The Art of Knitting

The history of the art of knitting is difficult to trace as the origins are unknown and diverse as the history of mankind. However, this exhibition of selected works serves to highlight the long standing interest in the history of techniques and early knitters whose skills and imagination have influenced the broader approach to knitting in the twentieth century, to the current explosion of creative knitting by leading Australian, British and International designers and arts/crafts-person.

The technique of knitting is basically the interlocking of one loop of thread of yarn through another, made either by hand with needles or by machine from a continuous length of yarn. The traditional and natural way to knit is in the round to create a complete garment in one operation. A more common approach is to knit partly shaped pieces and then sew them together. Lengths of machine-made knitting may be cut and sewn, to stretch and mould to the body allowing freedom of movement which makes knitting highly popular. The versatility of this medium is exceptional, as many different types of yarns may be used to create different visual and tactile effects which offer both practical and decorative qualities to garments.

Sourced from: Rowena Clark, The Art of Knitting, National Gallery of Victoria, 1989