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Knitwear Designer
Final Year
Some Images of my work
Final Year Work.
My work is a fusion of 1960’s and 70’s patterns, as a knitwear designer all kinds of pattern inspire my design work, which enable me to create new contemporary designs.
A movement from the 60’s and 70’s era that has inspired my designs the most was the Retro movement, ‘The Retro era came right after the Art deco and all the glamour that as seen in the 20’s and 30’s, they was some charastics that were similar instead of the angular sleek design of the art deco era this era showed more flower designs and bolder patterns.’[1] Inspiration also came from 1960’s pattern books such as 1960’s Fashion Print and Patterns New Surface Design and old clothes from an antique shop in Matlock. This helped me to gain an insight into the types of pattern used in the 60’s which I could then develop in my sketchbook to create designs I could develop into knitwear. Following this I developed various mood boards to collaborate my research which created an overall impression of the theme for me to use as a constant reference and further my inspiration.
The exploration of pattern and colour provided great inspiration for my drawing. I focused on the colour and texture of dynamic patterns when developing samples, which created this modern, boho collection. The target market for this knitwear range is 25-30 year olds who like to convey the boho image similar to the collections found in Anthropology. This store provided me with great inspiration as many of the ranges found within the store displayed a particular uniqueness which is the sort of image I wish to portray through my own design work.
From looking at numerous pattern books, I developed my colour scheme of purples and creams with a hint of orange. These were the colours I found to be most dominant in my research. As my designs developed, my colours altered slightly, they became brighter as I wanted them to have the impact.
Following the visit to Anthropology, I looked into the latest knitwear trends and began to start experimenting with different techniques to try and achieve a unique outcome. One technique I found to be particularly striking was the weaving technique. To enhance the average weaving technique, I decided to take a plain white polyester tape and space dye it using my chosen colour palette. I then weaved the tape through my work using the electric domestic knitting machine which created a slightly more abstract design.
The Shima knitting machine provided the collection with more detail as with the shima I could put drawings into the computer and then incorporate them directly into knit. Many of the designs that were created using the dubied were developed even further also using the shima with a technique that knitted on one bed and then laddered on the second bed. This gave the knit an added texture. The second technique focused on, again using the shima, was a combination of pockets and lace. The dubied enabled me to create samples with a professional finish but still allow me to be experimental. To add a bit more simplicity to the collection, using the electric domestic knitting machine, I created some lace samples as it still creates texture and interest but without being too complex or without going to simple. To further enhance my collection I also developed a
range of prints using the Mimaki printer as this allowed me to show the true aspects of my theme as a lot of the patterns I researched were created using printed techniques.
When creating the collection, I found that the fabrics were best suited to womenswear fashion as the refined detailing makes gives them the dainty, delicate appearance required for women’s knitwear. Using a variety of sources I looked at high-end designers such as Anna Sui, Missoni, and Dries Van Noten as I feel this would be the intended market for my collection. With the designs being quite complex I steered towards jumpers and cardigans as this allows them to be more of a statement piece.
[1] www.webify.com/retro.era- 8/05/2010
A movement from the 60’s and 70’s era that has inspired my designs the most was the Retro movement, ‘The Retro era came right after the Art deco and all the glamour that as seen in the 20’s and 30’s, they was some charastics that were similar instead of the angular sleek design of the art deco era this era showed more flower designs and bolder patterns.’[1] Inspiration also came from 1960’s pattern books such as 1960’s Fashion Print and Patterns New Surface Design and old clothes from an antique shop in Matlock. This helped me to gain an insight into the types of pattern used in the 60’s which I could then develop in my sketchbook to create designs I could develop into knitwear. Following this I developed various mood boards to collaborate my research which created an overall impression of the theme for me to use as a constant reference and further my inspiration.
The exploration of pattern and colour provided great inspiration for my drawing. I focused on the colour and texture of dynamic patterns when developing samples, which created this modern, boho collection. The target market for this knitwear range is 25-30 year olds who like to convey the boho image similar to the collections found in Anthropology. This store provided me with great inspiration as many of the ranges found within the store displayed a particular uniqueness which is the sort of image I wish to portray through my own design work.
From looking at numerous pattern books, I developed my colour scheme of purples and creams with a hint of orange. These were the colours I found to be most dominant in my research. As my designs developed, my colours altered slightly, they became brighter as I wanted them to have the impact.
Following the visit to Anthropology, I looked into the latest knitwear trends and began to start experimenting with different techniques to try and achieve a unique outcome. One technique I found to be particularly striking was the weaving technique. To enhance the average weaving technique, I decided to take a plain white polyester tape and space dye it using my chosen colour palette. I then weaved the tape through my work using the electric domestic knitting machine which created a slightly more abstract design.
The Shima knitting machine provided the collection with more detail as with the shima I could put drawings into the computer and then incorporate them directly into knit. Many of the designs that were created using the dubied were developed even further also using the shima with a technique that knitted on one bed and then laddered on the second bed. This gave the knit an added texture. The second technique focused on, again using the shima, was a combination of pockets and lace. The dubied enabled me to create samples with a professional finish but still allow me to be experimental. To add a bit more simplicity to the collection, using the electric domestic knitting machine, I created some lace samples as it still creates texture and interest but without being too complex or without going to simple. To further enhance my collection I also developed a
range of prints using the Mimaki printer as this allowed me to show the true aspects of my theme as a lot of the patterns I researched were created using printed techniques.
When creating the collection, I found that the fabrics were best suited to womenswear fashion as the refined detailing makes gives them the dainty, delicate appearance required for women’s knitwear. Using a variety of sources I looked at high-end designers such as Anna Sui, Missoni, and Dries Van Noten as I feel this would be the intended market for my collection. With the designs being quite complex I steered towards jumpers and cardigans as this allows them to be more of a statement piece.
[1] www.webify.com/retro.era- 8/05/2010
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About Me
- Rebecca Abey
- Hull, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Experimental designer that create a unique twist on tradional knittwear, Inspired by 60's and 70's Patterns.
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