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Jean Moss Handknits
 
SCULPTURED KNITS INTRODUCTION

 

sculptured_cover.jpgThis 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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