I thought you might be interested in our unique and newly released children’s books – The Sweaterheads, The World’s First Knitted Books.
The author and creator, Susan Docherty, was a celebrated knitwear designer and ran her own knitwear business in Glasgow for 18 years. But her love of knitting went beyond creating clothes and garments for the rich and famous. To entertain her children she knitted an entire world – Intarsia, and filled it with inhabitants – The Sweaterheads.
Susan has put more than 50,000 hours and £100,000 into hand knitting every aspect of Intarsia, from the individual characters, to the Sun, Wind, moon and even clouds and snow. Susan knits without patterns and instead just starts knitting and creating, never quite knowing what is going to arrive on her needles. In Susan’s studio there is even a knitted and working miniature grandfather clock. Together, all of these intricate creations create the world of the Sweaterheads and are the World’s First Knitted Books.
Susan spent many years trying to find a publisher for her books, but constantly came across rejection after rejection. She was told that knitting was a dead art, no one would be interested. Other publishers dismissed her thinking that the books were trying to teach people to knit, not understanding that Susan used the medium of wool to express herself. That is what has made these books so unusual.
Unfortunately last year Susan Docherty fell into a coma for two months after a severe illness, but that still didn’t stop her from forging ahead with the publication of two books herself simultaneously, once her health had returned. Being turned down by publishers across the UK and nearly dying has only spurred Susan on, giving her the determination to succeed against the odds and introduce her creations – The Sweaterheads – to the world.
Once Susan has written and created the sets and props she then digitally photographs the characters to create a unique image. These truly are the World’s First Knitted Books. Seven years ago the BBC worked with Susan to create an animated version of the Sweaterheads, as they believed that the characters have cult potential, but Susan fell ill with ME at the time and had to stop the project. Now, without any funding or grants, Susan has laboured to publish and release the books herself in December 2004.
The books have been received with great enthusiasm since the launch and more information can be found on our website www.sweaterheads.com
You would be more than welcome to come and visit Susan’s studio in Glasgow and see the wonderful world she has created. I will also be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Submitted: 23 Feb 2005
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