With her bold and brightly colored collection of wool knit stools, UK-based textile designer Claire-Anne O'Brien shows that knits are not just for grannies anymore.
Inspired by elements of the knitted stitch, like rings and loops, O'Brien brought them to life by playing with scale and texture in her designs. The cozy knits feature exaggerated and detailed patterns stitched together by hand and machine in lambswool and sheep wool.
If you look at them long enough, I find that they start to take on a somewhat sci-fi feel, like a brain or a cellular structure — which makes them that much more interesting in my book.
See more of O'Brien's work at her website.
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(Images: Claire-Anne O'Brien)






White Enamel Flatwa...
In defense of grannies, their generation is responsible for the lovely midcentury design that half the house tours on this site are full of. Just saying. :-)
Enough with the condescending "granny" references already.
Actually, I think most grannies were children at mid-century. And, as they lived through the mid-century, probably are not big fans of mid-century design. However, I will say this: Long live grannies!
is it just me or do the first and last pics remind one of worms :(
Agree, @susrith. Actually, they all look like something one would see under a microscope... OK! We've skeeved me out now. .
*cough* bothmygrannieswouldhatethese *cough*
Ummmm... I don't really want to say what the yellow one looks like, but I know I don't want it in my house.
Enough with the condescending "granny" references already.
Agreed!
I like knitting, textured furniture and unique/artistic pieces. But frankly, I don't find these stools terribly attractive.
I'm not quite sure what the first and last look like, but I do know that they're somehow really icky! I wouldn't normally even click on something so...odd...but I was curious to know if I was the only one that felt this way. I guess not!
brains and other body parts ! i understand the granny ref. the ugly decor of the grannie floral wall paper, matching bed and curtians...its so rose camo i cant find anything!!!!
Couldn't think beyond the cliche granny reference, could ya? If you're a writer, have some pride, for goodness' sake!
Yeah, bowels and brains. Gross.
I like these. Then again, few things make me happier than a chunky knitted sweater, and that's what I thought of when I saw the stools. I can only imagine how good it would feel to sit on one of them!
Can we please stop with the the "not your granny's knit" variations? I think that label's been applied to pretty much everything done this millenium, with the exception of intentionally "granny-style" projects.
Granny-aged person here. Hate these, sorry. As has been said, they remind me of organic substances I'd prefer not be part of my decor!
(Also I have always despised most of the stuff certain younger people like to call "granny" such as mini floral print wallpaper, afghans, weird window treatments. So a little intelligent "political correctness" about choice of insults might be considered! Just sayin')
Reminds me of something from the ocean.
My inmature self can't help but to laugh at the word icky everytime I see it.