KnitWell: exploring the transformative power of creative knitting as a new model of craft therapy

KnitWell：探索创意编织作为工艺治疗新模式的变革力量

• 批准号: 2278786
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Nottingham Trent University
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2019 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2278786
• 关键词: KnitWell; exploring; transformative; power; creative

This project aims to critically and creatively explore knitting outside the realms of mindfulness, encompassing creativity to create a visual journey to our innermost thoughts, creating a non-verbal tool for self-expression and reflection, through both the process and the product. Focussing upon how we can embrace the creative aspect of knitting as a therapeutic outlet, subsequent areas of investigation include the value held within colour, stitch and texture choice and the method by which knitting can be made accessible as a creative outlet within the NHS. Developing Hood's (2018) concept of knitting as a sacred space, this project explores how the continuity of knitting a singular item can be used as a tool for constant self-reflection. Knitting holds a rich textured layering of information that can only be accurately decoded by the maker. This takes the form of not only the tools given i.e. the colour and texture of the yarn, but also other physical markers embedded within the material. For example, stress may cause a loss of concentration and therefore dropped stitches, while tension in the body may translate to tension in the fabric. This offers knitting as a form of daily and long term reflection across a vast palette of personal representation. This practice-led research represents an ongoing ethnographic process, as proven within my Masters research, utilising qualitative data collection, as an ever-evolving loop of knitted reflection. My professional and academic background are uniquely suited to a practice-led research approach. After graduating with First Class BA (Hons) Fashion Design, I won support from the Prince's Trust to open my own knitting business, Ewe Knit 20 in 2013. Ewe Knit 20 created the opportunity to build a thriving community of crafters. Whilst engaging with this community, it was brought to my attention that for a number of people, knitting was a form of release.Recognising Myzelev's (2016) notion of the slow, repetitious actions that enable a knitter to release the pressures they carry around, I built this idea into my interactions within the shop. With the knowledge and insight gained from Ewe Knit 20, I completed my Masters with Distinction in 2018. I presented my research at In the Loop knitting conference (Winchester 2018), delivering a paper entitled 'Co-Design and Collaboration in the KnitWell project: using colour and emotion to enhance wellbeing through a knitting collective.' This research is currently being developed as an article for Craft Journal. The majority of current research focuses on 'art therapy' as an umbrella group, not considering the uniqueness of knit. A major factor in craft for wellbeing is the social connectivity you can achieve through crafting rather than individual reflection. In this respect, my research builds upon the work of Myzelev (2016), and the creation of a sanctuary from our frantic day-to-day lives, where we are able to come together within social knitting situations, whilst still having opportunity to reflect on oneself simultaneously. Wide-ranging literature discusses knitting for wellbeing. However, what this project aims to do is exploit the tactility of knit as a material process and visual tool. My project is different from previous research through embracing knitting as a creative outlet, not simply focussing on developing a meditative mind state (Corkhill:2014). Considering aspects already identified in previous art therapy research that considers the craft in terms of material and space (Cruwys, 2016, Desmarais, 2016, Renehan, 2015, Mayne, 2016, Townsend & Niedderer, 2016), I aim to evolve the position that the only therapeutic benefit that knit holds is in its physicality. Taking on board Wilson's (2014) research, considering the unique qualities of knit and exploring all creative factors, and the ability to embrace non-verbal communication this project aims to endow its participants with a creative lifeline through knit.

该项目旨在批判性和创造性地探索正念领域之外的编织，包括创造力，创造一个通往我们内心深处的视觉之旅，通过过程和产品创造一个自我表达和反思的非语言工具。专注于我们如何能够拥抱针织作为一种治疗出口的创造性方面，随后的调查领域包括颜色，针脚和纹理选择中的价值，以及针织可以作为NHS内的创造性出口的方法。发展胡德（2018）的针织作为一个神圣的空间的概念，这个项目探讨了如何编织一个单一的项目的连续性可以被用来作为一个不断自我反思的工具。针织拥有丰富的纹理层次的信息，只能准确地解码的制造商。这不仅体现在给定的工具上，即纱线的颜色和纹理，还体现在材料中嵌入的其他物理标记上。例如，应力可能会导致集中度的损失，从而导致缝线脱落，而身体中的张力可能会转化为织物中的张力。这提供了编织作为一种形式的日常和长期的反映在一个巨大的调色板的个人代表。这种以实践为主导的研究代表了一个正在进行的民族志过程，正如我的硕士研究所证明的那样，利用定性数据收集，作为一个不断发展的编织反射循环。我的专业和学术背景非常适合以实践为导向的研究方法。在以一等BA（荣誉）时装设计毕业后，我赢得了王子信托基金的支持，于2013年开设了自己的针织业务Ewe Knit 20。Ewe Knit 20创造了建立一个繁荣的社区的机会。在与这个社区接触的过程中，我注意到，对许多人来说，编织是一种释放。认识到Myzelev（2016）关于缓慢、重复的动作能够让编织者释放他们所携带的压力的概念，我将这个想法融入了我在商店内的互动中。凭借从Ewe Knit 20获得的知识和洞察力，我在2018年以优异成绩完成了硕士学位。我在In the Loop针织会议（Winchester 2018）上展示了我的研究，发表了一篇题为“KnitWell项目中的共同设计和协作：通过针织集体使用颜色和情感来增强幸福感”的论文。这项研究目前正在作为一篇文章发表在《工艺杂志》上。目前的研究大多集中在“艺术治疗”作为一个伞组，而不是考虑针织的独特性。手工艺的一个主要因素是你可以通过手工艺而不是个人反思来实现社会联系。在这方面，我的研究建立在Myzelev（2016）的工作基础上，并从我们疯狂的日常生活中创造了一个避难所，在那里我们能够在社会编织的情况下走到一起，同时仍然有机会同时反思自己。广泛的文献讨论针织的福祉。然而，这个项目的目的是开发针织作为一种物质过程和视觉工具的能力。我的项目与以前的研究不同，通过拥抱针织作为一种创造性的出口，而不仅仅是专注于发展冥想的心态（Corkhill：2014）。考虑到之前的艺术治疗研究中已经确定的方面，这些研究从材料和空间的角度考虑工艺（Cruwys，2016，Desmarais，2016，Renehan，2015，Mayne，2016，汤森和Niedderer，2016），我的目标是发展针织的唯一治疗益处是它的物理性。采用Wilson（2014）的研究，考虑到针织的独特品质和探索所有创造性因素，以及接受非语言沟通的能力，该项目旨在通过针织赋予参与者创造性的生命线。