Painting on Knits.

Winter and I’m working through my custom orders. I didn’t to a Christmas or ‘Holiday’ show as I have done over so many of the past 32 years so I have’t a lot of pending work. That could be good, no one likes to have no work, but it gives me more space, makes me go into the studio and push myself to do ‘something. You know what they say ‘if you want something done give it to a busy person’ and that is soooo true! So I always keep busy.

One order is a pink cotton knit collarless cardigan…very Springlike, Summery. My sample has a purple Morning Glory motif and the order is to be worked in hot pink & khaki.

I had my student put in a few hours and had her work with me as I mixed the colours and held down the stencils…she was also very handy to hit the sink to wash off the stencils & brushes.

I first saw painting on knits back in 1988 when I went to Secaucus NJ for a Mac Knit conference….one of the neatest thing’s I’ve attended. There was a mother & daughter duo – one knit pullovers in and the other painted on them…beautiful work. I learned lots that weekend but that stuck with me and I have used it since.

Not being a painter I cut my own stencils and Pebeo Setacolor…I have used many different ones over the years and have stencilled sweaters, dresses, walls, nightdresses, bags and more. After putting down the basic colour I use some shading and accents to give more depth and interest.

 Also…it’s fun!