Course Description

The programme is composed of four major course units, which collectively form a foundation for creative design.

• Knitting and Sewing Techniques – 15 ECTS
• Drawing - 5 ECTS
• Pattern Construction - 5 ECTS
• Subject Theory - 5 ECTS

(The weighting of the respective courses reflects the emphasis of the study programme) Each major course unit is divided up into course units which are intended to shed light on the major course unit. The first three major course units mentioned above constitute the major part of the course and are practically oriented. The fourth major course unit, Subject Theory, is related to the other three major course units.

The course comprises 6 one-week workshops, from Monday – Friday, 3 in the autumn semester, and 3 in the spring semester. In addition, there is a final workshop in which students submit and present their final assignment. Attendance at the workshops is obligatory. The teaching given during the workshops will provide students with the knowledge they will need to help them progress throughout the course.

In the workshops the various sewing and knitting techniques which form the basis for machine knitting will be taught. Students must gain skills in and knowledge of drawing, pattern construction and subject theory if they are to exploit the knowledge they will acquire within the technical fields in their own design projects. The course therefore aims to integrate knowledge from these major course units throughout the whole of the course.

Major course unit 1: Knitting and Sewing Techniques

Aims

Students will gain knowledge of how a knitting machine functions, which patterns it has been constructed for, how these function and which possibilities this offers for expression in flat and structured patterns.

Students will also gain knowledge about decrease/increase stitching and sewing together which may be used in designing shapes and in order to give a product a good finish.

This knowledge may be used as a tool for students’ designing and creation of their own products.

Course units

• Various Pattern Techniques such as Fair Isle, Thread Lace, Weaving, Skip and Tuck
• Edges, Plans, Decrease/Increase Techniques
• Manually manipulated Patterns and Effects
• Sewing Together Techniques, by Hand and Using a Machine (Overlock, Links and Sewing Machine)

Major course unit 2: Drawing

Aims

Students will practice and develop their creative abilities in order to create their own distinctive design in knitted textiles.

Course units

• From Idea to Product, Product Development Methods
• Drawing of Cut and Shape – Primary Cut, Body Fit and Frill
• Drawing and Composition of Stitch, Flat and Structured Patterns
• Translating Drawings of Stitch, Flat and Structured Patterns into Various Pattern Techniques on a Knitting Machine

Major course unit 3: Pattern Construction

Aims

Students will learn the basic elements of pattern construction and be able to transform ideas and sketches into products. Based on the pattern construction students will learn to adapt patterns and themes for knitting plans for machine.

Course units

• Construction Principles for Primary Cut, Frills, Body-Fit Shapes, Trousers and Skirts
• Working Out Plans
• Combining Cut and Theme in Designing New Products

Major course unit 4: Subject Theory

Aims

Subject theory aims to shed light on the various aspects of the subject of knitting, both from a historical perspective and in relation to fashions, basic aesthetic knowledge, knowledge of materials. It also aims to provide students with a tool that will enable them to work creatively and systematically.

Course units

• Aesthetics
• History of Costumes
• History of Knitting
• Knowledge of Materials
• R & D Methodology

Assessment Methods

There should be correspondence between aims, content, teaching and learning methods and the assessment of the course. The assessment is an important part of the course and will take the form of written feedback on how students have managed to carry out assignments between workshops and in feedback/discussions in the workshops.

Course requirements

In order to be awarded a diploma the student must meet the following course requirements:

• Four home assignments (an assignment given after every one of the first four workshops) must be submitted before the specified deadline and approved. The assignments are designed so that the student will be able to work independently on specific subject problems which will help the student achieve the aims of the course.
• In Assignment 1 students will work on understanding techniques, material quality and complete solutions/finish.
• Assignment 2 emphasises the acquisition of knowledge of design/cut, use of colour and finishing the product.
• Assignment 3 will focus on design/cut, themes and colour compositions.
• In Assignment 4 the students will work with problems related to the theoretical syllabus.
• Students must receive a passing mark in the final assignment. The final assignment includes obligatory individual supervision which the student must follow up. The final assignment is an independent R & D task. The R & D task must include elements from all the major course units and should document knowledge of these courses: knitting – sewing techniques, drawing, pattern construction and subject theory. The student must have his/her project description approved, as this will form the basis for the work with the final assignment. This is a requirement which will ensure that the student selects an assignment which corresponds to the aims of the course.

The final assignment will be presented/exhibited during the “Arts and Handicrafts Days”.

• Approved obligatory attendance of teaching, minimum requirement 80% participation.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria will vary in relation to what is emphasised in the respective assignments. This is specified in the assignment descriptions. For the course as a whole, the following criteria will be important:

• Use of technical measures in relation to the choice of materials, function and theme
• Technical skills
• Use of aesthetic effects and ability to produce a complete product
• Independence and reflection in relation to student’s own creative work
• Student’s ability and will to think creatively
• Ability to develop ideas and transfer these to finished products
• Ability to work professionally and documentation/presentation

Assessment

All of the course requirements are included in the assessment. The weighting of the grade is as follows:

• 4 home assignments: pass/fail.
• Obligatory participation: pass/fail.
• Final assignment counts for 100% of the final grade for the course.

A grade is allocated for the course based on the final assignment. The grade scale is from A to F, where A is the highest grade and E the lowest passing grade. Please refer to Telemark University College Examination regulations for more information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean