MINUTIAE OF THREADS

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
[Insert relieved and very satisfied sigh of pleasure]
When I started this folded top in March, I truly believed it would take a while to finish. I knew how many hours in a day there are (not enough) and I know I don't always have the chance - or energy - to knit for considerable periods of time to make inroads on things made with minute threads. Despite the fineness and fragility (in appearance only, it's actually quite robust as a material) of the yarns, this knit up quickly + 1 thread Habu Merino in charcoal, and 1 thread Habu Ramie in Sumi Charcoal, on 2.75mm needles. This piece looks deceptively simple, but does actually have a lot of subtle and exact shaping, particularly to the front fold and lower hem lines. Getting a small fold (remember this is to fit a 12-18month old baby) like this to sit and work precisely is harder than it seems. I've talked before about the asymmetry which runs around the bottom hems, the neckline and through the folded section, and I love that the finished piece has those very diminutive shapes to them.
Deliberate, yet coincidental.

What I would love to see is this knit in other fibres and colours + a smokey laceweight alpaca, a variegated Lornas Lace Helen's Lace, a natural linen, a watermelon coloured silk (thanks for putting that colour in my head Di!) and I am very much coveting that idea completely, or a lavender cashmere or maybe even a light weight tweed.

The origami nature of folded fabrics has become a small ritualistic diversion for me which I really have been enjoying immensely. There is a calmness and serenity to simple forms structured from behind or within. I likened my schematic pattern sketches to joinery drawings, and the process of making and pattern writing has been very  similar to the construction manufacture of small  pieces of furniture, albeit for the body. I love folds, I love the hidden nature of them, the reveal, and the containment. I can't help wondering through this project, about the voids and shadows left over by the folds, which led me as I sewed this up, to wonder about holes - wide open gaping holes and small intense holes to hide within. Deliberate holes, and coincidental holes. Stay tuned, for after I'm finished with folding, I'd like to explore pockets, holes, openings, buttonholes, and closures.

Comments

[Jen]

Absolutely gorgeous! Your kids are so well dressed. I don't know how you find the time to do it. I have two kids under three and am barely able to make pincushion let alone knit something that beautiful. Kudos to you!

[Anushka]

How beautiful. I now really want to make one in adult-size for myself.

[Clare]

It's gorgeous! Putting so much work and love into it - you must be so proud of the end result. It's beautiful!

[ali]

even more beautiful than i imagined! alpaca, silk, tweed, linen...what wonderful possibilities!!

[jan]

So lovely. I, too, want one in an adult size. Is this your own pattern? Will you be publishing it? I'm seriously coveting it.

[annri]

oh, how beautiful! the simplicity is perfect (i like simple for babies/small children), to let the child's expression show, clearly. very inspiring, indeed!

[Rebecca]

Stunning, I am seriously coveting Pia's wardrobe!

[Bertha]

Gorgeous!

[Michele]

i'm impressed with how much thought you put into your garments.

[Carson]

I agree with your analogy.
I'm finding it a very similar process.
And the end result? In this case gorgeous.

[Sam]

Love the asymetrical hem, simple closure (so elegant), and the subtle colour variation in the close up. Beautiful. A pale, greyish lavender cashmere,mmmmmm.

[Alex]

Like you said about my scarf: Simply beautiful.
No more to say.
A stunning piece.

[kirsten]

hey, just lovely, alison. deceptively simple & elegant - love it.
now, one for me, please?!

[lisa s]

mmmmm... love the idea of folding like origami. genius!

and looking forward to the next delvings [is that even a word?]

[shula]

AL!

Are you suggesting that you actually DESIGNED this?

God. Do you do grownups? I'd give my eyeteeth for one of these.

Go on.

[joyce]

I wish I could reach out and touch this.
How do you like the feel of these yarns?

[Clare]

beautiful! when/ where will the pattern be available?

[girlh]

wow. this is just beautiful alison.
i wish i were small enough for pia's hand-me-downs! not that i am suggesting that these will be handed down outside of pia's own children one day! what amazing heirloms you are creating.

[nicole]

Nice nice work Al. Gotta be happy with that. Bet it's really light and really toasty.

[Kate]

I'll echo everyone elses words - beautiful, simple, perfect!

[martha]

simply beautiful. I too (as you know) love folds. I love how these two yarns together give the fabric a hand dyed look. I almost bought a habu scarf kit with these two yarns last fall....now I'm wishing I had:)

[Emily S.]

How impressive! Just stunning.

Like Shula, I'd give my eyeteeth for one of these.

[amisha]

a tour de force!! i love it... the folds, the texture, the subtle mix of colors... the evocativeness of it now, and the waiting for it to be changed and filled with a sweet warm body come winter. absolutely stunning.
i swatched up some felted tweed of rowan this weekend and was thinking about this piece. it's so lightweight and the color is lovely (a black tweed).
i have loved this exploration of folds (and ask, like the other comments, do you do grownups? :) ) so very much looking forward to holes, and all the rest. xo

[di]

I love it too- Such well dressed children you have. I'm joining the queue for the adult sized version....

[anna]

Oh my god!!! This is too beautiful for words + as always your talent amazes me.