Not Your Usual Knits: Alterknits and Knits with a Twist

Leigh Radford's Alterknits: Imaginative Projects and Creativity Exercises is not what I expected, but I like it. I think I had assumed that the book would take specific knitting techniques and show ways to take them in new directions. Maybe something like The Art of Knitting, enhanced with hand-knitting directions and some patterns. Instead, Alterknits reminds me of Erika Knight's Simple Knits with a Twist: Unique Projects for Creative Knitters, but with more projects that I could see myself doing…or at least using as starting points. Both books encourage creative approaches to knitting and provide an array of imaginative, unusual, and sometimes inspiring knitting patterns. Together, the books also illustrate how different designers using many of the same techniques can achieve very different results!

I tend to look at patterns with an eye for the techniques and how they are used, rather than by colorway (since I will most likely modify that anyway). So I found browsing through both books an interesting experience. Simple Knits with a Twist is organized by color family/style, while the pattern order in Alterknits seems even more random. Certainly not the technique-centered approach used in Loop-d-Loop  and Unexpected Knitting! But still quite enjoyable once I got myself into the mindset that I use when I'm wandering through a thrift shop looking to unearth various treasures.

Patterns with Embellished Knitting
One obvious way to enliven knitting is to add things after the fact – duplicate stitches in contrasting colors, embroidery stitches, threaded ribbons, etc. In Simple Knits, Erika Knight uses duplicate stitch to add more color to some projects such as the Rose Chintz Cushion and the Barcode Dog Coat. The rose cushion and a Beaded and Sequined Muffler also included sewn-on sequins.

Alterknits has a bit more variety. Projects laced with ribbon include the Faux Ruffled Tank with ribbon threaded through a ribbed panel and the very creative Lace-Up Scarf, Shawl and Wrap that has a scarf and shawl that can be laced together to make a larger wrap. Leigh Radford also includes several projects embellished with embroidery: felted PDA Cases, Cardigans for Clark and Lily, and Abstract Cardigan.

I like the idea of using sequins or beads sparingly to emphasize a stitch or design detail on a project, but am not sure I'd want sew them on. I’d much rather knit them in as I go and avoid the finishing later! Leigh Radford does include a Skull Cap with knit-in beads, but I'll probably still reach for Jane Davis' Knitting with Beads when I want inspiration and instructions on adding beads or sequins. The lacing ideas in Alterknits were also quite interesting. I could see adding a faux ruffle with threaded ribbons, and have started wondering how else lacing could be applied – laced cables and gathered sections created by lacing ribbon through purl bumps or eyelets come to mind.

Patterns with Fabric Paint
One Alterknits (Dylan's Baby Blanket and Hat) pattern adds painted dots after the knitting is finished, while a Simple Knits pattern (Painted Felt Cushion) takes the very different approach of painting fabric before cutting it into strips and knitting it.

I can't think of instances where I'd want fabric paint on top of knitting, but painting on dyes might be interesting…sort of like painting yarn, I suppose. I remember reading a Threads article about someone who actually machine knit up fabric, dyed it, unraveled it, and then reknit it into fair isle garments. [Just checked – it was Color Blending by Gillian Bull in the compilation Colorful Knitwear Design.] That method sounds like too much work for me (at least until I break down and get a knitting machine), but a simplified version of just painting on dye might be interesting. Maybe dip dyed hems and sleeves? Or subtle painted-on dye to emphasize design details? Some of Jeung Hwa Park and Mie Iwatsubo's Shibori-felted items combine dye in lovely ways with fabric manipulation and felting.

Erika Knight's technique of painting fabric and then cutting it into strips could also lead to some creative applications.  The pattern recommends painting on felt, but I could see painting on any number of fabrics. I had good luck recently with a knit fabric that I cut in strips and then spun with other fibers, and had been thinking about just knitting the fabric strips without spinning them first. Painting the fabric before cutting it could add all sorts of possibilities…

Patterns with Fabric Pieces
Both books have patterns that combine sections of knitting with sections of woven fabric. One Alterknits pattern – Multilayered Tube Scarf and Shawl – adds a layer of fabric inside a tube of stockinette knitting. Simply changing the fabric could create a whole different look – an intriguing idea! If I made this, I might change the pattern by substituting a more open stitch, to better show off the fabric.

Alterknits (Modern Bustier, Velvet Trimmed Raglan Pullover) and Simple Knits with a Twist (Patched Throw, Denim beanbag) also both have patterns that attach fabric (or ribbon) directly to knitting. These don't appeal to me in the same way, mostly because I love how knitting stretches to fit (with the exception of felted knits, of course!) I suppose there could be cases where sewing on woven fabric or ribbon trims that eliminate knitting's built-in elasticity could be a design feature. Or maybe the knitting could be combined with a commercially knit fabric or one of the new woven ones with stretch. But in general, if I want something not to stretch or to combine stretchy and non-stretchy areas, I'd probably just skip the knitting and sew the whole thing.

Patterns Knit with Non-Traditional Materials
The two books also include a variety of patterns for items knit with materials other than yarn. Leigh Radford provides patterns for a Silver Squares Necklace, a Herringbone Leather Cuff, a Crepe Paper Crown, Mixed Media Pillows, and a Bridgetown T-shirt Rugs. Erika Knight has patterns for a Recycled Plastic Caryall, wire Beaded Napkin Rings, Satin [Ribbon] Boudoir Slippers, Molded Wire Bowls, and a tulle Flower Trimmed Evening Bag.

