The Nativity is a small-scale conceptual cardigan inspired by a 16th century altarpiece painted by Gerard David entitled: The Nativity with Donors and Saints Jerome and Leonard. It is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Toys and Miniatrues in Kansas City, MO.
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Drafting the original design took several months and knitting it took just over a year. Each of the over 50,000 stitches have been hand knit, using over 70 individual colors of fine silk thread to create the complex design. Knitting needles made with 0.015" surgical stainless steel wires and high powered magnification allowed for a gauge of 64 stitches/inch--giving as as much detail as possible while still keeping it within a 1/12th scale.
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​The arch of the collar and at the top of the sleeves as well as the complex cabled knots that run the length of the sleeves represent the architectural vaulting and design elements of 16th century Netherlandish cathedrals. The tiny cabling under the sleeves hinge the front panels to the back and the buttons bands and hem frame the knitted triptych.
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Twelve hand-turned 18K gold shank buttons adorn the front--One to represent each month it took to knit.
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