KNITTING - ART OR CRAFT

(re-post)

An endless subject for discussion. Is knitting art or is knitting craft? What makes art? Intent? Intent for what - that it be art? This seems a diversionary step leading back to the initial query of what is art. For myself I consider knitting art because I want it taken seriously, want it respected, appreciated, explored, want it to increase the awareness of the person involved in the creation and the person drawn to the item created, want it to 'speak', to 'express', to 'communicate'. Does this mean craft is all else and that it is somehow less? I don't know. I am focused on the art aspect of it. This morning, as I sat on the Polish deli patio with my knitting, as I shared the technique with a woman who inquired about the stitch I was using, as she walked away saying she was going to give it a try - I felt such a deep satisfaction from the 'art' of knitting.

The stitch was lace faggot chain from Mary Thomas's Knitting Patterns book, the pattern resembling 'faggots' or bundles of twigs used for fuel. The stitch responds with a wonderful diversity to experimentation with different fibres and different sizes of needles. With hemp or jute and little-finger-sized needles on six stitches it produces a lovely book mark with a scribed or ink-drawn look to it. With almost-thumb-sized needles and a handspun wool on ten stitches it offers a lacey scarf that twirls on itself. This aspect - the twirl - surprised me when I made the first scarf and there were moments of feeling I had to 'correct' something, but this passed and I love the double helix or spiral stairway or rotini noodle appearance of the scarf. I enhanced this by stitching each end into a cup shape. At a four to six foot length it can be wrapped many times around the neck for a cowl warmth and curl, a once or twice wrap gives a very nice adjustable drape.

The stitch is basically, on an even number of stitches, to purl two together with the wool at the back of the work as if to knit. Done this way each P2tog produces another two stitches. It is very simple but not all that easy. The trick seems to be to work loosely and make sure two lines of yarn are being picked up with each stitch.
And if it falls off the needles the best way to pick up the stitches is to frog one at a time, picking up what is left hanging when the wool is pulled out. It is almost impossible to frog a whole row and expect to pick up the stitches. But once you get the hang of it it is satisfying and enjoyable.

Yes, Knitting is an art. As I knit on the scarf, pay close attention to the tension of the wool, ply the right-hand needle with a gentle, almost teasing motion, suggest the wool 'stretch' itself a little with the promise it will then be allowed to 'relax', watch and feel my left-hand thumb 'coax' the needle-captured sheep's bounty to 'yawns' to respond to the 'tease', I see the similarity between how I knit and how I make pictures with paint and brush.

Posted on November 23, 2004 at 11:29 AM | Permalink

An endless subject for discussion. Is knitting art or is knitting craft? What makes art? Intent? Intent for what - that it be art? This seems a diversionary step leading back to the initial query of what is art. For myself I consider knitting art because I want it taken seriously, want it respected, appreciated, explored, want it to increase the awareness of the person involved in the creation and the person drawn to the item created, want it to 'speak', to 'express', to 'communicate'. Does this mean craft is all else and that it is somehow less? I don't know. I am focused on the art aspect of it. This morning, as I sat on the Polish deli patio with my knitting, as I shared the technique with a woman who inquired about the stitch I was using, as she walked away saying she was going to give it a try - I felt such a deep satisfaction from the 'art' of knitting.

The stitch was lace faggot chain from Mary Thomas's Knitting Patterns book, the pattern resembling 'faggots' or bundles of twigs used for fuel. The stitch responds with a wonderful diversity to experimentation with different fibres and different sizes of needles. With hemp or jute and little-finger-sized needles on six stitches it produces a lovely book mark with a scribed or ink-drawn look to it. With almost-thumb-sized needles and a handspun wool on ten stitches it offers a lacey scarf that twirls on itself. This aspect - the twirl - surprised me when I made the first scarf and there were moments of feeling I had to 'correct' something, but this passed and I love the double helix or spiral stairway or rotini noodle appearance of the scarf. I enhanced this by stitching each end into a cup shape. At a four to six foot length it can be wrapped many times around the neck for a cowl warmth and curl, a once or twice wrap gives a very nice adjustable drape.

The stitch is basically, on an even number of stitches, to purl two together with the wool at the back of the work as if to knit. Done this way each P2tog produces another two stitches. It is very simple but not all that easy. The trick seems to be to work loosely and make sure two lines of yarn are being picked up with each stitch.
And if it falls off the needles the best way to pick up the stitches is to frog one at a time, picking up what is left hanging when the wool is pulled out. It is almost impossible to frog a whole row and expect to pick up the stitches. But once you get the hang of it it is satisfying and enjoyable.

Yes, Knitting is an art. As I knit on the scarf, pay close attention to the tension of the wool, ply the right-hand needle with a gentle, almost teasing motion, suggest the wool 'stretch' itself a little with the promise it will then be allowed to 'relax', watch and feel my left-hand thumb 'coax' the needle-captured sheep's bounty to 'yawns' to respond to the 'tease', I see the similarity between how I knit and how I make pictures with paint and brush.