Experiencing Connection
Within this installation is a connection of knitted material and ceramic, yarn pulling these two materials together as I reflect on the experience of learning how to use the knitting machine and how this relates to my hand knitting and ceramic processes. The pull of the knitted porcelain cones that emulate the winding of the yarn around the cardboard cones attached to the cream-coloured knitting machine, with a hint of red that shines through the machine knitted cotton shapes. The stretched knitted shapes pulled by long pieces of yarn that are weighed down by the various hand knitted ceramic shapes that imitate the claw weights that hook into the knitting to ensure the machine can knit to the correct tension. The repeated pattern of stitches across my machine knitted and hand knitted pieces brings about the sense of flow that calms and relaxes me during each process, paired with the repetitive movements I perform when preparing and using the porcelain slip. The experience of connecting and making highlights the parallels between the processes and materials.
Intertwined Materials
These hand knitted objects visibly show each knitted stitch, the twist of the cables, the tightness of the stitches and the smoothness of the cotton. The ceramic piece in the middle is stretched vertically to highlight the solidity of the material, while the hand knitted objects on either side sit slightly shorter, contorting its bodies to lift themselves up. Both materials pose a delicate side, from the fragility of the ceramic to the small stitches that make up the pieces of work.
