Abstract

Is there a way of processing various ideas about ourselves and others whilst an individual knits with various yarns? reflecting on their gender, race and class and using this as a method to generate textile outcomes through making. How can students engage with this method as a tool for problem-solving?

Session and activities

Participants will first be introduced to the concept of ‘thinking through making’ as discussed by Ingold (2013). Ingold suggests a maker has to become one with the materials that they are producing to make -they “join forces with them”. Therefore, thinking is a generator of knowledge creation. The concept of thinking through making will be introduced at the beginning of the talk, so attendees can understand how this similarly links to the process of knitting. Knitting has been seen as a domesticated craft associated with women and grandmothers, therefore has never been regarded as high value as it is also produced using the hand (Turney, 2009). The session explores knitting as a form of knowledge production. This can be seen through the work of textile artists such as Anya Paintsil and Emily Moore, both artists explore issues of race, gender and their lived experiences through their knitted artwork. As part of exploring the idea of thinking through knitting the paper will present two different textile workshop case studies. Knowledge exchange (making things better) The knitting workshop was titled ‘Arm Knitting Narratives,’ foundation students from CSM and Chelsea were encouraged to explore their FMP project themes through collaborative knitting and storytelling prompts. Reflecting on keywords linked to their project ideas. London College of fashion workshop During this workshop session, attendees were invited to explore their positionality and identity through textile material outcomes and the process of Arm Knitting. Exploring various yarn textures and material qualities, participants created their yarn threads and were encouraged to create larger knit pieces. After introducing the case studies and themes participants will be encouraged to reflect on the following questions: How can knitting be used as a tool to share both individual and collective stories? How can the following techniques be explored within their art practices?