The Knitted eBook

The Knitted eBook Version 1.1 ISBN 978-1-910029-28-2 2017

by Sam Meech & Milton Keynes Libraries’ Knitters Published by Re-Dock in partnership with Milton Keynes Libraries and Burning Bridges special thanks to Manchester Metropolitan University licensed under Creative Commons (Attribution 4.0 International)

Digitalis: Art in libraries The idea of knitting a book was a bizarre concept to us and our knitting fraternity within Milton Keynes Libraries. However when we saw the type of work Sam Meech was creating we knew we had to work with him in Milton Keynes.

This book celebrates the work and stories of over 100 participants that took part in 12 workshops and combines traditional knitting patterns with technology. At the start of the project there was nervousness from participants but this was soon removed once they began creating the artworks and a waiting list formed the remainder of Sam’s sessions.

The project was part of a £90,000 Arts Council England funded project to bring digital arts into 5

Milton Keynes Libraries through commissioning and workshops. Sam Meech was one the artists commissioned in partnership with Burning Bridges throughout 2014 & 2015. Each square has been sewn together like a quilt and is hung in the Central Library and will remain in the library’s art collection.

Lucy Bedford, Arts Development Officer Michelle Herriman, Librarian

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BOOKS TO BINARY My background is in working with digital art, but I have spent the last 3 years exploring something very different: knitting. I say different, but what I have come to realise is that there are an extraordinary number of parallels between digital processes and textile design.

Indeed, the development of textiles technology goes hand-in-hand with the development of digital technology. The punchcards that programmed early computers were a technology borrowed from factory weaving looms - a binary system of instructions saved on a card. I use domestic knitting machines to find ways to play with these parallels, and to share the process of design with others.

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Working in a library brings a particularly interesting perspective to this practice, as the spaces themselves are adapting to a shift in technology. The development of the eBook format raises questions about how information is stored, accessed and distributed, and the role of libraries. Libraries now exist both in a traditional physical space as well as an online space in which the books can be accessed without any physical interaction with the library.

Over several workshops we have managed to capture, interpret, encode and knit over 50 books - building our own library of ‘digitised’ publications. We have created designs on traditional punchcards, converted key texts to encrypted binary patterns, or scanned existing book covers to create lo-res designs. Whilst many of the knitted images do not contain the detail of the original cover, they possess an important quality - they are digital and therefore easily copied and shared.

Knitting patterns and tips have traditionally been distributed in print, through magazines, but also through self-publishing - sometimes copyrighted, sometimes for free. By creating a self-published eBook archive of our work, we 10

are able to update this model of distribution, allowing access to the designs and and insight into the process for free, with no material cost.

Textiles seem to bring people together, and so it felt right to combine the many designs into one giant banner. The final knitted artwork hopefully encourages people think about how books are changing, and how libraries can be a portal to access culture, be it digital, physical or social.

Sam Meech - artist, Re-Dock

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THE BANNER

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THE DESIGNS

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POOH & THE PSYCHOLOGISTS John Tyerman Williams

I enjoyed this book. One of the reasons I liked it is that it looks at well loved stories from an interesting perspective. Looking at how Winnie the Pooh helps his friends and the ways in which his approach tallies with established psychological theories and best practise.

Helping rabbit to be less bossy and overbearing, Piglet overcome his fearfulness and befriending Eeyore while he’s depressed.

I did a design based on a repeating tree motif. It is a reference to the setting of the story where the characters all live.

Nicola Heyworth

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THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Kenneth Grahame

This was a favourite book as a child. I used to imagine the creatures living at the end of the garden. I loved Badger and played him in a school play. My children enjoyed the stories of the Wind in the Willows and loved the antics Toad got up to.

I chose the design from inside the cover of the book, as it was a simple design. Choosing green for the lettering and picture, white for the background. This book brings back many happy memories of my childhood. I hope to read the Wind in the Willows to my grandchildren when they are older.

Karen Stallman

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HEIDI

Johanna Spyri Designed by Theresa Britton

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JUST SO STORIES Rudyard Kipling

I was read this by my teacher Miss Claydon when I was seven. My imagination was captured by ‘The Elephant’s Child’ and and I begged my father to buy the book for me for the next Christmas. I have read the stories to my children and grandchildren – all from the same book. A real heirloom. Never go near the great green greasy Limpopo river!

Janet Mallindine

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THE SNOW CHILD Eowyn Ivey

This book is based in winter of the Alaskan 1920s. It has a magical realism and evokes also the privations of the settlers. It is written with the delicacy of snowfalls mixed with the beauty and cruelty of rural realism. It is full of emotion and was inspired by a Russian fairytale. I chose this book as it is very real whilst also leaving me wondering if the fairy tale is true.

The design portrayed to me a sense of bleak, dark coldness and a feeling of being inside the warm looking out on that scene of the snow child in the wood, Julie Featherstone

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STREAMS IN THE DESERT L.B. Cowman

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TREASURE ISLAND Robert Louis Stevenson

This was the first book I read by myself age 4. It took me about three weeks. I still have my copy – it cost 2/6d Llyn Chipperfield

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NOT TONIGHT DARLING, I’M KNITTING Betsy Hosegood

The title caught my eye. I’ve borrowed the book and heard other participants say that “it’s a good read”.

