ALPHA_KNIT KNITTED TYPOGRAPHY DESIGNS
RE-DOCK & MAKER DIFFERENCE @ LIVERPOOL LIBRARIES COMPILED BY SAM MEECH
ALPHA_KNIT Dear Knitter (or Typographer) These knitting motifs and patterns were developed by young people and participants during several workshops in Liverpool Libraries. The workshops took place during Feburary - March 2018 at Toxteth Library, Norris Green Library, and Central Library in Liverpool. They were part of the MAKER DIFFERENCE programme. Each pattern will work with a standard size 24-stitch punchcard, as used by domestic knitting machines. For most people taking part in the workshops, this was their first time creating pixel typography or knitting with a machine. The designs have been faithfully reproduced here, as they were created. This knit-zine has been developed in the self-publishing tradition of knitting pattern booklets, in particular the series created by Wendy Phillips. In the 1980s, Wendy was a prolific knitter and pattern designer, creating numerous self-published collections of motifs, ranging from zoo animals to sports, many of which can still be found on ebay. The history of knitting and textiles is interwoven with an ethic of sharing, and in keeping with Re-Dock’s recent publications (such as Critical Kits), it is a pleasure to release our first pattern collection. Special thanks to Jonathan Hitchen, Joanne Hitchen and Marie Jones, who helped to deliver the (at times frantic) workshops. Most of all, a huge thankyou to all the young people (and their parents and guardians) who took part, creating some astounding type and pattern designs, that made even the most experienced typographers rethink what makes a fantastic letterform (or a great knitting pattern). Sam Meech (co-director Re-Dock / lead artist, Alpha_Knit) March 2018
This publication and the patterns inside are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International This edition (1.0) Published by Re-dock 2018 WWW.RE-DOCK.ORG
HP
(Harry Potter & ‘scar’) by Elizabeth (16) Norris Green Library
N by Sam workshop facilitator Based on Alison Weir’s book Six Tudor Queens
B by Mohammed (12) Toxteth Library Based on Adam Blade’s book Beast Quest
(Arabic character) by Omar Toxteth Library
v by Vaya Toxteth Library
s by Viyan (11) Toxteth Library
H by Haboon (9) Toxteth Library
ZiAd by Ziad (4) Central Library
Vihas by Vihas (5) Central Library
E by Evie (9) Central Library
H by Hannah (6) Central Library
DEVON! by Devon (6) Central Library
e by Victoria (7) Central Library
IZZY by Isabella (4) Central Library
coco by Ahmed (5) Central Library
BBBB by Yazeed (7) Central Library
L by Leo (4) Central Library
Seb by Seb (8) Central Library
c by Charlie (8) Central Library
c by Bobby (7) Central Library
BB by Bobby (7) Central Library
CB by Charlie (8) Central Library
PS by Phoebe (12) Norris Green Library
LEO by Leo (10) Norris Green Library
ES by Elizabeth (16) Norris Green Library
HOLLY by Nichola Norris Green Library
F by Faye (8) Central Library
Poppy by Poppy (10) Norris Green Library
MI by Martha (6) Norris Green Library
RW by Sam (workshop facilitator)
DAHIR by Dahir (4) Toxteth Library
DAHiR by Dahir (4) Toxteth Library
RAEA by Raea Toxteth Library
VAYA by Vaya (4) Toxteth Libary
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
2
2
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
4
3
3
1
2
1
1
• How can it repeat - across - up and down
• How many different ways it can be drawn?
• Draw your letter or character on the punchcard
LETTER / CHARACTER ___________
YOUR NAME ____________________
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
28
26
27
26
25
25
6 24
You can repeat in different ways
6
6
6
A punchcard is 24 pixels across A 6 x 6 pattern will repeat 4 times across the card
VHS by Viyan (11) Toxteth Library
SH by Shirin (9) Toxteth Library
HELIN by Helin (14) Toxteth Library
SIDRA by Sidra Toxteth Library
Y by Molly (5) Central Library
TRUCK by You Fairs Central Library
R by Raspberry (10) Central Library
B by Briony (4) Central Library
FELIX by Felix (7) Central Library
LEILA by Leila (6) Central Library
MILA by Mila Central Library
ZARA / LOVE by Teesha (10) Central Library
EDEN by Taylor (10) Central Library
Edurne by Edurne Central Library
M - MUM by Marta (11) Central Library
EVERTON by Oscar (8) Central Library
JESS by Jess (6) Central Library
SADIE / IZZY / ISLA / LOZA by Sadie (6) Central Library
A by Alex (Librarian) Toxteth Library
RANDOM by Oscar (3) Central Library
TYPE / WORK / SHOP by Joanne (workshop facilitator)
LOVE by Hwa Young Central Library
NIAMH and Aroush by Niamh Central Library
H / pattern by Hitch (workshop facilitator)
CREDITS This edition (1.0) Published by Re-dock 2018 WWW.RE-DOCK.ORG
Publication design by Sam Meech Alphaknit workshops developed and delivered by Sam Meech, Jonathan Hitchen, Joanne Hitchen and Marie Jones Alphaknit was part of the MAKER DIFFERENCE programme of artist workshops in Liverpool libraries 2018 www.makerdifferenceliverpool.org Supported by Liverpool City Council
This publication and the patterns inside are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
DESIGNS BY WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AT MAKER DIFFERENCE LIVERPOOL PUBLICATION DESIGN BY SAM MEECH PUBLISHED BY RE-DOCK 2018 WWW.RE-DOCK.ORG LICENSED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS Attribution 4.0 International