A Knitted Cotton Jacket in the Collection of the Knitting and Crochet Guild of Great Britain

Abstract

This article considers a surviving garment for what can and cannot be learned through an object analysis, and suggests that comparison with other sources can increase the value of the available evidence. The article argues that focusing on the technical decisions made during knitting provides insights into the understanding and assumptions of the knitter and allows for tentative conclusions to be reached about working practices.

This article is based on research done for my MPhil thesis, for which I received financial assistance from the Pasold Research Fund. I remain indebted to my supervisors, Maria Hayward and Frances Leonard, and to staff at the Textile Conservation Centre in Winchester. For access to collections and for permission to use photographs I wish to express my thanks to the Board of Directors of the Knitting and Crochet Guild, Meg Andrews, Miles Lambert at the Gallery of Costume in Manchester and staff at other museums. My sister Sarah Thursfield drew the diagrams and her husband Nick did his technical best with poor photographs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruth Gilbert

Ruth Gilbert is a hand weaver, spinner and knitter with an abiding interest in technical understanding of craft practice. She was awarded an MPhil by the University of Southampton in January 2010.