This
book has been on my mind for more than ten years. The designs
are all sweaters that I love to wear
myself and even more important, it is the kind of knitting that
I enjoy. Not only is textural knitting tremendously exciting
and absorbing to do, but often the finished piece, seamlessly
fitting into the wardrobe, is infinitely more wearable and versatile
than a multi-colored one. Since I have been asked for stylish
patterns in one colour so many times by people who are primarily
knitting for relaxation, I decided that the time was right for
Sculptured Knits.
Fashion is
ephemeral, but it has enormous influence on contemporary design.
Intarsia knitting with many colors has been dominant in the last
decade: bold, colorful patterns which emphasize the knitter's
expert craft and make a strong statement for the wearer have been
very popular. After all, a sweater takes a large amount
of time to knit, so it needs to be noticed. Deceptively
simple designs relying on shape, sculptured stitches or striking
single color for their impact have always been around, but these
were often knitted in between or alongside the multi-colored show
stoppers. I tend to treat my own intarsia sweaters like treasured
old textiles or paintings - I love to have them about my home
but have always felt more comfortable wearing single-colored sweaters.
In my own
knitting I relish single-colour patterns that have texture, colour
and knitting interest, but which do not entail either stranding,
weaving or being driven crazy by many small balls of yarn on the
same row. I like to think of my knitting as a close and
intimate friend, so naturally I don't like the two of us to quarrel.
Although I enjoy fairisle for small projects like socks, gloves
or hats, when knitting a sweater I love to be able to focus on
texture and not have to worry about changing colours. With
beautiful sculptured stitches and a flattering shape, a sweater
in a single, well-chosen shade can be absolutely stunning.
I suspect there must be thousands of other knitters who feel the
same, and if you are one of them, then this book is for you.
I am a fiber
fanatic. I love natural fibers of all types: wool, cotton,
cashmere, alpaca, mohair, silk, linen, viscose. The possibilities
are endless and I have had such fun choosing the perfect
fiber for each particular design. Some yarns, like cashmere,
are beautiful enough in themselves and need only a stylish shape
to create a wonderful sweater design. Others with crisp
definition, such as cotton and linen, cry out for a sculptured
stitch. Painterly random-dyed textured yarns, such as boucle
or slub, at once introduce both exquisite colour and texture
into a design.
Decorative
art is a wonderful source for the knitwear designer: architecture,
theatre, furniture, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, fashion and
posters all carry the distinctive signatures of their time and
creator. Whilst some pieces are firmly rooted in specific
examples of decorative art, others in this collection are influenced
broadly by the distinctive aesthetic of the period, which shows
in the way that the piece is styled. Many of the projects
are named after particular style icons from the time of their
inspiration. There are sweaters for women, men and children
as well as a couple of projects for your home in each section.
You will find stylish easy-to-knit pieces as well as more complex
sculptured cables and lacy arans.
There are
four sections in the book: Belle Epoque, Art Deco, Pop Art
and Into the Millennium. I have found my work has been constantly
inspired by the decorative arts movements of this century.
I love the extravagant flamboyance of the turn-of-the-century
Art Nouveau - the fabulous patterns which developed the ideas
of harmony and good design in much the same way as did William
Morris' earlier Art and Crafts movement. I have always been
enthralled by the elegant sophistication of Art Deco, influenced
by, among other things, the bright colours and bold shapes of
Cubism and Fauvism. I still remember, as a teenager, wearing
Mary Quant miniskirts and Courreges boots: Pop Art embodies
the spirit of the Swinging Sixties. The fourth section is necessarily
more eclectic than the others, as we cannot distance ourselves
sufficiently to identify a single coherent style for the period.
In true postmodern fashion, I have drawn on a variety of sources,
to create contemporary interpretations of traditional designs
which will, I hope, have an appeal lasting well into the new millennium.
Knitwear
has never been more important in the world of fashion. Luxurious,
beautifully crafted, sophisticated pieces which complement, but
do not overwhelm, the wearer's personality represent the modern
face of handknits. In the 21st century I feel that knitted
garments should be making the statement 'I look good,
I'm exquisitely made and I make my wearer feel beautiful as well
as comfortable'. Sculptured Knits is my celebration
of the knitted stitch for the millennium. I hope that you'll
get as much enjoyment out of knitting my dreams as I have had
from designing them for you.
Here's to
a peaceful and happy new knitting millennium.
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