My work draws inspiration from walks along the coast, I began my research by making a collection of objects and taking photographs from these sites. I am interested in recreating the textures seen in my photographs and objects that I have collected from a variety of beaches. From this I have selected coloured threads and wire which reflect the coastal views portrayed in my photographs. I have crocheted wire to create 3D intricate and delicate shapes which are then joined together to form a shape resembling limpets and mussel shells found on the beach.

Inspired by the environment, my work has been hand made by crocheting recycled carrier bags, bin liners & hazard tape. The flower centres have been hand constructed using recycled balloons, lids, knitted linens and wire. The flowers and leaves that form the basis of my work are photodegradeable and naturally compostable; so will deteriorate with time as a reflection of the impact of wastefulness which modern day life has upon the environment.

The collection is a range of children’s clothing for 4 -12 year olds. The ethos of the collection was to bring back the innocence of children’s clothing. Current trends are leading children to be influenced by adult fashions and leading to them dressing as ‘mini adults’. This trend not only imposes inappropriate fashion onto children, but also can restrict play.

A knitwear collection for girls inspired by the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Original journals, souvenirs and memorabilia suggested a sense of naive enthusiasm that inspired the collection. Research extended to the lifestyles and fashions of children in the fifties and I have borrowed heavily from the sweet and charming characteristics of visual and written references from this era. Childhood in the fifties was in many ways a less complicated affair. This collection embodies the carefree and more innocent aspects of this time.

My work is based on colour mixing, abstract pattern and texture. My colour palette is inspired by the ribbon shop VV Rouleaux. I incorporate my palette into life drawings to create abstract patterns that I develop in a knit context. My larger pieces are often chunky, visually exciting and bold.

This replica Marc Jacobs Stam handbag was originally (re)created for a shoot entitled ‘Kn-IT bags’ which featured in a magazine that I produced during my final year. A nod to appropriation art, my knitted version questions ideas of authenticity and originality, as well as being a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ comment on the ascendance of the designer handbag to almost art-object status.

My work is about rediscovering the versatility of traditional crafts and how investments of time and labour add value and meanings to objects and how can I use craft skills, learnt as a child, in my contemporary art practice today?Crochet traditionally perceived as feminine handicraft; referencing domesticity 'a woman’s world’ I want to challenge this by building an installation in a site that symbolises masculinity.I do not want any specific closed interpretations of my work as I hope it has a sense of ambiguity, encompassing a range of associations and oppositions.

The main focus of my work lies in the exploration of a traditionally domestic approach to recycling and sustainability. In my most recent body of work ‘Make Do and Mend’ I have created a range of jewels from second-hand fabric, crochet, lace, heat treated copper and gold- plated elements. I create wearable compositions through the layering of pattern, colour and form with an emphasis on excess detailing and frills, taking pleasure in unusual or abundant combinations of fabrics and textures.

My inspiration for this body of work came from an investigation of basketry, with a focus on both weave and abstract 3D form. Experimentation with circular hand knit and crochet techniques led to the development of three dimensional ‘basket’ structures which informed the design of my garments. I worked with mercerised cotton to enhance the visibility of stitch composition, which can be seen clearly within each piece, including the filigree crochet used to join the pieces of the fine gauge camisole. Design muses included sepia photographs taken for early tourism of samurai warriors, this combined with the notion of basketry informed the silhouette of gently exaggerated armour.

Through experimentation with handcrafts and with a passion for preserving traditional skills Ruthie Ford has created crochet pouffes and cushions that use a familiar technique in a bold contemporary way. Through abstractions of scale and the use of unexpected colour the work has a fresh feel whilst creating a sense of comfort and nostalgia.

My knitted samples are created to convey the diversity which can exist within knitted textiles. Using a combination of yarns, and then subjecting them to a diverse range of surface treatments such as Devore, flock printing, foil printing. In addition, I have melted plastic fibres into these knits to create dynamic effects. The contrasting textures created between the felted lamb’s wool and the polypropylene yarns in my designs add further depth to the painterly effects created within these pieces.

This project took me on an explorative journey of testing and inventing to produce visually stimulating, three dimensional modular structures inspired by plant forms. The pieces invite a playful, interactive approach through stretch qualities and utilise coloured straws to transform into exciting, visually dynamic colour statements through knitted construction; while creating patterning possibilities through the formation of multiple units.

Hung, Drawn & Quoted, is about us all, taking care of what is around us and those which it is around. We wear the world and it wears us; it is a natural progression for these to take care of each other. With natural yarns and an ethos of teaching dying skills to skill needy groups, it focuses on eco links. Skills taught help find new talent, sourcing valuable outworkers; providing income and incentive/self-achievement art therapy. Deeper thoughts of human needs are based in themes; back bones, brain, cells and ribs are influences upon initial pattern sampling and overall silhouette of H, D & Q.

My research was based on my theme of butterfly life. I specially inspired one photo that there was a group of butterflies on the cliff and sky. It is not just beautiful butterflies’ life with flowers more like wild life. I tried to express that feeling and texture and pattern of butterfly wings and magnified wing photos.

