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Knitter's choice:
Armenian Knitting $24
Bowknot Sweater Kit
Shetland Jumperweight Wool
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Elsa Schiaparelli's Bowknot Sweater
(photo courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art: Gift of Vera White, 1952)
Elsa Schiaparelli's famous trompe l'oile Bowknot Sweater was part of her November 1927 collection. The sweater was knit using
a fascinating technique which gave the sweater, in Elsa's words,
a "steady look". Schiaparelli had seen a sweater knit
in this unusual way and tracked down the knitter, an Armenian
woman, who knit the first sweaters for Schiaparelli. As Schiaparelli
sold more garments, other Armenian women in Paris familiar with
this method were called upon to knit them. It is from these knitters
we call the technique "Armenian".
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's Costume and Textile Department,
of which Lisa Stockebrand is part, staged "Shocking ! The
Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli" -a comprehensive retrospective
exhibit of Schiaparelli's work- from September 28 2003- January
4 2004. Prior to the exhibit, Lisa wrote an updated Bowknot Sweater
pattern based on the sweater in the museum's collection using
a larger gauge and making slight accommodations for a more modern
fit. Eliciting the editing advice of Joyce Williams and yarn advice
from Meg Swansen, Lisa put together a kit in two color ways using
Jamieson and Smith Shetland Wool to be sold in the museum shop.
No longer available through the museum, we are pleased to offer
Lisa's Bowknot Sweater pattern (free and downloadable) below.
The pattern calls for Shetland Jumperweight;
knit in black (77) and cream (1A) or any other colors you wish;
Shocking Pink? The museum kit was also sold in pink (52) and purple
(20). There is a knit along page on Ravelry on which you can both
find and share advice with other knitters while you knit the sweater.
Further description of the technique can be found in the book
Armenian Knitting by Meg Swansen and
Joyce Williams, including three different ways of achieving Armenian
Knitting, along with their new circular designs.
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Elsa Schiaparelli's Bowknot Sweater: Instructions and Charts
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