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KNITTED TEXTILE AWARDS
2007 WINNERS
Click here for the 2007 Finalists
The Knitted Textile Student Awards were
initiated by the UK Hand Knitting Association in 2001 to showcase
the very best in cutting edge design and innovation in the field of
knitted textiles. Since that time it has been pushing the boundaries
year on year, extending beyond fashion and interior design to include
3D installations and what might even be described as fine art, all
created using the knitted stitch. The awards have gained in
status year on year and graduates of knitted textiles throughout the
UK vie for inclusion in the prestigious finalist's showcase.
The judging of the finalist's
work takes place at the Alexandra Palace show where a team of leading
professionals from the textile field have the unenviable task of selecting
the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners.
This year the first prize was awarded
to Rebecca Holmes from Buckingham Chilterns University College who
wins £1,000 and her college receive £1,000 worth of yarn.
Second prize was awarded to Jo Hoddinott from Cornwall College who
receives £750 and third prize to Samantha Williams from Derby
University who receives £250.
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1st Prize Rebecca Holmes
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2nd Prize Jo Hoddinott
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3rd Prize Samantha Williams
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The showcase gallery is provided by
Creative Exhibitions at their Knitting + Stitching shows at NEC, Alexandra
Palace and Harrogate and the awards are co-sponsored by GMC publishing's
'Knitting' magazine. Approximately 30 of the very best from UK universities
are selected by a team of judges to participate in the finalist's
gallery.
Several thousand visitors flock to the
annual Knitted Textile Showcase and many say it is their first port
of call when arriving at the exhibition. They comment that the
creative talent of the UK's knitted textile students is inspirational.
The finalist's work is much admired by numerous visitors including
many from abroad who often say they have nothing to compare with this
in their own countries.
The UK Hand Knitting Association is
very encouraged by all the enthusiasm and particularly of the younger
show visitors who are fired up by what they see and consequently visit
the Relax and Knit area, another UKHKA initiative. There they find
a ball of yarn, a pair of knitting needles and a helping hand from
a friendly volunteer all ready to get them knitting and purling, discovering
the joy and stress-busting benefits of this wonderful hobby. For many
it even leads to a fruitful career.
The prime objective and motivation for
the UKHKA, underlying all their initiatives, is to encourage newcomers
to the craft, ensuring a vibrant future for the knitting industry.
The recent surge in the number of knitting groups across the UK (some
with as many as 700+ members!), the growing number of specialist knitting
publications and websites is testimony to the fact that knitting is
not only alive but most definitely kicking!
2007
FINALISTS
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Manchester Metropolitan
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Dundee University
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Central Saint Martin's London
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'Shell Forms'
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'Future Forecasting'
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'Seaside Frolics'
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Inspired by shell forms I developed knitted
structures in my
garments using various techniques on both the domestic and
fine gauge Dubied knitting machines. I added colour and
texture to compliment the knitting using decorative techniques
such as hand dyeing, painting, embellishment and hand
stitching my own handmade silk trims.
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Inspired by future forecasting I have adapted
and developed
my work based on two key forecasted trends which were
chubby and compressed. I have created these knitted samples
using various yarn types and knitting techniques to produce
fabrics that have these chubby and compressed forecasted
qualities.
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The Helter skelter of seat cushions was
inspired by typical
post-war British seaside holidays combining huge amounts
of
colour, pattern and texture. I wanted to create a product
that
encapsulated the childish fun of the seaside with the look,
shape
and feel of the cushion. Yarns such as silk, linen, wool
and
cottton, that were typical to the research period were used.
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Central Saint Martin's London
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Nottingham Trent University
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Derby University
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University Of Central Lancashire
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'Playful Metals'
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'Unseen Complexities'
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'Knitted Bacteria'
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'Star War'
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I am exploring metal material into knitted
textile. Being inspired
from natural fruits, flowers and plants, I use coloured metal
wires
to create three-dimensional knitted objects and join them
together to create a one-off handcrafted piece, extremely
colourful, playful, exaggerative chandelier interior product.
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Through the exploration of internal intricacies
of the Human
anatomy, structures and forms are brought to the surface to
present an alternative view of contemporary knitwear as a
sculptural language. My collection uses minimalist silhouettes
as
a blank canvas for structures and textures to evolve upon.
