Why I work with my designs as part of a collection
When I had just started as a knitwear designer, my way of working would be to; get an idea, think it through technically, make the math, and write the pattern.
The first design that I made was a skirt for my daughter. The idea came to me on one of those very warm summer days, when I realized she only had jeans to wear. Hence, I designed a skirt.
I still get those ideas for single designs, but I have developed in my way of working with designs. For instance, I quite enjoy working with collections now. Below, I explain why and how I work with collections in my design process:
I still find inspiration in my everyday whereabouts, such as a leaf detail, an interesting shoulder construction, etc. But my way of perceiving those ideas is more thematic, for instance as centered around stitch patterns; shoulder construction(s)….or even better – like two of my exam projects for the Knitwear Design Education:
· A Boy Scout’s summer uniform for men called Boy Scout With a Beard – you’ll learn more about this collection during 2021
· The Gentleman Hunter Collection, from which you already know the designs Tie to Fly and Spring Hunter
I’ve learned that it’s very giving to initiate the process with a Mood Board, like the one on the 1st photo. I then work my way through the collection (2nd photo)
...and continue with the technical composition of each design item, like the trunks on the 3rd photo.
The fact that I work with the designs as part of a collection does not mean that I must finish the whole collection before moving on. In fact, quite often, some of my designs will have to wait whilst I continue to the next, as there might be technical constructions for which I’m looking for a solution, or I find it difficult to find the exact yarn that I’m looking for.
This is the case, for instance, with the design I Miss You Mum – a handkerchief for which I need a very thin, soft, sustainable cotton yarn.
Since the beginning, I chose to work only with sustainable yarns, and even if the product range is increasing, I still find myself slightly limited by this decision, so I’m on the constant look-out for interesting yarns, produced with a focus on environment and human beings.
By the way, please don’t hesitate to contacting me if you know of any yarn, that I should also get to know. In a future blog post, I will discuss my take on what a sustainable yarn is.
You are also most welcome to get in touch if you have any ideas for knitting patterns for men. Even though ideas are already lining up in my head, I always fancy a good design idea.