I am compiling a list of books, journal articles and websites which I will post on here in due curse. Do you have any ideas?
Richard Rutt's History of Hand Knitting is fascinating in discovery of the the content, but rather boring in writing style. Marie Hartley and Joan Ingilby have written a wonderful overview of The Old Hand-Knitters of the Dales.
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2 comments:
Well maybe I'm a knitting geek, but I really enjoyed Richard Rutt's book! I even took it to bed with me, as it was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I love to find out about the background of a craft; the idea of knitting really fine, full-leg-length stockings for King Henry VIII, in a lovely silk, with all that shaping... well, that's what I call skill! To get a glimpse into history from a slightly different angle by finding out about how knitting contributed to the country's, let alone the family's, economy, adds value to hand-work skills such as knitting, for me. Even more value, I should say, as I'm proud to be a knitter and keen to refine and improve my skills. But I don't think I'm up to knitting stockings for royalty just yet!
I actually enjoyed the book, but perhaps I am not so much focused on knitting technique but rather the social aspects of doing knitting. The extent of coverage is fantastic but I think there is even more knowledge outt here. I feel very strongly that hand knitting, along with a lot of other sorts of women's work is undervalued or hidden from the contrinution that women, and men knitters, have made to the family, community and country in social and economic terms.
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