My design is part of the title and the text “K&P” (knit and purl).

Jean Beaver

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BABY’S FIRST BOOK Brenda Lewis

Designed by Diane Barford

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SON OF BLACK BEAUTY Phyllis Briggs

Designed by Sheila West

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THE CAT IN THE HAT Dr Seuss

Designed by Victoria Herring

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A CARDINAL SIN Hugh Conway Designed by Lois

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JANE EYRE

CHARLOTTE BRONTE Designed by Linda Collins

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GULLIVER GUINEAPIG’S MAGIC DIARY Designed by Tracy Camps

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF PANTS Kjartan Poskitt

Designed by Stella Fawks

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LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD Flora Thompson

I first read this book for GCE studies in 1965! I have re-read it many times and my copy is now falling apart. It evokes a different life in the early 20th century.

Diane Blackmore

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MIFFY - DEAR GRANDMA BUNNY Dick Bruna

Designed by Tracy Camps

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TYRONE THE HORRIBLE Hans Wilhelm

Designed by Sinead Allen

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THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY Rachel Joyce

Designed by Michelle Herriman

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FLOWER FAIRIES OF THE SPRING Cicely Mary Barker

Designed by Geraldine Mitten

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LADY OF HAY Barbara Erskine

This is a wonderful book of past and present lives intertwined with mystery and romance.

Travelling the world with a book, beautifully written.

Helen Baines

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STILL ALICE Lisa Genova

Designed by Michelle Herriman

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FUNNY BONES Janet & Allan Ahlberg Designed by Llyn Chipperfield

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WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD Diana Gabaldon

The last of the books in the series. My daughter and I have enjoyed the journey made by the two characters, Jamie and Claire Fraser. Better still the TV show has brought the characters to life.

Thoroughly enjoyable, didn’t want it to finish.

Jennie Penfold and Rachael Forrest

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MABEL LUCIE ATWELL – IN CROSS STITCH Leslie Norah Hills

Designed by Jean Decort

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GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU – COUNTING Sam McBratney

From a young age this book made an impression. To me it is about not just the love between a parent and child, but also about their interaction and the importance of engaging with each other. Since having a child of my own it has taken on a whole new meaning. The whispered words ‘to the moon and back’ at the end are true for the lengths parents would go for their little one.

Rowam Haleri

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CROSS STITCH Diana Gabaldon

Also known as ‘Outlander’. The first book in the eight-book saga following the life of Jamie Fraser and Claire. It was first published in 1991 and is now a major TV series. An incredible read – Diana’s writing is fantastic.

Jennie Penfold After many non-reading years this book series has got me back into reading. Diana’s books are now a daily part of my life and I travelled to Oxford last month to meet her. The book series has now just had its first series made which is proving a huge hit here and in the rest of the world.

Rachael Forrest 82

DORA THE EXPLORER - CHOO CHOO “This book is special to me and my grandchildren” Margaret Bere

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GRACE SKINCARE MAGAZINE

Although I enjoy reading I’m interested in health and skincare, hence Grace. By using these products for a number of years it was exciting to see how the brochure picture transposed into knitting. The workshop showed how technology and knitting can come together to produce quick and interesting designs.

Pat Rooks

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KICK ASS 3 Mark Millar

I always wanted to fight crime so I used the picture to inspire people to help fight crime. Say NO to crime!

Adam Bullard

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ALL IN THE MIND Alistair Campbell

I chose this book because it is about mental health and written by Alistair Campbell who is an ambassador for the mental health charity MIND. I try and support MIND myself and think Alistair Campbell is an inspiring ambassador.

The book cover is a strong image and has knitted up well as a pattern.

Lorraine Heyworth

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MK DONS LOGO

The Dons repeat pattern. It was a wonderful idea to do The Dons – should be proud of it.

Mick and Beth

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GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU – TO THE MOON AND BACK Sam McBratney

Since having a child of my own, this book has taken on a whole new meaning. To the moon and back are true for the lengths parents would go for their little one.

Rowann Haleri

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MY DIARY

BY KELLY ANN Liz Rettig

I chose this book because I feel I can relate to the character writing this story. I think she is right in a few things she says. I feel she is a bit like me. She doesn’t like the smell of alcohol and never wants to drink it ever in her life. She doesn’t want to have a boyfriend and likes to wear scruffy trousers. I also feel she is the same age as me and therefore she is going through the same situations as me. My book is about a girl in secondary school that is struggling with school because she is a tomboy and people tease her and aren’t that friendly to her. My design includes some ‘leafy’ patterns and hearts. The leaves almost look like flames. It is blue with a purply-pink colour.

Elizabeth 100

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT Beatrix Potter

Designed by Connie Slater

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THE SCOTTISH PRISONER Diana Gabaldon

This book was Designed as I’m currently reading the Outlander series. This book is an additional book to the series about the main character Jamie Fraser during his time in Ardsmuir prison.

