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KNITTED TEXTILE AWARDS
2008 WINNERS
Click here for the 2008 Finalists
The Knitted Textile Student Awards have
again provided an excellent showcase for the very best from talented
students and young graduates. The 2008 Award finalist's work
have again attracted thousands of show visitors who always comment
on the brilliant, innovative ideas produced by the university students
and the diversity of scope offered by the knitted stitch.
Melanie Bond, Winchester School of Art,
whose vintage-look knits greatly impressed the judges, has been named
as the overall winner. Her work was inspired by the Queen's
Coronation and embodied the carefree and more innocent aspects of
a 1950's childhood.
The Winner of the 3D Installation prize
was Laura Baxendale, University of Derby, whose giant flower, consisting
of many individually crocheted flower heads, was made from recycled
materials in vibrant colours.
Noriko Sawano, Central St Martins, won
the Hand Knit/Crochet category with her large-scale, almost shell-like,
crocheted forms that make a bold fashion statement as well as creating
interesting shapes and textures.
Emma Faulkner, University of Brighton,
won the fashion category with her experimental circular knitting and
crochet techniques which were influenced by basketry with a focus
on both weave and abstract 3D form.
As always the judges worked long and
hard to come to their decisions and the standard of work presented
by all the finalists was highly commended.
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Melanie Bond
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Laura Baxendale
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Noriko Sawano
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Emma Faulkner
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2008
FINALISTS
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Somerset College
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University of Derby
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Herriot-Watt Edinburgh
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Winchester School of Art
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The Crafted Coast
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'Celebrate'
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My work draws inspiration from walks along the coast,
I began my research by making a collection of objects and taking
photographs from these sites. I am interested in recreating
the textures seen in my photographs and objects that I have
collected from a variety of beaches. From this I have selected
coloured threads and wire which reflect the coastal views portrayed
in my photographs. I have crocheted wire to create 3D intricate
and delicate shapes which are then joined together to form a
shape resembling limpets and mussel shells found on the beach.
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Inspired by the environment, my work has been hand
made by crocheting recycled carrier bags, bin liners & hazard
tape. The flower centres have been hand constructed using recycled
balloons, lids, knitted linens and wire. The flowers and leaves
that form the basis of my work are photodegradeable and naturally
compostable; so will deteriorate with time as a reflection of
the impact of wastefulness which modern day life has upon the
environment.
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The collection is a range of children's clothing
for 4 -12 year olds. The ethos of the collection was to bring
back the innocence of children's clothing. Current trends are
leading children to be influenced by adult fashions and leading
to them dressing as 'mini adults'. This trend not only imposes
inappropriate fashion onto children, but also can restrict play.
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A knitwear collection for girls inspired by the coronation
of Queen Elizabeth II. Original journals, souvenirs and memorabilia
suggested a sense of naive enthusiasm that inspired the collection.
Research extended to the lifestyles and fashions of children
in the fifties and I have borrowed heavily from the sweet and
charming characteristics of visual and written references from
this era. Childhood in the fifties was in many ways a less complicated
affair. This collection embodies the carefree and more innocent
aspects of this time.
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Duncan of Jordanstone College
of Art & Design, Dundee
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Central Saint Martin's College
of Art and Design
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South East Essex University
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Birmingham City University
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My work is based on colour mixing, abstract pattern
and texture. My colour palette is inspired by the ribbon shop
VV Rouleaux. I incorporate my palette into life drawings to
create abstract patterns that I develop in a knit context. My
larger pieces are often chunky, visually exciting and bold.
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This replica Marc Jacobs Stam handbag was originally
(re)created for a shoot entitled 'Kn-IT bags' which featured
in a magazine that I produced during my final year. A nod to
appropriation art, my knitted version questions ideas of authenticity
and originality, as well as being a 'tongue-in-cheek' comment
on the ascendance of the designer handbag to almost art-object
status.
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My work is about rediscovering the versatility of
traditional crafts and how investments of time and labour add
value and meanings to objects and how can I use craft skills,
learnt as a child, in my contemporary art practice today?Crochet
traditionally perceived as feminine handicraft; referencing
domesticity 'a woman's world' I want to challenge this by building
an installation in a site that symbolises masculinity.I do not
want any specific closed interpretations of my work as I hope
it has a sense of ambiguity, encompassing a range of associations
and oppositions.
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The main focus of my work lies in the exploration
of a traditionally domestic approach to recycling and sustainability.
