Customer Reviews

KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects From Knitting's New Wave

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

KnitKnit is a gorgeous and inspiring book! Sabrina Gschwandtner profiles an eclectic group of artists and communities who are creating an electric new form of knitting. While most of the artists are avant-garde, the book feels completely accessible. Each artist has contributed a pattern for a knit garment or object, and the projects vary greatly in scope. Some of the knitters use their knitting to create political statements, while others are simply interested in exploring new methods and materials. The design of the book is beautiful, and the photographs by Kiriko Shirobayashi capture the personalities of the artists and their work. I have only had this book for a week, but I already treasure it. It will make a fantastic addition to any library!

Anyone who's ever been to an art show and thought "Huh?" will take one look at this book on knitting that goes way beyond sweater sets and say "Yes! I get it."
What an amazing foray into the world of knitting as more than either art, craft or design. To say that these fiber artists are way ahead of their time is to understate what this fabulous book provides -- a window into what's possible in knitting. Colorful, joyous, incredible projects that make you want to get out a pair of knitting needles and see how far they can take you.
This is THE perfect gift for every knitter in the world.
Oh, and the patterns? Yes, you CAN make these artful creations too.
Give it a try.
I give KnitKnit raves...

First of all if you are looking for a book that places emphasis on patterns than this is not the book for you. Knit Knit is more of a social commentary and historical time capsule of current trend-setters and artists who just happen to work in knitting the way others work in paints and sculpture.

One reviewer remarked that this book is more of a coffee table book, a fair assessment in that it is a beautifully constructed art book that ALSO has very considerable bios on the artist's. And quite frankly no one in this book leads a dull life, so it might be surprising to many that a book that centers on knitting could be such an engaging read.

As a knitter I was intrigued and amazed as well as daunted by how imaginative and to what extremes these artists go to achieve their "vision". As a history-buff I thought it was brilliant that Ms. Gschwandtner had the foresight to capture the lives as well as the product of these individuals for posterity. (Ms. Gschwandtner's intro which includes her account of starting her own zine, KnitKnit, is also a great read on finding inspiration in/on the most unlikeliest of ways.)

Patterns are included as each artist contributes one as an example of their work. It is more of a fun invite to emulate their work rather than a typical "practical" knit pattern.

There is much to discover and enjoy in Knit Knit and you will most likely find yourself doing a lot of re-reads as well as accepting the occasional challenge to knit one on.

The Fall 2007 issue of Vogue Knitting (25th Anniversary Issue) featured two articles of particular interest: "Knitting's Old Guard Speaks Out" [an interview with Kaffe Fassett, Alice Starmore, Mari Lynn Patrick and Meg Swanson]; and "Chatting with Knitting's New Guard" [Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Clara Parkes, Debbie Stroller, Shannon Okey and Vickie Howell]. By featuring the "new guard," Vogue Knitting highlights the influence that knit bloggers and the "next generation" of knitters are having upon the craft. This influence is something which Sabrina Gschwandtner has been capturing for several years in her publication KnitKnit which looks at knitting "as a vehicle for artists" as well as crafters.

In her new book KnitKnit: Profiles & Projects from Knitting's New Wave, Gschwandtner looks at how a new generation of knitters is blurring the boundaries between conceptual art and craft. These unique individuals "whose work reflect[s] knitting's current ideas, venues, and forms" are in many cases unknown to the average knitter and so the author profiles each one, exploring their art, their motivation and how their work has progressed.

KnitKnit includes twenty-seven profiles; from Dave Cole who knits with "heavy, toxic, industrial, or otherwise unusual materials"; to Althea Merback who knits knits miniature garments the size of a quarter; to Debbie New who knit a navigable boat.

In addition to their profile, each individual was asked to create something readers could make, and the results are as unusual as their creators. The projects included the expected clothing, as well as 14-foot-tall fiberglass teddy bears, miniature sweater earrings and room installations which knitters can "wear." Even the sweaters are often approached in unusual manners; Liz Collins' Stretchy Stocking top made from nylon stockings and Debbie New's Scribble Lace Bolero made with labyrinth knitting.

KnitKnit is a perfect coffee table book for the knitter on your holiday shopping list. The artists profiled will help get knitting creativity flowing, the patterns feature unusual construction techniques.

Armchair Interviews says: This book will spark conversation for knitters and non-knitters alike.

This book is a great look at the work of a wide range of contemporary and creative knitters. Many of the designers profiled in this book are well-known (such as Teva Durham, Annie Modesitt, Norah Gaughan, Erika Knight) and a few may be new to many readers. However each profiled knitter has pushed the boundaries of knitting and design in some way.

As I was expecting, the book includes gorgeous photography of each artist's work, as well as a background profile that gives an insight in to their design process. What surprised me however, is that there is an accomanying pattern for every designer. Some of the patterns are extremely wearable, such as Anna Bell's beautiful 'Bridie' cardigan or Joelle Hoverson's Favourite Yoke Sweater, whilst there are patterns included for more avant-garde pieces, such as Knitta's car antenna cozy or Isabel Berglund's knitted wall panel.

