Itchy Stitch
The World of Wearable Arts, 2011
Materials: 3,000 knitting needles (my Grandma’s knitting needles), knitted black scarf, fiberglass shell, beads, black dressing gown lining and glue
This garment received first prize for the Shell Sustainability Award judged over all categories. It was purchased to be a part of the WOW historical collection and either travels the world in exhibitions or is displayed in the Nelson museum.
Itchy stitch is everyone’s childhood nightmare. Itchy Stitch is a true garment of torture, lovingly knitted by grandma for your birthday or Christmas. Constructed from the very tools used to make the dreaded itchy knitted jumper, 3,000 pre loved knitting needles of various sizes have been integrated into this garment in the silhouette of a jumper; these signify the itchy threads of the jumper and give this garment an exceptionally cruel look.
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A fiberglass bodice shaped shell was pre-drilled with holes into which knitting needles were then pierced through.
