Big Knitting at Whickham School
Cultural Ambassador Vivienne Howell would like to share the latest cultural and creative activities at Whickham School...
Textile artist and Big Knitter, Ingrid Wagner worked with a group of Year 10 and Year 11 students on a two-day group project using recycled fabrics and yarn.
The project of course began with research, planning and preparation. Using "The Angel" as an inspiration and source, the students listed and discussed what the angel meant to them - powerful, embracing, trust, shelter, safety, security, proud, protecting, a landmark.
It was decided that the textile piece would be a panel made up of sections like the Angel's wings, which would then be used as a chair covering. This would demonstrate many of the Angel's qualities- somewhere to visit, to sit, to read or reflect; somewhere safe to snuggle into, to wrap around and embrace you; a monumental structure to offer protection.
Lines and phrases from a selection of "Angel" poetry and prose were written on white material, cut into strips and machined together. This textual yarn was to be knitted into the border of the covering, together with frozen secrets. The remainder of the yarn was then prepared by cutting strips of fabric (old clothes and curtains) and winding into balls. Each section was to be knitted using two colours of fabric and one strand of wool.
The palette of colours was chosen from a variety of stimulus photos of the Angel, which reflected many changing moods - bronze, white, red, rust, yellow, orange, pink, beige, and brown. Next was the challenge of learning to knit on huge needles! Most of the students had never knitted before. The following morning everyone picked up their knitting and continued as if they had been knitting all their lives. There was a wonderful atmosphere with lots of social chat and very quickly the panels had grown.
Two o'clock. Stop the knitting. The assembly was like an episode of "Sixty Minute Makeover". The sections were cast off and arranged on the floor. They were bound together with cotton strips - sewing without a needle. The border was knitted and bound on too. It was a great team effort and we did it. By three o'clock the work was complete.
We don't just love it, we adore it. Hope you like it too. Of course, a huge thank you to Ingrid. She was fabulous to work with, had great ideas, a unique style, and a warm and generous personality. The students are proud of their achievement and will remember this creative experience with great affection.
Vivienne Howell
Whickham School
December 2008
Ingrid Wagner Rug and Art Creation
Studio 5, The Stone Barn
Kirkharle Courtyard,
Kirkharle
Northumberland
NE19 2PE
Web:www.ingridwagner.com Tel: 01830 540 047 M: 07786376819 E: info@ingridwagner.com