The course offers progressive learning of mechanical knitting techniques, specifically on Japanese double-bed manual knitting machines, BROTHER KH/KR 930-940.

The course begins with a technical segment exploring the capabilities of the available knitting machine setup. Simultaneously, a study will be conducted on the textile traditions of the Calascio region, grounding the project in local history and enriching it with anthropological context.
Materials will be locally sourced: natural wools, hand-spun yarns, and mountain plant-dyed fibers. In the second phase, participants will create a purposeful, functional, and engaging garment—from design to execution. Special attention will be given to selecting and executing finishing techniques.

Competenze in ingresso richieste per la fruizione del corso: Basic familiarity with manual and/or industrial knitting machines is required. 

The course's objective is for students to:
- familiarize themselves with knitting machines
- gradually learn knitting techniques, from sample to prototype
- encourage a creative approach: value accidents and mistakes as a source of inspiration
- promote the use of natural and local materials as well as plant-based dyes
- raise awareness of traditional woolens from rural areas
- encourage students to question their perception of familiar objects and renew their interpretations.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the following skills:
- Technical skills: understanding how the machine works, finding a precise gesture and learning how to create a technical sheet
- Materials knowledge: different yarn size, their intrinsic qualities (texture, elasticity, brightness, regularity, etc.) and their constraints
- Hand-eye coordination: exploring the direct connection between the machine, the eye, the gesture and the hand
- Color and proportions: vanishing, mouliné, jacquards; finding the right proportions and harmonizing color
- Finishing: integrating a good understanding of shapes and contours; exploring different possible finishes
- Creativity: learning to transform a traditional element into a contemporary object by adopting the original codes and techniques.

That is what I am interested in. Co-existing, co-creating together

Anne Germe is a French artist based in Brussels, transforming existing textiles through knitting, darning, and embroidery to create radical, durable pieces. Her practice blends traditional craftsmanship with sustainability, using locally sourced yarns and minimizing waste.

After years prototyping for fashion designers, following a frantic production schedule and rapidly changing trends, Anne Germe's knits allow attention to detail and into the act of repairing and reinforcing textiles that have the immodest ambition of lasting forever or long. After years, she developed an archive of wools and samples for poetic creations inspired by rural patterns. She teaches sustainable knitting techniques and in 2022 led the course "Mountain Knitwear: Contemporary Designs with Abruzzo Wools and Vintage Machinery" in Italy, alongside a residency at Casa Clementina for textile research.

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  • Residency at Casa Clementina