I was experimenting combining humor and two-color patterning, making fabric while simultaneously making the garment. I used computer aided design patterning, machine knitting, draping, hand manipulated shaping and striping, hand crochet trim and seams.
Inspired by an art photograph of a Moroccan man smoking, a motif was designed on a black and white grid and put into repeat with DesignaKnit software. A full width of two-color patterned fabric was then knitted to the jacket length from cashmere/silk yarns on a Silver Reed knitting machine. The white cigarettes were applied by hand crochet to add a third color. Another full width of fabric was knitted with a small 2x2 hand-manipulated stripe, slightly shorter in length. The two pieces were draped on the mannequin, then hand crocheted together at center back and made into a jacket body. Sleeves were shaped by full fashioning and set into the armholes. All edges were hand crocheted. A coordinating solid-color straight knee-length skirt was knitted in two pieces, seamed at the sides, waist elastic applied, and hem edge crocheted.
