Sandra Backlund: Knit Designer Extraordinaire

I recently happened upon a photo of Tilda Swinton, that delicious quirky fashion muse to Viktor & Rolf, wearing an intense layered dress whose filigreed crocheted bodice resembled a crocheted corset, and whose skirt dissolved into something resembling bulky sweaters piled on a floor (click for closeup):

Tilda Swinton wearing Sandra Backlund knit & crocheted dress

A knitter and crocheter myself, it has always frustrated me the lack of avant  garde fashion patterns for yarn crafts, which often seem to be marketed to middle-aged mid-westerners and not so much to quirky, experimental fashionistas. It was therefore with extra relish that I explored the web and Sandra Backlund”s own site for more knit fashion inspiration. She tends to favor super-bulky yarns that really show off stitches in high relief, taming the yarn to create bold geometric shapes. It’s truly incredible how she creates such stiff, specific shapes and structures out of stretchy, soft yarn.

Here are my favorites:

knit & crocheted dress – Pool Position collection

In No Time collection

In No Time collection

Last Breath Bruises collection

Blank Page collection

Body Skin and Hair collection

crocheted turban and sweater

Now, if only someone would publish the patterns, I could get started on my own Sandra Backlund/Tove creations!