Monday, January 22, 2007

Freeform Knitting

Yesterday was Day 80 of my Freeform Knitting 365 project. Remember that? Back on November 3rd I joined a group on Flickr that is dedicated to each member creating a freeform knit piece that they knit on every day for one year, while simultaneously posting a photo of that day's work to the group. My first day, I worked in orange ribbon yarn, remnants from a purse I once made. Since then, I've knit in unusual materials: tulle (Day 13), beads (Day 23), jelly cord (Day 18), taffeta scraps (Day 25), and vintage bias tape (Day 35). I've tried new techniques: curves (Day 2), bobbles (Day 6), cables (Day 12), colorwork (Day 15), lace (Day 29), modular knitting (Day 40), stranded knitting (Day 45), short rows (Day 58), ruffles (Day 60), scribble lace (Day 73), and slipped stitching (Day 78). I've done sculptural knitting to create a boob (Day 3), a monster (Day 20), and a volcano (Day 47). I've embellished it with a bow (Day 33), an antique (Day 39), more beads (Day 43), a mirror (Day 46), an earring (Day 63). and buttons (Day 31), buttons (Day 41), and more buttons (Day 79). In this piece, there is something stolen (Day 56); something found (Day 72); something from my childhood (Day 76); and a memorial to a friend's daughter (Day 80). And of course, my own Color Bomb Creations handspun: Bubble Gum & Snot (Day 34), Pippins & Plums (Day 42), Carnival (Day 44), Sparkle Batt (Day 66), Pink Scrappy (Day 69), and more Sparkle Batt (Day 71). Whew! (Details on needle size, yarn, stitch pattern and notes are available for each day at the individual photo links.)

Here's an overhead shot, or 'grand view', of my piece as of today. It is currently approx. 30 x 36 inches in size.


There are currently 4 members in the group that are strictly following the guidelines, and we've formed a bit of a bond through this process. Here are grand views for the other three:








(Left to right: Amber Dorko Stopper, Day 91; Knitsocks, Day 74; Village Knittiot, Day 52 - we're all at different points in the 365days because we started on different days)

Everyone is doing such beautiful work for this project. I have never done any knitting that was so creatively freeing, nor have I ever pushed myself this much technically or creatively; a seeming contradiction, which is one of the things I'm enjoying about this project.

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:23 PM

    Wow - it is really interesting to see how different the projects are! Thanks for posting those. I'm enjoying seeing yours grow.

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  2. isn't it amazing how our individual personalities turn up in our interpretations? i find that one of the fascinating pieces. glad you're having fun as a vicarious participant. :)

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  3. OMG!!! They are incredible! I've been thinking of trying my hand at a purse. My LYS owner has done a couple and I just love them. Did you tell us what you were planning to do with your piece when it's finished?

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  4. thanks kerry! good idea about sharing my ultimate plans. since it's already 30x36, and i still have 285 more days of knitting on it, it will probably be big enough to carpet the house with by the time i'm done. ;) but the current plan is a wall hanging. a really, really BIG wall hanging.

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  5. What fantastic pieces really inspirational.

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  6. many thanks, nickerjac.

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  7. Anonymous11:12 AM

    Wow, that is so beyond my motavative skill level, next time all handspun right?

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  8. Anonymous10:00 PM

    Hi!

    Is it just me, or does Velma's project look a little like an underwater-horse mix? Like something that mermaids would ride, if they had legs? Maybe it's just me - It's definietly neat, that's for sure. WELL DONE!

    SECRET PAL

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  9. thanks, thanks!! all handspun: great idea monkeyspiner!

    i like the image you get from it, sp. very cool, thanks!

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  10. Wow,that big one scares me a little.

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  11. that one's mine, zeeep, and i'm a scary girl. ;)

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  12. Wow I love your piece. I totally can see that hanging on the wall for display.

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  13. Freakin Fantastic!
    And I totally get the "seahorse" image your SP mentioned.....Great art piece.

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  14. thanks to sgeddes AND susan! (it's funny, i have a friend, susan geddes, i thought one of you might be her, but no; now i feel like i know 3 s/susan/geddes'). ;)

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  15. hey there fancy pants! very fun! have you tried a hyperbolic plane yet? it is super easy and would look amazing connected to that! you can make it little or big...freeform is fun because you can use little bits n pieces...also, jenny dowde has a new freeform crochet and knitting book out that is really cool. the first one is great too.

    hope you are well!

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  16. hi natasha!! long time no hear (i've been bad about writing you, too).

    haven't done a hyperbolic yet; i thought they had to be crocheted? i'm taking a crochet class this friday, so maybe i'll tackle one soon. i'd heard about the new jd book; i have the old one already. thanks for the tip! xo

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  17. I love it! What an innovative project.
    What a challenge though to work on each day - not sure I could handle that level of commitment.
    I'm impressed.

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  18. well thank you, miss scarlett. it *does* take commitment, but has been very rewarding so far. i'll post more about it as the year progresses.

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