My Great New Zealand Cloak might not be on another journey after this one

Jul.10, 2011

I have spoken at times of the cloak that I created back in 1992 – very nearly 20 years ago. This cloak has been in exhibitions, it has been tried on by many people, it has been photographed on many people. Sadly it is showing its age.

I am attending the knit retreat “Knitting in Nature beginning tomorrow, and I am taking my “Island” The Great New Zealand cloak with me to show to the other knitters there. Why? Well I am teaching a workshop on Intarsia Knitting and this is one of the best examples I still own of my intarsia creations. I hope that seeing it will still inspire someone of the group to try freeform intarsia knitting after they complete the workshop.

In late 1992 or early 1993 the cloak was in an exhibition at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. The judges there decided that it was not suitable to be sold due to the fragile nature of the creation. I think 20 years of display and wearing is not bad for a creation of a fragile nature, using around 90 or so different yarns from wool, mohair to linen and a variety of fancy fibres. I actually think it has done rather well. And I am so glad it was not listed for sale as my family and I have loved it and worn it, as well as exhibited it.

I think “Knitting in Nature” may well be its last journey because it is rather thin and frail in some sections now, and we will store it away gently on our return to New Zealand and hope that we can still bring it from time to time and say “we remember this piece very well” and put it away again.

I am feeling rather sad that this piece that has been such a big part of my life is not going to be worn again BUT that does mean that it is time for another creation.

:"Island", Cloak, ConnieLene Design, connieleneknits, exhibition, fashion, free form, Freeform Intarsia, Great New Zealand Cloak, intarsia, Knitting in Nature, multi coloured, New Zealand, stash buster, Swalmen, Unique Design, Workshop

4 Comments for this entry

Jeanette
July 11th, 2011 on 8:40 am
I’m especially pleased to hear you’re thinking/considering/scheming/planning on making something new to take its place, and I look forward to hearing and seeing more sometime soon
Dagmar
July 18th, 2011 on 4:44 pm
So I’m one of the last people who have seen it “alive”.
Thank you for this, it has been a great inspiration.
Greetings from Germany!
connie
July 20th, 2011 on 11:44 am
Dear Jeanette, I have been planning a new cloak for some time, but it has taken some time to really put some ideas together cause I want to intertwine our European experience into a cloak – somehow. You will certainly see it. Looking forward to seeing you soon in NZ.
connie
July 20th, 2011 on 11:55 am
Dear Dagmar,

thank you so much for looking here.

Yes we are retiring the cloak, and I am going to begin creating a new one once we are settled in our home in New Zealand. I am delighted that you found my cloak an inspiration. As you know already freeform intarsia is a great way for me to work. I always hope that others will take up playing with their yarns, and creating in a free form way.