I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING

Category: Apparel

Lucid dreams, a phenomenon where dreamers become aware of their dreaming state, often evoke a powerful mixture of fear and exhilaration. It is within this liminal space—where the dreamer recognizes the potential to transform nightmarish scenarios into something positive—that my knitting fashion project finds its essence. My creation, inspired by the transformative power of lucid dreams, captures the moment when one confronts fear, realizes it is a dream, and seizes control to alter the narrative. This project features two meticulously crafted pieces: a long black skirt and a grey top with exceptionally long sleeves, extending about 1.5 meters. Through these garments, I aim to encapsulate the duality of entrapment and liberation that characterizes lucid dreaming. The long black skirt is the foundation of this ensemble, representing the grounding element in the dream. It is crafted using a rib knitting technique, which provides a structured yet flexible texture, symbolizing the thin line between reality and the surreal nature of dreams. The skirt is made from a wool blend yarn with elastane, ensuring that it conforms to the wearer's shape, much like how dreams often mold to our subconscious thoughts and emotions. The material choice emphasizes the dynamic nature of dreams—constantly shifting, stretching, and reshaping themselves around us. Importantly, all the materials used in the knitting are natural, enhancing the organic connection between the wearer and the garment. Complementing the skirt is a grey top, notable for its unusually long sleeves and high neckline. These design elements are not merely aesthetic; they convey the sensation of being trapped within a dream, unable to move freely. The long sleeves wrap around the body, symbolizing the restrictive and often claustrophobic aspects of nightmares. However, the extended sleeves also serve a dual purpose—they can be seen as tools of empowerment within the dream, elements that can be manipulated to create a path towards control and transformation. The floating yarn technique employed in both garments introduces an ethereal quality, reinforcing the dreamlike state. This technique creates transparent sections in the fabric, using monofil yarn made from recycled materials to symbolize the "way out" of the nightmare. These transparent parts represent the light—the hope and realization that change is possible within the dream. They are strategically placed to guide the dreamer towards escape or transformation, mirroring the process of gaining lucidity and altering the dream's course. The high neckline of the top furthers the theme of restriction, echoing the feeling of suffocation that often accompanies terrifying dreams. Yet, this neckline also stands as a metaphor for protection, a shield against the chaos within the dream. It serves as a reminder that within the confines of our subconscious fears, there lies a potential for safety and control once lucidity is achieved. This project disrupts fast fashion norms by imbuing handmade knitted garments with profound meaning, fostering emotional attachment and discouraging disposable consumption. Through unique knitting techniques and themes like lucid dreaming, it elevates the significance of clothing, encouraging wearers to cherish and preserve their pieces. This shift towards valuing uniqueness and emotional connection not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes a more harmonious relationship between individuals and their clothing. As consumers embrace this mindset, it ripples into society, sparking a broader movement towards sustainable fashion and conscious consumption practices. However, knitting produces a small amount of excess yarn. I collect the yarn scraps produced at the ends of knitting and use them to stuff pillows. In this way, I have also given new meaning to the discarded yarn.