Viola Schmidt, who is currently studying for her master’s degree in design with a focus on artistic design at the Texoversum Textiles faculty at Reutlingen University, took home the renowned design prize Feel the Yarn for 2024 in Florence. She also won 5,000 euros in prize money.

Schmidt created her award-winning design ‘Closer Distance’ at the state-of-the-art laboratory for stitching technology in the textiles faculty. In order to transform her vision into reality, Schmidt used an ADF 530-32 ki BcW multi-gauge flat knitting machine from Stoll, which is available to students at Reutlingen University along with other Stoll machine models. The high-quality merino wool and silk yarns that feature in the design were provided by Filatura Tollegno 1900 S.r.l.

Closer Distance, which won over the international jury and visitors to the Pitti Filati trade fair, is inspired by the changing perception of proximity and distance spurred by technology. Red colours, an elegant yet progressive look and an elaborate layering method give the outfit its eye-catching appeal. Notably, the design is fully fashioned and knitted seamlessly in certain parts – a procedure whereby neither cut edges nor waste material are produced, underlining Schmidt’s sustainable work method.

One of the sources where Viola Schmidt found inspiration when producing her design was in the creative knitting patterns available on the Stoll Pattern Shop. She downloaded some of the patterns free of charge and used them as a starting point for her design, including the pattern 1910052 for a fully fashioned coat with Stoll weave-in  technology. Schmidt also experimented with other knitting techniques, incorporating floats, ajour stitching and plating techniques into her fashion items. The dress and jumper featured in the outfit were independently designed from scratch by Schmidt.

“Viola Schmidt’s design impressively exemplifies how the Stoll Pattern Shop can be used as a valuable resource for design and technique without requiring decades of knitting experience. We are highly impressed by Viola’s knitted design and of course overjoyed that her work has been celebrated on an international platform! We hope that Viola will keep on coming up with great designs drawing on patterns from our Pattern Shop and wish her all the best for her career,” said Ellen Judith Müller, Designer, Fashion & Technology department at Stoll.

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