Kuopio Academy of Design. Workshops in Finland

So my weeks in Finland were amazing.  Helsinki is a gorgeous city, and of course inspiring. In the minus degree weather I spent my days ducking in and out of coffee roasters, relishing the local traditions of cinnamon buns and salmon soup.... inbetween visits to the Design Museum, 2 floors of Marimmeko and cool little design shops.  I caught the first Helsinki snow, and was amazed at the fact bikes are parked unlocked.  There's obviously no Damos and Darrens in this part of the world.
Kuopio Academy of Design is in central Finland surrounded by lakes and forests.  I was there to deliver some workshops, and gave a 2 hour public lecture (phew!), and put together a exhibition.  I worked with a group of second year fashion and textile students teaching the concepts of Construction Knitting, and applying these techniques for machine knitting processes.  I loved working with these girls.  With minimal direction, they grasped the concept and channeled the work into their own thing.  While some girls were in it for learning and developing technique, others were working the theme into their designs and collections.  Overall a great experience for observing user participation and co-design potential of Construction Knitting.  The Kuopio Design Academy liked this work; so much, that in conjunction with the Finnish Craft Council they are publishing Construction No. 3 pattern in the Finnish language. 

Construction Knitting

If you're wondering why this blog has been so quiet, it's because most of my year has been spent working on a Master's of Design Research project; amalgamating the Construction Knitting method into a theory bound concept....... this is what my Construction Knitting package looks like now.

So, this neat little academic package is also now off to Finland to the Kuopio Academy of Design, as I've been invited to conduct workshops and lectures to the school!  This condensed box of essentially years worth of practice led research is traveling accompanied by wooli kits, patterns and needles for making exercises with the Finnish students.