Introduction

-The Fiber Crafts and Their Evolving Story

-Who We Are: Our Handwork -Biographies

-How to Use Our Book

(EXCERPT from "How to use Our Book")
You will meet and get to know each design in a variety of ways:

• Main Photo: The design worn by Mikae, Renate, or a friend, ...
• Short Introduction: Key features and functional aspects ...
• Personal Stories: A description of the creative process ...
• Materials and Tools
• Schematic Drawings (Diagrams)
• Instructions: Step by step guidance ...
• Size Adjustment: Helpful guidelines ...
• Design Variations

This multifaceted presentation of each piece forms an organic whole, providing you with the information you need to progress with your knitting, stimulate your creativity, and spark new ideas.

Part one: Sources of Inspiration

-Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf Education, and the Handwork Curriculum

-The Art of Clothing - Past, Present, and Future

-The Wonders of Knitting

Part Two: THE KNITTING JOURNEY 

-Recommended Ways of Working

- T h e   P r o j e c t s - 

Spiral Gestures: Knitting in the Round

(EXCERPTS)

We find spiral gestures everywhere in nature, where they fill us with awe and wonder. 

The perfect spiral of the nautilus shell or the intricate patterns of the pine cone come immediately to mind …

When we knit in the round, we quickly become relaxed and centered, as we are engaged in forming a spiral with our yarn, …

Introductory Projects: Headbands 

Capelet – Circular Cowl – Circular Top – Extra-Warm Poncho – Seamless Sweater

In Addition:  9 Design Variations

Horizontal and Vertical Gestures: 
Knitting Back and Forth

(EXCERPTS)

The horizon is the line where heaven and earth seem to meet. Anything horizontal follows this line, and anything vertical is perpendicular to this line.

Trees grow vertically toward the sky, and many of their branches and most of their leaves reach for the light in horizontal ways.

Human beings embody both vertical and horizontal dimensions. In our uprightness, we embody the vertical dimension, and with both arms stretched sideways, we align with the horizontal, thus forming a cross.

In knitting garments, horizontal and vertical gestures arise when we create flat pieces by knitting back and forth, using two needles or a circular needle.
When we knit vertically from side to side, symmetry between left and right comes strongly into play; the left needs to become a mirror image of the right, and vice versa.

Introductory Projects: Scarves

Long Scarf – Curved Shawl – Two-Shawls Vest – Short Poncho – Long Vest – Overlap Tunic – 

Overlap Shoulder Vest with Haramaki – Loose Tunic – Bolero – Hanten Jacket

In Addition: 9 Design Variations

Part Three: DEEPENING OUR APPRECIATION

-Nature's Fibers : Wool, Silk, Cotton and Linen

-The Gestures of Hand-Spinning : Stick, Stone, Spindle and Wheel

-The Magic of Color and the Process of Dyeing with Plants

-Concluding Thoughts

-Acknowledgements

APPENDIX

-Techniques

-Sources for Materials

-Recommended Sources for Reading, Study, and Practice

-References