I explore unique and individual characteristics of materials, pattern, surface and form through knitting. My fascination lies in combining distinctive materials with ancient and fundamental techniques to build on the tradition of fiber as a language passed down through generations. Some of my pieces utilize a bed or a sofa as a framework, others explore the possibilities of knitting purely as art or soft sculpture.

— Adrienne Rogers

Adrienne Rogers’ blankets and throws are beautiful decorative textiles that are physically irresistible — when you see them you need to touch them. Or, perhaps more accurately, you want to wander over their surfaces and wrap yourself in their delicate fibers. To simply call Rogers’ creations textiles doesn’t begin to describe their presence or allure. They are knotted sculptures that expand into living, breathing forms.

Rogers’ approach to knitting is at once avant-garde and primal. Her forms are intriguingly original, yet they stem from the timeless human urge to surround oneself with warmth, softness and comfort. Their muted palette and rich textures seem drawn from nature: pine bark, driftwood, river rocks, and cloudscapes. At times her design emphasizes the spare beauty of repeating geometric shapes, other times the stitches form downy surfaces that invoke a handcrafted luxury.

“As with traditional Japanese architecture,” explains Rogers, “I strive to create work that is functional yet also stands alone as a thing of beauty.”

Taking her inspiration from architecture and fashion as well as the outdoors, she conceives of patterns that are then translated into novel stitches, producing elegant designs that are both delicate and bold. As the process evolves, a dialogue emerges between the yarn and the design, which extends to the surrounding materials, furnishings and interiors in which the finished piece is ultimately set. For this reason, interior designers and modern craft collectors who seek a clean-lined, contemporary aesthetic covet her custom-made, hand-knit textiles, reveling in how much can be achieved with so little.

“What drives my designs and choice of materials is the ultimate texture that can be created using such basic tools as needles and a single, continuous thread.”

— Leslie Sherr, Critic/Curator, New York

My work is driven by the desire to create luxurious, dynamic textiles. Fiber speaks to me on a visceral level. I want each of my works to be visually seductive and beautiful, but also to offer an invitation to look beyond functionality and hand knitting, altering the expectations of what a blanket or throw is or should be.

I source luxurious yarns from mills throughout the world. I primarily source yarns from mills in Italy and Japan where fiber has been an integral part of their cultures for centuries. Communicating the essence of the yarn is one the foundations of the work. I strive for depth and subtle variation utilizing rhythmic patterns and a neutral palette. I consider how the color and pattern will reflect light and create shadows. The weight and inherent texture of the yarn may result in textiles that are sculptural, ethereal, and are never static.

I want my interpretation of materials and techniques to stimulate the imagination and for the individual to ultimately determine how they would incorporate the piece into their life. I hope to encourage others to delve into the world of knitting and fiber and return with a sense of possibility.

— Adrienne Rogers, New York