Surface Works

Surface Works

Another volume just bursting with creativity and innovation is Jenny Dowde’s Surface Works, aimed at both knitters and crocheters. It’s 200 pages can keep you going for a long time to come. Jenny introduces a myriad of techniques with which to embellish knit or crochet fabric, most of her own invention. Many offer a way of using small amounts of fancy yarn to add pizazz to a piece. For example, her “fluffle stitch” is more interesting than surface crochet chains, in two ways: you add the surface yarn as you crochet your main piece, and the stitch makes the yarn not quite ruffle, but “fluffle.” There are sections on textured stitches, braids and cords, collage, and arty bits, the latter two showing many inventive ways to incorporate fabric, buttons, wire, beads, embroidery, and even paper clips into designs. All this is in the first half of the book. The second half is devoted to projects: 7 bags, 6 hats and scarves, 4 cushions, 2 shawls, 9 jewelry pieces and 7 tops. Whew! Jenny’s sensibility is different from what I see in American designs, more playful and casual. She uses basic underlying forms overlayed with ornaments that are sometimes very artistic, sometimes whacky, and often both at once. It’s a refreshing and inspirational approach from this marvelous Australian designer.