Shots of Christien Meindertsma's incredible rugs, handknitted from the wool of 18 merino sheep (on very oversized knitting needles)... I want one! - All images from Christien Meindertsma's Flocks websiteAfter seeing Christien Meindertsma's gorgeous 'Urchin' knitted poufs in all the Milan photos around the place, I found myself googling to find out a little more about her. She's done some amazing projects... I love Dutch Design! The more I read, the more I am engrossed by the work coming from this part 0f the world...
Dutch design is well documented for being kooky and playful. On a deeper level, I also find that so many Dutch designers have a really thoughtful, considered and almost holistic approach to their work. I often read of designers and companies working on projects that would almost be considered art installation or performance art elsewhere... yet in Holland they are encouraged and embraced as respected and marketable products and ideas! A great example is Marije Vogelzang's work in food design (I mentioned her fantastic company Proef a while ago). The same can certainly be said of the work of Christien Meindertsma. (note - I just discovered both of these fantastic young designers studied at the famed Design Academy Eindhoven... interesting...)
Christien's ongoing Flocks project sensitively explores issues of consumerism and the lost connection between primary industry (farmers) and final consumer. Christien works with farmers to create garments from individual animals - ie the wool of one sheep is used for the creation of one cardigan, and the fur of one rabbit is used for one pair of mittens... The animal's ear tag and details are then attached to the final product made from it's wool. The result are simple, beautifully designed knitted garments and homewares, with a real sense of history and connection to their origins on the land.
Dutch design is well documented for being kooky and playful. On a deeper level, I also find that so many Dutch designers have a really thoughtful, considered and almost holistic approach to their work. I often read of designers and companies working on projects that would almost be considered art installation or performance art elsewhere... yet in Holland they are encouraged and embraced as respected and marketable products and ideas! A great example is Marije Vogelzang's work in food design (I mentioned her fantastic company Proef a while ago). The same can certainly be said of the work of Christien Meindertsma. (note - I just discovered both of these fantastic young designers studied at the famed Design Academy Eindhoven... interesting...)
Christien's ongoing Flocks project sensitively explores issues of consumerism and the lost connection between primary industry (farmers) and final consumer. Christien works with farmers to create garments from individual animals - ie the wool of one sheep is used for the creation of one cardigan, and the fur of one rabbit is used for one pair of mittens... The animal's ear tag and details are then attached to the final product made from it's wool. The result are simple, beautifully designed knitted garments and homewares, with a real sense of history and connection to their origins on the land.
Flocks cardigan (above) and close up details of sheep 006 from the cardigan (below)
Mittens - notice the rabbit's eartag attached!
wow - look at those knitting needles!!
ReplyDeleteohhh I want my own personal sheep cardy too. She is inspirational... thanks Lucy
ReplyDeleteDo you reckon she really does that AMAZING stuff with those enormous needles???!!! I can't even comprehend!
ReplyDeleteGreat find :)
what amazing work!
ReplyDeletebtw, just 'discovered' your blog via kirin notebook - great stuff. keep up the melbourne vibe. :)
Thanks for all the lovely comments ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteI know - aren't the knitting needles amazing...? Ju.. I reckon she DOES knit these rugs on those massive needles cos there's a little photo here of her (I think?) in action. its here -
http://lovelytextiles.blogspot.com/2008/02/christ
ien-meindertsma.html
(scroll down)
Amazingness.
Kirsten, thanks for the Melbourne-encouragement! Currently I get a lot more readers from the US than from Melbourne... but I am trying to stick with the Melbourne stuff all the same! x
oooh Lucy you know how much I love wool! This lady is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHey Toohey! Thanks for saying hi :) Yes isn't she amazing? I want a rug like that! Also the poufs... I love them a LOT. The wool on the Poufs is thickly felted (you can see in the close up on the label).. she sourced it from a place called Kyrgyzstan near Kazakhstan.. apparently their culture does a lot of incredible felting and she worked with local craftsmen to create that felted yarn... there are pics on her site (click on the car!)
ReplyDeleteHope you guys are well... I am hybernating. It is too chilly for social activity :)
Lucy x
hi, i've rediscovered your blog. it's amazing, i'm going to link to you :)
ReplyDelete