Since writing this post, my ribbon obsession has, um, deepened somewhat.
I couldn’t stop thinking how nice it would be to create my own ribbon designs with which to bind steeks and facings. Ribbon decorated with Nordic or Fairisle stitch patterns . . . .
. . . ribbon printed with fun knitterly motifs like scissors and balls of yarn. . . .
Ribbon in pleasing colours and patterns and shades . . .
For a while I looked around at various options for custom ribbon design and printing. And then I found a wonderful UK company called Berisfords, who design and manufacture beautiful quality ribbons from their factory in Congleton. Not only have Berisfords been manufacturing ribbon for more than a century and a half, they created ribbons that already matched many of the design ideas I’d been having.
As you would imagine from such a well-established manufacturer, Berisfords create top-quality ribbons that are well made and designed.
These ribbons are ideal for covering your steeks, creating a pretty facing to stabilise a cardigan front opening or button band, or just to use decoratively in many different ways in your sewing or quilting projects. As you know, I am a complete haberdashery obsessive, and I fell head over heels for Berisfords designs. I certainly know what I’ll be using for a facing on my next cardigan project!
I was also somewhat amused to discover that many of the ribbons in my stash (that I’d been keeping from cakes and other items for years), were of course manufactured by Berisfords . . .
So, as I couldn’t stop myself acquiring some, and as I thought you might also be interested, I’ve now curated a small selection of Berisfords lovely ribbon designs which are on sale in my shop)
The ribbon is cut and sold in 2 metre lengths . . .
. . . which are securely packaged inside a Kate Davies Designs card, which can in turn be sent in a small envelope at letter rate (so shipping is quite reasonable wherever in the world you are).
If you are interested in buying some of my small selection of Berisfords ribbon, can I please ask that, for the time being, you purchase no more than three 2 metre lengths at once? Stocks are quite limited, and purchasing no more than 6 metres at one time will make matters much easier for me when packing and shipping. Thankyou!
I hope as soon as my ski racing/coaching season is over to order some of your ribbon if there is any left! I think you should design ribbon as you have a great feel for what we knitters would all love! Go for it Kate in all your free time (LOL)!
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So very pretty! I love haberdashery and milliner supplies just as much as I love office supplies! Thank you for the links to order such pretty ribbons. Steeking with ribbon looks so very polished.
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Lovely ribbons.
I went to school in Congleton and travelled on the bus which terminated in Macclesfield. Happy Days!
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Ha!,I remember that bus station. You could get a bus to, well, almost anywhere!
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Lovely. The ribbons are so decorative why not put the bands on the outside of the cardigan? I’m going to have a go at this. Just have to make the buttonholes close to the edge.
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Delightful. I used to go to Congleton as a small child, on a bus ride treat for an afternoon out with my Mum. I grew up with the sound of Jacquard weaving looms in the background, in Macclesfield, which was called the silk town, as they wove beautiful and intricately designed pure silk. The town has gone upmarket now, but it was heavily industrialised from the word go, once those looms came along. Clackety clack!!
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What a lovely idea! I may have to order some for the sweater I am working on to cover my steeks.
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Kate, I think you will have to become Berisfords newest agent. The ribbons are lovely, I can see the Nordic star on a Cockatoo Brae, and the daisies are just what I need to spur me on to finish my Ursula. Berisfords don’t have an agent in Australia, and you wouldn’t want to buy 20 m. reels of every design. Hope you soon get more in stock.
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Ahhh, i am not online for two days (family crisis, involving days spent in a hospital) and they are already sold out…
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Oh dear too slow all sold out. They were so lovely! I’ll keep my eye out maube sometime in the future you might be able to offer again. Thanks Kate
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Ils sont superbes !
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I really hope you get more ribbon in for order. I’d really love to have some with the “Hand Knitted” design!!
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They are all gorgeous but I especially love the scissors and buttons ribbon.
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just completed my first steeked sweater and thanks to your encouragement, i too used ribbon to cover the steeked seam. i will be looking out for ribbon too!!! sorry that your supply is all sold out…
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Not surprisingly, they have sold out. I did check the Berisfords website and there isn’t a source for the US to purchase the ribbons. They have tartan ribbons! And they have my tartan-Frasier! Can I put in a request if you do order more in the future? I will knit a sweater to match the ribbon. I don’t see where I can order online.
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I go away for one weekend and you list and sell out of your lovely ribbons! Gah! What a great idea, I hope you will design many more!