In my most recent body of work 'Make Do and Mend' I have created
a range of jewels from second-hand fabric, crochet, lace, heat
treated copper and gold- plated elements. I create wearable
compositions through the layering of pattern, colour and form
with an emphasis on excess detailing and frills, taking pleasure
in unusual or abundant combinations of fabrics and textures.
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University of Brighton
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Nottingham Trent
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Grays School of Art. The Robert
Gordon University, Aberdeen
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Birmingham City
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Basket Twist
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The Last Straw
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My inspiration for this body of work came from an
investigation of basketry, with a focus on both weave and abstract
3D form. Experimentation with circular hand knit and crochet
techniques led to the development of three dimensional 'basket'
structures which informed the design of my garments. I worked
with mercerised cotton to enhance the visibility of stitch composition,
which can be seen clearly within each piece, including the filigree
crochet used to join the pieces of the fine gauge camisole.
Design muses included sepia photographs taken for early tourism
of samurai warriors, this combined with the notion of basketry
informed the silhouette of gently exaggerated armour.
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Through experimentation with handcrafts and with
a passion for preserving traditional skills Ruthie Ford has
created crochet pouffes and cushions that use a familiar technique
in a bold contemporary way. Through abstractions of scale and
the use of unexpected colour the work has a fresh feel whilst
creating a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
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My knitted samples are created to convey the diversity
which can exist within knitted textiles. Using a combination
of yarns, and then subjecting them to a diverse range of surface
treatments such as Devore, flock printing, foil printing. In
addition, I have melted plastic fibres into these knits to create
dynamic effects. The contrasting textures created between the
felted lamb's wool and the polypropylene yarns in my designs
add further depth to the painterly effects created within these
pieces.
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This project took me on an explorative journey of
testing and inventing to produce visually stimulating, three
dimensional modular structures inspired by plant forms. The
pieces invite a playful, interactive approach through stretch
qualities and utilise coloured straws to transform into exciting,
visually dynamic colour statements through knitted construction;
while creating patterning possibilities through the formation
of multiple units.
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Thames Valley University
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Central Saint Martins
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Central Saint Martins
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Glasgow School of Art
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Hung, Drawn & Quoted
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The Four Elements: Water, Air,
Earth, Fire- extraordinary creatures of the Earth.
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Hung, Drawn & Quoted, is about us all, taking
care of what is around us and those which it is around. We wear
the world and it wears us; it is a natural progression for these
to take care of each other. With natural yarns and an ethos
of teaching dying skills to skill needy groups, it focuses on
eco links. Skills taught help find new talent, sourcing valuable
outworkers; providing income and incentive/self-achievement
art therapy. Deeper thoughts of human needs are based in themes;
back bones, brain, cells and ribs are influences upon initial
pattern sampling and overall silhouette of H, D & Q.
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My research was based on my theme of butterfly life.
I specially inspired one photo that there was a group of butterflies
on the cliff and sky. It is not just beautiful butterflies'
life with flowers more like wild life. I tried to express that
feeling and texture and pattern of butterfly wings and magnified
wing photos.
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My collection had been inspired by the beauty and
fragility of nature and patterns on exotic insects. These four
elements in nature is something that surrounds us everywhere
all the time; meanwhile it is also something that we often take
for granted and lack in the concrete jungle of a city. My collection
is fragile and feminine combining lightweight and heavy knit.
I wanted to use contrasting weights and textures to recreate
the lightness of the air as opposed to massif of earth structures.
I have used silk for its sheen to represent the water and reflections,
at the same time I wanted a lightweight effect for airiness.
I hope my collection will bring a breath of fresh air into your
everyday life.
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Drawing inspiration from the high rise architecture
of London, Hong Kong and Tokyo, I have produced a collection
of knitted samples for women's wear fashion. Combining both
fine and heavy gauge fabrics and manipulating the shape of the
knit has resulted in the production of dynamic shaped pieces
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Middlesex University
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Grays School of Art
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Central Saint Martins
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Duncan of Jordanstone College
of Art and Design
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Souvenir
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Lifestyle Knitting
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As our attitudes towards plastics and packaging begin
to change, the plastic bag has become the focus in the war on
waste. I have been attempting a transformation of these mundane
objects using only the most domestic processes in an attempt
to generate worth from the worthless, aiming to provoke a re-assessment
of their value and beauty. In coaxing ornament from the ordinary,
I have created wearable souvenirs of modern everyday life.
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Using 'Basic Dwellings' as inspiration I have been
creating shape and form in knitwear by pushing the boundaries
of what the material can achieve sculpturally. Mixing different
textures and weights of yarn alongside appliquéd fabrics
such as leather I aimed to produce exciting fashion pieces for
the high end market.