My collection had been inspired by the beauty and fragility of nature and patterns on exotic insects. These four elements in nature is something that surrounds us everywhere all the time; meanwhile it is also something that we often take for granted and lack in the concrete jungle of a city. My collection is fragile and feminine combining lightweight and heavy knit. I wanted to use contrasting weights and textures to recreate the lightness of the air as opposed to massif of earth structures. I have used silk for its sheen to represent the water and reflections, at the same time I wanted a lightweight effect for airiness. I hope my collection will bring a breath of fresh air into your everyday life.

Drawing inspiration from the high rise architecture of London, Hong Kong and Tokyo, I have produced a collection of knitted samples for women’s wear fashion. Combining both fine and heavy gauge fabrics and manipulating the shape of the knit has resulted in the production of dynamic shaped pieces

As our attitudes towards plastics and packaging begin to change, the plastic bag has become the focus in the war on waste. I have been attempting a transformation of these mundane objects using only the most domestic processes in an attempt to generate worth from the worthless, aiming to provoke a re-assessment of their value and beauty. In coaxing ornament from the ordinary, I have created wearable souvenirs of modern everyday life.

Using ‘Basic Dwellings’ as inspiration I have been creating shape and form in knitwear by pushing the boundaries of what the material can achieve sculpturally. Mixing different textures and weights of yarn alongside appliquéd fabrics such as leather I aimed to produce exciting fashion pieces for the high end market.

The interiors products presented are extracted from my collection 'Cabinet of Curiosities'. Interiors products: chairs covering, rug, mask, cushion, ribbon for tie-back, tassel, edging, piping... This collection is inspired by the concept of 'the Cabinet of Curiosities' from the 16th & 17th centuries which consists in the gather of marvellous and wondrous objects discovered during adventurer's travels.

I spent time in Tokyo absorbing their incredible youth culture and fashion sense. Since returning home I remain totally inspired. Drawing from photographs taken in Tokyo provided me with colour, pattern and texture ideas. My work is a mixture of pattern and stitch technique working together with scale to create asymmetrical designs for knitwear. My inspiration has allowed me to create a dynamic and playful collection.

There are many facets of Japanese Culture that inspire this collection of fabrics, attached together in the form of the Kimono. The Japanese Samurai has been the main focal point in Mimi’s design work, and this is displayed through the placement of techniques within the knit. She has also knitted with leather in order to conjure the illusion of armour that is representative of the Samurai, and this has proved to be a successful element within the fabrics. In using leather, Mimi has recognised a new and exciting development of design that is appropriate for this work; leather being a material that offers a soft and malleable, yet strong touch, that is both desirable for wearing, and unique to the market.

The flower and its association with femininity are fundamental to this collection of collar accessories. The curious metamorphosis of the flower’s form inspired their deconstruction; and as the petals were peeled away, captured the inevitable deterioration of decay.

Exploring numerous customary knitting techniques, and trying to evolve and mix them in order to create a dissimilar, almost distorted surface. Then developing this surface into 3D forms, to encourage a particular silhouette when on the body. Whilst consciously recognising eco issues and using only donated or recycled yarns.

My starting point is `dripping`. I am interested in the movement and the structure. Also the form inspired me. I am going to explore the potential of knit techniques. Particularly I focus on the characteristic of pieces knitted by hands. And my design is influenced by the potential of techniques in hand knitting and crochet which I explore in my work. Crochet is placed in a traditional context and recognized as craft work easily. But I am going to design whole silhouette using crochet in a sense of contemporary fashion design.

A collection inspired by the formation and structure of Samurai armour, the linkage between panels and the sculptural construction around the body. Colours were kept to cream and grey to portray an urban feel. Chunky hand knit was the key, as I wanted to convey texture and solidity to this wool dominated A/W collection.

My final years honours work was based on research of old decaying, weathering and eroded surfaces - natural processes in nature which affects every living thing. Time is the key to these processes and it occurred to me that the changes of appearances over time can be a powerful thing and what remains is a memory of the past. The character of Miss Haversham from Dickens’ 'Great Expectations' was an important figure in my work and theories - she signifies the theory of 'objects serving as memories'. This is where my inspiration came from for the knitted lace objects which have a 'cobweb like' appearance to them and of the pieces that I created for interiors, the surfaces creating a sense of a past life with their used antique style.

As a ceramicist with a love of textiles I wished to find ways to incorporate both into my work. Hand knitting yarn and copper wire forms, before coating them in clay slips, kiln firing and matte glazing, has enabled me to produce skeletal, organic vessels with the lacy delicacy sought.

This collection of accessories and products for the home draws inspiration from buses, in particular the upholstery fabric used on public transport, known as moquette. Using 100% lambs wool I have created a bright, modern version of moquette to keep you warm both in the home and in a camping environment

Enjoy.

A collection of work exploring the boundaries of the knitted fabric. A progressive set of developments exhibiting décor of laser cut floral forms, plaited knit lengths, multiples of hand crocheted geometrics and fluid draping sported on a range of chunky and delicate backgrounds, inspired by the natural world around us.

I have recently graduated from University with a First Class BA Honours. This is my Fourth year major collection, which is inspired by Romeo and Juliet – the collection reflects the attraction between two people and the hatred that can surround them & rip them apart.