This idea has been evolving in my head for long enough now and I want to get it moving toward a visible result, thus this work-in-progress posting which will allow it to be prioritized.
I’m calling it The Whatchamacallit and it could be a whatchamacallit scarf or a whatchamacallit sweater or, even, perhaps, a whatchamacallit pair of socks. For the moment I am thinking a loose vest with the possibility of sleeves turning it into a jacket. The name may change as well – whatchamacallit has connotations of "can’t think of what it is called" which is not my intent: I am more meaning that the technique is a combination so it isn’t only knitted or embroidered or quilted etc. but all of those.
I am gathering examples of different techniques: the knit yin/yang squares for sure, a piece of random knitting, some finger knitting in a golden jute (maybe folding lengths back along itself and forming epaulets to be joined by a bodice), a piece of ‘essence of quilt’ quilting (where the batting, the raison d’etre of a quilt is exposed and honoured)(having it surrounded by the raw fleece batting) crocheted flowers, a panel of knitting with a twine using arms as knitting needles (instead of the finger knitting jute?) . Other possibilities are extreme embroidery and woven squares and interesting fabric cut into pieces and twisted/scrunched/folded and……whatever else presents along the way. The sight of plum blossom petals blowing in the wind got me thinking of white on green….
The challenge – and the excitement – is to bring them together and let them ‘work’ – work not in the duty sense but in the playful sense of coming up with something that feels good and looks just fine. Playing with the fibre, with the techniques, listening to the properties of both, keeping clear the intent, waiting on the whispers of what to do, then doing it. Knowing when to stop.
Well, there, I’ve committed to it!