All of a sudden, autumn has arrived and summer is well and truly over for another year. The leaves are a fiery flourish of rust and ochre, our gardens have died back, and there is a definite chill in the air. But don’t despair! As the nights draw in and the weather becomes increasingly gloomy, the time of year to cosy up indoors and envelope ourselves in knitwear arrives. 

The autumn equinox has already passed by, and now the days are becoming noticeably shorter. The clocks go back in just a couple of weeks, plunging us further into darkness. Despite shorter days, autumn is one of our favourite times of year to enjoy long walks in the countryside, and there is so much to love about creating a cosy, welcoming home during the next few months. Read on to discover our suggestions for embracing the cosy autumn months, while adhering to a slower pace of life.

Create a cosy ambiance in your home

There’s something magical about lighting the first fire of the season in the hearth, then curling up on the sofa beneath a warm blanket or one of our oversized scarves. Burn a scented candle (smoky, earthy scents are perfect for autumn), turn off the overhead lights and use lamps for a diffused glow, and sip a cup of tea or glass of wine as the fire roars. Add extra throws, cushions and blankets to sofas, armchairs and your bed to create cosy nooks around your home, embracing woollen fabrics for warmth. As for how to spend your evenings: this is the perfect time of year to get stuck into a new tv show, or simply read a book or play a favourite board game, enjoying simple pleasures.

Read our Q&A with founder of Potts candle.

Wrap up in layers of warm knitwear

Of course, one of the reasons we love autumn is that it is the season when you start reaching for your knitwear. We love wearing finer knits all year round, but as soon as the temperatures drop you can pull on thicker wools and start to layer up your jumpers and cardigans, adding oversized scarves, beanies and gloves. Whether you’re planning cosy evenings at home or long walks in the hills, woollen layers will keep you warm and toasty the whole way through autumn and winter. Don’t forget cosy socks to treat your feet!

Dress for the elements and enjoy long hikes in the hills

There’s no need to hide inside during the colder months. Autumn is a wonderful time of year for long walks through forests and over hills, marvelling at the breathtaking scenery as landscapes erupt in autumn colours. The Norwegians have a saying that ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’ which is an excellent piece of advice – if you’re warm and dry in layers of knitwear and waterproofs, you can enjoy hiking throughout the autumn and winter months. If you have the opportunity, a cosy weekend away in a cabin or cottage somewhere like the Lake District or Scotland offers the perfect combination of long walks, warm pubs and evenings huddled around the fire.

Here are our tips for Autumn walks here.

Invite friends and family over for dinner parties

Of course, you can host dinner parties all year round, but there’s something extra special about inviting your loved ones into your home on dark evenings and crowding around a table glowing in candlelight. Serve seasonal food such as squash, root vegetables, soups and anything spiced with rich flavours – and perhaps brew a mulled wine or cider on the stove to warm your cockles. We especially love to serve sharing dishes at this time of year, bringing the table together and creating a wholesome atmosphere. After dinner, we love to end the evening with card or word games played beside a roaring fire as you all sip hot chocolates.

Enjoy traditional autumn activities

Whether you’re sitting around a roaring bonfire enveloped in one of our oversized scarves, picking apples in an orchard to make a delicious crumble, or taking your kids to a pumpkin patch, there are so many wholesome autumnal activities to get involved in. If you’d rather stay snuggled up indoors, this is the perfect time of year to get stuck into a new hobby that encourages mindfulness, such as learning to knit.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of knitting as hobby, read my blog post here.