knitting circles

The craft of knitting has been practiced from as early as the first millennium in ancient Egypt as a way to create textiles and clothing.  Hand knitting eventually fell out of fashion with the arrival of man-made knitting machines, capable of producing large volumes at a quick pace.  But the craft of making something by hand and hand-knitting would come back in fashion in several waves, including times of war such as during WWII and most recently in the early years of the 21st century.

Yarn is the most commonly thought of material to be used when we talk about knitting.  Sweaters, scarves, hats, and blankets come to mind when we're thinking of someone knitting.  But the craft of knitting is a weave of loops to create rows of stitches.  These stitches can be guided to create patterns, effects, and shapes that can be used to for various applications.  The material used will have a part in the texture of the weave and the overall effect of the finished design.

Knitted furniture is not dowdy or boring.  With materials, texture of the weave and color, a knitted ottoman can be an interesting addition to the home.

CB2 offers this knitted ottoman in several colors (blood orange, graphite, and pool blue), 18"dia x 14"h.  The cover is 100% cotton with a dense pellet fill and sell for $89.95.


A play in a traditional pattern is a fun way of remembering history and applying it to a modern life.  This ottoman is 23 1/2"dia. x 12"h, designed by Donna Wilson and made from 100% lambs wool in the traditional Fair-Isle technique.  The filler is made from recycled plastic bottles.   It's offered by Design Within Reach for $585.

A knitted rug can also offer texture to your floor while keeping with its utilitarian function.

This is a close up of a cable rug offered by Room and Board.  Made from 100% hand woven wool in several sizes and colors. 

Some deconstructed approaches to knitting and furniture pieces can be found in the newspaper yarn creations by Studio Greetje van Tiem.

Architecture firm Tezuka Architects deconstructs the weave and the principle of knitting with their design of  Woods of Net at the Hakone Open Air Museum.  The outer structure is "woven" from wood timbers and traditional wood joints.  The interior space comprised of a colorful woven net allowing for an interactive and engaging space.

And some artists have used the craft of knitting to create works for reaction and dialogue.

Artist Agata Olek takes crocheting to another level through her performance piece/installation of crocheted interiors, objects, and people.

And let's not forget the Knitted House at the 2006 London Architecture Biennial.  Over scaffolding, a group of women knitted together various garbage bags, shopping bags, and rope.

Phat Knits by Bauke Knottnerus are large scale knits for interiors.  Made from thick ropes of thread that are hand knitted with the use of two "needles" and the work of two people.  

You can see a video on how they're made here.

For additional information on knitting and knitted designs:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search?includes%5B0%5D=tags&q=knitted+ottoman&ref=related&page=1

Imaginary Office: http://www.imaginaryoffice.se/?page_id=11

Claire-Anne O'Brien: http://claireanneobrien.com/index.php?/work/knit-stools/

Dezeen: http://www.dezeen.com/2007/10/21/yarn-from-old-newspapers-by-greetje-van-tiem/

Stitch 'n Bitch: http://stitchnbitch.org/

Lion Brand Yarn: http://www.lionbrand.com/

Textiles Art Center: http://www.textileartscenter.com/