Anadolu zanaatlarını güncel tasarım ile yorumlamak: El örgüsü çoraplar

This thesis focuses on traditional handmade socks in relation with other disciplines to find ways for craft's sustainability. Handmade socks are cultural objects representing a region with their traditional production techniques and identical motifs. In Turkey socks were used as a way of self-expression through colors, motifs, and compositions; the motifs give an identity to the socks since each of them has a name and a meaning which is distinguishing. In the thesis, both traditional and contemporary features of handmade socks are studied considering the interaction between arts, crafts, and design. Since handmade socks are part of Turkey's intangible cultural heritage, the conservation and ownership is studied as methods of sustaining the heritage and the craft. Finally, since sock knitting is often a feminized craft in Turkey, relation between gender and handicrafts is studied to find ways for enlarging the audience for the future of handmade socks and their makers' wellbeing. This thesis has two parts; 1) the literature and contemporary approaches are reviewed in the following fields; arts, crafts, and design, cultural heritage, handmade socks and gender studies. 2) Five projects are developed and presented that suggest ways for sustaining handmade socks. Each of these projects focus on different aspects of handmade socks: 1) Motive of View suggest re-considering and re-using traditional socks motifs, 2) Socks from Turkey archives handmade socks for future generations in an interactive and informal way that socks become more visible objects, 3) Co-knitting Project suggests a new way to transfer the knowledge and craftsmanship, 4) Holding Together investigates handicrafts, labor, and value through metaphorical use of material, and 5) re-branding Yenikaraagac as a socks production center through the postcards and cultural routes which will make the region more visible, help local development, and encourage villagers to become socks makers again. In this thesis, I suggest participatory projects to sustain the makers and handmade socks within the current context. Considering the limited number of works done ,in the field of handmade socks, this thesis propose novel approachesfor the sustainability of this craft.