TOPSHAM — Maine Fiberarts is displaying the sculptural knitted work and clothing of Maine artist Katharine Cobey at its 13 Main St. gallery from Dec. 3 through Feb. 25.

The exhibition, “Diagonal Knitting: A Different Slant,” is a celebration of her new book by the same title recently published by Schoolhouse Press.

The new book, “Diagonal Knitting,” is the result of several decades of exploration into the knit stitch by Cobey, Maine’s 2010 Master Craft Artist, a title designated by the Maine Crafts Association.

For years, she has implored knitters to move away from printed patterns and toward studying shape and techniques that enable them to create original works.

The public is invited to attend a book signing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.

“Diagonal Knitting” is an exploration of knitted squares, triangles and rectangles, and how these shapes may be put together to create sweaters, coats, capes, dresses and more.

The exhibition will feature several pieces from the book, which will be available for purchase. One dramatic piece that will be installed in the gallery is “Ritual Against Homelessness,” a series of five coats — knit from simple squares that are folded and embellished — arranged in a circle.

“Inspiration often comes in bits and pieces. For ‘Ritual Against Homelessness,’ the women living on the streets in Washington, D.C., and what I had read about American trade blankets coalesced with the character of the unspun wool [a friend] had sent. I decided to make a circle of coats protesting homelessness,” Cobey explained.

An award-winning artist, Cobey has participated in national solo shows. In Maine, her work has been shown at the Portland Museum of Art, The Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Several of her works are on view in “Altering Matters: New Work by Maine Members of the Surface Design Association,” a show at the Atrium Art Gallery, Lewiston-Auburn College.

An accomplished master teaching artist, Cobey offers classes in spinning, knitting, diagonal knitting and design at her studio in Cushing.

Exhibits change every two months at the gallery, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.mainefiberarts.org or call 721-0678.