Material Adventures in Knitting

Description

Explore the creative potential of knitting to make artwork and sculpture, using simple techniques and unconventional materials. 

• Knitting with unconventional materials (wire, garden twine, string), fancy and neon yarns
• Making yarns from strips of fabric, plastic and paper
• Threading beads, buttons or fabric onto the yarn

There will be demonstrations of knitting and yarn making techniques, and discussions on applying experimental materials such as paper pulp and acrylic gel.  The class includes a worksheet and PowerPoint presentation, plus samples and demonstrations to inspire further ideas for after the session.

All levels of ability are welcome.  The workshop is aimed at anyone with an interest in textiles or mixed media sculpture, wishing to explore the artistic potential of knitting.  The emphasis is on creating experimental samples, rather than a finished piece.

Materials and equipment: -

• Knitting needles or crochet hooks, ideally larger sized needles or hooks 6mm or more
• Yarn, any conventional knitting yarn, plus string, garden twine, braid, thin ribbon or lace, gift wrap tape, etc., could be used as an experimental yarn
• Plastic bags, carrier bags and clean food wrappers such as bread bags or frozen food bags
• Fabric, a closely woven cotton fabric, jersey T-shirt fabric, or an unwanted garment
• Paper, newspaper, brown paper, tissue paper, old wrapping paper, etc
• Beads, buttons, sequins, small scraps of fabric, anything which can be threaded onto a yarn
• Scissors, for both fabric and paper
• Hand Needles, preferably large-eyed tapestry needles
• Thread, for hand sewing
• Internet access, with a microphone and webcam. Please only book is you are able to attend in real time.