Cocoons: Knitting with monofilament, research and development, Feb 2021
Please visit 15.2.21 Knitting with monofilament for my reflections on using monofilament, specifically for outdoor sculpture. There are also images of my previous research with monofilament
I was contacted by someone who had seen my work at the MA Degree Show last September, inviting me to apply for an Open Call for a Sculpture Garden in Devon. Here is my proposal and the accompanying research:
I have started two new samples, using green and yellow monofilament.
Sample 1:
I started with 8mm double pointed needles, moving to a circular needles as soon as I could. The monofilament is very hard to work with, as it's so springy. That unruly line! With size 8 needles though, it's more controlled. I knitted every row in the round and then finally changed to size 15mm circular needles.
On size 15mm needles I began to knit and purl rows alternately as this seems to give the knitting a more distinctive form. Knitting constantly distorts it.(I used a stitch marker so that I'd know when I reached the end of the 'row' as I was still knitting in the round.) Obviously the stitches became much larger and less controllable, but I think that makes it interesting.
A useful tip I discovered is that using several circular needles - here I used 4 - makes it much easier to knit as the stitches don't fall off. I think last time I knitted with monofilament, that was a real issue as I only used one circular needle. The secret is to allow plenty of space for the knitting on the needles. I did still use rubber bands though to secure the knitting when I stopped working on it.
Sample 1:
I started with 8mm double pointed needles, moving to a circular needles as soon as I could. The monofilament is very hard to work with, as it's so springy. That unruly line! With size 8 needles though, it's more controlled. I knitted every row in the round and then finally changed to size 15mm circular needles.
On size 15mm needles I began to knit and purl rows alternately as this seems to give the knitting a more distinctive form. Knitting constantly distorts it.(I used a stitch marker so that I'd know when I reached the end of the 'row' as I was still knitting in the round.) Obviously the stitches became much larger and less controllable, but I think that makes it interesting.
A useful tip I discovered is that using several circular needles - here I used 4 - makes it much easier to knit as the stitches don't fall off. I think last time I knitted with monofilament, that was a real issue as I only used one circular needle. The secret is to allow plenty of space for the knitting on the needles. I did still use rubber bands though to secure the knitting when I stopped working on it.
26.2.21 Photoshoot
I took two pieces of translucent knitted monofilament that I knitted several years ago and my first green sample to the woods to take photos in the sunshine....
I took two pieces of translucent knitted monofilament that I knitted several years ago and my first green sample to the woods to take photos in the sunshine....
I think this video demonstrates very clearly how monofilament is transformed when it's knitted:
Documenting the knitted monofilament moving in the breeze reminded me how mesmerising this material is:
And maybe 2 colours works well? I think that the visual interference of the two knitted nets adds something alluring.
And here are some photos:
Sample 2, 27.2.21:
I have started a second sample using size 12 dpns, as I wanted to start with a more open stitch. This time I'm trialling the neon yellow monofilament. I have also started knitting and purling alternate rows to see to what extent my knitting can determine the final form. I was also able to knit in the sunshine on the estuary. Almost a beach! That was a bonus, and somehow it felt appropriate to be knitting with fishing line in that setting. It takes a very different kind of concentration, which I find interesting. It's definitely not as relaxing as knitting with wool, but I do think the effect is intriguing.
I have started a second sample using size 12 dpns, as I wanted to start with a more open stitch. This time I'm trialling the neon yellow monofilament. I have also started knitting and purling alternate rows to see to what extent my knitting can determine the final form. I was also able to knit in the sunshine on the estuary. Almost a beach! That was a bonus, and somehow it felt appropriate to be knitting with fishing line in that setting. It takes a very different kind of concentration, which I find interesting. It's definitely not as relaxing as knitting with wool, but I do think the effect is intriguing.
Knitting in the sunshine, almost on the beach! 27.2.21
Two sketches of Cocoons:
Click here or on the image below for my Cocoons proposal for the Regeneration exhibition at Stone Lane Gardens, 28.2.21:
