Barbara Smith

Volunteer working on the Knitting & Crochet Guild's collection of publications. Blogger. Knitter (of course). Otherwise retired.

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

This 1972 Patons pattern leaflet is for two "exciting mini slipovers", though I'd describe them as cropped waistcoats. Granny squares were popular at the time - designs like this were so… https://t.co/Up30nnSRxe

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

This 1946 @Womans_Weekly jersey pattern in the @KCGCollection helps knitters get around wool rationing by suggesting that they use leftover wool from last week’s pattern :)

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

A design I’ve never seen before - sleeveless pullover made by knitting an oblong with a hole, then folding it over!

In @Womans_Weekly 1949

@KCGCollection

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Today I’m scanning @Womans_Weekly knitting patterns from the mid 1940s. Rationing is making it difficult to get enough wool to knit a whole garment in one colour, so Fair Isle is in! Here are some of my favourites :)

@KCGCollection

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

@ViolaChasm I'm not sure about 1940s patterns - earlier (say 1910s) knitting patterns sometimes used steel as a shorthand for 'fine' and bone if they meant a thicker needle. You can't make a fine needle or hook in bone and a thick steel needle would be heavy and tiring to use.

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Suspect that this “Egyptian Jumper” in @Womans_Weekly July 1923 was inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb the previous November

@KCGCollection

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Sorting through the random magazine tear-outs box...did not expect to find a Farmers Weekly in amongst all the Home Chats! Knitting patterns and recipes next to adverts for livestock and farm equipment - what fun :)

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

“My husband sharpened one end of the curtain rods and spliced the rope where the join was necessary” - an enterprising wartime knitting project in Housewife magazine, May 1944

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Ooo yes, a glass-smooth, feather-light knob improves my knitting no end ;) #InnuendoBingo (Mother and Home, July 1949)

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Task no. 1: make handy spreadsheet of knitting/crochet patterns in “women’s magazines (monthly): pre-1950” box. These crocheted gloves in Good Taste, July 1941 seem to have been made :) @TECHNEDTP @UR_ECW #TECHNECEEF

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

Delighted to be working with Ellie Reed on the Knitting & Crochet Guild's collection. Even though it's very cold ....

[Dr Ellie Reed @ViolaChasm]

Excited to start my @TECHNEDTP @UR_ECW Creative Economy Engagement Fellowship today! Working with pre-1948 domestic magazine knitting patterns in the Knitting & Crochet Guild’s fabulous collection. Wrapped up warm because it’s very chilly in the archive!

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

@AlderSign Yes I finished Ann Kingstone's Rosedale socks in time for Christmas. I love your Chain socks too - I made a pair for my daughter's birthday. I should make a pair for myself next.

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

Last weekend, I showed a dozen Aran knits from the Knitting & Crochet Guild collection to the Birmingham branch of the Guild. Here's a 1950s Aran in fine wool, and a chunky 1960s one. More at https://t.co/p6ctF8zLuZ

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

Enjoyed the In the Loop conference in Winchester last Thursday and Friday very much - I've written about a few of the talks I managed to catch here: https://t.co/ACk2LPNq4m #intheloop10

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

I was at Parcevall Hall in Wharfedale on Friday, showing Victorian lace from the KCG collection to a group on a knitting holiday. More photos at https://t.co/3Mj6c6PUVh

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

I'll be setting off for Winchester and the In the Loop at 10 conference in a couple of days - I'm giving a presentation on Thursday morning https://t.co/pCUM19JUvi

[WSA Library @WSALibrary]

The countdown begins...

#InTheLoop10 #Conference #KnittingConference #KnittingHistory #KnittingReferenceLibrary #Knitting #Textiles

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

In Jan 1918, women were still exhorted to knit for the troops. Home Notes magazine gave simple patterns for mittens, muffler & helmet. See https://t.co/Tr1U5skFfc #ww1

[Knitting History Forum @KnitHistForum]

The Knitting History Forum AGM & Conference was a wonderful day with outstanding speakers, stimulating discussion and good friends, old and new! #knittinghistory #knitting #crochethistory #crochet #textiles #textilehistory 2/3

[Knitting History Forum @KnitHistForum]

Barbara Smith is Publications Curator of the Knitting & Crochet Guild and will be speaking at our Knitting History conference this Saturday on Wools for the World – Wakefield Greenwood of Huddersfield. Book your ticket now! https://t.co/QCrEpGrO44 #knittinghistory #knitting https://t.co/MsSMQ1CFY6

[Barbara Smith @BarbaraKnits]

The Nov/Dec issue of Piecework magazine (a special issue on collections) has an article on the Knitting & Crochet Guild collection, with an accompanying tam pattern I adapted from a 1920s booklet. More details: https://t.co/yDPXfEYAAK