Machine Knitting for Pattern and Texture (weekdays) - Nottingham Trent University

Description

This course introduces a variety of methods to help you produce unique fabrics that display a range of properties whilst exploring the use of colour, textured structures and stitch manipulation. You'll learn how to use a Dubied handflat double-bed knitting machine and create experimental swatches, which you can use to develop your designs and apply to create a knitted accessory. It’s ideal for students, practitioners and designers working in industry who have a basic understanding of machine knitting and who wish to develop their knit design skills and understanding of fabric structures. This course uses Dubied handflat double-bed knitting machines, which can create a wide variety of fabrics using stitch structures such as hold and tuck stitches as well as needle layouts, racking and selective needle use. You'll learn how to use a Dubied knitting machine to explore yarns and colour, receive instruction on hand-manipulation methods using stitch transfer in both repeat and freeform methods, and learn about the use of needle layout for pattern and surface design. The workshops will also cover problem-solving techniques to help you become more self-sufficient after the course. The university boasts a wide range of machine gauges, so you’ll be able to experiment with a range of fabric weights for different projects. On this course you will: • explore how to transform your design ideas into fabrics • spend plenty of time on the knitting machines to experiment and create swatches • watch demonstrations on tips and techniques to create textures with a range of fabrics • experiment with creating stripes using different yarns and cardigan structures • create surface patterns such as zig-zags and textures including ripples, raised ribs and mock ribs • learn about high and low butt patterning and hold and tuck stitches • practice making pocket fabrics and variations • understand what knit terminology is used in industry • build your own personal sketchbook with swatches, photography and technical notes. You'll have dedicated time to develop your own structures using the methods learned, with help from the course tutor during group feedback and one-to-one sessions. Once you've grasped the basics of Dubied machine knitting, you'll be challenged to combine techniques and create textured and patterned structures using transferred stitches, and have extra demonstrations as required, revisting techniques and variations based on your personal area of interest. You'll spend the final day consolidating your knowledge to create developed swatches to inspire future projects, or create a knitted accessory to wear after the course. What will I gain? You’ll leave the course with a portfolio of swatches showcasing fabrics that can be developed for use in other textile design applications. You'll also have applied your design to a finished accessory and leave with a scarf or pair of fingerless gloves. You will also have received a good grounding in developing your knit designs for personal or commercial application. Level: Beginner Entry requirement: Experience of using a knitting machine is required, but you don't have to have used a Dubied machine before. Where you'll learn: You will be based in the Bonington building at the City Campus, our dedicated art and design hub. You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the knitwear studio, with knitwear handflat workshops and dubied machines, and use of the yarn store. You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing. Tutor profile: Kandy Diamond has over ten years’ experience in lecturing and as a knitted textile designer/maker, with expertise in machine knitting across both domestic and industrial equipment. Her practice involves crafting products that blur the line between product and art, with the aim of challenging preconceptions and offering an alternative representation of knitting, creating pieces that are at odds with stereotypes.

What's included in the price?

One week of quality tuition with an experienced tutor. Certificate of attendance upon completion.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Nottingham Trent University

with Craft Courses since 2015

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