Kaffe Fassett's Design Process
If you want to work with a bolder and denser palette in your projects, Kaffe Fassett is a designer to study.
Kaffe loves working with complex combinations of colors and patterns. He began as a painter, but found a more engaging outlet for his creative drive in coming up with projects for textiles – quilting, knitting, and needlepoint.
In the video below, Kaffe talks about his process for creating knitting patterns. He shares the story of learning to knit after a chance encounter on a train, and how he uses inspiration from tartans, Fair Isle patterns, and carpets to come up with designs that are chock full of intricate color combinations and repeating patterns.
Kaffe has a vision that combines a Californian’s appreciation of intense light and color with a British regard for pattern and texture.
“There is something about knitting that is incredibly magical, though the activity of knitting is a wonderful thing to do. You’re rubbing two sticks together and out comes this kind of grid or net of color. And you can wear it. And you can make a combination of colors that are heartbreakingly beautiful. So, it’s sort of surreptitious art.” Kaffee Fassett
· Don't miss: Our blog posts How to Knit, How to Knit Like the Vikings, and How to Sew a Simple Quilt.
In another video, below, Design Indaba showcases Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, who describe their process of coming up with color palettes for knitting and quilting projects, emphasizing that they like to inspire others with their work.
“It’s one thing working with your hands but color is psychological…when you break it down into units it’s very small, and simple structures, and once you learn the basic techniques you can fly.”
· Kaffe Fassett's inspiring books can be found here.
Head over to Kaffee's website to watch more videos about his work and process.
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