All in all I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting a book that proves a fascinating insight in to the designers who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary knitting, and the book certainly delivers on this count. However as a bonus, there are actually some stunningly wearable patterns in this book, and I'm dying to cast on.

Sabrina G. is the editor of KnitKnit, a knitting magazine with emphasis on the more radical and innovative knitter. This book profiles a number of the best the bleeding edge knitters around. My personal favorite is Lisa Anne Auerbach and her political sweaters! Included in each artist's segment is a pattern by them, but if you are looking for a lot of "traditional" patterns, this ain't it...BUT if you want to see what some super creative people are doing, both huge and teeny, get your copy and be prepared to pick up your needles and join the revolution!

This is a fun book to browse through to get some ideas about what might be in knitting's future. Most of the patterns are a bit far out to actually knit such as the huge fiberglass teddy bear while a few are definitely worth doing such as an ankle boot. Most of the artists are either British or American and of those several have written books; e.g. Debbie New, Gaughan, Hoverson. It might be fun to return to this book in 10 or 20 years and compare it to the knitting then. Well, time will tell but in the meantime, if you can afford the $$, it's a nice coffee table book to show your friends.

KnitKnit is the audiobook presentation of true stories from twenty-six men and women (and one group) who engage in modern-day knitting as an art form, or for the joy of it, or to create useful and practical items, or to test the boundaries of their skill. Regarding handcraft in the context of contemporary art, KnitKnit serves as inspiration as well as exploration into the discoveries that await one learning to combine the dexterity of their hands with the creativity of their minds for fruitful results. KnitKnit is, of course, the perfect audiobook to listen to while working on one's own knitting, and an excellent gift for knitting hobbyists everywhere. 3 CDs, 3 hours 30 minutes.

Ditto to the other positive comments. This book is fabulous and definitely unique. Absolutely for the "new wave" of knitters (not for crocheters). If you love yarn working, it is as worthy of buying as an art book as for the patterns. The patterns are pretty funky and I personally only care for "Esther" by Annie Modesitt (you can see this pattern on [...]), but bought it, as mentioned, as an art piece as well.

This is an incredible book, a book that demonstrates how knitting has moved from craft to art. It is not a book to garner patterns from but a book to inspire, to look through over and over again and relish the beauty and creativity that is possible with the art of knitting. There are some patterns included but that is not the primary purpose of this book.

The book includes a compilation of individual artists with descriptions and photos of their particular interests and designs. I saw a show of knitting artists in New York City about three years ago at the Museum of Arts and Crafts on 59th St. and some of the artists in that show are in this book. One is Althea Merback and I remember being mesmerized by her work when I saw the show. She makes the tiniest of tiny objects, primarily mittens, gloves, boots, and sweaters. They are beautiful and fascinating. Imagine, she knits with needles using silk sewing thread!

You might be familiar with Joelle Hoverson if you have ever seen the beautiful ad for Purl Soho yarns. The ad intrigued me so much that I had to place a few orders to their store. They carry beautiful yarns and also fabrics. A replication of the ad and a description of how she came to open the store is included in this book.

Erika Knight's beautiful drawings with yarn and fabric samples is an example of crafter as artist. Art can be utilitarian, not just something just to look at, listen to or read. It can be worn, put on a table, or cover furniture.

Catherine Lowe seemed to me like the penultimate knitter's knitter. In her description it states that "A typical knitting pattern written by Catherine Lowe is about 35 pages long; it can be as many as seventy." Her patterns are designed so that there is no sewing. She "has developed ways to knit and shape in one gesture, wherein separate pieces are joined on the needles". She has been gracious enough to provide a pattern for a Japanese inspired Hippari Jacket that is only five pages long.

Bridget Marin once worked at the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles, she learned techniques for combining science and art. Some of her knitting creations show this connection. If you have never visited this museum in Los Angeles, do. It is an amazing place! I love Bridget's knitted dollhouse with people and landscape, sculpted people and gloves with painted red fingernails.

Cat Mazza is a designer of knitting software, in particular KnitPro. She is also the force behind the creation of a blanket that is to be presented to the Nike CEO requesting the company incorporate fair labor practices. This blanket incorporates knitting squares from people around the world. As she says, "I like to combine aesthetics with activism".

Mandy McIntosh's work and the still picture from her film Donkey Skin, "examines the symbolism in traditional Aran knitting". As many other artists in this book she has had a varied background in design and knitting. She is now a filmmaker that incorporates themes about knitting in her film.

I've been a fan of Debbie New for a long time. She is a creator of "garments, sculptures, vessels, even interpretations of scientific concepts..." Debbie invented "a speech reader for deaf babies. The device emitted a frequency range of colors in response to the frequency of sounds". She is currently working on ways to visualize sound and has invented an instrument to "interpret the touch of knitted fabric." "When knitters touch the fabric , their motions are interpreted into ethereal sound"

I could go on and on about the other artists included in this book. They all have one thing in common. They push the limits of knitting. They create art that is beyond the standard pattern. They may combine knitting and science, knitting and music, knitting and film or they may use they unique creativity to demonstrate knitting in a way we may never have imagined.

This beautiful book is amazing and inspiring. I recommend it for anyone who is a real lover of knitting.