conversation pieces poncho

conversation pieces ponchoAn elegant, useful poncho. Extra fine 100% merino yarn is knitted on a slightly loose tension to give a silky drape. The pattern motif is engineered (rather than being a simple repeat) for the poncho. Our capes and ponchos have become a signature of Nielanell, loved by customers as an easy to wear alternative to a sweater or cardiganor as an instant injection of colour! Design The colour shifting motif is in part inspired by Anni Albers manipulation

An elegant, useful poncho. Extra-fine 100% merino yarn is knitted on a slightly loose tension to give a silky drape. The pattern motif is engineered (rather than being a simple repeat) for the poncho.

Our capes and ponchos have become a signature of Nielanell, loved by customers as an easy-to-wear alternative to a sweater or cardigan—or as an instant injection of colour!

Design

The colour-shifting motif is in part inspired by Anni Albers’ manipulation of a restricted palette to create further colour. Here, three yarns give six colours.

Browse other pieces in the Conversation Pieces knitwear collection.

Materials & manufacture

• 100% extra-fine merino wool
• Made in the Shetland Islands, Scotland

Sizing & fit

Sizes available: one size

• A (width): 57cm
• B (length): 67cm
• C (neck to longest point when worn): 80cm

Conversation Pieces textile in the Nielanell studio.

Design inspiration & process

Conversation Pieces is a celebration of friendship, and particularly the big ideas that we discuss with our friends. In the Covid era these in-person meetings have been suspended, so this collection is in a sense a time capsule of life before Covid.

I met with two artist friends, who both live in different countries, in London in early 2019. This was a trip for exhibition-going, an annual event, with one of the shows being Anni Albers at Tate.

I was so inspired by Albers' use of colour in her textiles

Albers work became the inspiration for a colour-shifting collection, worked in a restricted palette, which I combined with my ideas about discussion and debate. On these trips there is a great deal of debate! Our ideas on subjects can be so different, but they can also overlap—and be changed through discussion.

One of my linocuts produced during the design process, with Conversation Pieces swatches: the printed motif made its way into the textile.

I reached the final textile design through various steps, including linocut printing to create a motif.