What a wonderful range of materials in these patterns: metal wire, leather cord, crepe paper, t-shirt strips, plastic bag strips, ribbon, tulle…there are so many possibilities there! Knitting with wire is one of those things that's been on my project list for ages. I've also been wondering what would happen if I knitted with wire and yarn together…could I create a moldable fabric – sort of like those ribbons with wire edges?  And Leigh Radford's crepe paper crown is one of my favorite patterns in Alterknits. It seems wildly impractical – I can see the dye running out and the crown disintegrating if it got wet. But I still find it very appealing! I'll definitely have to try it at some point, maybe embellished with a large crepe paper flower or two.

Patterns for Adventurous Knit Items
Alterknits has several patterns that illustrate how breaking knitting "rules" and moving beyond traditional construction can result in interesting items. The felted Laptop Cases pattern simply turns the work on its side to allow stripes to run vertically and the Abstract Cardigan combines a variety of yarns and gauges. There is also a Unisex Deconstructed Pullover that combines a variety of non-traditional techniques, including exposed seams, asymmetrical stitch and color use. I like the concept, but find Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop experiments in the same vein much more to my taste. Similarly, I much prefer Teva Durham's Steek Tunic to Erika Knight's Laddered Sweater.

Both Alterknits and Simple Knits with a Twist also include patterns for knit versions of things that aren't usually knit. Alterknits has patterns for a Custom Cushion, a Felted Bulletin Board, Paper Lanterns (very cute, but I'd worry about flammability), a rug knit from strips of T-shirts, and a Screen Door. Simple Knits with a Twist includes patterns for a Retro Poodle Bottle Cover, a Woven Woolen Rug (a rug is a bit much for me, but a felted version as a trivet might be interesting), an Aran Armchair Cover (lovely, but more cable knitting than I would ever have the patience to do), a Hanging Basket Liner for plants, and a Gardener's Kneeler. I like the idea of using knitting where I wouldn't normally think to use it, but I'm not sure any of these ideas are for me. I'll need to keep thinking about where I could add some knitting…

Patterns Using Thrift Store Finds Finally, both books have patterns for repurposing thrift store finds with no hand-knitting required. Simple Knits with a Twist includes a pattern for Customized Cushions, while Alterknits includes a felted Zigzag Sweater Blanket, Recycled Sweater Totes, and a Decoupage Dress Form covered with old yarn labels.

I'm about halfway through a throw made from felted squares of discarded sweaters…maybe these patterns will inspire me to finish!  These patterns also got me thinking about commercially knit wool fabrics, which can also be quite fun to felt. I've found them particularly useful as a way to try out Shibori techniques or to act as a filler when I can't find the right color felted sweater to use in a throw or pillow.

Moving Beyond The Patterns In addition to patterns, Leigh Radford also intersperses Alterknits with "Creativity Exercises" that for the most part focus on topics such as who would you invite to your dream knitting party, what would be dream knitting day, how to host knitting groups where everyone chooses materials from a bag, what you'd take to knit on a desert island, and so on. These are fun to think about, and could certainly get readers out of a rut and encourage creativity. My only quibble is that I would have loved to see other creativity exercises that challenge the reader to think about how they could actually alter the patterns presented in the book.

Comments

[Tracy]

Greetings Kate,
Wow, you certainly provide through reveiws!!!
The part regarding the fabric paint triggered a memory for me. It was an article in maybe NeedleCraft Magazine cira 1970. In the article they suggested to make color knitting easier, you should knit the entire piece in just two colors, examples given were black and white. They worked tradition Fair Isle, bold geometrics, and tiny checks invarious swatches and garments. The next step was "paintng" the white patterned portions with a multitude of dyes. It created some pretty dramtic results.

Was thinking about the Threads article you mentioned about the woman who knitted, dyed, unraveled, and re-knitted. It does sound like a lot of work, but something I might try...sort of. I recently picked up a huge sweater, of some great wool, from the goodwill, for the purpose of unraveling it, now I think I just might random dye it first...hmmmmmm

I didn't know you were the Kate in Valentina's class!! I don't think Mel has realized you are that Kate either. After reading your recent posts to the board and your reviews here it sounds as though you would have enjoyed the day Mel and I had in the stacks at Lacis also.
Take care,
Tracy
Another book addict

[Kate]

Yes, this review kind of got away from me...it is much longer than I intended! The dye-it-afterwards fair isle article you mentioned sounds interesting...I'll have to see if I can locate it at the library. I'd need to feel very comfortable with my ability to get dye just where I wanted it before I attempted anything on a finished sweater, tho. If you do decide to dye your sweater before you unravel it, let me know - I'd love to see the results.

And yes, I would have loved to be there for the day you and Mel spent in the stacks at Lacis (although I suspect that it was better for my pocketbook that I wasn't)! As it is, I've still managed to spend more money there than I should. With Lacis just across the bay from me, it can be hard to resist...

[Mary Jo]

I just bought Alterknits because I loved the different patterns, as well. I can't wait to try the leather cuff- which has an error in the pattern. I wrote to her and she posted the correction on her web site!