Dezeen Magazine

Menu reissues a classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

Menu reissues classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

Danish brand Menu has reissued a lounge chair designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen in 1951, which has cut-outs for resting the elbows when knitting.

Suitably named the Knitting chair, the design was debuted in 1951 at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Furniture Exhibition, where it was shown alongside works by Hans J Wegner, Finn Juhl and Nanna Ditzel.

Menu reissues a classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

The sculptural chair has an exposed, triangular construction, a gently curved seat, tilted back and a back rest with distinctive cut-outs for resting the elbows when knitting or reading.

Its enveloping form has a relatively small footprint making it suitable for compact interiors.

"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 design that would endure, both functionally and aesthetically,"he  continued. "Ib would have been very happy to see that people continue to appreciate his furniture today."

Menu reissues a classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

At the time of its launch in the 1950s, the Knitting chair was a great success and cemented Kofod-Larsen's reputation as a master of Danish modernism.

It was put into production as a limited edition, and as a result became an increasingly valuable and sought-after collector's item.

"Our place as a leader and innovator in contemporary design is in fact rooted in tradition," said Joachim Kornbek Engell-Hansen, Menu's design and brand director.

"Our designers are masters of interpreting mid-century, modernist values and creating objects with unique personality. We call it Modernism Reimagined, and I can think of no better classic than Ib Kofod-Larsen's Knitting Chair to showcase the roots of this Menu concept."

Menu reissues a classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

Engell-Hansen added: "The chair demonstrates the universal appeal of clean, human design, created with a playful, thoughtful outlook. We think our customers will be as excited as we are to watch the Knitting Chair blossom in modern spaces."

Relaunched during Copenhagen's 3 Days of Design event, which took place from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 May 2018, the chair is available from September in dark stained solid oak with grey-brown leather.

Menu reissues a classic mid-century chair designed for knitting

The Knitting chair was not the only classic design to be reissued at 3 Days of Design last month.

Other highlights included a Hans J Wegner sofa and lounge chair revived by Carl Hansen & Søn and the C-Chair by French designer Marcel Gascoin, which was added to Danish brand Gubi's portfolio.