the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
When a person hears the word art they typically think of paintings or sculpture, or possibly even architecture, but I think rarely do they think of a knitted item as art.
For the most part knitting is relegated to the realm of craft. But really, aren’t most crafted items art in their own right?
If a person creates something special, putting something of themselves into that piece, isn’t that the very definition of art? Wouldn’t you consider that person to be an artist?
Or is “'art” solely the purview of the painter and sculpter?
Ditto to all of the above. You take something like yarn and you create an object with it. The same as a painter with a bare canvas, paint, brushes. I told DH, when I first resumed knitting again last fall, it was so unlike sewing (which is an art in itself also), where you you take a piece of fabric, and cut it out, mold it into a garment, home decor, whatever, but with knitting you start with a piece of yarn and create the fabric itself. Now for this ‘artist’ to get back to ‘tinking’ her ugly afghan. I have a Ph.D in tinking and frogging by now.
Knitting is definitely an art IMHO. If you read the second part of the definition re: production of more than ordinary significance, I think we fit right in there. As well as the beauty and appeal. And isn’t a craft also an art?
As a oboist - I believe playing the instrument is also an art. A performing art. And the craft if hand making the reeds is also an art.
So no, art is not only the painter and sculpter. It is all of us who create beautiful items we have put a bit of ourselves into.
I see knitting as a form of art & a forn of therapy lol(until you realize half way back you dropped a stitch lol)…I have seen some of the most beautiful things knitted and yes to me it is art
I don’t think it’s an either/or question, but a continuum from craft to art. Or vice versa.
I think that if you make a sweater from a pattern, using the yarn suggested in the pattern and following directions exactly – it’s a craft, and nothing wrong with that.
If you adapt the pattern, change the yarn, fiddle with the fit and the details – it starts edging toward an art.
But if you use your own creativity to make an original item, if you reach into yourself and beyond yourself to find colors and fibers that express something about yourself, then knitting becomes an art.
I am leaning toward knitasha’s idea of the difference between craft and art. I have seen some beautiful knitted creations that I would for sure call art. My earlier work done completely from someone elses design I would consider more in the craft realm.
There are several painters that have their works considered as artists. I may not like their art, but they did it, and there are those that consider it as art.
As a knitter who knits items, I consider it an art. It isn’t a science per sey,even though there is science involved, so i consider it an art. There may be those who don’t consider my work art… but that is their choice.
Knitasha beat me to it–I was going to say that art is a form of self-expression, and I simply can’t follow a pattern…I change something (my choice of yarn, color, or background stitch) and make a pattern unique. By expressing myself in my handicrafts, I am an artist. As are all my friends here.
Great food for thought. Loved reading all the posts and others opinions. When you can see/feel the love, appreciate the time and energy(soul?) that someone has put into his/her creation then it is Art IMHO.
thehatlady
Oh definitely! Lately I’ve really been exploring this realm - knitting as art - and trying to choose yarns and patterns to match in the perfect combination for the maximum aesthetic quality. Knitted items are extremely function, but they can definitely be art as well.
