For those who can receive UK TV. Tonight (2nd October) at 9pm on BBC4, The Fabric of Britain.
"Plantagenet expert and medievalist Dan Jones concludes his journey by exploring the history of English embroidery, which once held a reputation as the finest in the Western world. He goes in search of surviving pieces from the medieval age and discovers how they were desired by kings and popes throughout the Christian world."
Episode 1 of the series was about knitting, and I was disappointed as it started in the 20th Century. I hope this is going to be better.
I would love to see the entire Fabric of Britain TV series and maybe we will some day. One thing, the information will never date.
AlmaG.
I found the first episode on you tube, hope it works by cut and paste
Thanks for the heads up. I'd love to watch this. I will look for it out on the web. Where are you in Britian? In 1985 I was down at Greenham Common AFB, south of London. I loved it! I also lived in Germany from 89 to 91. I absolutly loved England. I do genealogy research and my family came in to America from Shropshire the town or area is called Rowton. I loved being in Europe, I plan to return one day.
Connie
I was still fascinated by the different ways that the yarn is held and despite many tries to change my way of knitting I still can't knit the 'continental way'. I can use two yarns of different colours for fairisle, slowly, and I've done most kinds of knitting but I do so admire those people who can knit quickly with the yarn held in the left hand and catching it with the needle point.
Half way through this show I realised that maybe, just maybe, knitting and working with yarn is my main interest and long-time partner in coping with life's little crises. Whenever I have need to think deeply or I need to get my fingers going but relax at the same time my thoughts turn to my exotic and expansive collection of knitting yarns - what can I make??. My lounge room is constantly littered with yarn projects - I can do a few stitches any time, drop the project and it will wait patiently for me to return.... love me, love my yarn mess.
Then I realised that I am watching this show linked for me through the Machine Embroidery list!!!!! I suddenly feel slightly guilty that, although I love ME and love even more the collection of beautiful designs since I find it difficult to get to my embroidery machine for any length of time any more, my first love is the working of yarns, mixing colours and stitches to create warm and useful things or fun and quirky things. My collection of knitting books and patterns is immense and covers most of the styles I've seen this morning on youtube. Why would I need any more yarn, or patterns??? Why would I need any more ME designs!!!!
Creating with one hook, two needles or five needles, yarn work has been my life-long friend. I remember my first attempt to knit booties for my doll when I was five years old - tight little wound ball of red wool and Mum's little steel needles. I remember all those hundreds of things I've made since then and it's been a great ride back in time.
Thankyou, Sue, for bringing to our attention this TV series and thankyou, baydreamer, for taking the trouble to link us to the youtube show.
Just a little show-off..... the dress, bonnet and booties set I knitted for my little grand-daughter in which she won first prize in a baby show - every mother's baby would win a baby show.
AlmaG.