Unexpected Knitting

While reading Anne Hansen's blog a few weeks ago, I learned about Debbie New and her lovely perspective on knitting as art.

I found a reasonably priced copy of her book, Unexpected Knitting (Schoolhouse Press), and it arrived yesterday.

Wow. Better than 1960's drug culture, my mind was blown.

Long time readers may remember that I used to do a bit of art quilting, but switched to knitting when I could no longer sit up for long periods of time, and was unable to set up and put away my quilting area as I used to do. (I am working on a permanent sewing station for my reclining wheelchair, which will mean I can quilt again, for short periods. I have the table, just need to reorganize the studio a bit).

Knitting is great, and I love making up shawls on the needle, but there was an element of artistic serendipity (doo-dah) missing when compared to my art quilting. Until yesterday.

Just reading Meg Swanson's introduction and leafing through a few chapters showed me knitting has every bit the potential as my art quilting did for expressing myself. Perhaps more. I never did enjoy turning 2-dimensional woven fabrics into 3-dimensional items. I could DO it, but I didn't really enjoy the seaming and tucking and thick layers to sew through. But I love the increases and decreases involved in doing something similar with knitting.

Debbie New also has a very humorous slant on things, making the book a lovely reading experience as well. I hope the book is republished soon, so more people have a chance at it.

I am not sure where all this inspiration will take me, but I love being so excited and rejuvenated.

(Oscar is being patient, and has listened to me read aloud from the book most of the morning while taking his bath.)

I had thought I'd not encountered Debbie New's work before, but reading through more thoroughly today, I spied the lace coracle she made for Meg Swanson's 'A Gathering of Lace'.

Oh, THAT Debbie New! Cool.

(images above and below from my art quilting days)