Representing how our outer self conceals inner complexities;
to
inspire and provoke contemplation.
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My work is knitted sculptures, based on my
inspiration, bacteria.
The many different shapes and forms of bacteria is what drove
me towards making my sculptures. I have also been influenced
by artists/designers such as Joan Miro and Alexander Calder.
This
project was mainly circular knit as I found the shape and
form of
my work more interesting and relevant to my research this way.
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My inspiration for this collection was work
by the artist Patrick
Caufield. I translated his Floral images into metallic knit.
Using
strong voluminous silhouette combined with colours of glittering
stars of the night, golden dusk, silvery shine and shimmery
black
and brown to give this collection dramatic feel.
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Winchester School Of Art
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Huddersfield University
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Cornwall College
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Buckinghamshire
Chilterns University College
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'Sculptural Fabrics'
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'Planet Earth'
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'One Stitch at a Time'
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'Down Mexico Way'
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My original inspiration came from creating
vivid, beautiful
drawings of birds and three dimensional experiments in
cardboard, the interpretation of which led to unique sculptural
fabrics. This highly flamboyant collection centres on the
showgirl
being a lavish bird of paradise. Intense flashes of colour
shine
through a sultry darkness highlighting volume and intricacy
of
plumage.
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The inspiration these pieces came from the
crystal formations I
had seen on the BBC programme Planet Earth.
I was captivated by the colours and the transparency of these
crystals; Using the monofilament as my core material, I added
wire, mohair and a variety of coloured polyester to emulate
the
crystal formations
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This kinetic sculptural work uses fluid flow
to highlight the process
of knitting: liquid and air are pumped through knitted PVC
tubing, animating each stitch and creating a dynamic work.
My
fascination with process and science are demonstrated and
knitting is given a level of movement
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A collection inspired by the conspicuous consumption
of
traditional South American cowboys who often portrayed their
wealth through the embellishment of their saddles.
Frida Kahlo also proved to be an excellent muse, particularly
for
her vibrant use of colour in her paintings and her inspirational
fashion sense.
Machine and hand knit, crochet and macramé were
manipulated with leather and sheep skin to create a range of
fabrics to inspire contemporary couture. |
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Huddersfield University
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Bradford School Of Art
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Glasgow School Of Art
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Huddersfield University
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'Beautiful Decay'
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'Victorian Era'
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'Inlay'
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'Science Fiction Space'
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When looking at neglected buildings, abandoned
objects and
rusty railings the colours, surface texture and patterns are
beautiful. Bright oranges and metallic silvers along side
dark,
burgundy, rusty shades creates a desirable colour palette.
All of
the knitted pieces have been inspired by this theme '
Beautiful
Decay'.
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The clasp bags were created from Jaquard fabrics
with my own
original design. The fabric is then washed to create a felting
process. The overall design of the bags as well as my other
fabrics was inspired by the Victorian era and the extensive
use of
lace at the time.
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My collection comprises a range of fabric
weights with
combinations of yarn and machine gauge occurring often within
a single sample. The main technique used is inlay, which has
allowed me to capture qualities of line and shape from my
initial
research. My textiles are fashion pieces and I consider both
the
fashion and textile element simultaneously, with the textile
dictating garment shape and style.
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An innovative collection of fashion accessories
using the theme
of science fiction space. I use a variety of experimental
techniques combined with knitting, felting and dying to produce
unusual designs and textural structures creating fun and playful
pieces. My work also has a sensory effect as you cannot resist
touching it.
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Huddersfield University
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Royal College Of Art
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Central Saint Martin's London
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Bradford School Of Art
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'Natural and Unnatural'
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'Flapper Girl'
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'Memento Mori'
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My work is based around the idea of mixing
the natural with the
unnatural. I take the bulk of my inspiration from nature,
looking
at trees, animals and insects and juxtaposing them with the
synthetic and surreal. This particular piece of work is based
around the woods in winter. Delicate spiders webs with the
morning due glistening across them reflect in my work. I am
very
interested in fashion and fashion design but my work is more
art
based with a sculptural side to it.'
