Trending: Knitted yarns

BARGAIN HUNTER: Warm up your home with knitted yarn textures. Their tactility continues to enthrall homeowners

BARGAIN HUNTER:Warm up your home with knitted yarn textures. Their tactility continues to enthrall homeowners. Cork-born, London-based Claire Anne O'Brien kick-started this trend with her highly-sculptural pieces (above), which have been constructed into three-dimensional forms through a combination of hand- and machine-knit stitches.

Her second collection has been picked over by design blogs across the planet. If her work is haute couture then a very accessible alternative is available from Habitat. Its 100 per cent cotton cord and line pouffes will perk up any room. They cost around €124.55 (£100). Delivery is an additional €15 (£12) online from Habitat.co.uk. The interior is a polystyrene bead filling.

Habitat is doing gorgeous floor cushions for £13 so keep them in mind especially if you've a gaggle of kids in the house. UK-based Melanie Porter has created a collection of woolly creations including Dot, a set of five crochet lampshades in three colour combinations; black and canary; soft grey and coral; and red and turquoise. It costs €635 (£510). Hugo is a deliciously textured cushion, that comes in amber, soft grey, apple, hot pink, soft white and black. It costs €193 (£155) from Melanieporter.co.uk. For more inspiration visit the Knitting and Stitching Show which takes place at the RDS and runs from today until Sunday, November 4th.

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in property and interiors