Gosh, it feels like yesterday I finally made the leap from having This Thing of Paper in my head to sharing the project with you all. And yet today I can finally share the Kickstarter page with you. Yes, it is now live and will run for the next thirty days (until June 22 at 9.40am GMT).
To summarise, This Thing of Paper is a knitting book with ten patterns and accompanying essays - all inspired by the age of Johan Gutenberg and the invention of the printing press. I have chosen to do this book as a Kickstarter because I want to produce a quality book; a book that is as beautiful to hold and read as the patterns will be to knit and wear.
You can read my full introduction here. I have also blogged about my design considerations as well as being transparent about how my budget works.
All the patterns inside This Thing of Paper form parts of a book, both figuratively and literally. They are divided into three distinct stories:
Story 1: Manuscript. The story of handmade manuscripts and the people who worked on making them. This story features one garment and two accessories. The colour palette is rich and sumptuous.
Story 2: Invention. The story of the period in which Johannes Gutenberg transformed book production. This story features one garment and three accessories. The colour palette is more restrained but still features saturated colours.
Story 3: Printed. The story of when printed matter became more commonplace and helped spread information across Europe. This story features one garment and two accessories. The colour palette veers towards naturals with accent colours.
The three garments will come in seven sizes, whilst the accessories will come in two or more. All patterns cater to a range of difficulties. Unfamiliar techniques will be explained. All patterns (bar one lace project) will be both charted and written out.
I have a marvellous blog tour coming up filled with people whose work I admire so very much. It is a such huge thrill to have them write about This Thing of Paper.
May 26: Naomi Parkhurst
May 27: Meg Roper
May 30: Natalie Servant
June 1: Jacqui Harding
June 6: Woolly Wormhead
June 8: Tom of Holland / Tom van Deijnen
June 10: Ella Austin
June 13: Leona Jayne Kelly of Fluph
June 15: JacquelineM
June 16: Felix Ford/KNITSONIK
June 17: Clare Devine
June 20: Dianna Walla
Yowza! I have tried to come up with an interesting combination of people who would each approach the project in their own way.
And there you have it. From an idea back in 2012 to a Kickstarter that launches today. I really hope you like it.