'Sheep Thrills' statement sweater for The Campaign For Wool? Designed by Kingston University's Henrietta Jerram, £48, available from October 15 (www.campaignforwool.org).


:: True blue

Inject some block colour into your cosy look with Jaeger's bright beauty. The British cable wool sweater in cobalt blue and 100% wool is a real head turner, £199 (0845 521 0495/www.jaeger.co.uk).


:: Danish delight

Channel Sarah Lund in The Killing with Plumo's take on her original iconic jumper. Hand-knitted in the remote Faroe Islands from organic, soft alpaca mix wool, £329 (0844 557 3590/www.plumo.com).


:: Cosy classic

Sometimes you just need a no-fuss, classic knit in a neutral colour to complement just about any winter ensemble. Jigsaw's offering for The Campaign For Wool does just that. Designed by Buckinghamshire University's Hannah Simpson, £195, available from October 15 (www.campaignforwool.org).


:: Fair isle fun

Nothing says winter like a Fair Isle jumper featuring uplifting print. Crew Clothing's Bridford jumper is a snug knit in lambswool and angora mix, £70 (www.crewclothing.co.uk).


:: Cardi comfort

Cables, bobbles and cosy personified. Dote London's boyfriend cardi is slouchy perfection, made with merino wool and a touch of cashmere, £175 (0208 743 8383/www.dotelondon.com).


:: Foxy find

Taking the countryside trend to another level, you're sure to look like a total fox in Hobbs' jumper for The Campaign For Wool. Designed by Ravensbourne's Emma De Vries, £89, available from October 15 (www.campaignforwool.org).


:: Cropped cut

Red alert! Knitwear doesn't have to be shapeless. Inspired by traditional Aran cables, try Boden's fitted cable jumper, also available in blue, green or white, from £34.50 (0844 873 0000/www.boden.co.uk).


:: Jumble jumper

Feeling indecisive? Marks & Spencer's Limited Collection for The Campaign For Wool is like three jumpers in one comprising of different knit techniques and colour combos. Designed by The University of Leeds' Natalie Mason, £39.50, available from October 15 (www.campaignforwool.org).


:: Wild thing

Take safari inspiration for the purr-fect big cat knit. Olsen's leopard head print dress is a wool blend but lightweight enough to still look slinky, £129 (www.olsenfashion.com).


Get the look

The only way is winter boots for reality TV star Lydia Bright. The TOWIE regular was recently spotted filming in these Daniel taupe knee-high boots, £219 (0113 242 6555/www.danielfootwear.com).


Buy it now

Gok Wan is celebrating his one-year anniversary for TU at Sainsbury's with a gift of a fifth collection. Launching October 4, his latest range is all about grown-up glamour with luxe lace, vintage-inspired prints and pretty peplums. Gok for TU Collection 5 includes 22 pieces, priced from £20 to £65, available at over 200 Sainsbury's stores nationwide (0800 636262/www.sainsburys.co.uk/gok).


Fashion flash

:: Fluctuating fashion

What size is your wardrobe? The average woman in the UK has a closet full of clothing that spans three dress sizes, a new survey by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk reveals. Different brand sizing and yo-yo dieting were the chief culprits according to the women questioned. More than two thirds (67%) admitted failing to return ill-fitting clothing in the past while 48% purposely bought clothing that was too small as an incentive to lose weight.

:: Recessionista alert

Don't fall into the classic underwear booby trap. With so many women wearing the wrong size bra, House of Fraser is hosting a free Chantelle fitting event to get professionally fitted. Visitors will also receive a free gift on purchase and be in with a chance of winning a trip to Paris. The Chantelle fitting event will take place Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 October at selected House of Fraser stores in Glasgow, Guildford, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford Street and Westfield London.

:: UK Wool Week is October 15-21. For more information about The Campaign For Wool visit www.campaignforwool.org