Contemporary Knitting: For Textile Artists
For those yearning to break out of the straightforward designs dictated by many knitting books, British artist Lee focuses on the forms this traditional fabric can take, whether coiled-wire or paper-based shoe styles. The two initial chapters cover tools and techniques but with a unique perspective: unusual materials, like basketry cane and different equipment (old-fashioned spool frames, for instance) comprise just a few of her recommendations. Techniques, too, stray from the conventional; for instance, her term “big knitting” refers to the ridges, furrows, and other textures possible in purl and knit stitches. Add to that repertoire the making of cones and cylinders, 3-D forms on a pentagonal base, decorative surface treatments such as needle felting and big buttonholes, among a host of other ideas. Intimidating? Just remember Lee’s advice: “Practice knitting as if you were sketching on paper.” --Barbara Jacobs