Rachael Forrest

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JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL Richard Bach

I read this book some thirty years ago. The book inspired me then and having revisited it recently it still does. Jonathan teaches us all how we can better ourselves, but most importantly to be our own person. The message, that it is not always right to follow certain paths just because it is seen as the norm, is thought provoking.

The idea that through sheer tenacity and desire to keep learning we can achieve almost anything we put our minds to. Jonathan may only be a seagull but he soars high in my book!

I think my book cover was quite simple so my design is also simple. In contrast the book is quite profound.

Nuala Wilks 106

A STRANGE MOTHER M.L. Reid

This book is the autobiography I wrote of my life growing up as a child. It meant a lot to me to share with the world my experience as I suffered terribly in silence as a child. I am ok now and have broken free. The picture on the cover of the book shows my aunt showing me out of difficulty in a dream by handing me a baby. My mother made a decision that would change my life.

Maria Reid

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ANYONE CAN KNIT Libby Summers

I chose this book as it stimulated me to knit again. I had last knitted about 62 years ago and started again to teach my grand-daughter to knit. Her name is Ananya and she loves cats. So I started and have almost completed no.16 in this book called ‘Project Emily’. I have renewed the book a couple of times and borrowed it a couple of times from Olney Library. The design looks delightful and I am sure it has enthused me into knitting again.

Rama Kavan

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THE CLANGERS Peter Firmin

The Clangers are back on TV after many years.

As I am knitting a Clanger and thought it would be nice to do a book cover from The Clangers.

Karen Stallman

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DELIA SMITH’S SUMMER COLLECTION Deila Smith

I enjoy cooking and have enjoyed Delia Smith’s Cookery Courses on television. Her recipes are straight forward and easy to follow.

Janet Leighton

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ETHEL & ERNEST: A TRUE STORY Raymond Briggs

Designed by Nicky Thompson

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THE PIG OF HAPPINESS Edward Monkton

Designed by Diane Gorman

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HISTORY OF MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT Sir Frank Markham

I chose this book as the engine on the front cover is called “Bloomer” and was built at Wolverton Railway Works. (It’s now at Milton Keynes Museum). My grandfathers and my father and brother all worked in the railway works. The author Sir Frank Markham was the local MP for many years and was friends with my father-in-law.

Llyn Chipperfield

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HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Arthur Conan Doyle Designed by Erica Lugg

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THE QUILTER’S RECIPE BOOK Celia Eddy

I really like patchwork and quilting. My mother was a great patchwork person. In fact, at the local museum, there is a quilt on show which my mum helped to make quite a while ago now.

Jacqueline Abbott

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THE POISONWOOD BIBLE Barbara Kingsolver

sunrise tantalize evil eyes hypnotise: that is the monrning Congo pink Designed by Jayne Barrell

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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Harper Lee

I read this book when I was younger and it really caught me as such a simple yet striking novel.

The adventure in Scout’s world was something I’ll never forget, and who wouldn’t want a dad like Atticus? This was a real life-changing novel and one I’ll never forget!

Laura Fortune

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HOW TO SURVIVE THE LOSS OF A LOVE Melba Colgrove, Harold H. Bloomfield, Peter McWilliams

This book was purchased for me when I lost my husband to help me cope with his loss.

Rita Milne

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FADED WORDS Suki Crombet-Beolens

On a nail, In a cupboard, In a corner of my room Hangs an old string bag In the bottom Of a pocket In the old string bag, lies a book.

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RATTY’S SONG THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Kenneth Grahame “All along the back water, through the rushes tall, ducks are a dabbling, up tails all!”

Designed by Karen Stallman

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IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD Designed by Nicky Slater

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CROCODILE POEM ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND Lewis Carroll

Designed by Diane Barford

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FLOWERS

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MOOSE

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KNITTING NEEDLES Designed by Cherry Harris

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Sam Meech is an artist and videosmith working with people, projectors and machine knitting. His work includes large scale knitted data visualisations, public realm animations, community cinema installations and projection design for theatre.

He is also a co-director of Re-Dock, an artist collective that creates oportunities for collaborative design and critical discussion around technology with communities. www.smeech.co.uk www.re-dock.org

photo by Chris Paul Daniels, 2015 162

PROJECT PARTNERS supported by Milton Keynes Council & Milton Keynes Libraries Arts Council England Knitted eBook designed and delivered by Burning Bridges & Re-Dock

A compendium of knitting patterns inspired by classic texts, and produced on a hacked domestic knitting machine. Working with knitting groups at Milton Keynes Libraries, artist Sam Meech has managed to capture, interpret, encode and knit over 50 books, creating their own library of ‘digitised’ publications.

The final knitted pieces were stitched together into a giant banner, now on display at Milton Keynes Libraries. We share the designs and process in the proud tradition of self-publishing: distributing knitting patterns through print, and more recently online.

This book is also available in print from www.re-dock.org