Winter encourages us to make our homes comfortable and pleasant. One of the possible ideas is to bring the knitted fabrics or to make them yourself.

How to apply knitwear in the interiors?

We have already become accustomed to objects made of different types of knitwear like decorative pillows, bedspreads, covers for armchairs... pads, accessorizes, lampshades, curtains ... What we are still not got used to are the wall coverings made of knitted fabrics. The Polish designer Aleksandra Gaca has created a likeable product: 3D knitted panels for walls or ceilings of an attractive appearance and remarkable soundproofing performance (Cello, produced by the Belgian company Casalis). The knitting is a trend even for our pets. Cozy Pet House is with ‘knitted’ claddings that fit into every interior.

New upholstery for “old” furniture

Sinje Allen gave us a good lesson on how to use the knitting. As a fashion designer, she ‘accidentally dressed’ the famous Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen's, and gave it the new quality. An extraordinary result that she has achieved, creates a doubt: does the design of the armchairs support knitting or vice versa. However, Sinje Allen continued to 'dress' the armchairs of well-known designers (Arne Jacobsen, Aaron Thomas, Jens Ris, Le Corbusier...) and to add a new artistic note to the designed furniture.

If you also have a piece of old, inherited, a valuable furniture, this can be the right approach to revitalizing it. Before you start, it is necessary to plan, to consider: the shape - whether you will change it or retain it; color, or colors combination. My advice is to experiment, and try to add a new value to the existing furniture and even to your interior.

Yarn

When knitting, the result largely depends on the yarn, whether it is a wool, cotton, viscose, blend of materials ... their thickness and structure, and the manner of mutual combination. 'Loop chaise lounge' by Sophie de Vocht (for Casamania) is a good example how sculptural creation was achieved with ‘over-sized yarn’.

The woolen yarn is the most commonly used, but yarn from other origins can also be used like: leather strips or latex, bungee, rope...

Interesting knitting, made from large diameter yarn in mélange tones, which is skillfully twisted around the metal structure gives the character and recognition of the armchair Shito.

Designers Sahil Bagga and Sarthak Sengupta use recycled yarn and combine various traditional knitting techniques of India in a modern way. Each piece of their furniture is unique and authentic as they are handmade, different in texture and color.

The designer Jessica Carnevale showed us how to experiment with the yarn. She uses latex, bungee, and rope to achieve the desired colors and the structure of knitting. The result is that with this seat, her chair Strech becomes a desirable piece of furniture.

Furniture and floor coverings

Knitting can be only a detail combined with other materials or final finishing for the whole element.

Poufs Bonnet Indoor is simply shaped, entirely made of merino wool, suitable for various spaces (residential and public). The elegant detail of the joint at the top of the tabouret (as with the French Beretta) gives the accent of the product. The quality of production is confirmed by invisible, hidden zippers, which enable the replacement of their covers.

If there was no likeable seat, IFO stool would have been a product no one would pay attention. A seat that can be in cheerful colors, knitted, sculpted and attractive, gives an individual expression to the product. It works cheerfully and joyfully like a bouquet of peonies.

Interesting, irregular shapes Magnas rags remind on the gigantic parts of the sweaters with an interesting combination of colors and knitting methods. They are hand-woven on a loom of wool. These floor coverings are the sufficient accent in a space.

Modular elements Mangas, made of woolen yarn are realized by traditional hand loom weaving technique. The proper production method gives elements of simple shape and identity and the whole collection confirms the creativity of the creator.

The special feature of the armchair Arbaco is the overcoat with crocheted floral elements made of wool or cotton.

Other interior assessors

Curtain Veil is hand knitted made from paper yarn. It is transparent enough, and compact enough to be used as a curtain or a room divider. To get special effects, the paper jarn is added, copper, or steel wires (as with Mesh partition).

Lampshades for table and floor lamps Granny are handmade in Netherlands, from a thick, rough yarn that gives to each lamp authenticity and uniqueness, above all, a rustic and unusual structure. For the sake of durability, the lampshades are protected against fire; moth and mite infestation.

The collection of Bonnet Bright lighting fixtures (standing, hanging ...) of various shapes, consists of a simple metal construction and standardized wool knit ‘sleeves’. Many offered colors allow numerous combinations according to the user’s needs. The advantage is that the elements/sleeves of the lampshades can easily be replaced, whether individually or completely so that each lamp receives an individual note.

Attractive Knitted blanket/bedspread Garter made of New Zealand wool in a light powder pink color, handmade in Nepal. Handmade makes that every single piece possesses a rustic and personal touch. Element is suitable for every interior.

3D knitted Cable Sock is a small item that enables adjustment of each table to contemporary moment and new manner of working. It joins and hides numerous cables which are present in the workspace, in a practical way. Cable Sock of attractive colors, adapted to the different types of tables, makes it easy to introduce order in the space and represents an attractive detail in the interior.

Series of round and rectangular dining mats handmade with different techniques.

Applying details or whole knitted products will surely make your interior more pleasant. In addition, knitting as a creative activity is becoming more and more popular. It is relaxing, resting… it can be practiced anywhere, in transportation, in a coffee shop, at home. This creative process results in usable objects with the attribute of aesthetic values, but also the satisfaction of the creative process, or the satisfaction of the realization of your own ideas.

Maybe knitting is the right way to take advantage of the winter time spent in our homes and to decorate, change its ambience at the same time. Why not say, this is right way to preserve tradition, master forgotten techniques, adopt the experiences of the elderly and finally to involve different generations into the creative process.

The objects created in this way become unique, their appearance is recognizable and original while they add to the space the value, the note of individuality and warmth

Advice

If you want to furnish the home with creativity and originality start knitting. Before you begin, consider:

• The purpose
• The technique and material/yarn that you will use
• The shapes; colors and their combination