Italy’s Ivano Vitali is a sculptor, ecologist and performance artist whose work is a nod to a time when manual labor was appreciated and celebrated. He rolls and twists newspaper pages – piecing them together with no glue or water – then knits, crochets and weaves dresses, suits, hats, shawls, abstract objects and tape-estries with the paper yarn that still bears the colors and text of the newsprint pages.
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Tube dress, newspaper, cotton thread. Fabric made on African loom: warp/black cotton, weft/newspaper
Online translation tools give choppy information, but it appears that Vitali’s garments and objects are statements of rebellion and social commentary. And, if I might add, an exciting use of an alternative fiber that employs traditional craft techniques.
I can’t knit. I’m left handed. Really left handed, which makes knitting difficult – not impossible, but difficult. For more than two decades I’ve been looking for someone who can teach a southpaw. Althea Crome says she loves a challenge – maybe she’s the right person for the job. The Indiana mother of four is an extreme knitter, specializing in micro-knitted garments – she must have the patience of a saint to knit these tiny, intricate sweaters, coats, gloves and socks.
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Crome’s work is extraordinary – her artistry and attention to detail has not gone unnoticed. Three years ago Laika Studios commissioned the miniaturist to knit the clothing for the film Coraline.
In the behind-the-scenes video below she knits on sewing needles and talks about being the only woman in the world who knits in miniature. Even her voice is calm, soothing, patient – yes, I’m sure she’s the one who can teach me how to knit. Maybe not in 1/12th scale…but who knows?
Every one of my knitted miniatures is rooted in tradition, but none are mere replicas of existing patterns or styles. It is with a spirit of continued curiosity and a desire to create new and original pieces that I will continue to pursue my love of knitting within the limitless possibilities of this miniature scale.
daMuse visited Coraline in this post back in January.
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