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I developed a collection of garments, which
explore
unconventional methods of constructing knit. For pattern,
shape
and form, I was inspired by the beautifully sculptured
architecture of Marrakesh, in Morocco. The 'Flapper girl'
period
of the twenties has also influenced the overall look of my
garments.
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Inspired by Edith Piaf and the act of mourning,
Memento Mori. I
drew from Edith's tragic life, the contrast between her street
roots
vs. her new found stardom. I mixed materials that would not
necessarily be linked together. Chenille, known as a kitsch
80's
yarn, against more glamorous yarn, lurex and silk. From
Memento Mori, I looked at the protection that you seek, the
cocoon you would like to build around yourself, and used wire
to
produce a 3D shell.
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'Exaggeration, contradiction, surreal
and surprise,
Fairytale v reality, truth, twist and lies' My collection, entitled
Urban Fairytales is based on the
contradiction of modern life against a love of nature. My
interpretation was to exaggerate the elements of both sides
as
not to comprise for the desire of either.
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Buckinghamshire
Chilterns University College
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University
Of Brighton
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Huddersfield
University
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Huddersfield
University
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'The
Tea Party'
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'African
Craftwork'
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'Cornish
Coastline'
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'Tropical
Birds'
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For
this collection I have used my abilities to mix machine knits
with hand knits, crochet techniques and fabrics to create
an
installation piece and garment fronts that take inspiration
from a
traditional tea party setting, where I have added my own twist
by fusing the un-expected with the expected.
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The
playful aesthetics of the 1960s and striking imagery of African
craftwork were the influences that inspired my choice of
hand-techniques, colour application and pattern construction
within this body of work. The collection of garments I have
produced are constructed from combinations of textiles such
as
felt and thick crochet cotton, to create a collection of pieces
exploring concepts of decoration and adornment.
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This
collection of interior dining fabrics has been inspired by
the
Cornish coastline and its history of smuggling. Patterns have
been derived from traditional fair-isles and fisher ganseys
and sit
alongside sketches of coastal towns. These tactile fabrics
are
designed to become treasured objects by creating an
emotional attachment and taking on a unique narrative from
their owner.
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My
fascination with the constant movement in nature, in
particular, my theme of tropical birds has played a major
influence in these pieces. I express my creativeness through
colour texture and form.
The collection explores the limits of technology when challenged
with non-traditional materials, whilst creating structure
and depth
to the pieces.
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University Of Central Lancashire
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Winchester School Of Art
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University Of Brighton
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'Shadowlands'
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'Mixing Modern With Traditional'
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'Blue Planet'
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A young and sexy knitwear collection inspired
by loose
silhouettes with fullness. A medley of colours of dark navy,
parrot
green, smoky grape, ochre and wheat. Layering of delicate
stripes used with openwork structures, to create a shadowing
effect.
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The whole collection is for outdoor use. I
took inspiration from
vintage finds and textiles; I was intrigued by an old plastic
doily,
old postcards and toffee tins. I like to mix modern materials
such
as latex and plastic with traditional knit; which combined
makes
tactile but practical fabrics.
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Mediating between technology, craft and the
natural world, my
work utilises every aspect of the knitted design to shape
and
construct the garments. Using the inherent characteristics
of
lambs wool and viscose, I have developed techniques that
create a tactile appeal through innovative manipulation of
my
technology-led fabrics. These, in turn, emulate the fluidity,
movement and texture of coral formations.
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University Of Central Lancashire
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Derby University
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'Ripple'
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'Second Skin'
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Elegance and femininity dominate this knitwear
collection. Dusty
pink, ivory, bitter chocolate and black inspire a mood influenced
from sepia imagery, creating this vintage feel. Ripple knit
effects,
knitted pleats, velvet flowers and gathered chiffon create
a look
that is sexy, beautiful and pure. A collection for a true lady.
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Launching her range of modular seating units
that recycle used
car tyres with a revolutionary knitted second skin, graduate
textile designer Samantha Williams has now successfully
combined her design instincts with her love of motor sport.
The
high relief fabric is engineered on advanced industrial
machinery to fit the profile of the tyres in rugged Shetland
wool
yarn.
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