CLAUDIA KNOUS is a feltmaker and a sculptor. She uses both wet and needlefeltmaking techniques to create scarves, sculptures and wall pieces.
Silk, wool fiber, yarns and tortured fabrics (heat and chemically treated fabrics) are spread onto the table in a colorful and textural display. Soapy water is added and the fabrics are agitated by a combination of rolling and kneading. These techniques open up the scales on the wool fibers which entangle with each other and with layers of fabric to create a new fabric. The process is called “nuno" felting or laminated felting. These fiber combinations may be the beginnings of scarves, sculptures or wall pieces. Partially felted fabric may be wrapped around wood or wire forms to create whimsical felted figures. The fibers are then fulled. This involves vigorous agitation: e.g. aggressive kneading, throwing and vibrating of the fiber with an electric sander to encourage shrinking and tightening of the fiber. Felting needles are then used to sculpt wool fiber into 3 dimensional and textural finishing touches.
As she works, Claudia studies the progress of each piece and spontaneously creates what she sees happening in her work.
Claudia lives in Carson City, NV and hikes and skis in the Sierra Nevada where she documents colors, textures and designs used in her work.
Silk, wool fiber, yarns and tortured fabrics (heat and chemically treated fabrics) are spread onto the table in a colorful and textural display. Soapy water is added and the fabrics are agitated by a combination of rolling and kneading. These techniques open up the scales on the wool fibers which entangle with each other and with layers of fabric to create a new fabric. The process is called “nuno" felting or laminated felting. These fiber combinations may be the beginnings of scarves, sculptures or wall pieces. Partially felted fabric may be wrapped around wood or wire forms to create whimsical felted figures. The fibers are then fulled. This involves vigorous agitation: e.g. aggressive kneading, throwing and vibrating of the fiber with an electric sander to encourage shrinking and tightening of the fiber. Felting needles are then used to sculpt wool fiber into 3 dimensional and textural finishing touches.
As she works, Claudia studies the progress of each piece and spontaneously creates what she sees happening in her work.
Claudia lives in Carson City, NV and hikes and skis in the Sierra Nevada where she documents colors, textures and designs used in her work.
