and now in colour

I started with experimenting with textures and patterns on the sandblaster, added crochet in linen  and mohair threads, all in ecru. But I do love colour and after the summer workshop where discussions included an very interesting one about our individual confidence in the use of colour in our work I decided to quit ecru and use the colours I'd gathered at the workshop. This has bought me to knitting and crocheting colours and textures together. I hope to create a range of lengths for the exhibition, now I am considering how I will display them at 44AD.

colours

 crochet detail

 my delightful assistant modelling a length

Underpinning

Linda Babb  March 17

A couple of images of my recent work which will feature in my exhibition at Hobbs House Bakery Cafe from April 10th to May 20th. Further details in the Select Festival brochure which has just come out.

Stephanie Wooster, March 17

The sandblasting and stitching are developing in tandem to each other, I have also been taken by the effect of the sandblasting on the bubble wrap used to protect the inside of a vase, the delicate lace effect can be seen at the bottom the second picture, I have started to stitch this onto tissue-paper. To complete the mixture of processes I am knitting a variety of textures with a selection of yarns, I am enjoying this mixture and the fun of not knowing where it will end.

Stephanie Wooster March 2017

January is always a time of reflection for me. Reviewing the year gone and looking towards the work to come. I have been considering the importance of textures, touch and materials in my work. I really enjoyed collaborating with the amazing ceramicist Sara Parsons and was keen to continue. Here are the photos of work so far.

collaborative work of Stephanie Wooster and Sara Parsons

electrical tape and mark-making with liquid latex getting a plate ready for the sandblaster

after the sandblaster, glaze and clay

bone china plate, sandblasted to the point of destruction. Next step....

Stephanie Wooster. February 2017.

All beginning work for 'Underpinning' our September exhibition in Bath,
Corinne working in her sketchbook.

Liz is thinking about stitch as the 'underpinning' of her practice

memories of Newark Park

Taking down the work at Newark Park it was a sad day to be leaving the wonderful National Trust property. Many thanks to all the wonderful people who work and volunteer there. It was such an inspiring place and I was fascinated to see how my work changed and now I am back home with my work I'm re-evaluating the pieces I've made to look at developing them more. The wear of daily life is still central to the work and I'm wondering if I should place them outside again now I know what the weather does to the fibers. The second idea is to re-structure them to make objects. Or possibly both...

the traces we leave behind

Textiles seldom survive over long periods of time and working with such a historical building as Newark Park the evidence of humans is in the bricks and mortar more than the fabrics. My work progresses on the gallery piece for Newark Park exhibition, pulling together ideas on the traces we leave. I’ve gathered lengths, some that were left in the garden for two to three months, these have been stained and partially destroyed but still link to the pieces in the garden and the kitchen. I wanted also to bring into the piece some of the ideas that sprang from the workshop that Carla held in October, where I worked with found objects from the garden at Newark Park and to use some blind stitching techniques I had played with where I found myself stitching around my thumb print.A strong connection to the ephemeral.

outside

Easter has been very productive with the completion of the 48 lengths for the outside piece for Newark Park

wrapped up in a bag it all looks so contained for 32 meters of seams, 13.3 meters of crotchet and 32,496 rows of machine knitting. Now I just have 22,192 rows of knitting for the kitchen piece.

And on a recent visit to Newark Park I took some of the lengths to trial them in situ, here's a short film of them.

outside

 

Placing my work outside is a new venture and I've been trialing my lengths, hanging them against a dark wall, the movement of the silk as it floats in the breeze moves alot more than I expected. This congers an extravagant dance of flight in the dark space near the Tudor kitchens. I now want to hang a length in place at Newark Park to see how much the wind blows through the steps and how the ecru and blue work with the stonework. Stephanie

ideas coming together

ideas for the upcoming exhibition at newark park, knitted and dyes lengths ontop of silk, for the outside piece I'm aiming to make 16, all roughly 2 meters long, Stephanie

initial ideas

this is the story so far, from initial inspiration, Carla's workshop experiments to sampling with fabrics.

Last few days

Last few days to visit Centrespace Gallery in Bristol to see the latest work by Steph Wooster and Liz Hewitt. Centrespace is set in an old Chocolate factory on a medieval lane, just off Corn Street in Bristol. We are exhibiting with five other artists who specialise in ceramics, 3d collagraph structures, screen print and painting.

Steph is showing 3 knitted jumpers which she has delicately reconstructed with the most intricate Swiss darning, plus has created a lovely film to show the delicate movement of these garments. 

Liz is showing her rust prints on fabric and paper, with added stitch, plus black & white dry point etchings and monoprints. 

It's a wonderful exhibition, in a beautiful space, and you have until 5pm on weds 2nd Dec in which to visit, we hope to see you there. 

more knitting

And here is a bit of my random knitting with which I wile away a winter evening trying out patterns and colours. I pick up stitches from any side of the piece and knit until I am bored with it then change colour or cast off and begin again. some sections are joined with crochet, some edges crocheted and some stitched together.

This has been growing for several years and will continue to do so. At the moment it comfortably covers my knees. Double bed cover here we come!!!

Knitting in progress

It's that time of year when you want to close the curtains and get out the knitting! There has been a wonderful resurgence in knitting and crotchet. My daughter has just finished her second crotchet blanket. On Sunday at the BB AGM we were admiring Liz Harding's knitted throw. These are my knitted mittens. They look clever but they are 4ply variegated sock wool, you just knit a tube on 3/4 needles. They are so great to keep in a coat pocket, and you can keep them off while shopping because you have your fingers free!  Cast on 18sts on  each 3 needles. Knit 60 rows ( or longer if you want) Increase one st at beg. on each needle. Knit a round. Do this 5 times. ( 23 sts each needle) Knit backwards and forwards on 20 sts for thumb ( so you have to do knit row and then purl back here) Cast off and rejoin wool. Knit 23 rows and cast off. Stitch up thumb seam and weave in ends. I invented the pattern myself so feel free to experiment! You can make the cuff very long but it takes more wool. I get one pair from 50g ball wool. I have knitted lots for family and friends they make a lovely present.

More Knitting!

Images of work by Alison Harper at Interactive at the One Two Five Gallery - group show curated by Carole Waller and Gary Wood.
Alison uses crisp packets to make yarn and invites viewers to sit in the knitting chair and add to the work reflecting on the fact that each discarded packet produces just under 5 metres of yarn - a material that does not degrade in the environment.

Crisp Packet Yarn

Tiny basket brooches, each made from one packet's worth of yarn

Alison's knitting chair is having another outing to CCANW on 8th August. The centre is having an exhibition of sustainability in fashion and textiles - for more info click on the link here

The making process - knitting and poetry!

Whilst doing my research for Curious Drawers I talked with friends and family about their experiences of making things for each other in the family. Knitting was consistently discussed - all the wonderful, colourful and sometimes curiously shaped garments and the effort, love and special qualities of the hand made providing warmth, protection, decoration and individuality (and much more!).

The Poetry Society have an inspiring section called 'knit a poem' and if you click on the link in pink it will take you to the poem that resonated strongly for me - also click on the 'poem of the week' and see 9 more poems about making... click here 

 Doll's vest knitted by my mother and my stitch response

Susi