Last week I headed down to Bath with my lovely bearded boyfriend, Alex. Well actually, we first went to visit Kate and James in Exeter; I’d wanted to buy pom pom makers and force the guys to learn how to use them, but that got vetoed and we went out drinking instead.
I also failed to eat a rack of 12 BBQ pork ribs. The shame.
Anyway, I could go into detail about the whole trip (which was lovely) and throw in an account of our stop-off in Cheddar Gorge (I almost died) but what I really want to write about is an exhibition we stumbled upon while visiting the American Museum in Britain: Kaffe 2014.
First thing to admit: I’d never heard of Kaffe Fassett. I know, I know, sorry everyone – but I learnt to knit when I was a kid when all I wanted to make were soft toys (and only picked up my needles to make clothes last year), so I’ve hardly had any reason to get clued up on the knitwear design scene.
That said, this one exhibition was all the reason I needed to get started. Turns out that Kaffe was a colour genius, and an engineer of both colour contrasts and clashes. This visit was the first time I’d ever wanted to wear a whole room of knitwear and demand the world viewed me in my garish glory.
The patterns, textures and garments were all absolutely stunning and in the most part glaringly, and irresistibly, 80s. I felt as though I couldn’t open my eyes wide enough to drink in all of the colours, an idea encapsulated perfectly in some of my favourite of Kaffe’s words from a wall of his best known quotes: “My motto is always, ‘When in doubt, add twenty more colours!'”
The importance of colour to Kaffe infiltrated the entire exhibition, which was arranged by colour; there were sections in bright yellow, vibrant pink and my favourite: cool, calming blue.
But while Kaffe’s knitwear was eye-popping, his needlework was unbelievable. He cited needlework and knitting as new avenues for his previously traditional art, and his painterly background totally comes across in the work. I could not get over these slippers.
I think my favourite part of the exhibition, aside from the bright pink, was the concept of knitting as an art form as opposed to a way of making clothes or even simply as a craft. Kaffe speaks of it as a replacement for paint and other materials, in the same way he talks of his needle and thread, and I found that to be a huge inspiration.
If you’re in the south west area or planning a city break in Bath, I couldn’t recommend this exhibition more; it’s only small, but if you’re already in the area it’s certainly worth a visit. I’ll leave you with my absolute favourite part of the exhibition, which is totally stunning. Kaffe, I only wish I’d heard of you sooner.
Hook, Knit and Stitch 