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The interiors products presented are extracted from
my collection 'Cabinet of Curiosities'. Interiors products:
chairs covering, rug, mask, cushion, ribbon for tie-back, tassel,
edging, piping... This collection is inspired by the concept
of 'the Cabinet of Curiosities' from the 16th & 17th centuries
which consists in the gather of marvellous and wondrous objects
discovered during adventurer's travels.
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I spent time in Tokyo absorbing their incredible
youth culture and fashion sense. Since returning home I remain
totally inspired. Drawing from photographs taken in Tokyo provided
me with colour, pattern and texture ideas. My work is a mixture
of pattern and stitch technique working together with scale
to create asymmetrical designs for knitwear. My inspiration
has allowed me to create a dynamic and playful collection.
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Central St Martins
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Central Saint Martins College
of Art and Design
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London College of Fashion
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Central St Martins
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There are many facets of Japanese Culture that inspire
this collection of fabrics, attached together in the form of
the Kimono. The Japanese Samurai has been the main focal point
in Mimi's design work, and this is displayed through the placement
of techniques within the knit. She has also knitted with leather
in order to conjure the illusion of armour that is representative
of the Samurai, and this has proved to be a successful element
within the fabrics. In using leather, Mimi has recognised a
new and exciting development of design that is appropriate for
this work; leather being a material that offers a soft and malleable,
yet strong touch, that is both desirable for wearing, and unique
to the market.
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The flower and its association with femininity are
fundamental to this collection of collar accessories. The curious
metamorphosis of the flower's form inspired their deconstruction;
and as the petals were peeled away, captured the inevitable
deterioration of decay.
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Exploring numerous customary knitting techniques,
and trying to evolve and mix them in order to create a dissimilar,
almost distorted surface. Then developing this surface into
3D forms, to encourage a particular silhouette when on the body.
Whilst consciously recognising eco issues and using only donated
or recycled yarns.
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My starting point is `dripping`. I am interested
in the movement and the structure. Also the form inspired me.
I am going to explore the potential of knit techniques. Particularly
I focus on the characteristic of pieces knitted by hands. And
my design is influenced by the potential of techniques in hand
knitting and crochet which I explore in my work. Crochet is
placed in a traditional context and recognized as craft work
easily. But I am going to design whole silhouette using crochet
in a sense of contemporary fashion design.
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Ravensbourne College of Design
and Communication
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Grays School of Art
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Plymouth College of Art and
Design
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Winchester School of Art
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'The way of the warrior '
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A collection inspired by the formation and structure
of Samurai armour, the linkage between panels and the sculptural
construction around the body. Colours were kept to cream and
grey to portray an urban feel. Chunky hand knit was the key,
as I wanted to convey texture and solidity to this wool dominated
A/W collection.
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My final years honours work was based on research
of old decaying, weathering and eroded surfaces - natural processes
in nature which affects every living thing. Time is the key
to these processes and it occurred to me that the changes of
appearances over time can be a powerful thing and what remains
is a memory of the past. The character of Miss Haversham from
Dickens' 'Great Expectations' was an important figure in my
work and theories - she signifies the theory of 'objects serving
as memories'. This is where my inspiration came from for the
knitted lace objects which have a 'cobweb like' appearance to
them and of the pieces that I created for interiors, the surfaces
creating a sense of a past life with their used antique style.
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As a ceramicist with a love of textiles I wished
to find ways to incorporate both into my work. Hand knitting
yarn and copper wire forms, before coating them in clay slips,
kiln firing and matte glazing, has enabled me to produce skeletal,
organic vessels with the lacy delicacy sought.
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This collection of accessories and products for the
home draws inspiration from buses, in particular the upholstery
fabric used on public transport, known as moquette. Using 100%
lambs wool I have created a bright, modern version of moquette
to keep you warm both in the home and in a camping environment
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Central St. Martins, College
of Art and Design
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Loughborough University School
of Art and Design
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Herriot Watt
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London. Music. Sport.
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Romeo and Juliet
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Enjoy.
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A collection of work exploring the boundaries of
the knitted fabric. A progressive set of developments exhibiting
décor of laser cut floral forms, plaited knit lengths,
multiples of hand crocheted geometrics and fluid draping sported
on a range of chunky and delicate backgrounds, inspired by the
natural world around us.
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I have recently graduated from University with a
First Class BA Honours. This is my Fourth year major collection,
which is inspired by Romeo and Juliet - the collection reflects
the attraction between two people and the hatred that can surround
them & rip them apart.
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