Knitting research: form, surface and colour
I have knitted a selection of small pieces which explore form and colour. Some are knitting techniques I've used before, but in different colours and forms, others are new to me. The green and orange spikes, for example, are knitted separately and then knitted together. It's a labour-intensive process, but produces a very different sculptural surface, with a lot of potential, I think.
These are all knitted, but some are then felted. Knitting is instantly recognisable as such and has associations with domesticity, comfort, clothing and the body (Parker, Turney). Felting it brings an intriguing change in control; it''s alchemy. Something that has taken possibly hours of work is subjected to a relatively short process which dictates the outcome. The result changes the surface and the rigidity of the knitted piece. It's less instantly recognisable.
Colour adds meaning too (Gage). Some of these forms ineviatbly have different associations when knitted in different colours. There's plenty more here to explore.
My plan was to research ways to combine these pieces with a selection of other materials eg concrete, metal, latex, clay, wax. Here you will see the results of tentative trials with concrete and nails, but I'm hoping to pursue these ideas further for my next module. At the moment I regard them as sketches or samples. the work I have put into them will inform my next body of work.
Gage, J (2000) Colour and meaning Available at: https://www.book-finder.live/?p=Colour+and+Meaning+%3A+Art%2C+Science+and+Symbolism&ln=en (Accessed: 24 February 2020)
Parker, R. (2010) The subversive stitch; embroidery and the making of the feminine. 2nd edn. London and New York: Taurus
Turney, J. (2009) The Culture of Knitting. Oxford: Berg
These are all knitted, but some are then felted. Knitting is instantly recognisable as such and has associations with domesticity, comfort, clothing and the body (Parker, Turney). Felting it brings an intriguing change in control; it''s alchemy. Something that has taken possibly hours of work is subjected to a relatively short process which dictates the outcome. The result changes the surface and the rigidity of the knitted piece. It's less instantly recognisable.
Colour adds meaning too (Gage). Some of these forms ineviatbly have different associations when knitted in different colours. There's plenty more here to explore.
My plan was to research ways to combine these pieces with a selection of other materials eg concrete, metal, latex, clay, wax. Here you will see the results of tentative trials with concrete and nails, but I'm hoping to pursue these ideas further for my next module. At the moment I regard them as sketches or samples. the work I have put into them will inform my next body of work.
Gage, J (2000) Colour and meaning Available at: https://www.book-finder.live/?p=Colour+and+Meaning+%3A+Art%2C+Science+and+Symbolism&ln=en (Accessed: 24 February 2020)
Parker, R. (2010) The subversive stitch; embroidery and the making of the feminine. 2nd edn. London and New York: Taurus
Turney, J. (2009) The Culture of Knitting. Oxford: Berg
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Knitting, brown
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Knitting, green spikes
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Felted knitting, orange spikes
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Knitting and concrete, pink cosies
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Knitting, pink and tan double loop stitch
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Knitting, pink and bodily
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Knitting, deep red and bodily
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Felted knitting, tan 1
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Knitting, tan 2
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Knitting, orange tube
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Felted knitting with nails
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Knitting, trial installation
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