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oh, well. Hoping for more soon but since I don’t stalk your site, I may never get any!
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More ribbon, please! What a lovely idea!
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You know, I was feeling quite detached from the ribbon lust until I saw the seagulls. Oh my, aren’t they wonderful! And also sold out. Damn.
But what a wonderful idea.Thanks for bringing them to my attention.
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I waited less than 24 hours to order and all gone except for daisies. When will there be more?
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I had already discovered some of these ribbons in a wee (oops ‘peerie’) shop behind the Post Office in Lerwick…. And I admit bought several metres for my stash. Have to admit I’m a bit of a button junkie too ;0)
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WOW, sold out already. I thought when I read that post it would be popular.
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I love ribbons just as much and lament it isn’t in style for women approaching forty to wear them in their hair.
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All lovely! I especially like the Hand Knitted * Hand Knitted * Hand Knitted * one.
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The best thing yet!!! You are always on the cutting edge (no pun intended :) and it is very exciting!!
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Oh heck! Too late! Do hope you get some more. Particularly the Nordic Star and the herringbone, please ….
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Loved the ribbons! They were sold out before I got the email. Hope you will be selling them on a regular basis. Back to the internet to see if sold in the United States or can order from U.K. in smaller lenths than a whole reel.
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Lovely. I have just discovered the joy and variety of ribbons after covering my first steaks. I was wondering, what do you look for in a ribbon? Specifically for knit wear, would polyester ribbon be best or is cotton or another type of fabric more desirable? So far I am captivated by the design, but I wonder if I should be more choosy in order to get the best for my hand knitted items.
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Gorgeous! Will look out for when you (hopefully) stock up again. Seagull and deckchair stripe get my top votes :-) All best, A
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Oh Kate – gone before the sun rose in the Antipodes! I hope you will re-stock soon!
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oops! already sold out!
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Wow! Most of the ribbons are already sold out! It appears that the rest of us seem to share your obsession, too.
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The ribbons are beautiful!
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Since I saw your last post on ribbons, my excitment took me on the web, merrily finding ribbons like the ones you showed. Not found much I wanted because I wanted the motifs to be running vertically, like the scissors not horizontally like the seagulls – although they are totally fab. I loved the bees shown in your last ribbon post. Back on the web, it’s out there somewhere!!
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Hoping you and Beresfords’ will add more of the “Hand-Knitted” ribbon to your etsy shop soon! That is the first design stating “hand-knitted” that isn’t twee.
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I adore Berisfords Ribbons – I am so glad you are promoting them!
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Hi, Kate-
I’ve been following your blog for years now. Am not a knitter, but just love your writing. I run a textile and fiber arts org and thought you might be interested in one of our members who designs some wonderful ribbons, Laura Foster Nicholson. She is an amazing weaver, but also designs commercial ribbons that I think would work for the sweaters, too. I think you will especially like her veggie designs since you like to garden, too.
Here is her profile on our site: http://www.tafalist.com/profile/lfn-textiles/
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Woah! Her ribbons are AMAZING!
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The ribbons are fantastic. I have so envied yours – and now I can have that finished look too. Thank you so much for having them.
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Beautiful herringbone:) I’m hoping that you will have more as it’s already sold out? Would we just keep checking back on your store?
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Thanks Kate, these are lovely. It can sometimes take me weeks to find the perfect ribbon – this has just made my life a whole lot easier ;)
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Ah yes, the fabulous Berisfords! I used them a lot when I was doing upholstery and design.
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hi Kate,
in Germany we also have beatiful ribbons!
Look at: http://www.baenderei-kafka.de
Best wishes from Hamburg
Uli
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Some of the loveliest ribbon I have seen! Thank you for sharing these lovely ribbons.
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<3 Love the seagulls!!
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OH!! Thank you for sharing this. I adore these. So far, I have been too timid to attempt steeking… but the thought of using some of this delightful ribbon may just be the nudge I need to move me in that direction. :) Ribbon… A new happy obsession for me too.
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Thank you Kate! These are so beautiful. The “Nordic Star” ribbon is just what I need to finally finish a sweater that’s been waiting to be steeked for 9 years! Fortunately I still love it and look forward to completing it now that you have found the perfect ribbon!! I have just ordered and limited myself to 2 ribbons (nordic star and herringbone) – thank you again.
Lynda
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Love these, especially the snowflakes and the seagulls! What a brilliant idea :-)
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Lovely!
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