The Knitting Chair: from mid-century to modern day
2018 saw the reissue of Danish designer Ib Kofod-Larsen’s classic Knitting Chair - and you can get yours exclusively at Nest.
Originally designed in 1951, Ib Kofod-Larsen’s Knitting Chair was first presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition, where it received widespread critical acclaim.
A prominent figure in Danish Modernism, Ib Kofod-Larsen’s creativity encompassed a rare instinct for proportion, materials, and human comfort, which brought him recognition well beyond Denmark’s borders and earned him the title of bestselling Danish architect in the US in the 1950s.
The chair’s specific sounding name reflects it’s intended purpose and is supported by the design - the cut-out sections have been specially designed to rest your elbows in while knitting. It also features a gently curved back and seat for optimum relaxation, and a sleek triangular frame, characteristic of the mid-century movement.
While we may not be wielding knitting needles quite as much as we did back in the 1950s, the chair’s beautiful design has certainly endured. The elbow rests within the chair are just as useful today whether you’re unwinding with the daily paper, playing on your smartphone, or, indeed, knitting.
A closer look
- Beautiful from every angle and adaptive to many environments.
- Security and comfort - the result of Kofod-Larsen’s constant care to ensure ideal angles and lumbar support.
- Sculptural details - a striking shape with clean, simple lines achieved through close partnership with skilled woodworkers.
“Ib’s furniture was rooted in reality,” says the designer’s son, Jan Kofod-Larsen. “He took a lot of pride in his work, and was iterative in the design process, working closely with his manufacturers to get every detail just right. His hope was to create a design that would endure, both functionally and aesthetically.”
A perfect union
A clear parallel runs between Ib’s intention for this iconic design and Audo Copenhagen’s design philosophy: both hold a strong approach and determined focus on creating for the future while acknowledging the past. Audo Copenhagen’s ethos of uniting old and new is a concept that allows their designs to continue surprising customers with new expressions of classic Scandinavian values.
The Knitting Chair pays tribute to the roots of their story, presenting a 1950s design classic that embodies every Audo Copenhagen design value. Innovation, stunning materials, calm, natural tones and the unrivalled ability to enliven spaces that shape our lives with the versatility to meet real human needs.
The Knitting Chair was first produced as a limited edition in the 1950s and, shortly after, became a highly sought-after, collectable item. Today, Menu reissues the chair in a limited run of just 99. With a new dark, solid oak frame and sumptuous grey Aniline leather upholstery, we predict the same destiny this time around too.
Nest is thrilled to offer the Knitting Chair exclusively from September 2018, and it can be purchased online now.
