1.03.2007

going, going, gaughan


as in i have gone completely over the edge for this mini-sweater, featured on the cover of the new VK winter issue. the star-shaped cables look like the detail from the top of a sand dollar. nora gaughan is a genius. this shrug-like object (nora calls it a "capecho," but i'll forgive her for that.) looks incredibly complex. VK claims it is actually quite easy. they even offer a great tutorial here. surprising, since VK is usually pretty stingy with free editorial.

the whole pale, wintry vibe of nora's mini-sweater reminds me of this other knit piece i fell in love with a couple of seasons ago. you can't really see it here, but this is a long dress crocheted entirely out of silk mohair snowflake medallions. it was made by a parsons design student named tse-goh. i still fantasize about making something like this.

addendum:
in case you couldn't tell, i heart n. gaughan. it seems whenever i see a sweater i like in VK it's her design. she's a two-time cover girl this season, with another great design front and center on IK. it's no wonder. her stuff really has legs. i knit one of her designs in the early 90s (a zippered v-neck tunic-y number) that looks great now pulled on over leggings or skinny jeans with boots. it's one of my fave sweaters. i just love how she integrates sculptural, textural stitchwork. her work isn't super design-y or trendy. but she always has some surprising twist to suck you in. in this case, it's those amazing modular star cables--such an innovative technique. i've never seen it before and really wonder if she might have invented it. have you ever seen it before?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

You slay me! I finally stumbled to the mailbox and what was there?? This VK issue!! I am IN LUST for this, I shall call it a min-sweater as well. LOVE IT!!!
You are a far better and faster knitter than I..so please, satrt knitting it right away so that I maylivevicariously through you.
:)

Carson said...

wow..that looks complicated!

Anonymous said...

That is really stunning. Although, I can't help but think it would look hideous on me. It really is beautiful though.

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to see you knit that! I really like the style of the collar.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you. While I'm usually not crazy over Nora Gaughin's designs, this one makes me crazy to get to it, at least put it on the list of to-dos!

Anonymous said...

Me too. Gaga.

Anonymous said...

I drooled all over the new vk issue! well, just over the cover piece (but those mini gloves at the exhibit in NYC are way interesting too). Looking back on all the old ik's, vk's, and knitters, one can quickly pick out Norah's designs...I think they are still intersting, even those from the 80's. This new one is too short for me personally, but it is SO COOL. I keep thinking of continuing the pentagon thing for a full length sweater...hmmm.

Anonymous said...

I just stubled upon a knitalong for this on Craftster. Might be something to keep an eye on...

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=143106.0

Krista McCurdy said...

That sweater is SO on my to-do list, but I think I'm going to do it in some brown debbie bliss merino chunky I have. It's rare that I fall so head over heels in love, but I saw that and immediately went ooooh!

Dharma said...

I love a lot of the design and inventiveness of Nora's work but a good deal seems rather impractical, like this sweater cape thingy you love. It would be fun to challenge myself to knot this or some of her other designs, but I question the wearable of some of her stuff. This is not to say that I have not contemplated, very seriously buying her recent book.

Anonymous said...

With your knitting skills, you will have the pattern done in no time. It looks like the kind of project that is a fun challenge too. I am going to have to make it to a knit night so I can see it person. Problem is it is 9:00 at night when I remember it is knit night! I need something to jog my brain sooner. I'll be missing it this week due another commitment. Do you think you will have it done by the following week! ;) I bet you will!

Carson said...

addendum comment: The snow model's "Paris Hilton as Witch of Narnia" thing goin on is slightly disturbing.

Anonymous said...

KRS: I don't mean to be reticent, but this blog is looking quite substantial.

Felicitations and Happy Mondays,

Tilda

Anonymous said...

That sweater is killer! I've got to get me my VK, asap.

Liana said...

I agree that's a fabulous, almost unwearable sweater, for most of us in any case. Sigh....

I heard you want those who've finished their Fake-A-Gamo bag to post links to photos. So, here's mine. http://sewintriguing.blogspot.com/2007/01/fake-gamo-bag-is-finished.html

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking heavily about knitting this cover item. I'm not keen about seaming nearly 15 pentagons together, but it may come to that.

It's the least of the evils in this issue. The Holiday issue was tons better.

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress and getting feedback before I start it myself. Do you mind being a guinea pig?!

Jennifer said...

I'm thinking about extending the sleeves to full length and using a provisional cast on on all pentagon sides that will be picked up by another and perhaps doing something similar to the sleeve pentagons to the bottom edge in order to extend it to a full length sweater.

To complicated?

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, I am drooling here!

Anonymous said...

i felt in love with that sweater the first time i lay my eyes on it.

Anonymous said...

I love it too! I always love your taste. You actually make the stuff I am thinking about...it's very inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gawd - this shrug is absolutely gorgeous and so creative. Good luck and enjoy!
Marcia from Knittingbag

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