TRAVELLING WITH KNITWEAR

Whether I am planning a walking holiday in the countryside, a cultural city break, or unwinding somewhere by the sea, my knitwear always travels with me.

Even in the height of summer, I will pack a lightweight sweater or an oversized scarf to keep me warm on chilly evenings and to combat the air conditioning on the plane. I never leave the house without my cardigan in summer – I tend to wear the Alloa with its cropped fit over a dress or skirt, or the Alva cardigan with jeans. Bringing a well loved knit when you travel feels like packaging a piece of home, to bring comfort and familiarity when you are away.

STAYCATIONS

A staycation for me usually means hunkering down in an isolated cabin in the wilderness, enjoying long hikes up steep hills during the day and sitting around a roaring fire toasting marshmallows in the evening. I always pack a couple of pairs of GS merino wool walking socks to wear with my hiking boots, along with a pair of Sasha cashmere bed socks for keeping my feet toasty at night. A mid-weight sweater such as the Elsi would be perfect for keeping warm both on long walks in the hills and cosying up around the fire at night. I could also dress it up for treating myself to a pub lunch, wearing over a long dress or with a pair of jeans. The final piece of knitwear in my staycation suitcase would be an oversized blanket scarf, to wrap around for extra warmth in the evenings.

Where to stay:

Somewhere remote which has been on my wishlist for a while, Inverlonan offers two bothies on the the shore of  a loch, just a short drive outside Oban on the West Coast of Scotland. Both bothies feature private decks with fire pits and wood-fired pizza ovens, shared use of a wood-burning sauna and even the opportunity to enjoy an eight-course set menu cooked for you by a private chef in a secret location.
Everything I love, enjoying freshly made pizzas, keeping warm by the fire pit, wrapped up in a GS oversized blanket scarf, watching the stars in the night sky with a glass of whiskey (we are near Oban so would be rude not too).
If you’re searching for off-grid accommodation that will help you get back to nature, I’ve also been eyeing up Ty Bach Bothy, located close to Hay-on-Wye. There’s no power and no Wifi, allowing you to truly switch off while you roam in the woods, stoke the fire and enjoy a soak in either the outdoor bath or wood-fired hot tub.
And one suggestion that I have previously stayed at, Fritton Lakes in Norfolk is ideal for anyone with kids. Located within a 1000-acre rewilding project, guests can swim in the lake or pool, enjoy paddleboarding and other outdoor activities, or book into the spa for a relaxing treatment. Accommodation includes luxury clubhouse rooms, woodland cabins or cottages. We stayed at the clubhouse with a B&B and dinner package and I loved walking down to the lake in the morning for a sauna watching the wildlife and enjoying the stillness.

CITY BREAKS

A long weekend getaway in a new-to-me city is the perfect way to absorb myself in culture. I enjoy spending a couple of days walking around, admiring the architecture and seeking out independent shops, bars and restaurants – as well as booking tickets for art exhibitions and theatrical or musical performances. A knitted vest is one of the most versatile pieces for a city break – you can style it casually during the day with jeans and a t-shirt, or dress it up in the evening by wearing it over a long patterned dress. I’ll also pack a lambswool sweater such as the Fidra or the Lea cardigan with contrasting cuffs for a stylish piece of knitwear that works for any occasion. For socks, I would choose a couple of pairs of cotton or sparkly socks to add a fun touch to each outfit. I particularly love wearing our sparkly socks to add a little sparkle to your evening outfit.

Where to stay:

One of my favourite cities for a cultural getaway is Copenhagen. It’s easy to get to from most UK airports and has so much to do and see that it’s impossible to do it all in one trip. I’d recommend a visit to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and the Glyptotek, but also save time for browsing the antique, vintage and independent shops of Norrebro – Jaegersborggade is an intriguing street to stroll down for both shops and cafes. If you would like a city break closer to home, Bath is a wonderful city to explore for shops, sightseeing and spas. Book a room at GuestHouse Bath and a spa day at the Thermae Spa, then spend the rest of your visit strolling around Walcott Street, the city’s artisan quarter. Don’t miss the Aesop store here, housed within a beautiful Georgian building with a tranquil library upstairs.

WATERFRONT RETREATS

I love to get away from it all and spend a week beside the sea or a large lake somewhere with guaranteed sunshine; sunbathing with a good book, dipping in the water and eating local cuisine in the evenings. Even on these hot holidays, I like to take one or two pieces of knitwear along to keep me warm on the plane, in the evenings or to cover up from the sun. This is especially essential if you’re travelling during shoulder season, when the temperatures plummet at night. One of my oversized scarves always accompanies me on a trip abroad, if only to wrap around myself on the flight. They also work well as picnic blankets or to cover up when dining al fresco. If I’m travelling outside of peak season, I would also pack one piece of knitwear for the evenings – either a simple cardigan or sweater to layer over my summer dresses and shorts.

Summer by the British seaside, Ian and I are wearing our lambswool cashmere tweed sweaters in Torquay. Effortless, lightweight and incredibly soft, perfect for when the sun is setting, enjoying a cocktail on the marina and there’s a little chill in the air.

Where to stay:

I lived in Lake Como in Italy for a couple of years, and always feel really grounded when returning to this region. During my time there, I enjoyed taking visitors to Lido di Bellagio, where you can step directly off a boat onto the dance floor at night. Bellagio is a beautiful place to discover if you’re visiting Como, full of delicious hidden restaurants and quiet places to sit and watch the boats float by. Alternatively, I love holidaying on the Croatian islands. Vis is the farthest inhabited island from the mainland, and is a delight to explore. It’s much quieter than the more well-known islands, boasts beautiful beaches all around its coastline and Mamma Mia fans can spot the filming locations from the iconic film. I also enjoy spending time island hopping around the Greek islands – I love returning to Kefalonia, which is a bit of a hidden gem. This summer I’m looking forward to visiting Crete and discovering quiet coves and intriguing archaeological sites.

Showing how versatile the GS oversized scarf when travelling with kids, the perfect companion as a blanket when travelling by plane, train and car; brings total comfort and warmth when they are out of their routine with travelling. Also when you are finally allowed your scarf back, it is a stylish accessory from day to night.

Browse our collection of sweaters, cardigans,  oversized blanket scarves and socks to add to your holiday packing list.