Debbie Bliss, knitting designer, says: “One of the big trends for S/S 15 seen at Pitti Filati in January was tape yarn. I have been slow to warm to tape yarn in general, but when I saw the way that the right tape could be used and how it could bring much needed variety to the season, then I was on board!

“Blues of all shades feature strongly in the spring colour predictions, along with the warm tones of peach and terracotta. There will be a lot of open-work fabric such as dropped stitches or lace worked in a whole sweater, or as inserts, such as in a V-neck or side panels.

“For A/W 15 the trend for head to toe knits that appeared on the catwalk in A/W 14 continues with generous sweaters and tunics, long fringed scarves and big cowls, although the spotlight on knitted trousers may have faded. Apres Ski, with Fair Isle and colour-yoked sweaters, will still be a big trend with a bit of tartan thrown in too.

“The colours will lean towards traditional winter shades of berry, but with deep navy and burgundy teamed with deep pinks and fuchsia will feature too. There are tangerines and all shades of brown and grey and perhaps, surprisingly, mint and nude shades of pink.”