The Kent State University (KSU) Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition, Knitting Beyond the Body. When you think about today’s technological advances, knitting may not be the first activity that comes to mind. However, this ancient craft is at the forefront of exciting research and innovation across many industries including automotive, medical, architecture, interior design and, of course, fashion.

Knitting Beyond the Body is organized into five sections: "Introduction" displays examples of garments from the 20th century; "The Body" looks at 21st century garments and medical applications; "Place" showcases products for the home and office; "On the Move" shows knits applications for automobiles, skateboards, and more; "The Future is Now" features Irmandy Wicaksono's projects, the Tapis Magique and KnittedKeyboard, and highlights innovative architecture that is knit, interactive devices, and research in a range of fields. Visitors will enjoy hand-knit items, as well as machine and technical knits by familiar names like Missoni, Miyake, Nike, and less familiar brands including TeKnit, Stoll, and Myant.

The exhibition opens September 29, 2023 and continues through August 2024. Knitting Beyond the Body is made possible by presenting partner Linda Harper, partner Leslie Royce Resnik, supporting partner Duvaltex, as well as Stoll by Karl Meyer, Pat Brownell, and a sustainability grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

A digital catalog can be accessed here.