I watched the video of Dave Cole knotting with the aid of diggers with very mixed feelings. First thoughts ‘knitting with man tools?what a gimmick. Would I have been happier with women in the diggers – I think perhaps not. I’m not a fan of gimmicky techniques to look at. Perhaps experiencing unusual tools with give me further insight into this .
Knit/crochet with unusual materials.
telephone wire and the cellophane that wrapped itin it’s black plastic casing – a handy tool to use later!
Crochet, very large hook. Incredibly thick felted yarn (not spun ) with incredibly thin industrial waste thread – I was thinking water splashing and listened to Kingfisher by Kris Drever. I will try felting this to flatten the knots and accentuate the holes.
Knitting with unconventional tools
Arm knitting. I have made a scarf essentially! Learnt things though.
I find such contemplative tasks soothing. There was a great sense of connecting with materials. Contemplated measuring. Time 1hr, loop size equivalent to my wrist – no one else’s..
Knitting a plastic bottle
P.E.T – fabric
Crochet with mod rock – far easier to crochet and then dip in plaster, a messy process has created a bone like structure- unintentional but often sheep bones are found on the Long Mynd and other hill areas- bones of the landscape…
Large scale knitting – plastic waste
I’m trying to source a bike tyre to use with bin liners to make a dream catcher – much hay bail covering ends up shredded in the hedgerows.
Based on that thought I made this hoop of broken dreams from a hula hoop and ripped leggings. It has a very different feel from the idea of the discarded farm waste. I find the narrative behind materials really interesting.
Crochet fence panel – washing line
Clearly not a fence panel! Like the plastic bottle this washing line is very springy and difficult to work with. Without taking it further this brings up the interesting considerations – when to stop a sample, how much do I need to learn from a process – is completion necessary? It feels that this assignment is about experimenting with materials rather than making complete products. In this case then the material has shown to be difficult to work with, adds to my dislike of unnatural materials and has taught me is properties. When I need a flexible resilient material I will know where to go!
hula hoop of broken dreams. Hula hooping ,referencing that energy and optimism of youthful festivaling, knotted with ripped and discarded leggings. This is a place in time rather than the original concept – I wanted to use black bin liners with a bicycle tyre, as a sad reflection of the amount of plastic from hay bale wrapping that around roadside fences – inevitably making its way towards the oceans.it would look similar however the material choice defines the context.
comparing the same technique, finger knitting with very different materials. Soft fluid silk, and hard crispy plastic. Both have a soft visual sheen and quite an energetic appearance. a very different drape.
Experimenting with unconventional materials and tools, my brain slid laterally into this combination of a tangled fishing line with knitting tools.
Nothing need be conventional. It felt quite forced , a little gratuitous using unconventional tools for the sake of using them. However I have learned that experience is far mor valuable that merely considering techniques or tools. The process of making, its repetition and time spent in that meditative state is where thought expands and ideas and understanding happen. Each decision made during the making process , from stitch to stitch, which way to wind a yarn around the twig etc is feeding into the mind bank of creativity.
Knitting – drift wood and river stick – river to the sea