Perri Lewis April 14, 2010

It’s knitting, but not as we know it

The best photographs from a new book charting the work of some brilliant contemporary textile designers

Knitting: Untitled — It’s knitting, but not as you know it. Author Jessica Hemmings asks us to rethink what is it to knit. I reckon this picture certainly does that …

Margi Geerlinks, Untitled, 1997-1998
Photograph: Courtesy of TORCH gallery/In The Loop Photograph: Courtesy of TORCH gallery/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: The Perfect Body — Freddie Robins does too, and by striving for perfection in her craftsmanship (note the title), she’s produced some incredible work, including a series of these wonderful knitted people.

Freddie Robins, The Perfect Body, 2007. Wool yarn.
Photograph: Douglas Atfield/In The Loop Photograph: Douglas Atfield/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Flamer, 2008 — And so to Mark Newport and his knitted superhero outfits. No, they aren’t just mega fancy dress costumes; Mark has a higher purpose for them, raising questions about alter egos, masculinity, protection and heroism.

Mark Newport, Flamer, 2008. Hand knit acrylic and buttons.
Photograph: Mark Newport/In The Loop Photograph: Mark Newport/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Alter Egos: Backstage — He also uses knitting in a series of photographs looking at costume and the alter-ego. Oh, how much I hope this actually goes on behind the scenes at Kiss gigs.

Mark Newport, Alter Egos: Backstage, 2009.
Photograph: Mark Newport/In The Loop Photograph: Mark Newport/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Gin Socks — Deirdre Nelson is another favourite whose work is showcased in this book. Her recipe for success? Find a story, learn a traditional technique, add a dollop of humour and work into something brilliant.

Deirdre Nelson, Gin Socks, 2005. Shetland wool, transfer print, silk.
Photograph: Mark Sinclair/PhatSheep Photography/In The Loop Photograph: Mark Sinclair/PhatSheep Photography/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Hair Sleeve — And for maximum effect, throw something unexpected into the mix. Knitted human hair anyone?

Deirdre Nelson, Hair Sleeve, 2007. Shetland wool, human hair. Photograph: Billy Fox/In The Loop

Knitting: Yarn, 2008 — But if that doesn’t take your fancy, what about swapping your yarn for ethernet cables? Designer Rachel Beth Egenhoefer gets techno with her knitting …

Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Yarn, 2008. Knit Ethernet cable.
Photograph: Rachel Beth Egenhoefer/In The Loop Photograph: Rachel Beth Egenhoefer/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Knit negotiation — … in more ways than one.

Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Knit negotiation, 2004.
Photograph: Rachel Beth Egenhoefer/In The Loop Photograph: Rachel Beth Egenhoefer/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Cordon, Cove Park — Guerrilla knitting, yarn storming, knitted vandalism, or even textile installation? Whatever you call it, there’s many a knitter leaving remnants of their work in public places these days, but perhaps none so beautiful as Sophie Horton, who decorates the countryside to challenge preconceptions of materials and investigate how something as gentle as knitting can be seen by many as a threat to the landscape.

Sophie Horton, Cordon, Cove Park, Scotland, 2004. Locally-sourced lambswool, Shetland wool and acrylic wool and lurex, 400m long.
Photograph: Ruth Clarke/In The Loop Photograph: Ruth Clarke/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: We couldn’t get in, we couldn’t get out — Made on a Barbie knitting machine from the 1970s, Lacey Jane Robert’s giant hot pink fence investigates barriers and how they are a mass of contradictions, being both attractive and intimidating, welcome and unwelcome, keeping people in and keeping people out.

Lacey Jane Roberts, We couldn’t get in, we couldn’t get out, 2006-2007. Crank-knit yarn, hand-woven wire, steel poles, assorted hardware.
Photograph: Lacey Jane Roberts/In The Loop Photograph: Lacey Jane Roberts/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Lobster creel — More knitting in public, this time from Annie Shaw, who “looks back to look forward”, using traditional jumper patterns in unique ways.

Annie Shaw, Lobster creel, sea-washed ganseys, Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire.
Photograph: Annie Shaw/In The Loop Photograph: Annie Shaw/guardian.co.uk

Knitting: Gansey, deep-fried — Perhaps the most unique: deep frying one at a chippy.

Annie Shaw, Gansey, deep-fried at a fish and chip shop, Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Photograph: Annie Shaw/In The Loop Photograph: Annie Shaw/guardian.co.uk

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