knitting at the Art Institute

My friend Katie reported to me recently that I had to check out the latest traveling exhibit in the modern wing of the Art Institute.  It's on fashion, but there are some fabulous knitted items.Bulky wool, knitted sideways, cowl neck.  Love it!  I want to make one for me, if I still wore sweaters.  

(Wish I could manipulate these images a bit better and display them all neatly in a row)

These are some illegally shot images of the Sandra Backland exhibit.  Check out some of her fantastic crocheted and knitted designs! Behind each mannequin there is a still life photo taken by a Swedish photographer, which I think is also a breathtaking rendering of the texture and feel of the knitted item.   There was also an origami dress - you can see it in the background of the second photo.

Backlund develops all her designs from scratch in three dimensions.  "I like the way I can build my own fabric while working and the way it is mathematical, but at the same time permits improvisation.  It is really time-consuming and a real trial on one's mental and physical strength, and yet for me knitting is synonymous with creative freedom."