Inspired by other Creatives- Finding Inspiration for a knitwear design
- Jan Appleton
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
Sometimes inspiration for a design comes from the most unusual places. I'm constantly looking at textures of the landscape around me and find the miniscule details fascinating. I then incorporate them into a version that reflects my knitwear style.
This time though it was a creative friend that inspired me with her Pussy Willow Collection and it just brought back such wonderful memories has a child. I used to love to go and explore in the countryside behind the family home and kept a nature book, with drawings and flower pressings. I remember so vividly the fluffy catkins with a pop of colour and absolutely loved not just the colour, or the texture but the feel. Even then I used all my senses when I was in nature. A memory I share with my dad as we both enjoyed rambling around and exploring nature.
I was so inspired by my memories and the beautiful designs created by Gillian Cooke AKA La Buzatiere Art Studio, I just had to create a knitwear desing, an esemble to compliment her work for an upcoming event that we had planned with another talented friend Fiona Marsh, we called ourselves Les Créatrices as at the time I was living in France.
Gillian Cookes amazing textiles
The inspiration is the easy bit, not quite for creating a design. There's many a time I have an idea and when I create my samples, they just don't work out how I wanted them to. That's all part of the process, creating, tweaking and then recreating until I find something that works.
Once I have done that I can write a pattern and create a garment. This is done by hand on a vintage domestic knitting machine.
I knew I wanted a 3D effect on my knitwear design and this was done by manipulating the stitches with short rows. A time consuming thing to do, but so worth the effort.
I then made a mustard poncho to create the full ensemble and a pair of fingerless mitts, I sadly don't have a photo of the finished items. I sold this collection before I had the chance to do more photography.
Looking for a bespoke piece do get in touch, I love the challenge.
